Eat your way around Kobe! Time-efficiency gourmet food you can only get here

"Higaki" is a historic box sushi restaurant that uses thick, meaty conger eel in abundance.

Conger eel is one of Kobe's specialty ingredients, and enjoying it in a box sushi box is a food culture unique to the Kansai region.

"Higaki" is a Kansai sushi specialty store where you can enjoy box sushi, rolled sushi, and chirashizushi. It is located in the bustling Chinatown of Nankinmachi, one block back from the main street.

This popular restaurant is loved by locals and tourists alike. It's a small shop with only eight seats at the counter, but it offers take-out if you make a reservation the day before, so many customers enjoy their food at home, on the Shinkansen, or on an airplane.

The box sushi is made with conger eel called "Densuke," which weighs over 300g. This box sushi, made with a generous amount of large, meaty conger eel, is exceptionally tasty.

The vinegared rice and conger eel are layered and stuffed into a wooden mold, then pressed firmly to form the shape, before being cut with a special knife to complete the process. There are many intricate steps, but the owner, Mr. Higaki's, skill is so smooth that it's hard not to be captivated by his craftsmanship.

The "Conger eel box sushi (3,000 yen)" contains four pieces each of grilled and steamed conger eel. Steamed conger eel is the standard in the Kanto region, but grilled conger eel is a way of eating unique to the Kansai region. You can enjoy comparing the different tastes, textures, and flavors.

The savory grilled conger eel has crispy skin and plump flesh, and the rich sauce brings out the natural flavor of the eel. Another characteristic of Kansai box sushi is that it contains shiitake mushrooms and wood ear mushrooms between the rice and the conger eel.

The vinegared rice has a slight sweetness that balances well with the savory conger eel, resulting in a refined flavor.

The "Three-item Assortment (2,000 yen)" is popular among those who want to try a variety of dishes, and includes two slices each of grilled conger eel and shrimp, as well as four pieces of sushi rolls.

The brightly colored and beautiful shrimp have a fun, firm texture, and the Japanese pepper leaves add a refreshing flavor.

The beautifully rolled sushi is topped with egg, dried gourd, shiitake mushroom, wood ear mushroom, carrot and mitsuba. The ingredients are just the right amount of sweet, and the seaweed and vinegared rice are just right, making it very delicious.

Enjoy this beautiful box sushi made with attention to detail and experience the craftsmanship of the chef while experiencing the food culture of Kansai.

Higaki

*Prices current as of June 19th.

Western Food Paris: Enjoy classic Western dishes in a retro atmosphere

One of the must-have gourmet foods when speaking of Kobe is Western food. Since the port opened over 150 years ago, the Western food culture developed by ship chefs is inseparable from the history of Kobe.

Located a 10-minute walk from JR Sannomiya Station, Western Food Paris has a retro exterior with eye-catching green tile walls. It is a popular restaurant with adults and children alike, offering classic Western dishes such as fried shrimp, gratin, and hamburger steak.

The interior of the restaurant is filled with a warm light and a nostalgic atmosphere. The spoons and forks set on the tables give off an exciting Western-style restaurant vibe!

There is a walk-in cellar at the back of the store where you can choose the perfect wine to go with your Western meal from a wide selection, focusing on natural wines.

The classic Western dish "Macaroni Gratin (Small size 770 yen)". Macaroni, chicken, onions and other ingredients are wrapped in a smooth white sauce. The melted cheese is fragrantly browned and so delicious that you won't be able to stop eating it.

"Hamburg steak (Small size 1,300 yen)". The minced meat is cut into large chunks, and the more you chew it, the stronger the flavor becomes. It is truly worthy of the name "steak", and the rich sauce is also delicious. The roasted carrots and broccoli add a vibrant color to this dish.

The Italian Neapolitan (medium size 1,100 yen) is a dish that is named after the Italian cuisine. The ketchup sauce that coats the thick spaghetti reminds me of my childhood. The ingredients are plentiful, including sausage, peppers, onions, and mushrooms, and it's a delight to eat.

The dishes are available in small and large sizes that can be shared by a large group, so even if you're alone you can enjoy a little bit of a variety of dishes.
This is a warm Western restaurant that conveys a passion for Western cuisine and its customers. You'll be hooked after just one visit.

Western food Paris