Yakiniku Kobeya Shinjuku — Restaurant in Tokyo

This yakiniku restaurant offered an extraordinary dining experience from beginning to end. The meal followed a set menu with around six different cuts of Wagyu beef, each prepared with remarkable skill and precision. Among the cuts were tongue, cheek, loin, rib, flank and neck. Every piece had its own distinct flavor and texture, from soft and tender to rich and full of marbling that melted beautifully in the mouth.

The side dishes were thoughtfully chosen and complemented the meat perfectly. There was flavorful kimchi, a fresh cabbage and sprout salad and a warm rice soup that balanced the meal very well. The sauces were a real highlight, especially the lemon sauce which brought out the natural flavor of the meat and created a refreshing contrast. The barbecue sauce added depth and warmth and together they created an exceptional combination.

One particularly creative touch was the serving of beef with fermented vegetables which were grilled together to create a wonderful mix of flavor and aroma. Every dish was well composed and perfectly timed. The dessert, a small serving of ice cream, was a simple but fitting conclusion to this outstanding meal.

The atmosphere of the restaurant was elegant, calm and welcoming. It felt warm and refined at the same time. The service was excellent, attentive and knowledgeable about every part of the meal.

Overall this was a truly unforgettable experience that showed the very best of Japanese beef cuisine. The balance of flavors, the textures and the presentation were all perfect. Every detail was done with care and precision. This restaurant fully deserves 5...

More like 2.5/5 *

Positives: We had no reservation for 4 people but were seated quickly on a weekday evening (~5pm). The quality of the meat was fine - not amazing, but not horrible.

Negatives: They offer 3-4 different set options. We were told that the entire table had to get the SAME EXACT set. We inquired if we can get 2 of the same set and some a la carte items on the side, but no, they won't do that. Someone please tell me how that makes sense. We ended up just getting everything a la carte in order to not be tethered to getting the set options. Five minutes later, we were told there is a one-drink minimum per person. Where on the menu was that stated, especially since we were ordering a la carte and not even taking advantage of any promotions? In any case, we didn't feel like getting into it especially given we did not speak Japanese. Not sure if we seemed like easy targets because we were tourists or what, but lots of things did not add up...

This is a foreigner-friendly BBQ restaurant. We found this restaurant on a Japan APP with high rating on food. It is a mixture of Japanese and Korean BBQ. The owner (or a senior staff) speaks basic English. The restaurant has the English menu. We (five guys) ordered five dishes of standard rib and lion (see the photo), two Korean mix rice bowls, one spicy tofu soup, one Kimchi plate, and a Japanese salad. Everyone also had two beer or highball. In total, all of this cost us around 20000 yen. Considering the food quality, the price is reasonable. Anyway, we are satisfied with everything. This restaurant doesn't operate till late nigh, the last order for food and drink is 10:30pm and 11:00pm,...