Crossword Genius

Hunk leaving northern English port (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

kobe

'port' is the definition.
(Japanese port)

'hunk leaving northern english' is the wordplay.
'hunk' becomes 'knob' (both can mean a lump, esp of food).
'leaving' suggests deleting specific letters.
'northern' becomes 'n' (abbreviation e.g. N. Ireland).
'english' becomes 'e' (abbreviation).
'knob' with 'n' taken away is 'kob'.
'kob'+'e'='KOBE'

(Other definitions for kobe that I've seen before include "Japanese 1995 earthquake site; be OK (anag.)" , "City in Japan" , "Japanese port, hit by an earthquake in 1995" , "Eastern port" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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