Kobe Beef is arguably the world’s most famous meat, and it’s considered a delicacy not only for its taste, but also for its tenderness and texture. It can be found on menus of high-end restaurants around the world, but it originated in the southern Japanese city of Kobe.

As you might imagine, delicacies of international reputation don’t come cheap, and a cut of Kobe Beef can easily set you back 200$ or more. If you’re a budget-conscious backpacker like us, that’s not really an option, so I’ve put together a few tricks to help you cut the costs.

Here’s my guide to finding affordable Kobe Beef in its place of origin.

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Some Historical Context

Kobe beef is a type of wagyu meat from cattle that is bred in the Hyōgo Prefecture around Kobe. Cross-breeding in the early 20^th century resulted in four different types of wagyu breeds, one of which is the black cattle that Kobe meat is taken from.

In 1983 the meat was trademarked, and ever since the quality of Kobe beef has been heavily controlled. The quality is classified with a rating system, which results in the combinations of letters and numbers that you can spot in the restaurant menus.

Going by that system, the A5 Wagyu Beef is the best quality Kobe beef, so make sure to order that one to get the real deal.

How Cheap Are we Talking?

By following the steps below, we paid about 3,000 Yen (about 20$) per person. Just keep in mind that we’re not talking about a full meal, but about trying the famous meat.

How to Find Cheap Kobe Beef in Kobe

Go to the Source

Step one is avoiding high export costs and taxes by going directly to the source. If you’re reading this, I assume you’re already in Kobe or planning on going there, so congrats, the first step is done.

Eat at Lunch

It’s no secret that many restaurants raise their prices in the evening. In more expensive countries, eating at restaurants at lunchtime is actually one of our favourites tricks to pinch some pennies.

Interestingly, we were the only customers at the place where we tried the meat, but then again, we didn’t go there for the company.

Find the Right Restaurant

It goes without saying that prices differ dramatically from restaurant to restaurant, as you’re also always paying for reputation, ambience, service, etc. In central Kobe we were spoiled for choice, as you can’t throw a rock without hitting a Kobe beef billboard.

As often is the case, it’s best to go a little off the main roads and search the back alleys for small family-run restaurants. We ended up at Kobe Beef Yazawa Hankyu Sannomiya and were very happy with our experience there.

It’s located in Kitanagasa-dori, directly north of Kobe Sannomiya Train Station. When we were there, the building had a statue of Spider-Man climbing around its façade for some reason. Otherwise, people at your hotel or the tourist info will probably be able to suggest some alternatives.

Get a Set Menu

Preparation matters, too, and some cuts or variations are a lot pricier than others. We decided to get a cheaper set menu (that also included some other dishes), which meant that we got a spread of different pieces selected by the chef.

That way, we could also try different preparations of the meat, so it was really a win-win situation.

Share a Plate 

This would probably be frowned upon in the high-class restaurants that serve Kobe Beef abroad, but in Japan, Stefanie and I were able to share our menu.

This will likely depend on the restaurant, but I suggest you politely ask whether it’s okay to share, and chances are the staff will be fine with it.

Obviously, this meant less food per person, but for us the point was to try the speciality, not to stuff ourselves until we burst.

Guided Tours of Kobe with Kobe Beef Tasting

If you’re not on a shoestring budget, but want to explore the best the city has to offer both in terms of culture and food, there are several guided tours available. For instance, this four-hour tour includes the must-see sights of the Kitano District and a Kobe beef lunch afterwards.

Other Things to Do in Kobe

In case you were wondering: there are plenty of non-beef-related reasons to visit Kobe, like the unique Kitano area, which features houses of 19th-century foreign traders. Stay tuned for more information on this awesome city!