Yakiniku is a popular gourmet dish offered in various formats, from standard to high-end restaurants, and even bar-style venues. One reason for its popularity is that it suits a variety of occasions, from casual gatherings with family and friends to special events like anniversaries and business dinners. We'll introduce you to the different cuts of meat, some you may already know and some you may not, as well as the latest Yakiniku restaurants.
Galbi, meaning rib in Korean, refers to beef belly in Japan. It’s rich in flavor and has fine marbling, which makes the meat feel softer than it actually is. When the meat juices rise to the surface, flip it over, and once it gets a nice sear, it's ready to eat.
Skirt steak is part of the muscle in the diaphragm and is classified as visceral meat, but its appearance and texture resemble red meat. It’s popular due to its soft texture, moderate fat content, and rich flavor, while also being lower in calories than short ribs. For the best taste, cook it thoroughly to bring out its savory aroma.
Horumon refers to internal organs like the stomach, intestines, liver, and heart. These cuts, such as heart (hatsu), tripe (mino), hachinosu, and senmai, are popular for their crunchy and juicy texture. Start grilling from the skin side, flip it over as soon as it browns, and cook it thoroughly until it stops shrinking to bring out its full flavor.
Rare cuts, which are obtained in small quantities from a single cow, are highly sought after. Chateaubriand, a famous high-end steak cut, is lean yet has the tenderness and flavor of marbled meat, and is best enjoyed grilled to medium-rare. Zabuton, known as the "fatty tuna of beef," should be lightly seared to perfection.
The order in which you eat yakiniku is very important. Start with lighter-tasting and less fatty cuts first. If you eat the stronger-flavored cuts first, your palate will adjust to the stronger taste, making it harder to appreciate the delicate flavors of the lighter cuts. It’s also a good idea to start with lean cuts like red meat to prepare your stomach before moving on to the fattier cuts. For a recommended starter, try the lightly seasoned salted tongue. Of course, there are no strict rules, so feel free to find the best order that suits your taste.
Galbi, meaning rib in Korean, refers to beef belly in Japan. It’s rich in flavor and has fine marbling, which makes the meat feel softer than it actually is. When the meat juices rise to the surface, flip it over, and once it gets a nice sear, it's ready to eat.
Skirt steak is part of the muscle in the diaphragm and is classified as visceral meat, but its appearance and texture resemble red meat. It’s popular due to its soft texture, moderate fat content, and rich flavor, while also being lower in calories than short ribs. For the best taste, cook it thoroughly to bring out its savory aroma.
Horumon refers to internal organs like the stomach, intestines, liver, and heart. These cuts, such as heart (hatsu), tripe (mino), hachinosu, and senmai, are popular for their crunchy and juicy texture. Start grilling from the skin side, flip it over as soon as it browns, and cook it thoroughly until it stops shrinking to bring out its full flavor.
Rare cuts, which are obtained in small quantities from a single cow, are highly sought after. Chateaubriand, a famous high-end steak cut, is lean yet has the tenderness and flavor of marbled meat, and is best enjoyed grilled to medium-rare. Zabuton, known as the "fatty tuna of beef," should be lightly seared to perfection.
The order in which you eat yakiniku is very important. Start with lighter-tasting and less fatty cuts first. If you eat the stronger-flavored cuts first, your palate will adjust to the stronger taste, making it harder to appreciate the delicate flavors of the lighter cuts. It’s also a good idea to start with lean cuts like red meat to prepare your stomach before moving on to the fattier cuts. For a recommended starter, try the lightly seasoned salted tongue. Of course, there are no strict rules, so feel free to find the best order that suits your taste.
For special occasions like dates or business dinners, indulge in premium yakiniku. High-end yakiniku restaurants offer the finest meats, including rare cuts like chateaubriand, branded beef such as Kobe beef, Matsusaka beef, and Yonezawa beef, as well as A5 and A4 grade Japanese black beef and popular aged beef, all cooked to perfection. Some famous restaurants allow you to compare various cuts in a course meal, and many have smokeless grills, so you don't have to worry about the smell of smoke lingering on your clothes.
Hokkaido
A Unique Dining Experience Watching the Chef’s Skills Up Close
"JIZAI" is located approximately a 2-minute walk from Odori Station on the Sapporo Municipal Subway. It is a sister restaurant of "Wine and Yakiniku Maruyama JIN," a yakiniku restaurant in Maruyama, Sapporo, and is a new type of wagyu beef restaurant based on the concept of "no-grilled yakiniku." Reservations are required and there are four sessions (starting at 5:00 P.M., 6:30 P.M., 8:00 P.M., and 9:30 P.M.) Instead of having guests grill the beef themselves, the chef prepares a course in which each slice of Wagyu is carefully grilled to perfection. At the counter facing the open kitchen, savour both the refined atmosphere and the gourmet experience while watching the chef at work right before your eyes.
