[2025] Kobe Chinatown and Motomachi Food Walking Map. 14 carefully selected gourmet restaurants!

*Prices include tax.
*Prices and sales conditions may be subject to change.

Kobe Chinatown and Motomachi Food Walking Map

From classic dim sum to the latest hot spots! Food to eat on the go!

[Xiaolong Tanpao] Full of gravy! The best value dim sum "Taiwan Tanpao"

If you want to eat juicy Xiaolongbao, we highly recommend the Xiaolong tanpao from Taiwan Tanpao. A reasonable 550 yen for six pieces, this item is extremely popular with tourists and locals alike.

The restaurant is located right next to the square in the center of Chinatown, and the landmarks are the large signs saying "Xiaolong Tangbao" and the many steamers lined up in front of the store. You can sit and eat inside the store or in the square in front of the store.

"Xiaolong Tangbao" is the signature dish purchased by 90% of customers. You can tell the difference from regular Xiaolongbao with just one bite. The moment you put it in your mouth, the piping hot soup full of flavor spreads in your mouth.

The "tang" in "xiaolongtangbao" means soup, and as the name suggests, the soup is tightly sealed inside the skin. Other than the soup, the satisfying coarsely ground pork and crispy skin are also key to its deliciousness.

If you take it home, you can warm it up in the microwave for one minute and it will be delicious. You can enjoy it fresh on the spot, or take it home as a souvenir. Experience the juicy taste for yourself.

Daidoko Taiwan Tanpao Nankinmachi store

[Baked Xiaolongbao] The crispy and fragrant texture is addictive at "YUNYUN"

Speaking of Xiaolongbao, you should also try the baked version. Next, we would like to introduce the Baked Xiaolongbao (6 pieces, 900 yen) from YUNYUN, which is known for always having a line of customers.

When you enter the store, you will find an open kitchen with glass walls. The sight of a large number of grilled xiaolongbao lined up in the pot and the staff quickly wrapping the xiaolongbao is also worth seeing, so you can watch the cooking process while waiting in line, and time flies by.

The chewy yet fragrant skin of the "Baked Xiaolongbao" is filled with plenty of meat soup. The crispy texture of the skin is a delicious taste that is unique to Baked Xiaolongbao. Be careful, as the hot soup will overflow when it is freshly made. If you are eating on your own, a pack of three (450 yen) is enough to satisfy you.

The perfect accompaniment to the fried xiaolongbao is the "Fukken Rice Vermicelli" (450 yen). This is a traditional flavor that has been loved since the restaurant opened. In fact, the restaurant is also an antenna shop for "Kenmin Foods," a company famous for its rice vermicelli, so this menu is also available.

The fragrant and delicious flavor of their homemade rice noodles, as well as the generous amount of meat and vegetables, make this slightly strongly seasoned dish addictive enough that you won't be able to stop eating.

There are seats on the second floor of the restaurant, so if you want to rest your feet, you can sit down and enjoy your meal. The two signature dishes, baked xiaolongbao and rice vermicelli, are best enjoyed as a set.

Kobe Nankinmachi YUNYUN

【Braised pork buns】Plenty of melt-in-your-mouth braised pork "Kouran"

If you want to enjoy a hearty and filling meal, head to "Kouran," located near the Seianmon Gate in Motomachi. The shop's most popular item is the "Kobe Beef Bun," which has won numerous awards, but we would like to introduce you to the "Kakuni Baozi" (400 yen), a favorite among locals.

The fluffy and chewy dough is filled with large chunks of braised pork and vegetables, making it very satisfying to eat. The braised pork is so soft it melts in your mouth, and the texture as it crumbles apart is irresistible as the flavor spreads in your mouth. It contains authentic homemade braised pork, so it is extremely satisfying.

The dough is soaked in the sauce from the braised pork, so even though it's quite filling, you can eat it all in one go.

The store also sells pork buns and xiaolongbao dumplings that you can eat on the go, as well as souvenirs. It tends to get crowded during the lunch hours, so it's best to go in the morning or evening, especially on weekends.

Kouran Main Store

[Peking Duck] "Kaho" - a spectacular performance of butchering a whole chicken right in front of you

Peking duck is a representative Chinese dish in which a whole duck is roasted and eaten. It may seem like a high-end ingredient, but at the golden, authentic Peking duck specialty store "Kaho," you can casually enjoy a mini-sized Peking duck at the stall in front of the store.

