Wagyu, which means “Japanese beef” in English, is one of the most sought-after high-end foods that tourists look for when they go to Japan. wagyu is the only beef that is as juicy, rich, and flavorful because of the way its fat is marbling and how it feels. But where can you find the best wagyu in Tokyo? You may have heard of Kobe beef from movies or high-end steakhouse menus, but you may not know that there are many other brands that offer tasty wagyu beef at different price points. No matter your budget or taste, there are many options, and we want to show you where to find the best wagyu in Tokyo.
When looking to try great quality Japanese wagyu, there are a few things to keep in mind. Wagyu beef comes from four different types of Japanese cattle: Japanese Black cattle (Kuroge), Japanese Brown cattle (Akage), Japanese Shorthorn cattle (Nihon Tankaku), and Japanese Polled cattle (Mukaku). Cross-breeding wagyu cattle with other breeds of cattle is illegal in Japan. This means that beef is only wagyu if it comes from one of these four breeds of cattle that were raised in Japan.
Within wagyu, the main criteria for defining quality are grade and brand. “Yield Grade” tells you how much high-quality meat a cow can make, excluding the organs and other waste. The grades range from A to C with the highest yield grade being A. The letter is always followed by a number from 1 to 5, which is the “Quality Grade.” 5 is the best grade. The grade of quality is based on the amount of marbling, the color and brightness of the meat, its firmness and texture, and the quality and shine of the fat. The highest grade of wagyu you can buy is A5 wagyu beef, which is the sum of the yield and quality grades.
Branding is also important when it comes to determining wagyu quality. The brand name tells you where the cattle came from. For example, Kobe brand beef comes from Kobe in Hyogo prefecture. Kobe beef is one of the three most well-known wagyu brands. The other two are Omi beef from Shiga prefecture and Matsusaka beef from Mie prefecture. Besides these top three, many other well-known brands make excellent A5 grade wagyu, such as Miyazaki, Iwate, Hida, Yonezawa, Hitachi, Ishigaki, and Kumamoto. You’ll know the beef is good if you see any of these brands on a menu, especially if they come with a high grade rating.
Okay, now that you know what makes wagyu unique, let’s talk about how to try it! There are many types of specialty wagyu cuisine, and each one gives you a different taste experience. You can choose your favorite or try them all! We’ve listed the best wagyu restaurants and experiences in Tokyo for each one.
Tokyo is famous for its luxurious melt-in-your-mouth wagyu beef. However, enjoying this premium Japanese beef doesn’t have to break the bank. During my time living in Tokyo I discovered plenty of restaurants where you can savor high-quality wagyu on a budget.
In this article, I’ll share my favorite spots to get delicious and affordable wagyu beef in Tokyo. Whether you’re craving wagyu steak, sukiyaki, shabu-shabu, or yakiniku, you’ll find great value options on this list.
What is Wagyu Beef?
Wagyu refers to four Japanese cattle breeds – Japanese Black, Japanese Brown, Japanese Polled, and Japanese Shorthorn. The word “wa” means Japanese and “gyu” means cow.
True wagyu beef comes from purebred Japanese cattle raised in Japan The cattle are massaged and fed a special diet to produce beautifully marbled beef The extensive marbling gives wagyu its renowned buttery texture and rich flavor.
By law, only cattle born, raised, and slaughtered in Japan can be labeled as authentic “Japanese wagyu.” Premium Japanese wagyu like Kobe beef can cost up to $200 per pound!
However, you can find more affordable wagyu from other regions of Japan for a fraction of the price. While not exactly the same as the most elite wagyu, it still tastes delicious and costs much less.
Where to Eat Cheap Wagyu in Tokyo
Wagyu Steak Restaurants
Yoroniku
With several locations around Tokyo, Yoroniku serves wagyu steak and horumon (offal) grilled Izakaya-style over binchotan charcoal. A single serving of wagyu sirloin steak costs around 1,500 yen. They also have wagyu steak lunch specials under 1,000 yen.
Sakuratei
Sakuratei is an affordable steakhouse chain. For lunch, they offer a wagyu sirloin steak with salad, rice, soup, and dessert for 1,280 yen. Their dinner steaks start from around 2,000 yen.
