Kobe Express

Why go: Sushi, hibachi, and Asian fusion on US-19 in Cherokee, open daily until 9:00 PM with dine-in, drive-through, and delivery, making it one of the more versatile and accessible Japanese dining options in the Smokies.

About Kobe Express

Kobe Express is a Japanese and Asian fusion restaurant on US-19 in Cherokee serving sushi rolls, nigiri, hibachi plates, teriyaki, combination platters, and appetizers. The menu covers a wide range of Japanese fare in a casual, fast-friendly format, with options for dine-in, drive-through, takeout, and delivery.

Hibachi and teriyaki plates come with fried rice, carrots, and shrimp sauce, along with a choice of clear broth soup or salad. Soba noodles are available as a rice substitute for an additional charge. The appetizer program includes fried dumplings, crab pillows, jumbo honey shrimp, vegetable tempura, miso soup, and wings. Sushi platters, combination plates, and a kids menu round out the full offering. Online ordering is available directly through the Kobe Express website.

Catering is available. Contact the restaurant directly through the website for catering inquiries.

Getting to Kobe Express

Kobe Express is at 441 US-19 in Cherokee, near Talking Leaves and close to Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort. The restaurant has free on-site parking and a drive-through for guests who prefer to order without going inside. It is open daily from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, making it a reliable option for a late lunch or dinner after a day on the trails or at the casino.

Why Choose Kobe Express

Kobe Express fills a gap in the Cherokee dining landscape. Japanese food, and sushi specifically, is not widely available in the area, and Kobe Express is the most established option on that front.

• Sushi and hibachi under one roof. The menu spans creative specialty rolls, traditional nigiri, and full hibachi plates, giving the table broad range without needing to choose between a sushi bar and a hibachi grill.
• Open daily 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. One of the more reliable kitchen close times in Cherokee, particularly useful for visitors arriving from the national park in the evening.
• Drive-through available. One of the few sit-down-quality restaurants in Cherokee with a drive-through option. A practical feature for families or visitors who want a quick pickup without a full dining room commitment.
• Delivery available via DoorDash, and online ordering through the official website for carryout.
• Vegetarian options include the Dragon Veggie Roll, vegetable tempura, and miso soup.
• Kids menu available. A family-accessible choice for groups with varied preferences.

Menu Favorites

The hibachi plates and the signature sushi rolls are the two main reasons to visit. The appetizer program is stronger than what a casual glance at the menu might suggest.

• Hibachi Chicken with Mushroom. The most-ordered item on the DoorDash menu. Served with fried rice, carrots, shrimp sauce, and choice of soup or salad.
• Teriyaki Chicken with Broccoli. The second most-ordered item. Teriyaki sauce is the thicker, sweeter preparation; hibachi uses a lighter soy sauce. Worth knowing before you order.
• Hibachi Steak with Mushroom. The steak version of the hibachi plate. A step up from the chicken in richness and one of the more satisfying options on the menu.
• Steak and Shrimp. A combination plate that covers both proteins in a single order. A strong pick for visitors who want variety without splitting a meal.
• Catamount Roll. Shrimp tempura, crab, smoked salmon, smelt roe, avocado, and cream cheese, fried and topped with spicy sauce and eel sauce. One of the more complex rolls on the menu.
• Kobe Roll. Shrimp tempura, cucumber, and avocado topped with crab stick and spicy sauce. The house signature roll.
• Crunch Roll. Shrimp tempura with avocado and cream cheese, topped with tempura flakes and eel sauce. A crowd-pleasing combination and a reliable starting point for sushi newcomers.
• Bentley Roll. Crab, shrimp, and cream cheese. A cleaner, less heavily dressed roll for visitors who prefer something lighter than the Catamount.
• Fried Dumplings. A consistently praised appetizer. A solid start to any order.
• Crab Pillows. Crab rangoon filling in an egg roll format. A distinctive appetizer that stands apart from the standard rangoon presentation.
• Jumbo Honey Shrimp. Larger shrimp preparation with a honey-based finish. Worth ordering as a starter or alongside a sushi order.
• Soba Noodles. Available as a rice substitute on hibachi and teriyaki plates for an additional charge. A good option for visitors who want something different from the standard fried rice base.

What to Expect

Kobe Express is a casual dine-in restaurant with drive-through and takeout options. The format is relaxed and the kitchen moves at a consistent pace.

• Dine-in seating available with table service. Walk-ins welcome; reservations are not accepted.
• The dining room is straightforward and functional. The focus is on the food rather than the atmosphere.
• Shrimp sauce is included with hibachi and teriyaki plates. A 16 oz portion is available for purchase separately if you want extra.
• Vegetable tempura and the Dragon Veggie Roll are the two most accessible options for vegetarian diners.
• Delivery hours on DoorDash cut off slightly earlier than the kitchen close, so ordering early in the evening is recommended if you are planning delivery.

Nearby Restaurants in Cherokee

• Granny’s Kitchen. Southern country cooking buffet style on US-19 since 1984, with hand-carved roast beef, fried chicken, and some of the most honest family pricing in Cherokee.
• Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Fine dining steakhouse inside Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, serving USDA Prime beef on sizzling plates.
• El Cajelito Mexican Restaurant and Bar. Family-owned Mexican directly across from Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, with house-made corn tortillas and a daily lunch buffet.

Explore More

My Smoky Mountain Guide Cherokee is a great resource for finding things to do and places to eat.

• Cherokee Food & Beverage Guide. Discover restaurants, cafes, breweries, and other local dining favorites.
• Attractions and Entertainment. Check out all the attractions in Cherokee.
• Outdoor Adventure. Explore all the great outdoor adventure in Cherokee.