Wagyu beef has become increasingly popular in recent years, prized for its rich flavor and velvety texture. This premium Japanese beef commands eye-watering prices, but for hardcore carnivores, the taste is worth every penny. I did some digging to find the top spots to get your hands on this luxury ingredient here in Portland. Whether you want to cook it at home or enjoy wagyu prepared by expert chefs, read on for the inside scoop!
What Makes Wagyu Beef So Special?
Let’s start with what sets wagyu apart from typical beef These cattle are bred specifically to produce meat with heavy marbling, meaning thin ribbons of fat evenly distributed throughout the muscle This marbling is key to achieving wagyu’s signature melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. The cattle are massaged and fed a specific diet including beer and rice to ensure optimal flavor.
True Japanese wagyu like Kobe must come from Tajima-gyu breed cattle raised in the Hyogo prefecture. But you can find domestic wagyu from cattle bred with Japanese bloodlines. While not exactly the same it’s still incredibly decadent and a fraction of the price of imported wagyu from Japan.
Where to Buy Wagyu Beef in Portland
From butcher shops to specialty grocery stores, here are the best spots to pick up wagyu beef cuts in Portland:
The Meat Mongers
This local butcher shop offers American wagyu beef raised in Oregon and Washington. You’ll find it in ribeye, NY strip, tenderloin, brisket, and ground beef cuts. The meat advisors here are happy to make recommendations if you’re not sure which cut to choose. They can also portion and trim steaks to your exact specs.
While not cheap, The Meat Mongers wagyu is very competitively priced compared to other retailers. Keep an eye out for weekly specials and bulk discounts on larger quantities too. This is my go-to spot to stock up on wagyu to enjoy at home.
New Seasons Market
With several locations around the metro area, New Seasons is a convenient spot to find wagyu beef. They carry Northwest-raised angus-wagyu hybrid steaks, roasts, and ground beef. Prices are comparable to The Meat Mongers.
New Seasons has an impressive butcher counter staff. Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions about the source, breed, and feeding regimen for their wagyu offerings. The knowledgeable butchers can cut your steaks to order and recommend complementary ingredients like rubs, sauces, and sides.
Tom’s Marketplace
This upscale market in the Alphabet District has an excellent butcher shop with one of the largest wagyu selections in Portland. You can find Japanese wagyu like authentic Kobe steak flown in from Hyogo. This is the creme de la creme with unparalleled marbling and flavor, though the price tag reflects that.
For a more affordable option, Tom’s also offers domestic wagyu from Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. This includes bone-in and boneless ribeyes, NY strips, filet mignon, ground beef and more. The experienced butchers are happy to cut thick steaks to order.
Dick’s Kitchen
The restaurant supply store Dick’s Kitchen is open to the public and carries full wagyu tenderloins from Oregon. Call ahead to check availability and have them portion it into filet mignon steaks. Though not cheap, these are substantially more affordable than the $100+ per pound filets at fancy restaurants!
Dick’s also sometimes has wagyu ground beef which is perfect for indulging in burgers and meatballs at home. Watch for specials around the holidays when they offer pre-ordered wagyu roasts and other cuts.
Columbia Empire Farms
Located in Columbia County east of Portland, Columbia Empire Farms raises certified wagyu cattle. You can visit the farm to purchase individual beef cuts or even a whole cow. The beef is some of the best quality domestic wagyu you’ll find, with extensive marbling and buttery texture.
Check their website for pricing and call ahead to arrange your beef purchase. The farm also offers free tours if you’d like to see their wagyu herd and operations before buying. This is the ultimate farm-to-table experience for wagyu fans!
Online Retailers
For added convenience, consider ordering wagyu online and having it shipped right to your door.
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Snake River Farms hasAmerican wagyu including filet mignon, ribeye, NY strip, and ground beef.
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Lobel’s ships genuine Japanese wagyu from Kagoshima Prefecture. The A5 grade ribeyes and filet are as decadent as it gets!
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Crowd Cow sources single ranch American wagyu and has fairly reasonable pricing for portioned cuts like NY strip and ribeye.
The quality of online wagyu varies greatly, so stick to reputable specialty retailers. Carefully check grading and origin details before ordering.
Best Restaurants for Wagyu Beef in Portland
If you want an expert chef to cook up your wagyu, Portland’s fine dining establishments have you covered. Here are some of my top picks for experiencing premium wagyu steaks and specials while dining out:
Ringside Steakhouse
Ringside is an upscale Portland institution and the best spot in town for enormous, top-quality steaks. Their wagyu ribeye is mind-blowingly tender and brought beautifully crusted and juicy to your table by experienced waiters. Available in 8 or 16 oz sizes.
Imperial
Chef Vitaly Paley plates gorgeously marbled wagyu as the star of multicourse tasting menus. You’ll get a beautifully seared slice of Miyazaki wagyu filet along with decadent sides like seared foie gras. A luxe, special night out for wagyu lovers!
Urban Farmer
This downtown steakhouse has an impressive wagyu beef selection, including Snake River ribeye and strip options. Their wagyu burger with caramelized onions and white cheddar is also a can’t miss. Watch for weekend specials when they offer rare Japanese wagyu.
