I’ve got to tell you about our evening at Kobe Japanese Steakhouse in Orlando. My husband, the kids, and I had seen a glowing review on Orlando Business Reviews and figured it’d be a fun change for family dinner. We weren’t disappointed. We went with my brother and his family.
We walked in and were immediately drawn to the hibachi tables—where the chef cooks right in front of you. The kids were wide-eyed with excitement. They do tricks like flipping eggs into hats and shaping onion “volcanoes”—it made them squeal every time.
Here’s what we ordered:
- Me: I had the Sumo Sampler, a chef combination that came with sirloin, chicken, lobster, shrimp, and scallops—all cooked right at the table. It came with the usual sides: clear onion soup, crisp green salad, mixed veggies, grilled noodles, fried rice, and their special dipping sauces. It was a good mix and I loved that I didn’t have to choose just one thing. The flavors all blended nicely together, and it felt like a meal I didn’t need to micromanage—nice and easy.
- My husband: He went for filet mignon and added a lobster tail. The filet was tender, just like he likes it. The lobster gave it a little extra richness that he appreciated. His plate came with the same sides too, so there was plenty of food to go around.
- The big kid: He chose from the kids’ menu—a sirloin entrée. It came with the kid-sized portions of noodles, fried rice, grilled vegetables, plus the onion soup and green salad. He loved how it was tailored just for him—nothing too fancy, just right.
- The little one: She went with Kids Yum Yum Chicken. This was tempura chicken served with fries and their special white sauce and ketchup. She commented, “Mom, this sauce is kinda magical.” I had to agree—it added a fun twist to standard fries.
We also grabbed a couple of appetizers to share—a plate of yum yum shrimp tempura and some vegetable tempura. The shrimp were crisp, not greasy, and the veggies were light. Good little nibbles while we waited for the main dishes.
For dessert, we couldn’t resist their warm brownie cheesecake served with ice cream (we picked vanilla for one and chocolate for the other). Soft, warm, and exactly what you’d expect on a cozy family night out.
The atmosphere felt lively but not too loud. The chef’s show kept the kids entertained, and having the food cooked tableside meant we could chat without interruptions. Our server was friendly and checked in on us without hovering.
By the end of the meal, we had plenty of leftovers—especially from me and my husband. The kids were totally stuffed and still talking about the egg flipping trick.
I’d say Kobe Japanese Steakhouse is a solid pick for families who want something a little different than your average dinner. Good portions, lots of variety (especially for picky eaters), and enough flair to keep the mood light. We left full, happy, and already talking about our next visit.
If you’re looking for a place in Orlando that blends entertainment, tasty food, and family-friendly portions, I’d recommend giving Kobe Japanese Steakhouse a try.