Kujira no Andy — Restaurant in Kobe

Found this place by chance on our way to the carpentry museum. Feels almost like one of Kobe’s best kept secrets in the area’s shopping square. Don’t be afraid to knock and/or poke your head in to check if the place is open even if the lights aren’t obvious from outside!

The food offered resembles western/European faire, served with a Japanese twist. English menus are available.

The chef was very attentive to our preferences and provided excellent service throughout our lunch. The effort put into the prep work and cooking is evident in everything served; from the entree to the main course, and the after meal coffee.

The stewed pork was well prepared; the meat was so wonderfully juicy and provided some good mouth-feel when you sink your teeth into it—without being too tough! The tomato base is not as sour as what one might find in Europe; it’s more skewed towards the Japanese palate that prefers a gentler (and possibly even sweeter) flavour.

The salad and dressing were well-paired, and the sour dough bread served with the salad was softer than more traditional sour dough loaves I’ve had in the past. Had a little taste of the chicken confit as well, and it was well-seasoned.

An altogether yummy experience.

Like many eateries, space is limited to ~10 pax, and on counter seats only. This place is not for patrons who have issues sitting on bar counter seats. Access also requires either climbing some steep and narrow steps (if you’re visiting via the side door) or passing behind the counter seats via a narrow walkway.

If you’re into anime, the chef would be more than happy to discuss your fav anime with you 😁 And if there’s anything that can’t be discussed in English properly, there’s no need to shy from using google translate, because the chef will...

We found this hidden gem in Kobe, while researching where to have kobe beef, and it turned out to be one of the best meals we had there.

We requested a Kobe beef set in advance through ig, even though it wasn't on the menu. The owner went out of his way to specially source the ingredients beforehand and prepared a custom Kobe beef meal just for us — and at a fraction of the usual price you'd expect to pay for Kobe beef. The quality was incredible, every bite melt-in-your-mouth perfect. We also had the beef stew, from the lunch menu, and it was absolutely phenomenal — rich, tender, and deeply flavorful. We really licked the plate clean.

Beyond the food, what really left a lasting impression was the warm hospitality. The owner was so kind and welcoming, making us feel like honored guests rather than just customers.

If you're in Kobe and looking for an authentic, heartfelt dining experience, this is the place. Just be sure to reserve ahead as they might be closed....

I found this cozy family-owned restaurant near Moegi House while exploring the area.

The owner and chef was very kind, cooking each dish with grace in front of you, and serving them one by one. He also offered to take photos for us when he learned we're tourists, which is really nice!

The restaurant's interior was warm and intimate, with a long wooden table that showed the owner's thoughtful arrangement. Numerous decorations and photos told the story of the restaurant's 20 some years of history.

Additionally, during the Christmas season, the restaurant was adorned with seasonal decorations, including Disney Christmas ornaments and a Christmas playlist accompanying your dining.

Heads up: Since it's a small restaurant, it primarily caters to customers with dinner reservations and events, so it may not be open during...