Kobe Beef Sakura Osaka Shochikuza Store — Restaurant in Osaka

If you are going to read one review of this place, read this one.

We made a reservation and the menu we received in the store had different sets and prices than what is advertised online. When we asked about this they said the sets online have to be reserved online, if not you have to order off the physical menu. In person menu prices were about double what was advertised online but we were hungry so decided to go ahead with it. The disposable wooden chopsticks on the table foreshadowed our “fine dining” experience.

We upgraded the set by paying even more, however, one in our party got the basic set and it was tough and gross. Not what you would want for Kobe beef that you’re already paying $13800 for without the upgrade.

The Kobe sushi was next to inedible. You might just get lockjaw from trying to chew the toughest piece of beef leather you’ve ever experienced. I could only eat one of the two I received, it was that bad.

We all opted for the sukiyaki pot, again, if you did not pay even more to upgrade the meat you will be disappointed. The veggies that came with it were bare and small in amount.

Then there were two groups that came in (not more than 3 tables were occupied at any given time) but the two servers were overwhelmed by these guests. We then waited for 30+ minutes for udon that was supposed to go into our sukiyaki pot. By this time our broth has congealed over and there was nothing in it left. We tried to get water several times and was left without water for 30+ minutes as well. One of the groups that came in treated the restaurant like an izakaya - not the high end dining experience you might be expecting from what you are paying per person.

The dessert was a few overly dusted mochi.

In the end, our experience was really terrible. We paid $50k+ yen for three people for terrible food, callous and inattentive service, rowdy atmosphere, and forced to spend THREE hours on a dinner that had 5 courses. All the positive reviews are probably fake or to get a free dish from the restaurant that they are offering when you write a google review.

Of course, the servers were apologetic but nothing else was offered to compensate for our deplorable experience. Please, please, PLEASE, for the love of all that is sacred, save yourself and eat ANYWHERE else. Even if it’s McDonald’s. Even if you don’t like it, at least you won’t be out 50k+ yen.

Tl;dr: Go...

Great meats and a pretty unique experience. We arrived about an hour before they closed their lunch service to find that we were the only people in the whole place.

That's probably because this place is infuriatingly hard to find, as Google has the entrance marked on the backside of the building on the wrong street (you have to go around to the front, down a small corridor, then down an escalator and its to the right on the left hand side).

As for the Katsu Kobe Beef, it was amazing. So tender and so delicious. The sauce, while completely unnecessary, was also very tasty, and worth trying at least once. We also had the premium Kobe Nigiri you see in the photo. Those were just alright, I felt they were a bit chewy, so you can either order the cheaper ones, or skip it altogether. Just get another Katsu Kobe to be honest.

Our server was delightful and obviously very attentive. Definitely come here if you are on the...

It is expensive to eat Kobe. Keep in mind that it goes from 10,000 yen to higher (there are some products to buy for less for they are small). I went with my wife, she ate Shabu Shabu (rounding it was 15000 yens) and I ate premium Kobe 120g (like 13000 yens) and we drank water (what I do remember is that the total amount we paid was 26,400 yens/ $186) My observations: The food was very good. I preferred my dish over my wife. My 120g were like a dream, and from now on, that will be a memory 🥲. Our dishes were almost in the low range, if you have a lot of money, they have more premium options (be prepared😖) I remembered that I have to take a picture after I ate (I was enjoying heaven for a moment). It was an epic moment followed by a failed action. At least I have a Shabu Shabu vid.

Not everyday we can eat Kobe, if your budget can resist it, do it. If not, go and eat elsewhere so you don’t regret...