🍜 Sannomiya Ikkanro Main Store三宮一貫楼 本店

Established in 1954 in Arata-cho, Hyogo Ward, Kobe City, this was a small-scale popular Chinese restaurant. The signature dish is the pork bun developed by the first head chef, which has now become a soul food for the citizens of Kobe. Using domestically produced Japanese pork and carefully selected onions, the juicy filling is encased in a chewy outer skin made from a special blend of flours. In addition to the classic meat bun, there are also smaller "mini meat buns" and seasonal flavors like the "spicy bun" with chili sauce. They handcraft between 8,000 to 10,000 buns daily, which is quite impressive. A major feature of the restaurant is the live cooking show started by the previous owner, where customers can watch the filling being wrapped in the dough and placed in the steamer, adding to the immersive experience. The first floor is a takeout-only shop, while the second floor is a dining area. Besides the meat buns, there are also noodle dishes like ramen and mixed noodles, as well as various popular Chinese dishes such as rice bowls and fried rice. Additionally, there are snacks like shrimp shumai and dumplings that pair well with Shaoxing wine and beer. *Please note that the second-floor restaurant will be closed for renovations starting March 28, 2025. The restaurant's format may change upon reopening.*

The signature dish is a meat bun with juicy filling and a chewy outer skin. Being able to see the buns being made on-site is a major selling point. There is also a wide variety of popular Chinese dishes available.