If you love wagyu steak, you’ll love Japan.
When it comes to Japanese cuisine, fresh sushi and ramen are all well and good but their wagyu beef is just as remarkable. The word “wagyu” literally translates as “Japanese beef” and it’s one of the most exquisite things you can taste while you’re in town.
Japanese cattle are raised on world-class farms with an elaborate selection process to ensure they produce the most tender cuts of beef. Naturally, top-quality steak comes at a price but it certainly is worth the extra. Head over to these Tokyo restaurants ASAP to satisfy your wagyu beef cravings!
1. IDEA Ginza
The star of IDEA Ginza is their Kobe beef that’s seared to perfection. Thick slabs of wagyu beef are seasoned with salt crystals and cooked above Kishu Binchotan charcoal which helps release the natural umami of the prime cut while also sealing in the juices. The result is a crimson hue with modest marbling and a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
IDEA Ginza
Address: 〒104-0061 7-8-15 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Second Shinbashi Hall 7F
Contact: +81 3-6228-5259
Opening Hours: 5 pm – 11 pm (Mon-Sat)
2. Yoroniku
If you’re looking for a high-end yakiniku, this Tokyo restaurant is your best bet. The dining experience at Yoroniku is one-of-a-kind, with an extensive tasting menu complete with appetizers and carefully selected cuts of wagyu beef. You might initially feel intimidated by all the options at this Aoyama but a “Meat Master” will guide you throughout the course.
Yoroniku
Address: 〒107-0062 Tokyo, Minato City, Minamiaoyama, 6 Chome−6−22 LunaRossa Minamiaoyama B1
Contact: +81 3-3498-4629
Opening Hours: 5 pm – 11 pm (Mon-Sat)
3. Matuzakagyu Ittouryu Nikubei Akasaka
Enjoy wagyu beef even when you’re on a budget at Nikubei Akasaka. This Tokyo restaurant specializes in Matsuzaka beef – one of Japan’s finest quality cuts – that’s cooked over a charcoal grill. Sample all the different cuts as a set to get the most bang for your buck and add their special soy sauce paste and wasabi to enhance the flavors.
Matuzakagyu Ittouryu Nikubei Akasaka
Address: 〒107-0052 Tokyo, Minato City, Akasaka, 3 Chome−10−5 Akasaka Quinn Building 2F
Contact: +81 3-6441-2914
Opening Hours: 5 pm – 11 pm (Daily)
4. Oniku Karyu
You won’t forget your first bite of wagyu beef at this Oniku Karyu. Owner and chef Haruka Katayanagi prepares each dish at his Tokyo restaurant with such precision that we can’t help but admire his craft. Only A4 and A5 graded black wagyu is served, which is used in everything from the appetizer to the last meal when you order a 10-course meal. It’s no wonder it was awarded a Michelin star!
Oniku Karyu
Address: 〒103-0024 Tokyo, Chuo City, Nihonbashikobunacho, 11−11 Nihonbashi Kobunacho K1 Building
Contact: 81 3-3249-7776
Opening Hours: 5 pm – 11:30 pm (Mon-Sat)
Social: Website
5. Kobe Beef Kaiseki 511
In this Tokyo restaurant, the name itself indicates the quality of the beef wagyu they serve. Kobe Beef Kaiseki 511 exclusively uses A5-ranked meat with a BMS value of 11, so rest assured you’re paying for top-notch steak, sushi, and shabu-shabu. They’ve also got a wonderful selection of wine to accompany the beautifully marbled meat.
Kobe Beef Kaiseki 511
Address: 〒107-0052 Tokyo, Minato City, Akasaka, 4 Chome−3−28 Dia Plaza Akasaka B1F
Contact: +81 3-6685-0511
Opening Hours: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm (Mon-Fri) 5:30 pm – 10 pm (Mon-Sat)
Social: Website
6. Gyuan
Despite the luxury nature of wagyu beef, there are still some Tokyo restaurants that serve inexpensive Kobe beef dishes. You’ll be greeted with a repurposed wood interior at Gyuan where you can order menu items like marbled sirloin steak or Kobe beef sukiyaki that won’t break the bank. Cap off the Japanese meal with a shot of sake or Asahi beer.
Gyuan
Address: 6 Chome-13-6 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061
Contact: +81 3-3542-0226
Opening Hours: 11:30 am – 1:45 pm, 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm (Mon-Sat)
Social: Website
7. Asakusa Imahan
Craving a hearty hotpot meal? After paying a visit to the Sensoji Temple nearby, drop by Asakusa Imahan for a wagyu beef shabu-shabu or sukiyaki. Always expect a full house during lunch and dinnertime; otherwise, this century-old Tokyo restaurant is worth the wait for consistently great marbled meat. Plus points for this establishment since you get to experience dining on a tatami mat.
Asakusa Imahan
Address: 3 Chome-1-12 Nishiasakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0035
Contact: +81 3-3841-1114
Opening Hours: 11:30 am – 9:30 pm (Daily)
Social: Website
8. Yakiniku A Five Toku
Can't get enough buttery wagyu beef? Then Yakiniku A Five Toku might just be the fix you need. Familiarize yourself with all the different cuts of meat on this all-you-can-eat platter. You’ll have 120 minutes to sample as much A5 Kuroge wagyu beef as your stomach can handle, as well as side dishes and rice to complement the meal.
Yakiniku a Five Toku
Address: 〒104-0061 Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, 8 Chome−3−1 TOKIDEN9F
Contact: +81 3-6228-5929
Opening Hours: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm, 5pm – 12 am (Daily)
Social: Website
Written by: Zarah Isibelle Faderon
IMPORTANT NOTE: Be a responsible traveler! All information on this post are accurate from the time of writing. Rules, regulations and guidelines are updated frequently and may change without Klook’s prior notice. For your safety, check with the respective LGU’s and establishments directly before your travels.