How this Japanese steakhouse became a Vancouver staple for over 50 years

Located in downtown Vancouver, near the corner of Burrard and Alberni, sits Kobe, a teppanyaki restaurant that is one of the hottest (the burn-your-eyebrows-off kind of hot) dining experiences in the city. The restaurant has been operating in the same location for over 50 years, entertaining customers with its impressive chef performances and delicious food.

Dished had the chance to sit down with owner Dylan Bruser, who is currently the third-generation Bruser to run the restaurant.

History of Kobe

To find Kobe, simply look for the building that resembles a traditional Japanese country house, tucked away beside Black + Blue and Coast on Alberni Street (you can’t miss it). The design of this building ties back to Kobe’s history, a history that dates all the way back to 1968 and features Dylan’s grandfather, Michael Bruser.

After travelling all over Japan, Michael fell in love with the teppanyaki style of cuisine and cooking. So, when he returned, he brought the concept with him to Vancouver.

Despite operating for over 50 years, Dylan said that not much has changed at Kobe since those early years.

“People like to come here and see that it’s the same as when they were kids,” he said, adding that many are bringing second and third-generation family members.

That’s not to say that Kobe isn’t innovating and improving. One of these new focuses is its cocktail program. Before or after venturing upstairs for your teppanyaki experience, you can hang out in the lounge on the first floor and enjoy a beverage, such as Kobe’s take on a piña colada, the sake colada.

What is teppanyaki?

Teppanyaki (also commonly known as hibachi) is a style of cooking that uses an iron griddle. Typically, at places like Kobe, people are seated around this grill and watch as a chef prepares the food in front of them. However, this isn’t the type of cooking you’re used to.

“They are going to be fires, knife tricks, and all sorts of things,” said Dylan.

At Kobe, the menu features a diverse selection of vegetables, meats, and seafood. Think chicken teriyaki, wagyu steaks, lobster, and shrimp. Additionally, different sauces are served alongside the meal for your dipping pleasure.

This dining experience is quite literally grill-to-table, with the chef scooping up the food and placing it on your plate as soon as it’s finished cooking. We dare you to find a fresher dining experience in the city.

The family business

But at the heart of it all, Kobe has been and always will remain a family restaurant, something Dylan said was important to him.

“Family restaurants have a little bit of a different vibe compared to a corporate restaurant,” he said. “You can really feel the love and the care that goes into everything at this restaurant, and you can feel the vibe as a guest when you come in here. You can see that all the staff are so close, and we welcome you into that closeness.

In fact, many of the chefs at Kobe have been around for decades. We had the chance to talk to Chef Max, who has been with the restaurant for over 10 years now.

“My favourite part of working here is that you get to talk to the customer, have fun with the customer, and then you get feedback from the customer right away,” said Max.

As for how he trained to be a teppanyaki chef, Max had worked in other kitchens in the past but had never worked as a teppanyaki chef until one of his friends introduced him to the cooking style.

“At first, I was like, ‘Oh, this is too much for my brain. I need to talk and cook at the same time?!'” he said with a laugh. “Then later on, I started to like it, and now I’ve been here for 10 years.”

Dining at Kobe

During our visit, we had the chance to sample its current limited-time feature, “The Art of Teppanyaki,” experience, which is available Mondays through Thursdays. At $58 per person, you’ll enjoy a selection of shabu shabu soup, fresh seasonal vegetables, teppan shrimp, tiger prawns, sirloin steak, teriyaki chicken, and Mario’s Gelati for dessert.

For those new to teppanyaki, this is definitely the best bang for your buck. However, there are also other options that range in price from $50 to $90 per person. The price point may seem a bit high for some, but remember that you’re paying for dinner and a show.

Additionally, this set menu allows you to savour all the classic tricks Kobe is renowned for. This includes the always impressive onion volcano, a sliced onion stacked into a mountain and then filled with cooking oil that is ignited. It is then quickly slid across the grill, creating an impressive display of fire that, if you were feeling the slightest bit cold, will definitely warm you up.

You’ll also enjoy the classic salt and pepper shaker performance, as well as a display of your chef’s knife skills at the beginning of the meal (but don’t worry, you’ll be equally impressed throughout your dinner as well).

Plus, don’t forget the conversations you’ll enjoy with your personal chef in front of you (Max had some exceptional jokes for us that we won’t spoil for you).

Over the years, Kobe has hosted many different celebrities. Dylan specifically name-dropped Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, George Clooney, and Robert Pattinson. Max also shared that he had served players on the Canucks and Tyler Hoechlin (Superman & Lois, Teen Wolf), who he noted had very nice hair.

Whether it’s a birthday, date night, or just a night out on the town, Kobe is one of the most entertaining dining experiences to check out in the city. Consider this your excuse to visit.

Kobe Japanese Steakhouse

Address: 1042 Alberni St., Vancouver

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