Salamatsyzby! This is Sugi from ASHU TRAVEL, scenic horse riding tours in Central Asia.
“I want to try some unusual, delicious off-the-beaten-path food in Sannomiya, Kobe!” “I want to experience Central Asia in Japan.”
If that sounds like you, I recommend “SAROY KEBAB.”
Just a 2-minute walk from Sannomiya Station, it’s a place where you can get a real taste of Uzbekistan.
I’d had my eye on it for a while, so when I was back in Japan for a visit, I went with my husband!
In this article, I’ll introduce the delicious food made by the Uzbek-born owner and the elusive Friday-only menu item. If you love Central Asian culture and meat dishes, read on to the end!
What Is Uzbek Cuisine? A Culture of Meat and Rice
Uzbek cuisine, which feeds much of Central Asia, is a treasure trove of addictive dishes you’ll crave after just one bite.
Uzbek food suits Japanese tastes too
Like in Japan, rice is a staple, and many dishes are cooked slowly so they soak up the flavor of the meat and vegetables, so it suits Japanese palates surprisingly well.
The spices aren’t too hot either. With gentle notes of cumin and herbs, everyone from kids to adults can dig in happily.
Exotic yet comforting flavors are one of the great strengths of Uzbek cuisine.
Diet danger?! Everything about Uzbek food is delicious
The biggest appeal of Uzbek cuisine is the juicy harmony of meat and oil that goes straight to your appetite.
One bite is so good it could easily shake any dieter’s resolve.
The meat is mainly fresh lamb or beef, and the authentic way is to grill it over an open flame until fragrant, or pack it tightly inside flaky pastry. The herbs are used so skillfully that you won’t notice any of lamb’s typical gamey smell.
The flavorful juices that burst out with every bite are truly sinfully delicious.
Plov and samsa! Signature dishes you have to try
Everything in Uzbek cuisine is delicious, but there are two signature dishes you absolutely can’t miss.
“Plov,” a pilaf packed with the flavor of meat and rice
“Plov” (pilaf), the national dish, is lamb or beef cooked in a huge pot with carrots and onions. It’s a supreme dish in which the savory fat of the meat soaks into every single grain of rice.
By the way, if you’re having plov for the first time in Uzbekistan, I recommend this place:
Flaky, juicy “samsa”
“Samsa,” a triangular pastry, is a national favorite across Central Asia. Once you taste the herb-scented meat bursting out of the flaky crust, you’re guaranteed to be hooked.
Get these two dishes down and you’ve covered the basics of Uzbek food culture.
The Real Thing in Japan! SAROY KEBAB in Sannomiya, Kobe
Tucked away in a Sannomiya back street, SAROY KEBAB is a takeaway shop where you can easily try authentic local food.
2 minutes from the station! SAROY KEBAB shop info and access
It’s just a short walk from Sannomiya Station.
The location is super convenient, so you can easily drop by after shopping or work.
🍴 SAROY KEBAB
📍 Address: Room 20 (sea side), Piazza II East, 2-30-43 Kitanagasa-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe (approx. 2-minute walk from the east exit of JR Sannomiya Station)
🕒 Hours: Open 24 hours
📞 Style: Mainly takeaway (benches in front of the shop)
📷 Instagram: @saroy_kebab
Lovely smiles! Welcomed by the guys from Uzbekistan
From behind the counter, the friendly Uzbek-born owner gives you a warm welcome.
The owner, Rek, has lived in Kobe for more than 5 years. The other staff member, Shahr, apparently came to Japan only recently.
Rek greets you with “Irasshai!” in fluent Japanese and a warm smile, and his personality instantly puts you at ease. It’s great that you can have a fun chat even during the short wait for your takeaway.
Besides the delicious food, I felt the owners’ warm hospitality is a big part of the shop’s charm.
Takeaway, but with benches
It’s basically a takeaway shop, but there are a few tables and benches in front, so you can eat right after buying. Summer afternoons are hot, so I recommend going in the evening.
SAROY KEBAB menu (at the time of our visit) *subject to change
Mains and single items (dish / price)
- Kebab chicken sandwich: ¥500
- Kebab chicken roll: ¥700
- Naan chicken: ¥900
- Kebab chicken rice: M ¥700 / L ¥900
- Kebab chicken fries: M ¥700 / L ¥900
- Hot dog: ¥300
- Chicken box: ¥900
- Beef box: ¥1,200
- Pilaf (Plov): M ¥1,000 / L ¥1,300
- Somsa (Samsa): ¥300
- Fries (Frie): ¥220
Drinks
- Red Bull: ¥220
- Kofe (coffee): ¥120
- Monster: ¥230
- Sprite / Coca-Cola / Fanta: ¥200
Set menu (SET+)
- Kebab chicken sandwich set: ¥900
- Kebab chicken roll set: ¥1,000
- Naan chicken set: ¥1,200
- Kebab chicken rice set: M ¥1,000 / L ¥1,200
- Kebab chicken fries set: M ¥1,000 / L ¥1,200
Time to eat! My impressions
Here are the three dishes we tried!