Tokyo
Savour Yakiniku in a Traditional Japanese Atmosphere
Located about a 5-minute walk from JR Machida Station, "Wa-no-Ushi, Togyumon Bettei " is a yakiniku restaurant where you can enjoy a wide variety of dishes in a Japanese-style space renovated from an old Japanese house. The menu features mainly A5-rank Kuroge Wagyu beef, including carefully selected dishes such as "Thick-Cut Premium Tongue, Salt" made from the base of the beef tongue and "Kuroge Wagyu Skirt Steak" with a perfect balance of lean and marbled meat. The restaurant offers a hideaway-like atmosphere with various types of private rooms. Attentive service - such as guidance on how to grill the meat and suggestions for the best ways to enjoy it - adds to its appeal. This venue is ideal for a wide range of occasions, from anniversaries to business dinners.
Hokkaido
Discover the Classic Flavours of Kitami-Style Yakiniku
This yakiniku restaurant is conveniently located approximately a 7-minute walk from JR Kitami Station. You can enjoy Kitami's traditional yakiniku style, where the meat is grilled over charcoal without any seasoning, then dipped in a non-heat-treated "raw sauce" made from vegetables and fruits. We also recommend serving it with the salt and pepper blended in the restaurant.
Tokyo
Wagyu Dining That Brings Out the Best in the Ingredients
This Wagyu beef dining restaurant is located about a 10-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Shirokane Takanawa Station. They offer carefully selected Wagyu beef from all over Japan and high-quality ingredients sourced from all over the world, cooked in the most optimal way, so you can enjoy different flavors every time you visit.
Search for Restaurants Where You Can Eat High-Quality Yakiniku by Area
Yakiniku is something you want to enjoy with friends and family in a lively setting. In addition to popular cuts like short ribs, loin, skirt steak, and tongue, you can also enjoy vegetable sets grilled BBQ-style, and side dishes like stone-grilled bibimbap or cold noodles. Set menus or all-you-can-eat plans offer great value for money. Many of these restaurants are casual and family-friendly, so you can comfortably enjoy yakiniku even with children.
Saitama
Authentic Yakiniku in a Nostalgic Atmosphere
This sister restaurant offers a more casual way to enjoy the flavors of "Charcoal Grilled Meat Master Hiuchi." Guests can savor premium cuts such as fresh, never-frozen female Japanese Black Wagyu, rare Wagyu skirt steak, and Wagyu tongue, all grilled to perfection over authentic charcoal. The restaurant also takes pride in its high-quality offal, sourced from a long-established wholesaler that supplies some of Tokyo’s most renowned restaurants. With advanced smoke ventilation equipment, diners can fully enjoy their yakiniku experience in comfort.
Osaka
Authentic Charcoal-Grilled Meat by the Owner Who Trained at a Famous Restaurant
An authentic charcoal-grilled yakiniku restaurant approximately a 5-minute walk from JR Fukushima Station.The owner, who trained at a famous restaurant in Osaka, serves A4 and A5 grade Wagyu beef with a professional eye for freshness and quality, without sticking to brand-name beef under the motto of "delicious.The beef is grilled over charcoal to lock in the flavor, allowing diners to enjoy the aroma and juicy taste of the beef, and also to remove excess fat.The restaurant's specialties are the "KOMBU KAMI HALAMI" and "GOKUMI" GENSHI KARUBI (salted), which are grilled in large chunks, and the HORUMON (hormone), which is pre-processed to enhance the texture and flavor of the ingredients, is also excellent.The restaurant's chic and sophisticated atmosphere is recommended for date nights and family dinners.
Tokyo
A Yakiniku Restaurant in Asakusa Serving "Whole-Cow Cuts"
"Asakusa Yakiniku Gen - Specialty in Whole-Cow Cuts" a yakiniku restaurant that purchases whole cows, is located approximately a 2-minute walk from "Kinryuzan Senso-ji Temple." Matsusaka beef, a renowned brand of beef, is served at excellent value thanks to direct sourcing from the production area. The whole-cow purchase also allows access to rare cuts such as premium Japanese Black beef and "Nama-Tan" (raw beef tongue), offered in a casual yet refined style.
