Romantic Kobe, United Square

I'm generally dubious of the word 'authentic'. It sails in the same rickety boat as 'innovative'. Overused, abused and abused again. Whored relentlessly in the business world in the attempt to convince any that would be convinced. Sometimes it's true. Otherwise is far more, the prolific truth.

Romantic Kobe is located at the basement of United Square. What sort of name is Romantic Kobe anyway? Run it seems by a lone Chinese guy. 

The shop serves curry katsu rice, curried stewed meats and bentos. Despite my apprehension, we got ourselves a table and made the decision to have dinner. Mike got the beef curry rice while Chris and I ordered the deluxe katsu set. I prepared myself for disappointment.

The deluxe katsu set was as you see on the right. Counter clockwise order from the left - breaded fried chicken, croquette, breaded fried pork, a breaded fried oyster and a straight stiff piece of breaded fried prawn. All the meat came across as rather dry. The breading that sheathed them looked like a loose cover which easily fell away when I tried to cut them. Nothing truly mention worthy. 

The oyster which was probably the frozen kind did not have a strong taste. That's normally a good thing but it's also dry. Prawn reminded me of a stiff dead lizard and was also, dry. Having adjective-ed dry few times, one can imagine the curry sauce to be a salvation to the meal - which was the only thing that felt Japanese about the meal. Also probably something we could have made ourselves. Can you smell the "authenticity" bubbling in their pot? There, I've made my point.

The curry beef which in my opinion looked better tasting. I didn't try it and somehow didn't think to ask about how it was. Dude, if you're reading, maybe you'll like to comment. I won't not be back to eat here again.

Serious Japanese cuisine enthusiasts, I have two words. Steer clear.