1. Stuffed with meat! The hefty, rich “kebab roll”
The first thing that blows you away is how heavy it feels the moment you pick it up.
The tortilla wrap is packed so tightly with savory meat it’s almost spilling out, making it incredibly satisfying. Take a bite and the juicy flavor of the meat and the tang of the rich house sauce fill your mouth. It’s so good your eyes go wide.
The luxury of hitting meat wherever you bite makes it a great ally when you want a hearty meal.
2. Addictive fluffy long-grain rice! “Kebab rice” soaked in flavor
If you love rice, this kebab rice is a must-try.
Instead of Japanese rice, it uses authentic indica (long-grain) rice, which has a light, fluffy texture. The juices from the savory stir-fried meat and the house sauce coat every separate grain, and the flavor deepens with every bite.
There’s plenty of vegetables too, so I could happily keep eating with the excuse that it’s healthy.
It’s the real deal, and you won’t be able to put your spoon down.
3. Herb-scented lamb in flaky pastry! The superb “samsa”
If you visit, the samsa is an absolute must.
Break open the golden-brown, fragrant pastry and you’ll find it packed with herb-seasoned lamb. There’s none of lamb’s typical gaminess or odor; the more you chew, the more the rich juices and the fresh aroma of the herbs come through.
The contrast between the flaky outside and the super juicy inside will hook you from the very first bite.
Everything we ate was wonderful, filling both our stomachs and our hearts.
Why Kobe? An interview with Rek, the owner who speaks fluent Japanese!
I asked Rek, the friendly owner, about his passion for the shop!
Rek has lived in Kobe for five and a half years and absolutely loves Japan. He speaks fluent Japanese and smiled the whole way through the interview.
“Osaka had Central Asian and Uyghur restaurants, but Kobe didn’t have an Uzbek restaurant yet. Because I love Japan so much, I wanted to share my country’s delicious food culture with lots of people here, where there still aren’t many places like this,” says Rek.
Thanks to his enthusiasm and authentic flavors, word spread, and it’s now a popular spot that’s busy with customers every day.
Rek’s top picks are “plov (Fridays only),” packed with the flavor of savory meat and rice, and the irresistibly flaky “samsa.” Go on a Friday for the plov, or grab a freshly baked samsa: either way works.
Next time I’m back in Japan, I’d like to go again to see Rek’s warm personality and enjoy his amazing food (even though it’s a bit far from my home).
FAQ About Uzbek Cuisine (Q&A)
Q1. I don’t like the smell or strong taste of lamb. Will I be able to eat it?
A. It depends on the place, but personally I find it easier to eat than lamb in Japan.
Actually, I’m not a fan of lamb myself (despite living in Central Asia), but I find the lamb in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan easy to eat.
When I asked locals, they said it’s probably because the sheep are raised on wide plateaus and in the mountains, and the meat is fresh (so I think you notice the smell even less when you eat in the countryside than in the city).
The use of herbs and spices may also be part of the secret. In fact, the lamb samsa I had in Japan this time brought out the flavor of the meat beautifully, and I hardly noticed any of the typical lamb smell or gaminess.
Even first-timers can enjoy it.
Q2. Is Uzbek food spicy? Can children eat it?
A. It’s generally not spicy. Hot spices like chili are rarely used; instead, the flavors are gentle, bringing out the ingredients with cumin, salt and herbs. Elementary school-aged children who join ASHU TRAVEL tours happily eat it too.
Q3. Where can I eat plov?
A. In Uzbekistan, you’ll find it everywhere: local canteens, cafes, restaurants and more. My recommendations are the restaurant chain Plov City and the Plov Museum.
In Japan, apart from SAROY KEBAB in Kobe introduced here, it seems you can also find it at Central Asian restaurants in Osaka and Hiroshima.
After Enjoying Uzbek Food in Japan, Head to Central Asia for the Real Thing!
Once you’ve tried Uzbek food in Japan, why not visit the country itself next?
At ASHU TRAVEL, we offer fully supported tours, from trips around Uzbekistan and the other “-stan” countries of Central Asia to spectacular experiences in neighboring Kyrgyzstan.
We arrange local transport, accommodation and meals, and an experienced Japanese-speaking or English-speaking guide accompanies you, so even if it’s been a while since you traveled abroad, you can relax. We offer safe, comfortable trips that are almost all-inclusive, except for flights, souvenirs and alcohol.
Let some flavorful foreign food be your starting point, and set out next for the real Silk Road and its magnificent nature!
① Horse riding trips through spectacular scenery
Ride to plateaus and valleys you can only reach on horseback. Feeling the wind as you go, you’ll enjoy a special time at one with nature.
② Full support with accommodation, meals, transfers and Japanese- & English-speaking guides
No hassle with arrangements, so even your first trip to Central Asia is worry-free. Our local staff will take good care of you.
③ Travel for less with our shared tour system
By joining on the same departure date as other travelers, you can enjoy a rich tour while keeping costs down.
Sway on horseback into untouched nature. It might just redraw your map of the world.
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