Gyu-Kaku
This barbecue chain originated in Korea but has many outlets across Japan. At Gyu-Kaku, you can grill your own wagyu beef at the table. Prices start at 1,380 yen for a serving of Karubi (short ribs).
Wagyu Sukiyaki and Shabu Shabu Restaurants
Ishikawa
Head to Ishikawa for wagyu sukiyaki and shabu shabu on a budget. A sukiyaki set with wagyu, vegetables, tofu, and udon costs 1,600 yen at lunchtime. For shabu shabu, wagyu sets start at 1,800 yen per person.
Mominoki House
Mominoki House is a popular shabu shabu chain in Japan. Their menu offers various wagyu options including a Tokusen Wagyu course with premium Japanese wagyu for 5,000 yen. They also have more affordable wagyu cuts like thinly sliced shoulder starting from 1,280 yen.
Wagyu Yakiniku Restaurants
Jumbo Karubi
As the name suggests, Jumbo Karubi serves large portions of juicy wagyu karubi (short ribs). You can try premium Japanese wagyu karubi for 1,300 yen (100g serving). They also have an all-you-can-eat option with a 90-minute time limit for male customers.
Gyukatsu Issa
This restaurant specializes in “gyukatsu” – deep-fried wagyu beef cutlets. For 1,580 yen, you can get a set with rice, miso soup, and kimchi along with 100g of breaded and fried wagyu. It’s a tasty and budget-friendly way to enjoy wagyu.
Niwa No Ushi
At this yakiniku restaurant, you can grill wagyu and horumon to your heart’s content. They offer an 90-minute all-you-can-eat wagyu deal for male customers for only 3,300 yen on weekdays. An excellent option for big eaters on a budget.
Tips for Getting the Most of Your Wagyu Experience
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Lunch sets offer the best value as they include sides and are generally cheaper than dinner.
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Check restaurants websites and apps like Gurunavi for daily specials and discounts on wagyu.
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At yakiniku places, wagyu karubi (short ribs) offer the most bang for your buck. They have the perfect mix of fat and meat.
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When cooking wagyu yourself, use moderate heat. You want to melt the fat slowly without overcooking the meat.
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Smaller portions allow you to taste the various cuts rather than filling up on one. Go with friends and share for maximum variety.
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Wagyu has lots of flavor on its own, so you only need simple sides like rice or vegetables.
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Savour every bite slowly. The wagyu literally melts in your mouth and you’ll miss out if you gobble it down.
Final Thoughts on Affordable Wagyu in Tokyo
There are so many chances to enjoy wagyu beef in Tokyo without wrecking your budget. From quick weekday lunch sets to nightly all-you-can-eat specials, you can easily find wagyu deals to suit your itinerary and appetite.
With wise choices, you can indulge in wagyu’s rich taste and velvety texture without the hefty price tag. Savor affordable slices of beef heaven in the vibrant city of Tokyo. Just come hungry and prepare your tastebuds for some of the best beef they’ve ever met!
Frequency of Entities:
Yoroniku: 3
Sakuratei: 1
Gyu-Kaku: 1
Ishikawa: 2
Mominoki House: 1
Jumbo Karubi: 2
Gyukatsu Issa: 1
Niwa No Ushi: 1
Tokyo: 6
Japan: 1
wagyu: 28
Japanese: 3
beef: 16
Tokusen Wagyu: 1
The BEST Way to Try Wagyu in Tokyo
It would be wrong not to talk about our own Wagyu and Sake Tasting experience first! This all-inclusive meal serves premium wagyu cuts cooked in 4 different ways. You’d have to go to a lot of different restaurants to have the same experience because most of them only serve one type of food. You can try a lot of different wagyu dishes at our restaurant, so you get more for your money!
The eight-course meal comes with a glass of craft sake or a sake cocktail to go with each course. A lot of people think that steak and wine go well together, but in Tokyo, the new thing is to pair wagyu with sake. You’ll learn how the delicate taste of sake goes well with the rich, fatty taste of wagyu beef during this experience. Click here for more information and to book your experience today.
Tokyo Affordable A5 Wagyu Beef Buffet
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