This is the Koikeya Pride Potato Nihon no Kamiwaza Kōbe Beef, flavoured with Souma cattle, renowned for their finely grained, marbled meat. Raised for over 1,200 years in the Tajima region of northern Hyogo Prefecture, known for producing premium beef with distinctive sweetness and rich marbling, these cattle are kept for a minimum of 28 months.
These chips are part of the “Pride Potato – Nihon no Kamiwaza” series, which is dedicated to preserving traditional culture and fostering new cultural developments across Japan. A portion of the proceeds from this Kōbe-inspired product supports Hyogo Prefecture in the preservation and transmission of cultural heritage.
The chips, about 1 mm thick, were seasoned with a fine mix of brown, red, and white hues. While the aroma was savoury, it didn’t immediately suggest beef. On tasting, the chips delivered a satisfying crunch and began with a slight sweetness, followed by a hint of soy sauce. This developed into a deep, rich beefy flavour, reminiscent of melt-in-the-mouth beef grilled and caramelised with soy sauce, creating a sukiyaki-like sweetness. The potato’s richness appeared towards the end, leaving an extended, savoury beef aftertaste.
These chips successfully captured the sweet and rich flavour of Kōbe beef, making them highly enjoyable and worth repurchasing.
This Koikeya Pride Potato Nihon no Kamiwaza Kōbe Beef contained 53 g. It was produced in Japan and purchased in Sydney, Australia in 2024.