Kobe Nankin-machi Street Food Guide | Recommended Dishes, Business Hours, and Popular Shops

Nankin-machi (南京町), located in Kobe’s Motomachi area, is one of Japan’s top three Chinatowns alongside Yokohama Chinatown and Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown. Known as one of Kansai’s top tourist attractions, this vibrant Chinatown is packed with a variety of Chinese cuisine and is bustling with visitors even on weekdays.

In this article, we’ll introduce the history and access information of Nankin-machi, as well as must-try street food, including pork buns and xiaolongbao, personally sampled by FUN! JAPAN editors.

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*Photos and information in this article are accurate as of March 2025.

What is Kobe Nankin-machi? One of Japan’s Three Major Chinatowns

History of Nankin-machi

The history of Nankin-machi dates back to 1867, when Kobe Port first opened. With the influx of foreigners, a significant number of Chinese immigrants, known as the Huaqiao (華僑), also settled in the area. Initially developing just outside the designated foreign settlement, the area gradually became a hub for Chinese merchants, forming the foundation of today’s Chinatown.

Despite the impact of wars and natural disasters, Nankin-machi has continuously rebuilt itself and is now the largest Chinatown in the Kansai region, home to around 100 restaurants and shops.

What Makes Nankin-machi Unique

Compared to Yokohama Chinatown and Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown, Nankin-machi is compact and easy to explore on foot.

• Yokohama Chinatown: With over 600 shops spread across a large area, it has a theme park-like atmosphere and hosts numerous events throughout the year.
• Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown: With around 40 shops, it is smaller in scale but famous for the Nagasaki Lantern Festival during Chinese New Year. It is also known for its local specialties like Nagasaki Champon and Sara Udon.
• Kobe Nankin-machi: Though compact, it is known for its excellent street food stalls and takeout shops. The Nankin-machi Square, located at the heart of the Chinatown, provides a relaxing space where visitors can enjoy their food.

How to Get to Kobe Nankin-machi

Located in the heart of Kobe, Nankin-machi is easily accessible by public transportation.

By Train

• From Shin-Kobe Station (Shinkansen): Take the Subway Yamate Line to Kencho-mae Station, then walk about 7 minutes.

• From Motomachi Station (JR Kobe Line & Hanshin Railway): Walk about 5 minutes.
• From Kobe-Sannomiya Station (Hankyu Railway, West Exit): Walk about 10 minutes.
• From Kyukyoryuchi-Daimarumae Station (Subway Kaigan Line): Walk about 2 minutes.
• City Loop Bus: Get off at Nankin-machi East Entrance (Motomachi Shopping Street) or Nankin-machi South Entrance, both of which are just a short walk away.

By Car

• From Hanshin Expressway Kyobashi IC: About 5 minutes.

Parking in Nankin-machi

There is no dedicated parking in Nankin-machi, and vehicle entry is not allowed within the Chinatown. However, there are several coin-operated parking lots along Sakaemachi-dori, just south of Nankin-machi. These parking spaces tend to fill up quickly, especially on weekends, so using public transportation is highly recommended.

Why Kobe Nankin-machi is a Popular Street Food Spot

Nankin-machi has gained a reputation as a foodie’s paradise, thanks to the following key points:

Compact Area for Efficient Food-Hopping

With an area of about 270 meters east to west and 110 meters north to south, Nankin-machi is small enough to visit multiple food stalls in a short time, making it easy to enjoy various dishes efficiently.

Affordable & Delicious! A Wide Variety of Street Food

Most street food items are available for just a few hundred yen, allowing visitors to try a variety of flavors without breaking the bank. Signature dishes include pork buns, xiaolongbao, and skewered dim sum, all perfect for snacking on the go.

Instagrammable Food

Many restaurants in Nankin-machi offer visually stunning dishes, from colorful dim sum to vibrant desserts, making them perfect for social media posts. Many of these treats have become viral on Instagram!

Things to Keep in Mind When Eating in Nankin-machi

To fully enjoy food-hopping in Nankin-machi, it’s important to understand the difference between “tabearuki” (food-hopping) and “arukitabe” (walking while eating) and follow the proper etiquette.

• Tabearuki : Going from one shop to another, trying different foods while standing in designated areas or at store fronts.
• Arukitabe : Walking while eating. This is prohibited in Nankin-machi.

Food-Hopping Rules & Etiquette

To ensure a pleasant experience for all visitors, eating while walking is prohibited in Nankin-machi. When enjoying street food, please follow these rules:

1. No eating while walking: Eating while walking is not allowed in Nankin-machi. However, you can enjoy your food at designated eat-in spaces, specific areas provided by shops, or the central plaza.

