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Street Food in Kobe Chinatown (Nankinmachi) | Motomachi, Kobe | Japan


Steamed panda bun filled with sweet black sesame paste. Nankinmachi, Kobe Japan.
Steamed panda bun

Kobe's Chinatown (also referred to as Nankinmachi) is centrally located in Kobe city. The street is filled with Chinese restaurants and street food stalls which are open from around lunch time until well into the night.


There are a only a few places to sit and eat your food, so you'll likely see lots of people standing and eating. I recommend trying something from the street food stalls, like this cute panda bun, freshly made dumplings, or a steamed pork bun.


Once you've had your fill of Chinese street food, I suggest walking toward to entrance of Nankinmachi for dessert from Kobe Milk, a store well-known for their soft-serve ice-creams and jiggly puddings.


If you're looking for other things to do in Kobe, I recommend walking down to Meriken Park, which is a grassy area by the ocean, and a lovely place to relax your tired legs. In terms of sightseeing Nunobiki Herb Gardens and Ropeway is popular with locals and tourists alike, and it visiting gardens gives you the chance to see Kobe from up above.


If you're starting to feel a little hungry later in the day, I suggest a coffee and a sweet bite to eat at The City Donuts and Cafe in Kobe - trust me... it's well worth the walk up the hill. Lastly, I have to recommend a great bakery called Isuzu Bakery. They have a couple of locations in Kobe, so pop the name into Google Maps and see if there's one close by.

Planning a trip to Japan? Don't forget to purchase a Japan Rail Pass to ensure discounted travel on JR trains throughout the country.


Click here to find the best JR Pass for your trip.

Pictured: Steamed panda bun filled with sweet black sesame paste, street food stall, entrance to Nankinmachi.

Click on the images to expand.


Suggested access: Motomachi station, Sannomiya station.

Address in English: 1 Chome-3-18 Sakaemachidori, Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0023

Name in Japanese: 南京町中華街

Address in Japanese: 〒650-0023 兵庫県神戸市中央区栄町通1丁目3−18


Recommendations for booking accommodation, day trip tours and travel related needs. Accommodation: Agoda, Booking.com, HostelWorld Short tours, activities and day trips: Get Your Guide, Viator Reviews (restaurants, accommodation, local attractions etc.): Trip Advisor Travel Insurance: Visitors Coverage Learn the language: i-talki Access airport lounges worldwide: Priority Pass Cheap travel essentials: Daiso, Amazon


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Foreground: Steamed panda bun. Background: Chinatown (red pagoda, red lanterns). Image text reads "Chinatown (Nankinmachi) Kobe, Japan. Website address reads: LisaEatsTheWorld.com

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