JPN: Bao Bao (パオパオ)

Where you can get a view of the elephants, especially during feeding time!

Have you been to Kobe Oji Zoo in Japan? Though a bit dated, it's an amazing zoo where my BFFs and I stayed longer than we thought we'd be. Before leaving, we had a late lunch at 3.00pm at Bao Bao, a self-service family restaurant. As we got ourselves a window seat, we could observe the nearby elephants being fed while we gobbled our meal.

This is a bit random, but I recall Bao Bao is the name of a female panda that was born at the National Zoo in Washington D.C., the USA.

Soy Sauce Ramen Set ¥850 (~S$11.30)

Taste: 7/10

The actual name of the set is しょうゆラーメンセット. We'd initially wanted to order the Panda Ramen Set inclusive of a panda-shaped bun, but sadly the restaurant had run out of it. Anyway, the soy sauce ramen was quite tasty, though there was only a thin slice of pork belly, a few slices of bamboo shoots and spring onions as a garnish. The fried rice, on the other hand, was so-so.

Omurice Set ¥950 (~S$12.65)

Taste: 6/10

The actual name of the set is とろっとオムライスセット. Sitting on top of tomato rice that was cooked well was an omelette topped with demi-glace sauce. While I'm the kind of person who enjoys thick and flavoursome sauce, I found the demi-glace sauce to be a tad too heavy. On the other hand, the accompanying soup was rather bland.

While it couldn't match that at Kichi Kichi in Kyoto, the omelette was pretty runny. Having said that, I felt that it could be creamier.

Beef Cutlet Curry Rice ¥1,100 (~S$14.65)

Taste: 7.5/10

The actual name of the dish is ビーフカツカレープレート. The amount of rice was pretty massive, not to mention that there were a few potato wedges, which unfortunately were rather dehydrated and a bit of vegetables.

The deep-fried beef cutlet was pretty well executed. Even though it could be meatier, the red meat was adequately succulent. I also enjoyed the dark-coloured curry sauce that was thick and sweet enough for my liking.

Melon's Rating

Taste: 7/10

Ambience: 7/10
Overall: 7/10

Pika's advice: If you're looking for small bites instead, do take a look at the food kiosk outside run by the restaurant, which is located to the right-hand side of the entrance. There are items such as takoyaki (Japanese octopus balls), hot dog and ice cream.

Bao Bao

(パオパオ)

3-1 Ojicho

Kobe Oji Zoo

Nada, Kobe

Japan

(Thu-Tue: 9.00am - 5.00pm)

*Prices quoted are nett prices.

Have a nice meal,

Cliff(y)