Kobe Beef Kaiseki 511 — Restaurant in Tokyo

Truly the best meal I had in Japan, celebrating the single best grade of beef in the world.

There's a reason why Kobe beef has a reputation - one look at the marbling and it is suddenly apparent, one bite as the rush of juicy flavor will immediately reiterate why as far as food bucket lists go, this is the single 'best' cut of meat you can get.

Tokyo has at least a dozen high end Kobe beef steakhouses, and if you're really making the most of it, you might even be considering just taking the shinkansen an extra 30 minutes out of Osaka to go to Kobe itself.

So why 'a511'? What separates the restaurant from almost all its competitors is that a511 serves the steak as part of a kaiseki menu.

Imagine traveling up a culinary mountain, and at the top are the six greatest bites of meat you'll ever have in your life. The aesthetically beautiful dishes chosen beforehand (all with unique implementations of smaller cuts of Kobe beef), prepare your palette to fully appreciate the main course ahead of you. With a range of tiny but filling)dishes such as: mushrooms from the mountains, barely cooked Kobe 'sushi', you come to appreciate some of the more subtle aspects of the beef you're about to consume.

In one course, the tempura portion of the meal featured a cube of Kobe beef, every so lightly fried with a coating of cracked rice. I don't joke when I say that the taste of the juicy meat and slightly too-roasted rice gave me a ratatouille moment back to my childhood, remembering my mom serving seared supermarket steak over rice from a second hand ricer cooker. The food at a511 tastes as good as my memories of that perfect meal in my nostalgic childhood memory.

The final hearth baked steak is as sublime as you'd expect, but beauty of the kaiseki menu shines again, as a final pre-dessert dish takes your hand and helps you step off the mountain - not quite cleansing your palette, but leaving your stomach full and warm with the aftertaste of your meal.

At Y13800, the price is comparable to your upscale restaurant. But at the time of writing, the USD was incredibly strong, which offered a ridiculous discount off the set price. Add in the fact that like across all of Japan, gratuity isn't expected nor accepted, and that leaves plenty of extra spending cash for the extensive drink menu. The bellini's were quite affordable and especially flavorful.

The final factor that stands out is the EXTREMELY wonderful service. I used included a message in my opentable reservation that stated that I was visiting from the US, and would love if there happened to be an English menu, and stressed that it's more than ok if there simply wasn't one.

When I arrived at the restaurant, I was greeted in English by several members of the waitstaff, and then both my waitress and server spoke perfect English to me - giving lengthy and accommodating explanations for every course or question I had. It was quite a surreal experience after two weeks of language immersion in the country.

Maybe you could write it off due to being there on a regular weeknight when it was only moderately busy, but the level of service and personalized attention is right up there with Daniel and Per Se in NYC. Upon leaving and sheepishly asking if I could take pictures of the decor, they gave me what was almost a 'trading card' for the cow that the meat came from that night as a souvenir. The beef was rated, of course, 'a5' (the highest) in the Japan Meat Quality Score, with an '11' in the Beef Marbling Standard. A minimalist descriptive restaurant name, hidden in plain sight.

It was indeed the best meat I had during my time in Japan, as the food, service and atmosphere all combined to an unforgettable meal.

It's the one restaurant in Tokyo I'd recommend to anyone looking to get a taste of the best ingredients and culinary heritage the country...

One of the restaurant’s standout offerings is the Kobe Beef Kiln Baked Rib Roast Steak Course, a symphony of exquisite flavours and textures. From amuse-bouche to delectable desserts, each course is meticulously crafted to showcase the rich taste of Kobe beef.

KOBE BEEF KILN BAKED RIB ROAST STEAK COURSE: A Culinary Marvel

The Kobe Beef Kiln Baked Rib Roast Steak Course at KOBE BEEF 511 is a culinary journey that leaves an indelible mark on the palate. From the very first bite to the last, each element of this course is a testament to the chef’s mastery and the exceptional quality of Kobe beef.

The high-temperature oven in which the ribeye is grilled imparts a tantalising char and aroma to the beef. The presentation is elegant and showcases the star of the show – the succulent Kobe beef ribeye. The courses are beautifully arranged, and each dish exudes a sense of artistry and attention to detail.

Amuse: A Prelude to Excellence

The amuse-bouche sets the stage for what’s to come. A tantalising morsel that tantalises the taste buds and prepares them for the symphony of flavours that follows.

Appetizers: A Symphony of Flavours

The appetizers showcase a delicate balance of textures and tastes. Each element is meticulously chosen to complement the richness of the main course. The tomato salad bursts with freshness, while the cold pasta offers a refreshing contrast.

Today’s Soup: A Warm Embrace

The soup, a reflection of the chef’s expertise, is a comforting interlude. Its warmth and depth of flavour provide a satisfying prelude to the pièce de résistance.