2. Dispose of trash at the store where you purchased your food: There are no shared trash bins in Nankin-machi, so please use the designated trash bin at the store where you made your purchase.
3. By following these simple rules, you can fully enjoy the delicious street food Nankin-machi has to offer in a comfortable environment!

Now, let’s take a look at some of the top recommended dishes that the FUN! JAPAN editors tried on-site.

Recommended Dish #1: Roushouki’s "Butaman" (Pork Bun)

Roushouki is a long-established shop founded in the early Taisho era, famous for its "Butaman" (pork bun). The first-generation owner introduced a bun called "Tianjin Baozi" from the Tianjin region and gave it the name "Butaman" to make it more familiar to Japanese customers.

At first, we were surprised that the buns are only sold in sets of five, but each one is small enough to fit perfectly in the palm of your hand. The dough has a subtle sweetness, and inside, it’s packed with rich, flavorful meat filling. Despite their small size, they are surprisingly satisfying, and before we knew it, we had devoured two or three in one go!

Until November 2025, the original store is undergoing renovations, so they are temporarily operating at their sister shop, Souka Baozi Hall, located across Nankin-machi Plaza. On this visit, even on a weekday, there was a 30-minute wait at lunchtime. Since they sometimes sell out by the evening, we recommend visiting early in the day.

Roushouki

Recommended Dish #2: YUNYUN’s "Xiao Long Bao" (Pan-Fried Soup Dumplings)

YUNYUN originally started as a rice noodle manufacturer, but its most popular item now is the "Xiao Long Bao" (Shanghai-style pan-fried soup dumplings). Even on weekdays, people start lining up right at opening time.
You can buy "Xiao Long Bao" in sets of three, priced at ¥450 for three, ¥900 for six, with additional pieces available for ¥150 each.

Since they are served piping hot, be careful when eating! First, poke a small hole with your chopsticks and carefully sip the soup inside to avoid burns. Once it cools to a safe temperature, enjoy the crispy skin and juicy filling together. These bite-sized dumplings are easy to eat, and the combination of textures and rich meat juices is simply irresistible.

At first glance, the long line might seem overwhelming, but it moves quickly. Plus, you can watch the dumpling-making process through a glass window while waiting, making the time pass faster than expected. After purchasing, you can eat in the second-floor eat-in space or in front of the shop.

YUNYUN

Recommended Dish #3: "Piyo-man" and Other Adorable Chinese-style Buns

As you stroll along the main street of Nankin-machi, you'll find an array of cute Chinese-style buns! These were purchased from Tenshido, but many other shops along the street sell similar buns.

The small and charming "Piyo-man" is filled with custard cream, the "Panda-man" contains black sesame paste, and the "Buta-man" has a savory ground pork filling.

At another shop, we also found "Shishi-man," shaped like a Chinese lion dance mask, and "Tora-man," inspired by the tiger, which is considered a lucky symbol in Chinese culture. "Shishi-man" had a purple sweet potato filling, while "Tora-man" was filled with cream—both were deliciously satisfying. Prices range from around ¥200 to ¥500 per bun. Since you probably can't eat too many at once, and many stores in Nankin-machi sell these buns, we recommend walking through the entire street to check out all the options before deciding which ones to try!

Recommended Dish #4: "Balancing Hedgehog"

The "Balancing Hedgehog" is a deep-fried sesame ball with a tiny hedgehog sitting on top. Many shops along the street sell this treat, and the hedgehog's face varies slightly depending on the store, so it might be fun to search for your favorite one!

Each one costs around ¥300. Since they're crispy and deep-fried, be careful when biting into the spiky hedgehog part!

Recommended Dish #5: "Fruit candy"

Although not unique to Nankin-machi, you’ll find several shops selling candied fruits along the street. Mikiya, founded in 1947, is a fruit store that directly operates its own candied fruit shop, ensuring high-quality and a wide variety of fresh fruits.

The crispy candy coating and the juicy, sweet-tart strawberries make for a perfect palate cleanser after indulging in rich, oily foods.

Mikiya

Recommended Dish #6: "Kobe Beef"

In Nankin-machi, you can also enjoy Kobe beef, the region’s famous brand of high-quality beef, as a street food option. While there are Kobe beef burgers and rice bowls available, skewers are a convenient and easy way to enjoy this delicacy. You can even choose your preferred cut of meat.

Another great option is Kobe beef sushi, which can be ordered by the piece. The shop is conveniently located facing the central plaza, making it a great stop while exploring the area.

Kissho-ki

What Are Nankin-machi’s Business Hours?

Business hours in Nankin-machi vary by store, but some shops open around 10:00 AM. The area tends to get crowded by lunchtime, so arriving before 11:00 AM is recommended. Many popular shops close around 6:00 PM, and some may sell out before then, so plan accordingly.

Enjoy the lively atmosphere of Nankin-machi while respecting the local rules and making the most of your street food experience!