Kobe Lamp-tei
A defunct Japanese gyudon beef bowl chain that operated in the Kanto region from 1993 to 2015.
Last updated September 26, 2026
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Overview
Kobe Lamp-tei (神戸らんぷ亭) was a Japanese fast-food chain specializing in gyudon (beef bowls), operated by the company of the same name. Established in 1993 as part of the Daiei Group, it opened its first store in Ebisu, Shibuya, Tokyo, to gain name recognition as a late entrant to the gyudon market. The chain expanded via franchising across the Kanto region—Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa—reaching a peak of 50 stores. It was known for early price cuts, dropping to 290 yen in 1995, and for innovations such as salt-based gyudon without soy sauce in 2010. At its height, it ranked fifth in sales in the gyudon industry. In 2014, some stores were converted to a new katsudon specialty format called "Katsudon-ya." In 2015, the chain was acquired by Mack Group and most stores were converted to the ramen chain "Ichikakuya," with all Kobe Lamp-tei stores closing by July 31, 2015. The Ginza store briefly reopened as "Ginza Lamp-tei" with a ramen-focused menu before closing on April 28, 2017. The operating company was absorbed into Garden Co., Ltd. on March 1, 2018, and dissolved.
History
Kobe Lamp-tei was established in 1993 as part of the Daiei Group. In February 1993, Daiei's subsidiary Kura-wan Co., Ltd. began the gyudon business and opened the first store in Ebisu, Tokyo. On August 25, 1993, Daiei fully funded the establishment of Kobe Lamp-tei Co., Ltd. Chain expansion of gyudon stores began in February 1994. The chain expanded through franchising in the Kanto region, reaching a maximum of 50 stores. In 1995, it lowered its gyudon price to 290 yen, one of the earliest among gyudon chains. In 2003, following the discovery of a BSE-infected cow in the United States, imports of US beef were banned. In February 2004, the chain initially planned to suspend gyudon sales by the end of March, but after securing Australian beef, it announced continued sales. On April 1, 2004, it switched to Australian beef and resumed gyudon sales. On December 12, 2005, parent company Daiei sold all shares to IT services company Mitsuiwa Co., Ltd., making it a subsidiary. On September 1, 2008, it introduced Mexican beef in addition to Australian. In 2010, it developed "salt gyudon" without soy sauce. On January 20, 2014, the Tamachi store was converted to "Katsudon-ya" Shibadaimon store, and subsequently several stores were converted to katsudon specialty shops. On March 25, 2015, Mack Group announced the acquisition of Kobe Lamp-tei from Mitsuiwa. On July 31, 2015, all Kobe Lamp-tei stores closed, and later, except for the Ginza store, they were converted to Ichikakuya ramen shops. On August 31, 2015, the "Katsudon-ya" Suehirocho store suspended operations. On September 10, 2015, the Ginza store reopened as "Ginza Lamp-tei" with a ramen-centric menu. On April 28, 2017, "Ginza Lamp-tei" closed. On March 1, 2018, the company was absorbed and merged into Garden Co., Ltd. and dissolved.
- 2018
March 1: Company absorbed into Garden Co., Ltd. and dissolved.
- 2017
April 28: Ginza Lamp-tei closes.
- 2015
March 25: Mack Group announces acquisition from Mitsuiwa.
- 2015
July 31: All Kobe Lamp-tei stores close.
- 2015
September 10: Ginza store reopens as Ginza Lamp-tei.
- 2014
January 20: Tamachi store converted to Katsudon-ya Shibadaimon store.
- 2010
Develops salt gyudon without soy sauce.
- 2008
September 1: Introduces Mexican beef in addition to Australian.
- 2005
December 12: Daiei sells all shares to Mitsuiwa Co., Ltd.
- 2004
April 1: Switches to Australian beef and resumes gyudon sales.
Products and positioning
Affordable gyudon chain, late entrant that competed on price and product innovation.
Gyudon (beef bowl)
Salt gyudon
Katsudon (pork cutlet bowl)
Ramen (at Ginza Lamp-tei)
Sources2 sources
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