Kobeyaki

Nearly 2 weeks old, Japanese fast food restaurant Kobeyaki has become a hot spot with the Chelsea-based lunchtime crowd. The concept is casual, healthy and fast, and options include sushi rolls (cooked, raw, or broiled), bowls (with rice, noodles, or salad as a base), noodle soups, salads, burgers, buns and assorted sides at affordable prices. Every inch of the sleek space is utilized to fit several booths, a communal table equipped with round swivel chairs, order and pick-up counters, and a neatly organized condiment station (in addition to providing a home for sauces like wasabi mayo, spicy mayo, chipotle ketchup and sriracha, this is where customers pick up utensils and napkins).

In exchange for payment, lunchers are provided with individual handheld devices that vibrate when each respective order is ready. No doubt to keep people from forming a mob in front of the pick-up counter; an idea that didn't appear to be working the afternoon three friends and I visited Kobeyaki. Luckily, our group wasn't interested in take-out or standing around; we were happy to easily score a booth for four during a bustling lunch hour. We sat and sampled two hearty bowls (my friend Adam is adamant the serving vessel is no bowl and shouldn't be referred to as one, it is more of a shallow dish à la Chipotle Mexican Grill-style)- teriyaki grilled vegetables with crispy tofu cubes, and teriyaki grilled shrimp, each with a brown rice base; two juicy, flavorful Kobe beef burgers made with beef from Imperial Wagyu Beef and topped with teriyaki onions, a shredded carrot and cabbage blend, chipotle ketchup, and spicy mayo; a rather large 8-piece shrimp tempura sushi roll with disappointingly small shrimp that seemed lost in the tempura (word is the spicy tuna roll is the one to get); and a side of crispy tempura battered sweet potato fries- so good, no dipping sauce was necessary.

In a market that is oversaturated with fast food options, my companions and I left in total agreement- Kobeyaki's concept has staying power. We were pleasantly surprised, fully satisfied, and made plans to return for another go at Kobeyaki's enticing menu.

Handheld vibrators signal pick-up is ready
A brown rice based teriyaki vegetable bowl, loaded with fresh veggies and chunks of crispy tofu
A delicious fast food Kobe beef burger
The large and in charge shrimp tempura roll
The interior of the shrimp tempura roll- sadly, the shrimp is lost in all that is packed inside
The teriyaki shrimp bowl over brown rice- a generous amount of shrimp and veggies
Tempura sweet potato fries