The best restaurants in Kobe, Japan

Kobe has always been one of Japan’s most cosmopolitan cities, with a culinary scene reflecting its international influences. Yet Kobe is also no slouch when it comes to Japanese cuisine, with numerous restaurants cooking up the city’s biggest claim to fame: Kobe beef. Here’s some of the best restaurants in Kobe.

Hyotan

This no-frills restaurant has been packing in customers for more than 40 years with a single dish: gyoza (Japanese-style dumplings). Hyotan’s dumplings are known for the light texture of their wrappers, which are filled with savory cabbage, minced pork and leek. Tucked beneath the tracks of Hanshin Sannomiya Station, Hyotan has no English sign, but look for the red noren curtains hanging in front of the entrance.

Kitano Club

Located on a hillside overlooking Kobe, Kitano Club is one of the city’s most popular fine-dining restaurants, known for its panoramic views and exceptional French cuisine. Open for more than 50 years, the restaurant’s menu changes monthly, with typical offerings including foie gras, escargot, and dishes featuring fresh fish, roast beef, duck or lamb with seasonal vegetables. The restaurant’s stylish interior is a great spot for people-watching and the separate bar and lounge area is a relaxing place to linger after dinner, offering views of Kobe in the valley below.

Wakkoqu

For many people, the name ‘Kobe’ is inextricably linked to its world-famous beef, and Wakkoqu is one of the best places in the city to give it a try. There are several set menus featuring various cuts of beef, which is cooked directly in front of dinners on large iron griddles. The beef is served alongside side dishes like soup and fried vegetables, and the chefs provide guidance on which sauces and seasonings to add for different flavor experiences.

Nishimura

Opened in 1948, Nishimura is a timeless café that offers more than 20 different blends of coffee, all of which are roasted on-site. Set in a German-style house, its distinct half-timbered exterior has helped to establish it as a well-known Kobe landmark. The interior exudes the same elegant charm, decorated with antiques and beautiful wooden furniture. It was one of the first places in Japan to serve now-popular cappuccinos, Vienna coffees and coffee jelly, earning it a lasting place in Kobe’s coffee culture. Aside from coffee, the café offers a light menu of sandwiches, cakes, and other snacks.

Nailey’s Grill

Nailey’s Grill is a friendly, European-style restaurant nestled down a quiet alleyway. The international menu features burgers, sandwiches, soups, and Kobe beef, but the restaurant is particularly well-known for its Caesar salads. The staff speak both Japanese and English, and the interior is invitingly decorated with warm lighting, comfortable seating and muted pink walls. Jazz music adds to the laid-back atmosphere, making this spot a great place for a meal or post-dinner drinks.

See more: Visit Kobe, a glorious harbor city in Japan

Source: Internet

Best family-friendly destinations in Asia

The largest continent on Earth, Asia offers plenty of diversity to suit all kinds of travellers. From dramatic landscapes and gorgeous beaches to lively modern cities and places with rich cultural heritage, Asia has it all. If you’re travelling with the kids, here are some of the best places for a family-friendly vacation in Asia.

Universal Studios in Singapore 

Singapore

Marina Bay

With a plethora of places to stay, a public transportation system that is clean, efficient, and easy to use, myriad places to eat and plentiful attractions, Singapore is a firm favourite for families exploring Asia. The beaches may not be the best, but many hotels have pools and you can stroll along the sands of Sentosa Island and East Coast Park and take trips to interesting islands such as Lazarus, St. John’s, and Pulau Ubin.

Singapore Flyer

Soak up the views from the Singapore Flyer, see the iconic Merlion statue in Merlion Park, admire diverse and colourful religious buildings, like the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Masjid Sultan, and Sri Mariamman Temple, and have outdoor adventures at places like the MacRitchie Reservoir, Singapore Botanic Gardens, the Southern Ridges, and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Few children can resist the appeal of the Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay, and there are many museums to stimulate curious minds. See the nocturnal animal kingdom at the amazing Singapore Night Safari.

Universal Studios Singapore

Singapore really comes into its own for families on Sentosa Island, with theme parks and fun activities galore. Enjoy movie-themed rides and shows at Universal Studios Singapore, see the exhibits at Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom, ride the luge, soak up the views from the Tiger Sky Tower, marvel at the gigantic Merlion, and step back in time at Fort Siloso. Adventurous kids will love MegaZip Adventure Park, and Kidzania Singapore is perfect for younger children.

Hong Kong

Disneyland Hong Kong

Another of Asia’s super cities, Hong Kong combines the old and the new for a cultural, fun, and family-friendly holiday. Easy to navigate and with plenty of places to eat, drink, and sleep, there’s something to keep everyone happy here.

Hong Kong Disneyland is an obvious choice for a day out filled with laughter and smiles. There are rides to suit all ages, shows, and the opportunity to get up close and personal with beloved characters. The firework show over Sleeping Beauty’s Castle is the perfect end to a magical day. For more thrills and theme-park fun, spend a day at Ocean Park Hong Kong. The combination of rides, shows, play areas, aquatic creatures, and a large aquarium will appeal to kids (and adults!) of all ages.

Causeway Bay

Ride the Peak Tram for iconic views over Hong Kong’s harbour, stroll through the pleasant Hong Kong Park, or take a boat trip to try and spot pink dolphins. See the unusual rock formations in the eight Geoparks, ride the cable car to the large Buddha statue at Po Lin Monastery, and take heaps of cool pictures at the Trick Eye Museum or the 3D Repulse Bay Visual Art Museum.

Shanghai, China

One of China’s most modern cities, Shanghai has a rich assortment of things to do and see for everyone. You can combine theme parks and cultural sites with museums, parks, shopping centres, and more. There are many child-friendly places to stay and finding something tasty to eat won’t be a problem. Try some of the many themed restaurants for an unusual dining experience.