In addition to Peking duck, the restaurant serves Chinese cuisine unique to Kobe and dishes using seasonal vegetables. What catches your eye is the sight of the meat being grilled while rotating on the oven in front of the store. Many customers find themselves stopping in their tracks to take in this unique sight that can't be seen anywhere else.

When you order "Peking Duck" at this food stall, the grilled meat is laid out on a chopping board in front of the stall and then cut up. It's an exciting experience to watch this rare cooking process.

Then you'll be handed a Peking Duck (500 yen) wrapped in paper with a cute duck design. It's the perfect size to eat while walking around.

The savory aroma will have you taking a bite, and the contrast between the crispy skin and the tender meat will be irresistible. The secret to its deliciousness is the meat grilled over binchotan charcoal and the homemade sweet sauce. It's a dish that is both visually pleasing and delicious to eat.

Enjoy the luxury of eating freshly cooked, piping hot food made with high-quality ingredients for just 500 yen.

Kaho

[Shark Fin Ramen] You can eat shark fin so cheaply!? "Sameya"

If you're looking for a ramen unique to Kobe Chinatown, try Sameya's "Sugatani Shark Fin Ramen" (700 yen). This restaurant serves ramen made with the luxurious ingredient simmered shark fin at an affordable price.

In Kobe Chinatown, the restaurant with the most eye-catching yellow exterior is "Sameya." The striking sign with a shark jumping out makes it immediately clear that this is a shark fin ramen restaurant.

This ramen shop has been in business for over 30 years and is extremely popular with tourists! On the day of the large-scale illumination event "Kobe Luminarie," huge queues form and thousands of bowls of ramen are served.

The "Sugatani Shark Fin Ramen" contains a whole simmered shark fin. It's amazing that such a luxurious bowl can be enjoyed for less than 1,000 yen as takeout. The thick, rich soup clings well to the thin noodles. There are few restaurants where you can eat shark fin while walking around, so be sure to give it a try.

Sameya

[Beef Croquette] Popular gourmet food "Kobe Croquette" made with carefully selected potatoes

If you want to eat croquettes in Motomachi, this is the place to go! Kobe Croquette was established with the desire to bring safe, secure and truly delicious croquettes to the dining table, and is a croquette specialty store that has been loved for over 30 years since it opened.

The store is marked by an illustration of the official character, the beckoning cat. It is crowded with families, couples, school trip students, and other customers. It is often crowded from 12~16 o'clock, so it is better to visit when it opens or in the evening.

The store specializes in croquettes such as "Sakaiminato Red Snow Crab Cream Croquettes," but also stocks fried foods such as "Chicken Cutlet with Melted Cheese" and "Shrimp and Scallop Cutlet." In addition to eating while walking around, many people buy some to take home as a side dish for dinner.

The recommended menu item is the "Japanese Black Beef Croquette" (297 yen), a popular item that combines the delicious flavor of Japanese Black Beef with the sweetness of potato and a crispy texture.

The Kuroge Wagyu beef is coarsely minced, with its flavor concentrated by frying, and sliced meat stewed in bouillon and other ingredients. The croquettes are confidently made by combining them with Irish Cobbler potatoes in a well-balanced manner and finishing them with a sweet and spicy flavor. Enjoying these croquettes freshly fried is a unique attraction of the eating on the go experience.

Kobe Croquette Motomachi Main Branch

[Da Ji Pai] Motomachi Yatai: Eat spicy fried chicken bigger than your face!

Chinatown cuisine has been a hot topic in recent years, and its popularity is also increasing in Kobe. One dish that is attracting attention is the "Da Ji Pai" (830 yen) from "Motomachi Yatai."

The restaurant is located right outside the east exit of JR Motomachi Station. You'll easily find it thanks to its flashy exterior, including lanterns reminiscent of food stalls in Taipei.

When you order "Da Ji Pai," the chicken breasts are prepared by hand, one by one. If the meat breaks off during the process, it will not be possible to make large pieces of fried chicken, so they are opened with careful craftsmanship.

Next, the chicken is pressed and coated with flour. The secret to the crispy texture of the daijipai is in this flour, and the coarse cassava flour is used to create the crispy texture.

Freshly fried chicken is topped with a sprinkle of spices. Choose from four types of spices: "Zhaoyangfen," "hot," "cheese," and "curry." We recommend "Zhaoyangfen (pepper and salt powder)," which is authentic salt and pepper.

The Da Ji Pai that is larger than the face is crunchy and satisfying! It looks great on social media, so the way to enjoy the Da Ji Pai is to take a picture side by side with your face before eating.