Kobe Beef Kiln Firing Rib Roast Steak (200g): The Star of the Show

The highlight of the course is undoubtedly the Kobe beef ribeye. Grilled to perfection over charcoal in the high-temperature oven, it is a revelation of tenderness and flavour. The marbling, a hallmark of Kobe beef, creates a melt-in-the-mouth experience that is nothing short of extraordinary.

Option of Staple Food: A Customised Touch

This course offers the flexibility to choose a staple food that suits your preferences. Whether it’s rice, noodles, or another accompaniment, it complements the main course seamlessly.

Dessert: A Sweet Farewell

The dessert is a fitting conclusion to this culinary odyssey. It provides a sweet contrast to the savoury courses, leaving a lingering impression on the palate.

While the course is undeniably a splurge, the experience and quality of Kobe beef justify the price. The option to add extra steak is a tempting proposition for those seeking an even more indulgent meal.

Overall Impression

The KOBE BEEF KILN BAKED RIB ROAST STEAK COURSE at KOBE BEEF 511 is an extraordinary culinary experience that lives up to its promise. From the exquisite Kobe beef ribeye to the thoughtfully curated accompaniments, each element is a testament to the chef’s expertise and the exceptional quality of the ingredients. While it’s undoubtedly a special occasion dining experience, it’s one that will be cherished and remembered for years to come.

KOBE BEEF KILN BAKED RIB ROAST STEAK COURSE MENU This course allows you to fully enjoy the delicious taste of Kobe beef ribeye grilled over charcoal in high-temperature oven.

This course is available from 2 persons.

amuse

appetizers

Tomato salad

cold pasta

today’s Soup

Kobe beef kiln firing rib roast steak(200g)

option of staple food

dessert

¥27,500

The prices listed are for “one person”. ※The contents of the course may vary depending on the purchase situation on the day. Extra steak (100g) ribeye +¥12,200

Location: A Culinary Oasis in Akasaka

Situated in the Deer Plaza Akasaka, 4-3-28 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo, KOBE BEEF 511 is conveniently located for discerning diners seeking an exceptional culinary experience in the...

I treated my boyfriend on Kobe Beef Kaiseki 511 (神戸牛懐石511) since he really wanted to eat Kobe Beef steak in Japan! This place is very popular to the foreigners! The restaurant specializes in Kobe beef and proudly served a Grade 5 in beef quality (the highest grade of beef quality) and Grade 11 in BMS or Beef Marbling Standard (the highest is Grade 12), hence the 511 in the restaurant's name.

When we went to this restaurant, we were greeted right away and was asked by the receptionist if we made reservation, we said that we didn't and he said that it was ok, and seated us to one of the elevated tables with see-through black curtains in the corner! I love that spot! We were happy to be seated there as it felt more private!

We had two servers that attended to us and both could speak English really well! The waitress gave us the menu and asked us what we wanted to drink, we ordered Coke. Lol.

Afterwards, my bf and I checked their menu and had a lot of questions such as what are the seasonal appetizers, seasonal soup, etc. on the course meals and our waiter, the other server, answered all of them. We needed to ask those questions since their menu was not specific on what food they are offering. For example, I have a "hearth-baked seafood" on the course set that I chose and I don't know what kind of seafood they would give me. When our waiter answered my question, I asked the waitress beside him if I can change the hearth-baked seafood to the hearth-baked lobster since I saw one listed on the ala carte menu and she said that they cannot change their course set with exception to the main course (kobe beef). You can choose another kobe beef on their menu with extra charge.

Anyway, my boyfriend chose the "Kiln-baked Kobe-beef Dinner Course", an American course meal, and I chose the "Kiln-baked Kobe-beef and Seafood Course", a Japanese style course meal. It would say in the menu if the course meal is Japanese or American style, so you can't choose that part.

The waiter gave us the beef parts guide and printed copy of the course meal set that my boyfriend and I ordered. Then, they started serving us our appetizers and took the plates after we finished, the same process happened when they served the other dishes on the sets that we ordered. They explained to us very well every dishes that they were serving. When the waiter served me the "hearth-baked fish", I asked him if the fish can stay on our table since I wanted to eat it together with my steak and he said ok. Little did he know that I actually don't eat meat! Haha. So, when my Kobe beef steak arrived, my boyfriend and I waited for our waiter to leave us first before I gave my steak to my bf! Haha! Then I finally ate the fish that I was saving earlier with the rice and miso soup that was served with my Kobe steak:D. Also, on my meal set, I had that Matsutake mushroom soup that had Kobe beef on it, I swapped that with my boyfriend's soup, instead! Lol.

I was happy with my food and my boyfriend was extremely satisfied with his and my Kobe beef steak! He said that the meat was so soft that it just melted on his mouth and that was best steak he have ever eaten in his life! When we were leaving the restaurant, they all accompanied us including their manager and lined-up outside of the restaurant, bowing and thanking us. They didn't leave that spot until they made sure that we were gone upstairs! We were their last diners for that night!

I highly recommend this restaurant since their food is excellent and service was impeccable!

Note: There is a 10% mandatory service fee that will be added...