Shanghai Disneyland is often near the top of the list of things to do with the kids, and for good reason. The theme park offers a day of enchantment for all. Cool down on hot days at the enormous Dino Beach Water Park, and watch many animals at Shanghai Wild Animal Park and Shanghai Zoo. Home to an impressive array of marine life from around the globe, Shanghai Ocean Aquarium also boasts the longest underwater tunnel in the world. Watch your kids’ faces light up as you hop on the rail car that travels through the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel and soak up the views from the observation deck of the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower.

Oriental Pearl Tower Shanghai

People’s Park is a top place for children to run and play and for adults to stretch their legs, and Century Park has a fishing lake, a beach, walking trails, and play areas. Other lovely parks include Fuxing Park, and Jing’an Sculpture Park.

Shanghai Science and Technology Museum

Snap loads of great holiday pictures at the interactive 3D Magic Fun House and cosy up with celebrities at Madame Tussauds. The Shanghai Science and Technology Museum will inspire curious kids and the skilled acrobats at Shanghai Circus World will leave them speechless.

Tokyo, Japan

Thriving, colourful, busy, and modern, Tokyo is a veritable wonderland for kids and adults alike. The bright lights and crowds may be a bit overwhelming at times, but there are heaps of attractions to enchant children and help everyone to have fun. The Japanese capital has many family-friendly accommodations, from Western-style hotels to traditional Japanese abodes and ryokans where you can all sleep on tatami mats and experience local life.

Panda in Ueno Zoo

There are theme parks galore, with something for all ages. Enter the cute and kitsch world of Hello Kitty at Sanrio Puroland or let kids act out a range of scenarios at Kidzania. Then observe many creatures from across the world at Ueno Zoo followed by a few hours at Hanayashiki, believed to be the oldest amusement park in Japan. Or why not channel your inner architects at Legoland Discovery Center?

Of course, few kids can ignore the allure of Tokyo Disneyland! DisneySea is a unique Disney experience, combining all your favourite characters and water-based attractions, while Universal Studios takes you deep into the world of movies.

Tokyo Disneyland

Kodomo no Mori Park

For some outdoor time, check out the city’s many pleasant parks. Walk with dinosaurs in Kodomo no Mori Park, paddle on the lake at Inokashira Park, and soak up the scenes at Futakotamagawa Park, the Imperial Palace Garden, and Shinjuku Gyoen. If you’re up for a hike, head to Mt. Takao. Don’t miss the nearby Monkey Park too.

Read more: 5 places to travel with kids in Asia

Source The Culture Trip

6 food centres to visit in Singapore

Can’t decide where to start on your Singaporean food adventure? Here are our top 6 picks of hawker centres in the country to check out.

Old Airport Road Food Centre

Built on the runway of Singapore’s old Kallang airport, Old Airport Road Food Centre is a favourite hawker centre for locals to get their fix of cheap good hawker food, though this hidden gem has become increasingly popular with tourists in recent years. There are over 150 stalls to choose from on the first level, and more sundry shops can be found on the second level. Popular picks that see long queues include Nam Sing Fried Hokkien Mee, Xin Mei Xiang Lor Mee and Dong Ji Fried Kway Teow. Each stall has their own opening hours, do your research before you visit.

Maxwell Food Centre

Maxwell Food Centre is one of the more popular hawker centres with both Singaporeans and tourists in the heritage Chinatown district. It garnered international interest thanks to visits by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay to the Hainanese Chicken Rice at Tian Tian Chicken Rice, now a Michelin Bib-Gourmand recipient and a must-try dish at this hawker center. But if you’d rather skip the perpetually long queue, there are plenty of other stalls that locals love, like Zhen Zhen porridge and Maxwell Fuzhou Oyster Cake.

Chinatown Complex

It’s easy to get lost in Chinatown Complex Food Centre, home to the largest hawker centre in Singapore, with over 260 food stalls on its second floor, offering a generous variety of Singaporean street food fare. From the cheapest Michelin meal at Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle, to international craft beer on tap at Smith Street Taps, there is a whole plethora of choice, all at budget friendly prices.

Tekka Centre

Tekka Centre’s first level houses a bustling hawker centre. Located in Little India, naturally you have to try the North and South Indian food stalls here. Allaudin’s Briyani specialises in tasty briyani rice dishes while Sri Tiffin is where you can get your fix of masala thosai. The name Tekka comes from Teh Kia Kah or Tek Kah, a Hokkien name meaning ‘foot of the bamboos’, a reference to the many bamboo plants growing along Rochor Canal.

Tiong Bahru Food Centre

Tiong Bahru Food Centre has 85 food stalls to choose from, with several hawker food stalls awarded Michelin Bib-Gourmand and The Plate awards – just look for the long queues. A breakfast favourite is Jian Bo Shui Kueh, with its steamed rice cakes topped with diced preserved radish and a dollop of chilli. Tiong Bahru Fried Kway Teow, Teochew Fish Soup and Lor Mee 178 are good places to start your eating journey, though Tiong Bahru does have many indie cafes and restaurants to check out as well.

Lau Pa Sat Hawker Centre

The historic Lau Pa Sat or ‘the old market’ in the middle of Singapore’s Central Business District is a tourist favourite hawker centre, both for its convenient location near the attractions in the downtown area, and its unique octagonal shape and wrought iron arches with its iconic clock tower in the center. The small road next to the food centre is blocked off at nights to allow for satay sellers to take over, recreating a once-famous Satay Street under the stars.

See more: The most crowded places in Singapore

Source: Internet