Our first experience with "Kobe" beef was a disappointing one. We'd heard legends about the famous steak and were keen to try it. Thus we had a momentary (and very pleasant) surprise one night when we ordered a $6.00 plate of random meat (read: we can't read the menu) in a small seaside town called Ito and the waiter's description suggested it might be Kobe.
We ate the entire meal -- thinking the entire time we were eating Kobe beef -- and went on raving about its qualities. But, before we went on our way, we thought it best to confirm that we really were eating Kobe steak. The conversation went something like this:
Us: "Sumimasen, what type of meat is this?"
Waiter: "K_____." (We didn't understand. Maybe "Kurobe?")
Us: "Pardon."
Waiter: "K_____."
Us: "Kobe?"
Waiter: *Uncontrollable laughter* "No, no, no, no, no. Not Kobe!"
A little embarrassed but our interest was peaked and we became intent on try it out. So Dave had the brilliant idea to head to the source: Kobe, Japan.
We arrived yesterday and secured our reservation at the most highly recommended restaurant in town . . . that we could afford. Although, before forking over a pretty hefty sum for the meal, I was a little worried, saying to Dave: "What if they just slip us some cheap imitation meat? We'd never know."
Fortunately what we got was the real deal -- or, perhaps, the better answer is that it doesn't really matter because it was one of the best meals I've had in my life! The expert chef prepared the steak right in front of our eyes, on a grill two feet from where we were sitting, separating the meat into its various different sections that only he could discern. He then instructed us how to eat each piece -- a little salt on one, wasabi on another, etc. And we savored every bite (though Dave claims to have "ruined" two by over doing it with salt on one occasion and garlic on another), which literally slid down into our bellies, no chewing needed.
And, as an added bonus, I enhanced my Japanese repertoire, learning to say "very good." I was able to practice over and over.
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