En Steak House

Raised to extremely exacting standards, Kobe beef is known as some of the highest-quality beef worldwide — and there's no better place to eat it than in the place of its origin.

Just a few minutes from Motomachi Station on the Sannomiya waterfront, and right in the middle of Kobe's nightlife center, En Steak House lets diners watch an expert chef prepare perfectly-marbled, high-quality wagyu beef and fresh lobster on a sizzling griddle.

Of course, the chef's expertise cannot be understated, but neither can the sheer quality of En's Kobe beef. Even among the insanely high standards of Kobe beef, it's Nakanishi Ranch that especially stands out.

For over 50 years, the original farm in Kobe (the family has a second operation in Miyazaki Prefecture) has become known for winning several awards for the quality of their beef, including from the Kobe Beef Marketing & Distribution Promotion Association — Japan's leading authority on this extremely luxurious wagyu. Every year, only 10% Tajima cattle will be sufficiently marbled to be considered true Kobe beef — but Nakanishi's average Kobe certification lies at a staggering 60%.

Of course, such high-quality beef has to be matched by equally luxurious ingredients, and En is in no short supply. Seasonal vegetables come mainly from Takeuchi Farm in neighboring Akashi, while others come from Tsutsui Farm in northern Hokkaido, letting En's chefs offer a variety of vegetables all year round.

* provided by: byFood