Minnesota usually strikes me as a place rich in comfort food (think hot dish and potpies), a place where Grandma’s baked chicken casserole turns a bad day into a good one. But nestled in the heart of Plymouth are some unique restaurants with delicious cuisine, ones that are probably a bit lighter on the butter and cheese than Grandma’s home cooking. Opening just over two years ago, Kobe Japanese and sushi restaurant boasts a vast menu of nagiri and sashimi sushi, in addition to an extensive hibachi menu, courtesy of head chef Sunny Ma. 

Upon arrival, our server insisted that we could not leave the restaurant without experiencing the kobe beef hot rock appetizer ($15), a plate of thin beef slices seared right in front of you on what looks like a smooth (steaming!) gray river rock about the size of a silver-dollar pancake. The beef is dipped in a citrus ponzu sauce (we’re talking melt-in-your-mouth tenderness—yum!).

Sushi is meant to be eaten in one bite so as not to miss any of the roll’s complementary flavors, and Kobe’s choices are extensive. The tiger roll ($13) is beautifully plated and more than enough for two to share; “it’s every customer’s favorite,” manager Ray Siu says. Filled with shrimp tempura, cucumber, lettuce, eel, tobiko (fish eggs) and avocado, this roll packs an unexpected crunch (courtesy of the tempura) and the seaweed paper seems to melt in your mouth, no extra chomping required. Different than most of Kobe’s sushi options, the tiger roll is served with a smorgasbord of sauces: eel sauce, spicy mayonnaise and, of course, wasabi.

We also slurped on miso soup ($2.50), a traditional blend of tofu, miso powder, seafood and scallions, in between rolls. According to Siu, the miso helps cleanse the palate in preparation of the next morsel.
Next we tried the Plymouth roll ($13). (I’d never before seen sushi plated to look like a capitol building, complete with a miniature flag on top.) With a sweeter taste than the tiger roll, the yellowtail tuna, kampyo (dried shavings of calabash), crunchy tempura and spicy blue crab-filled roll is topped with three different flavors of tobiko. Fair warning: If you can’t quite stomach the idea of fish eggs, then the Plymouth roll probably wouldn’t be your first choice, as the tobiko portions are generous.

My personal favorite is the pink lady ($10)—a sushi roll that looks more like a beautiful rose-colored flower by the way it’s plated. The pink lady differs from other rolls in that it’s wrapped with soybean paper, which is pink in color. Filled with spicy crabmeat, avocado, crunchy tempura powder and cucumber, this roll is sure to delight even the pickiest of eaters with its sweet flavors and juicy yet crunchy texture.
Sushi aside, Kobe also hosts a large hibachi menu. (The restaurant sports four hibachi tables in the back half of the room.) The Kobe Deluxe meal for two is quite the decadent steal, with a combination of filet mignon, shrimp, scallops, lobster and chicken ($56).

Dinner at Kobe makes for a great date night, but if you’re looking for something a little more casual than an intimate booth, belly-up to the sushi bar; its raised counter allows guests a bird’s-eye view of the talented chefs at work.

Along with its extensive food menu, Kobe has some beverages worth noting. When noshing on sushi, pair it with sake. We recommend a sake martini ($5.50) garnished with thin, crisp cucumber spears. Or, if beer is more your style, try something different like a refreshing Japanese Sapporo ($8 for 22 oz.).

Dinner isn’t the only time to visit Kobe: Of note is the lunch sushi buffet ($15) with all-you-can-eat sushi made fresh to order. And speaking of deals, Kobe also has both early and late-night happy hours, with appetizer, drink and sushi specials that will leave you with some change jingling in your pocket. Now we say “cheers” to that. — Caitlin Hill

Kobe Japanese
15555 34th Ave. N.
763.559.9999
kobemn.com