Paley’s Place
Vitaly Paley’s intimate eatery has rotating chef’s tasting menus that periodically highlight wagyu. You may luck out with A5 wagyu from Kagoshima cooked in Vitaly’s French-inspired style. Definitely call ahead to check on availability.
Masu Sushi
Masu’s extensive wagyu offerings include Japanese A5 filet and hefty ribeye steaks. Or try their wagyu nigiri to experience those heavenly fat stripes in sushi form. This is some of the most affordable restaurant wagyu in Portland.
owego kitchen
This tucked-away SE restaurant has a small but well curated menu that often features Snake River wagyu flat iron steak with duck fat potatoes. Rich and craveable!
Ox Restaurant
One of Portland’s hottest new spots, Ox delights carnivores with their 30 day dry-aged wagyu striploin for two. Get the bone marrow and truffle butter to slather on this tender, funky beast of a steak. Reservations essential.
Ravenous Pig
On the Oregon Coast in Tillamook, the Ravenous Pig periodically hosts special prix fixe wagyu nights. Watch for your chance to indulge in multiple courses focused on rare Japanese wagyu cuts and pairing wines. Worth the scenic drive!
How to Cook Wagyu Beef at Home
Once you’ve procured the perfect wagyu cuts, you’ll want to carefully cook them to medium rare to best appreciate the intense marbling. Here are a few tips:
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Let steaks come to room temp before cooking so they cook evenly.
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Salt well before cooking to enhance flavor. Try flaky sea salt or truffle salt.
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Choose a cooking method that gives quick, high heat like grilling, broiling, or searing in a hot pan. Avoid slow, moist cooking.
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Cook to an internal temperature of 135F for rich, tender medium rare. 140F at most.
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Let rest 5+ minutes before slicing into steaks to allow juices to redistribute.
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Slice against the grain on the bias for the most tender bite.
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Go easy on sauce and seasoning to let that pure wagyu flavor shine. A touch of high quality butter is enough.
The 5th Wagyu born outside Japan
With no proof, grandfather Scott Knox took a chance in 1992 to raise one of the first Wagyu cows to ever live outside of Japan.
His first embryo born was the fifth Wagyu heifer ever born outside Japan.
Pacific Rogue Wagyu got its name from the ocean and the river that runs next to it. Since Robert Myron Knox started it in 1932, the business has been run by his family.
For many generations, the Knox family had raised Angus cows, which are a classic American breed. In 1992, Scott Knox decided to go with his gut and raise one of the first Wagyu cows to ever live outside of Japan.
Pure Wagyu & Wagyu Cross
The Knoxes are considered a pioneer family where American Wagyu is concerned, raising delicious Full-blood Wagyu since 1992. In addition to our full-blood herd, inquire about our F1 stock.
Raised on pasture with a supplement of healthy grains to increase marbling and enhance flavor.
We never use antibiotics except to treat sick animals in need of care.
At Pacific Rogue Wagyu, we absolutely do not use growth hormones or implants.
The Pacific Rogue Wagyus coastal ranch is home to elk, deer, salmon, butterflies, and pollinators, among other animals. Every year, with help from the National Resource Conservation Service, we write grazing plans that are good for the environment. We’ve even won a conservation award for our dedication to promoting healthy and biodiverse natural habitat.
Where I Buy A5 Wagyu (REAL PRICES)
FAQ
How much is 1 pound of Wagyu beef cost?
Does Costco have real Wagyu?
Is Aldi selling Wagyu beef?
What grade of Wagyu does Costco sell?
Where can I buy Wagyu beef?
We are your prime source for Fresh Wagyu Beef available for pick-up or local delivery daily. If you’re a fan of prime beef, just wait until you try Wagyu from Lomelo’s Local Markets. Wagyu is a cut above prime, and our Wagyu beef is never frozen. Lomelo’s is a modern butcher shop with a simple process.
Where can I buy Pacific Rogue Wagyu?
For the past decade, you’ve found Pacific Rogue Wagyu at top restaurants and butcher shops throughout the Pacific Northwest or for pick up meat at our farm store in Gold Beach, Oregon. Finally, we are proud to offer our wagyu beef through direct online sales and will ship anywhere within the contiguous US!
How much does Wagyu beef cost in Malaysia?
For instance, a large slab of uncut sirloin would be highly uncommon to locate on the chiller shelves. This is due to the high cost of wagyu beef. Japanese wagyu imported into Malaysia could cost as much as RM2,000 per kilogramme, depending on the grade. A skilled butcher or chef must cut the meat into tiny pieces without wasting any.
What is the best Wagyu restaurant?
1. Gyutaro Yakiniku Gyutaro Yakiniku is a contemporary Japanese Wagyu Yakiniku Specialty Restaurant where patrons are treated to dipping sauce while enjoying grilled meats. Out of the 3 top Japanese wagyu brands, Omi Hime, Hida Shichiri, and Miyazaki, our founder selects the greatest wagyu.