Kouchi
High-Quality Domestic Wagyu Beef Yakiniku at an Affordable Price
Located about a 10-minute walk from JR Kochi Station, this yakiniku restaurant offers high-quality domestic Wagyu beef at a reasonable price. Carefully selected cuts, including Kuroge Wagyu from Kochi , short ribs, and loin, deliver a melt-in-your-mouth experience. Other recommended dishes include horse sashimi and offal from Haruno, as well as live Chotaro shellfish, delivered fresh from the market and known for its richer flavor compared to scallops. A wide variety of wines are also available to complement the meal. The restaurant features a clean and modern interior, ideal for gatherings with friends, while the tatami seating makes it a great choice for family dining.
Search for Restaurants Where You Can Enjoy Classic Yakiniku by Area
Crunchy, chewy, and irresistibly juicy, horumon (offal) offers a unique texture and flavor. You can easily enjoy stamina-boosting cuts such as tongue, liver, heart, mino, and senmai. At a specialty store, the horumon is carefully prepared and served fresh from the day’s purchase, ensuring top-quality freshness, flavor, and texture. The distinctive taste of horumon might even win over those who are not typically fond of it, making it easy to eat and enjoy.
Hokkaido
A Yakiniku Restaurant to Savor the Best of Hokkaido Ingredients
"Mizubasho, Yakiniku Shubo" is a yakiniku restaurant located approximately a 2-minute walk from Susukino Station on the Sapporo Municipal Subway, offering a diverse menu centered around Hokkaido-produced Wagyu beef. Guests can enjoy the flavors of Hokkaido with dishes such as "Wagyu beef rib roast", "raw lamb roast", and "the original Hokkai Jingisukan (pork Jingisukan)". The "Shiretoko beef" offal, which is procured in whole cows, is also extremely fresh, and many customers visit to enjoy the fresh Wagyu beef liver that arrives every weekend. There are over 10 types of sake on offer, including local Hokkaido sake. The seats are equipped with smokeless roasters, allowing you to enjoy your meal without worrying about the smell.
Kouchi
Retro-Style Grill Featuring Hard-to-Find Horumon
Located approximately a 4-min walk from Tosaden Kotsu Tram Line, Horidzume Stop, this horumon-focused yakiniku restaurant serves fresh cuts selected daily. The menu ranges from familiar favorites such as "Gyumaru-cho (small intestine)" and "Gyuharami (skirt steak)" to rarer options like "Gyuchichikabu (udder)" and "Gyufufu (lung)", along with red-meat selections including kalbi made with local "Tosa Wagyu." A custom ventilation system and a Showa-retro interior with vintage signs and a red public telephone create a comfortable, nostalgic setting, complemented by an all-you-can-drink option available by the glass.
Kyoto
High-quality Yakiniku Served by a "Meat Master" in Pontocho
Located in Pontocho, one of Kyoto's most famous entertainment districts, this restaurant opened in August 2021. You can enjoy A4 to A5 grade beef yakiniku sourced from all over the country. Known for its high-quality meat at an affordable price, it has many repeat customers. In addition to yakiniku, sukiyaki and shabu-shabu are available by reservation. The restaurant, designed in the style of a Kyoto machiya townhouse, blends seamlessly into the townscape, with a curtain adorned with wagyu beef serving as a landmark. Featuring a Japanese-modern interior with a stylish atmosphere, it is ideal for concluding your Kyoto sightseeing trip and dates and anniversaries. Indulge in high-quality brand beef in a casual setting that highlights the full flavor of the ingredients.
Osaka
Authentic Charcoal-Grilled Meat by the Owner Who Trained at a Famous Restaurant
An authentic charcoal-grilled yakiniku restaurant approximately a 5-minute walk from JR Fukushima Station.The owner, who trained at a famous restaurant in Osaka, serves A4 and A5 grade Wagyu beef with a professional eye for freshness and quality, without sticking to brand-name beef under the motto of "delicious.The beef is grilled over charcoal to lock in the flavor, allowing diners to enjoy the aroma and juicy taste of the beef, and also to remove excess fat.The restaurant's specialties are the "KOMBU KAMI HALAMI" and "GOKUMI" GENSHI KARUBI (salted), which are grilled in large chunks, and the HORUMON (hormone), which is pre-processed to enhance the texture and flavor of the ingredients, is also excellent.The restaurant's chic and sophisticated atmosphere is recommended for date nights and family dinners.
Search for Restaurants Where You Can Eat Hormone Yakiniku by Area
Bar-style yakiniku restaurants have been increasing in recent years. Here, you can enjoy the pairing of wine and other beverages with yakiniku, as well as savor popular aged meats. What stands out is the bright, stylish atmosphere, unlike traditional yakiniku restaurants. Some places also serve Italian, French, Spanish, or creative small plates, adding a unique twist. The casual yet sophisticated setting makes it perfect for dates or girls’ nights out. It’s also a great place to enjoy yakiniku on your own, offering a welcoming environment for solo diners.
