Guide to Wagyu Beef: Ways to Enjoy Wagyu Beef

The mere thought of wagyu beef can make many a gourmet drool and shiver in anticipation.

Despite its hefty price tag, wagyu beef is widely popular all over the world, including Hong Kong, which is one of the leading importers of this luxury meat.

Dubbed “the king of meat”, wagyu beef melts in the mouth the moment it lands on your tongue. It is tender, juicy and has incredible flavours. And it is healthy, too!

Compared with the standard beef, Wagyu contains more omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Let us show you some great ways to enjoy this famous and wonderful delicacy.

1. Wagyu refers to four types of purebred cows: Kuroge (Black), Akage (Brown), Nihon Tankaku (Shorthorn) and Mukaku (Polled). Kuroge accounts for 90 percent of all wagyu produced in Japan; Mukaku is the rarest, making up less than one percent.
2. The secret of the melt-in-the-mouth texture of wagyu lies in the Oleic acid contained in the white marbling of the meat. This acid has a low melting point, so that it suddenly melts when exposed to the body temperature inside your mouth.
3. Which region in Japan has the most divine wagyu today? Well, Zenkyo, a.k.a. the “Wagyu Olympics”, has made a comeback. Between 6 and 10 October, hundreds of wagyu cows gather in Kagoshima to compete for various honours. Gourmets, take note of the upcoming results!
4. But then, wagyu beef from outside Japan can be just as heavenly. Since the 1970s, wagyu breeds have been introduced to other countries such as the US, Australia and Britain. Many Wagyu products from these markets are incredible in taste. In Hong Kong, you can easily source them at gourmet stores. A case in point is Feather and Bone, whose Australian wagyu rump steak can be grilled, stir-fried with vegetables or skewered.

Teppanyaki is a Japanese style of cooking that uses an iron griddle to cook food. Nowadays, wagyu is the staple ingredient at many high-quality Teppanyaki restaurants. Teppanyaki is not only a feast for the palate, but it is fun to see the chef cook, and waiting in anticipation for the juicy meat to arrive at your table could make your dish taste even better! To experience the savoury richness of wagyu to the full, taste it alone first. Next, try it with some other accompaniments, such as sea salt, soy sauce, miso paste or wasabi.

If you prefer doing the cooking yourself but don’t want to stay home, then you’ll love yakiniku, or Japanese barbecue. Wagyu beef works perfectly for yakiniku, as it doesn’t need much extra seasoning. Being the chef, you can prepare your wagyu to your specific liking. The amount of time to cook the beef depends on your preference and also the thickness of the slices, although in general it takes about three to five seconds per side. Many yakiniku restaurants offer different cuts of meat and different types of wagyu beef. The new branch of Gyumai in Causeway Bay, for example, serves wagyu from Japan, Australia and the US, making sure you are spoiled for choice!

Eating wagyu beef raw is another wonderful way to experience the beauty of the top-quality red meat. The uncooked, thinly sliced meat is incredibly succulent. Besides, eating it raw frees you from having to worry about the meat being overcooked. Wagyu sushi is just as popular in Hong Kong. The strong aroma and unparalleled tenderness make the beef an indulgent go-to for foodies. Those who crave for this sensation have plenty of choices. The sushi restaurant chain sen-ryo, for instance, is currently offering A5 wagyu sushi from Kagoshima.

(Source: sen-ryo)

(Source: Nabe Urawa)

Apart from sashimi, thinly sliced wagyu beef can also be a leading ingredient in a shabu-shabu meal, except that the slices are even thinner. You’ll swish the meat in a simmering broth for a few seconds and then enjoy it with dipping sauces, such as ponzu sauce with ground sesame. This simple style of cooking is one very natural way to enjoy the tender texture and delicate flavour of wagyu beef. If you have a big appetite, a shabu-shabu buffet is your thing. Nabe Urawa is one of the restaurants in town that offer all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu deals.