Kobe Japanese Steakhouse — Restaurant in Vancouver

Went to Kobe for my birthday dinner, one of my daughters tagged along. We were seated with a couple celebrating their wedding anniversary. After a short wait, the waitress informed us. the other guests had cancelled and the chef was going to start.. four people and the cook just awesome. Our chef had a great sense of humour making his jokes far more hilarious. I have dined at Kobe more than a hundred times since 1987. Sometimes being large groups taking up one, two, or three tables. I was once alone but mostly with a group of two - six together. Years back I became friends with the bartender then became manager, Razz a few of the waitresses one I went to secondary school with, Miss Killeen and others. This visit to Kobe was really a great time. Not since the 90s that I laughed so hard from a Kobe chef. Not only was this guy entertaining but his cooking was incredibly masterful. His precision timing, my steak cooked exactly how I asked. The main issue I had in my past visits to Kobe was the chef overcooking my lobster 75 percent of the time. Though the last 10 years I have experienced quite a chef improvement, in respect to the timing of cooking my lobster. This visit the chef was brilliant the lobster was the best I have eaten at Kobe since 1995. Not only did the chef cook effortlessly to perfection he also was one of the funniest entertaining characters of chefs Kobe has ever had. In the beginning you eat whats on your plate. Then ya slow down cause your getting full. You push food around on the plate your appetite is gone and the food turns room temperature and texture and taste of your lobster most likely, is a turn off. Only a few times ever at Kobe, I had a bite after my food was room temp. My past experiences were not enjoyable. This visit was such a positive experience I ate the last two pieces of lobster that had sat for twenty minutes. This was the shocker...That room temperature lobster, tasted as good or better than when it was first served hot to me by the chef. The texture was better and it melted in my mouth. "That lobster" probably the best I have ever had the pleasure to have dined on. That chef is a master at his art. I have had fresh monster lobster more than a few. The old Cannery resteraunt lobster thermadore on numerous occasions. I would pick the best lobster in the tank at Red Lobster at dozens of past visits. I lost count of how many I have eaten in my life. I have come to believe that cooking seafood requires a certain type of energy as you cook it. It's like the food your cooking takes on the joyful free and happy positive or the opposite and in-between. A happy person makes extraordinary cooks like the master chef that energised my meal. Thanks Kobe great experience I will never...

Kobe Japanese Steakhouse 1042 Alberni Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 1A3

At Kobe Japanese Steakhouse, the evening began with an order of The Ultimate — a generous combination of New York steak, lobster tail, teriyaki chicken breast, Atlantic scallops, and mixed vegetables, finished with a scoop of ice cream for dessert.

The meal opened with a shabu shabu soup, pleasantly seasoned and simple, offering a comforting start to the dining experience. Rating: 7/10

The main course showcased a range of highlights and shortcomings. The New York steak was cooked exactly to specification — rare — and was tender and flavorful. However, the true standouts were the Atlantic scallops and lobster tail, both expertly prepared, delivering rich, delicate flavors. Unfortunately, the teriyaki chicken and the accompanying mixed vegetables suffered from heavy seasoning, with salt overpowering the natural flavors of the ingredients. Rating: 7/10

The performance by the assigned chef was notably disappointing. While teppanyaki dining typically blends culinary skill with theatrical flair, the chef’s execution of tricks was lackluster and uninspired, mirroring standard routines seen elsewhere without offering anything distinctive. More concerning was an unprofessional joke directed at a guest, detracting significantly from the overall dining experience. Rating: 2/10

Service, on the other hand, was a redeeming factor. The waitstaff was courteous, attentive, and genuinely welcoming, ensuring that guests felt accommodated and comfortable throughout the evening. Rating: 8/10

The ambiance of Kobe is lively yet compact. As is often the case with teppanyaki restaurants, the seating areas were somewhat tight, but the stylish lounge and waiting area offered a warm and vibrant introduction to the space. Rating: 8/10

Price-wise, Kobe leans toward the higher end of the spectrum. While the quality of the food largely justifies the cost, the lack of an engaging teppanyaki performance diminishes the overall value, especially for guests seeking a complete culinary and entertainment experience.

Final Verdict Kobe Japanese Steakhouse delivers satisfying dishes, with highlights such as perfectly cooked scallops and lobster tail. However, the underwhelming chef performance and lapses in professionalism detract from what could have been a more memorable experience. Given the premium pricing, there are other teppanyaki establishments that offer a more polished and entertaining experience alongside...

It has been years since I have been here because of my dietary needs. I called ahead of time to confirm it was ok to serve me and my son as we both have food allergies. My daughter and hubby can eat anything! It was my husband's and I 3rd anniversary and we wanted a special experience. The person on the phone was extremely kind and reassured me that they could serve us, however, the chef we had was very Passive-aggressive when I informed him. He asked if he could just make my son and I a Sandwich instead of cooking for us (my son is 12). I get this was a joke which I didn't feel was very funny in front of everybody at the table. This basically ruined our night bc the whole thing would be awkward moving forward as he had to change the order in which he cooked things, which he made clear would be a huge inconvenience for him. I went outside for some fresh air and told the hostesses of my experience on the way back in so they knew for other people in the future. They were so incredibly kind and supportive. I had never experienced this kind of care and attention at a restaurant before. They moved my family and I to a different table and started our night from the beginning! We had our own chef named Oliver who was absolutely delightful. We enjoyed our food and our conversation. He made my kids squeal with excitement with his talents! The 3 hostesses continually checked on me throughout the night. The servers we had were amazing. The front of house staff could teach a class on hospitality. They took a situation where I could have left with a very awful memory of this place and our anniversary. Instead, they made it an unbelievable night for my whole family. I HOPE YOU READ THIS LADIES and know how much I...