Aichi
Enjoying Good Times with Friends in Tokoname
Located approximately a 3-minute walk from Nagoya Railroad Tokoname Station, this steakhouse is easily recognizable by its large parasol, red container, and the bold white letters spelling "STEAKS AND CHOPS" on a black wall. It offers satisfying course meals centered around meat dishes, ideal for a girls' night out or a casual gathering with friends. The extensive menu also includes a wide variety of a la carte options and drinks.The highlights here are the juicy meat dishes, grilled to perfection, and a curated selection of craft beers from across Japan. For those new to craft beer, "3-Glass Tasting Set" offers an easy and fun way to explore different flavors and find your favorite.
Osaka
Casual Yakiniku Specializing in Kagoshima Wagyu
Opened in September 2024 in Nishinakajima, a fierce battleground for yakiniku in Osaka, this yakiniku restaurant offers casual enjoyment of charcoal-grilled "shichirin yakiniku" (grilled meat over a charcoal grill).By purchasing a whole cow of female Kagoshima black wagyu beef from a producer, the restaurant offers high-quality A5-ranked meat at a reasonable price.The "10 rare cuts of beef" is especially popular.The Kagoshima-style miso sauce has a refreshing taste that goes well with red meat, and the sweet sauce with a hint of garlic gives the meat a thick texture.The casual atmosphere makes it a good place for a girls' night out.
Search for Restaurants Where You Can Eat Bar-Style Yakiniku by Area
If you want to enjoy yakiniku in a private setting, a restaurant with private rooms is recommended. You can savor your meal without worrying about your surroundings, making it perfect for dates or celebrations. Some restaurants even offer a dedicated "roast chef" in the private room and serve high-end meat like rare cuts or branded beef, making them ideal for special occasions. Locations with high-floor views or luxurious course meals also enhance the atmosphere, making them great for anniversaries. Since you can enjoy privacy, it's also perfect for moms' gatherings with small children.
Osaka
Enjoy All-You-Can-Eat A5-Rank Japanese Beef to Your Heart's Content
This yakiniku restaurant is approximately a 5-minute walk from Namba Station on the Osaka Metro Line.Located near Ebisu Bridge and lined with lanterns at the entrance, the restaurant's menu is designed with the owner's wish that customers enjoy a wide variety of Japanese black beef, including misuji and rib roast, served with a homemade light sauce.The yukaye (yukke), the "beef tongue platter" popular among women, and the "wagyu beef cutlet," which is rare among yakiniku restaurants, are also very popular.The drink menu includes draft beer, sake and shochu carefully selected by the owner.The restaurant is easily accessible from the station, so be sure to stop by for a "quick drink" on your way home from work or while sightseeing.
Mie
Savor Premium Matsusaka Beef and Local Sake from Mie Prefecture
"Horumon Ippei" was founded in 1976 in Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture. The restaurant takes pride in using locally sourced ingredients, including the rare "Premium Matsusaka Beef" directly purchased from livestock farmers, the savory red meat of "Ise Beef," and the clean, refreshing flavor of "Iga Beef." The owner personally samples each ingredient multiple times, selecting only the finest cuts, grilling methods, and sauces to achieve perfection. A variety of dishes complement the main courses, from exquisite horumon (Japanese grilled offal) to ramen that’s ideal for finishing the meal. The interior features table seating, raised tatami areas, and retro-style private rooms, offering a comfortable setting for everything from family gatherings to banquets.
Hyogo
Yakiniku Restaurant in Kobe Motomachi Where You Can Enjoy Carefully Selected Japanese Beef
A Yakiniku restaurant directly managed by Ota - ya, which handles everything from production to sales on its own farm. You can enjoy the finest "Ota Beef" at a price that can only be found at a restaurant directly managed by a farm. It's about a 7 - minute walk from Sannomiya Station, and since it's a calm shop with private rooms, it can be used for a wide variety of occasions.
Tokyo
Wagyu Dining That Brings Out the Best in the Ingredients
This Wagyu beef dining restaurant is located about a 10-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Shirokane Takanawa Station. They offer carefully selected Wagyu beef from all over Japan and high-quality ingredients sourced from all over the world, cooked in the most optimal way, so you can enjoy different flavors every time you visit.
Search for Restaurants Where You Can Eat Yakiniku in a Private Room by Area