Motomachi Yatai

It looks great in photos! For dessert, eat sweets while walking

[Sesame dumplings] Perfect for eating on the go. The king of Chinese sweets, "Houei"

The classic Chinese sweet that you can eat while walking around is sesame dumplings. In Motomachi, we recommend the sesame dumplings (1 skewer, 200 yen) from Houei.

Located about 30 seconds west of the central plaza of Kobe Chinatown, this shop offers a wide variety of products lined up on its porch, including juicy "xiaolongbao" (soup dumplings), "braised pork burgers," and the cute chick-shaped "Piyoman." With so many items perfect for snacking on the go, you'll definitely have a hard time deciding what to order.

The customers and store clerks are close, and conversations flow easily starting with the question, "Where are you from?" This casual communication with the store clerks is also one of the charms of Kobe Chinatown.

Among the many foods on the menu, we would like to introduce "sesame dumplings." We recommend purchasing them on a skewer when eating on the go.

Many people purchase the pack type as a souvenir from Kobe, and it is sold in packs of 5 (500 yen), 8 (800 yen), and 12 (1,200 yen).

The sesame dango is a smooth bean paste type that is popular among women. According to the shop staff, it is made with smooth bean paste so that "the skin of the azuki beans does not get stuck in your teeth when you go on a food tour date..." The moderate sweetness of the bean paste and the fragrant sesame are a perfect match.

Also, if you take it home in a pack, you can bake it in a pan to make the sesame seeds fragrant and double the deliciousness.

It tends to get crowded between 12:00 and 15:00, so you'll have no trouble purchasing if you go in the morning or after the evening.

Houei

[Pearl Milk Tea] Enjoy a lightly sweet treat while walking around! "Tenfuku meicha"

The first Japanese store of Tenfuku meicha, a world-famous Chinese tea specialty store, is actually located in Motomachi. After enjoying gourmet food like Xiaolongbao and Peking duck, why not try the lightly sweetened drink "Pearl Milk Tea"?

The store sells take-out desserts and drinks at the storefront, and you can also enjoy delicious Chinese tea at the Chinese tea cafe on the second floor.

On the first floor, they not only sell Chinese tea, but also tea utensils. Some tea utensils are only available here, and some customers come from far away just to buy them.

"Pearl Milk Tea" is a type of tapioca milk tea. The most popular among them is "Assam Milk Tea" (550 yen). It is lightly sweet and refreshing, allowing you to enjoy the flavor of the carefully selected tea and the natural deliciousness of the tapioca. If you like it too sweet, they will adjust the sweetness for you, so just ask when ordering.

Other popular items include "Herbal Milk" with herbal jelly and "Shaved Ice," available only in the summer. It tends to get crowded after 2pm on weekends, so it's best to go a little later.

Tenfuku meicha

[Panda Choux] Panda sweets that always sell out at "Est Royal"

Speaking of cute sweets that look great on social media, try the Panda Choux (430 yen) from Est Royal. This animal-themed dessert features a cute panda sandwiched in choux pastries, a symbol of Chinatown.

Est Royal has an impressive pink exterior and sells a variety of Western confectioneries, including the most popular "Choux a la Crème," the cookie dough cream puff "Vanille," and chocolates.

"Panda Choux" has been a big hit since it went on sale in March 2022. This product, which was created with Tantan at Kobe Oji Zoo in mind, has been so popular that it has even been featured in the media. Just the sight of the many pandas lined up in the showcase is adorable.

These cream puffs are so heartbreaking to eat. The crispy cookie dough is filled with custard cream with vanilla beans and fresh cream! It is an irresistible dish for cream lovers.

The product is sold in limited quantities every day from around noon and will end when it is sold out. Reservations are possible, so if you definitely want to try the Panda Choux, make sure to make a reservation in advance.

Est Royal Nankinmachi Main Store

[Shaved Ice] Crunchy shaved ice made with whole strawberries! "Chohakkai"

If you're craving a cool dessert, why not try Chohakkai's Strawberry Milk (500 yen). This popular shaved ice is made from shaved whole frozen fruit. It comes in four flavors: Strawberry Milk, Mango, Pineapple, and Strawberry & Mango + Tapioca.

Located in front of the Chinatown Square, this restaurant is popular for its courses and sets that can be eaten for around 1,000 yen, and many customers stop by during lunch and dinner time. In addition to the eat-in option, the restaurant also has a wide variety of items on the menu for eating on the go, available for purchase in front of the store.

