What is the best way to eat Wagyu beef? Introducing the types and famous brands of beef!

We introduce the delicious way to eat   Wagyu beef which is well known in Japan.  Some people have heard of Matsuzaka beef or Omi beef. Please refer to this article to taste Wagyu beef, which is one of the highest quality beef, in the perfect way.

What kind of meat is Wagyu?

Wagyu is a name given only to beef that meets certain conditions. The details of the conditions vary, but beef that is produced exclusively for meat consumption and is based on cattle raised in Japan is named Wagyu.

Basically, it is of high quality and often has a fine taste compared to ordinary beef. This beef is worth a try when you visit Japan.

Differences between Wagyu and common beef

There are many differences between Wagyu beef and common beef. These are explained in detail below.

Wagyu beef is not always from Japan

There are many types of beef available in Japan, but not all of them are Wagyu. Even beef produced in Japan is not Wagyu if it is raised based on a foreign brand. There are numerous supermarkets that sell beef from the United States.

Also, Wagyu beef may not be from Japan, as it only needs to be based on cattle raised in Japan. Note that Wagyu beef is not necessarily from Japan.

Japanese beef may also be raised in a foreign country.

As mentioned earlier, Wagyu beef is not necessarily produced in Japan. This is because there are cases where Japanese beef is raised in foreign countries due to the environment in which it is raised, fertilizers, and other factors. In some cases, famous brand beef, which will be discussed below, is also raised overseas and imported.

However, there is no significant difference in quality. Please be assured that the quality of Wagyu beef is not inferior just because it is from overseas. If you insist on Japanese beef, use a restaurant or eatery that serves Japanese Wagyu beef.

What are the different types of Wagyu beef?

Japanese Wagyu can be divided into the following four types

• Japanese Black Breed
• Japanese Brown Breed
• Japanese Shorthorn
• Japanese hornless breed

The following is an introduction to the characteristics of each type of Wagyu.

Japanese Black

The Kuroge Wagyu is one of the most famous Japanese Wagyu breeds. The fatty meat called “Sashi” is a characteristic of the Kuroge Wagyu breed. It is also characterized by its high quality fat, which gives the meat a melt-in-your-mouth flavor.

Brown Japanese Beef

The brown-haired Japanese breed does not contain as much fat as other Wagyu breeds. It is recommended for those who want to enjoy meat but also care about your health.

Japanese Shorthorn

The Japanese Shorthorn is characterized by its resistance to cold, and is raised mainly in the Hokkaido and Tohoku regions. They are characterized by their lean succulentand tender meat.

Japanese Ankle Breed

The Japanese Ankaku is a rare breed in Japan, and there are not so many of them bred in Japan. It has a lot of lean meat and is recommended for health-conscious people.

Famous Japanese Wagyu Beef in Japan!

Famous Wagyu beef in Japan are as follows

• Matsusaka Beef
• Kobe Beef
• Omi Beef

Each of them is explained in detail.

Matsusaka Beef

Matsusaka beef is a Japanese beef that originated in Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture. It is characterized by its meat that is so fine and sinewy that  invisible, and is so tender and melt-in-your-mouth that it melts at room temperature.It is also characterized by its dark color and concentrated flavor.

Kobe Beef

Kobe Beef is characterized by its thin and tender meat. When breeding, the fat penetrates into the muscles, resulting in marbled meat. It has a fine sashi (a grain-like texture) and melts softly when heated, giving it a pleasant texture on the tongue.

Omi Beef

Omi beef is characterized among marbled beef by the low temperature at which the fat melts. Therefore, there is less risk of stomach upset among brand-name beef. Even those who do not like fatty foods can fully enjoy this brand of beef.

How to enjoy Wagyu beef?

The following are ways to enjoy Wagyu beef.

• Beef cutlet(GYUKATSU)
• Steak
• Sukiyaki
• Shabu-shabu
• Beef bowl

Each of them is explained in detail.

Beef cutlet(GYUKATSU)

Beef cutlet(GYUKATSU) is a dish in which beef is battered and deep-fried in oil. A similar dish is tonkatsu (pork cutlet), but the meat itself has more fat and a softer melt-in-your-mouth texture. This dish is recommended for those who like fried food.

Steak

If you want to enjoy the unique fatty taste of Wagyu beef, steak is also recommended. It is only with steak that you can experience a flavor that melts in your mouth. It is a simple dish of grilling Wagyu beef, but it allows you to enjoy the taste of Wagyu beef itself.

Sukiyaki

If you are interested in a uniquely Japanese way of savoring beef, Sukiyaki is also recommended. Sukiyaki is a dish in which Wagyu beef, tofu, shirataki, mushrooms, and other ingredients are cooked in an iron pot. By dipping the beef in egg, you can enjoy the mild flavor of Wagyu beef.

Many people are interested in this dish because it is unique to Japan. Vegetables and tofu sweetened with Wagyu beef fat are also excellent.

Shabu-shabu

Shabu-shabu is recommended for those who want to eat Wagyu beef with a plain taste. This dish is similar to sukiyaki, but instead of using soy sauce or mirin, shabu-shabu is made by submerging the wagyu in a broth made from kombu (kelp).

It is often served with ponzu (Japanese sauce made from ponzu citrus juice) and is a refreshing way to enjoy the high quality fat. Shabu-shabu is also a uniquely Japanese dish, so please enjoy it.

Gyu-don

Wagyu beef goes very well with rice. For those who want to enjoy Wagyu beef with rice, we recommend the Gyu-don. You can enjoy Wagyu beef and rice mixed with our special sauce. If you like Japanese rice, this is the recommended way to eat it.

If you want to enjoy beef cutlet(GYUKATSU), go to Katsugyu!

If you want to enjoy Wagyu beef, we recommend “Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu” for those who want to taste Beef Katsu. The “Kuroge Wagyu Katsu Set” at Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu is a dish where you can enjoy the fat from the high quality Wagyu beef and the crispy texture of the batter.

There are many ways to enjoy this dish, such as with dashi soy sauce, beef cutlet(GYUKATSU) sauce, or sansho (Japanese pepper) salt. Please try to find your own way to enjoy it.

Taste each piece of wagyu in a way that suits you best!

Each type of Wagyu beef has different fat content and texture. When tasting Wagyu beef, try tasting it in a way that is appropriate for each type. There are many other famous Wagyu beef varieties in addition to those introduced in this article. We hope you will enjoy a variety of Wagyu beef when you visit Japan.