Among the many menu items, the shaved ice sold in the summer is extremely popular as a snack to eat while walking around.

Large frozen strawberries are shaved right before your eyes, making a loud noise. The strawberries are then arranged in a cup, looking as beautiful as colorful flower petals. A generous amount of snow-like condensed milk is poured over them, and the cup is complete.

The shaved ice is filled with chunks of strawberry that are still large even after being shaved, making it very satisfying to eat. The sourness of the strawberry and the sweetness of the condensed milk go perfectly together, soothing your body and mind after a long walk.

Chohakkai

[Baked sweet potato brulee] The sweet potato sweets specialty shop that is also popular on social media, "Imo Kuri Parlor Burikitotan"

If you want to try trendy potato sweets, head to "Imo Kuri Parlour Burikitotan." You can enjoy potato and chestnut sweets any time of the year.

The calm wood-style store sells takeout and souvenirs on the first floor. There is also an eat-in café space on the second floor, so we recommend sitting back and having a café time.

You'll be spoilt for choice with the many sweet potato and chestnut desserts available, including "chilled roasted sweet potato," "roasted sweet potato brulee," and freshly squeezed "Mont Blanc cake," all made with the most delicious sweet potatoes at the time.

The most popular item is the "Kiriage" (500 yen), which is covered in a generous amount of sparkling syrup. Thinly sliced sweet potatoes are deep-fried until crispy and then coated in syrup. The texture is addictive, and once you start eating it, you won't be able to stop.

A popular snack to eat on the go is the "Baked Sweet Potato Brulee" (650 yen). It's so heavy that you'll exclaim "It's heavy!" the moment you receive it. A large sweet potato is cut in half, and then a generous amount of custard cream is spread all over the potato, followed by bruleeing (charring the surface with a burner).

If you add ice cream (topping: 100 yen) to it, the sight of the melting ice cream is a hit on social media.

The bitter caramel and the sweetness of the moist potato go perfectly together! It's voluminous and extremely satisfying.

Imo Kuri Parlor BURIKITOTAN Kobe Main Store

[Crepes] Hysteric Jam, a Kobe butter crepe specialty store that started in a back alley

Speaking of sweets to eat on the go, crepes are a must. If you leave the east exit of JR Motomachi Station and walk along the elevated tracks towards Sannomiya, you will see a shop called "Hysteric Jam" with a large illustration of a panda on the wall.

The shop originally opened in a back alley in Motomachi, Kobe in 2010. Word of mouth spread one after another among customers, and now it is one of Motomachi's leading crepe shops.

The crepes were created from the owner's desire to make truly delicious crepes. There are many points of particular attention to detail, such as the dough made with Hokkaido Yotsuba butter, rich Ranoo eggs, and 100% raw milk from cows raised at the foot of Mount Aso. In addition, instead of using a chocolate sauce, they use authentic couverture chocolate that is melted in a pan, and the fruits are also carefully sourced from specialty shops.

From the many options available, I chose the "Strawberry Ice Cream Oreo Chocolate Mint" (840 yen). The contrast of pink and blue is cute, and the refreshing taste of the chocolate mint is perfect for the hot weather. It's a satisfying product, packed with crunchy Oreos.

Hysteric Jam Motomachi Main Branch

[Parfait] Take a break at "HANAZONO CAFE" with a photogenic menu that changes with the seasons

The northern area of Motomachi is a spot lined with stylish cafes and shops, so why not take a break at a cafe after walking around Chinatown?

Hanazono Cafe has been a popular cafe in Motomachi for over 10 years, offering a menu that changes with the seasons, including seasonal parfaits.

The interior of the store is spacious and filled with sunlight. In addition to cafe menu items, they also offer lunch and dinner menu items, making it suitable for a variety of occasions.

You can enjoy photogenic parfaits made with plenty of fresh seasonal fruits, such as peaches, mangoes, and melons in the summer, and strawberries in the winter. It's also recommended as a final treat after a day of eating.

HANAZONO CAFE

From Chinese dim sum to photogenic sweets and refreshing drinks, the appeal of Kobe's Chinatown and Motomachi area is that you can sample a variety of exquisite gourmet foods as you walk around. If you want to fully enjoy the best part of traveling - food - why not visit this area? Enjoy a gourmet tour while feeling the unique exotic atmosphere!

First posted: August 22, 2022
*Some content was updated on August 14, 2025.

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