There are a number of names for this exceptionally delicious beef from Japan such as Wagyu beef. Most refer to it as Kobe beef since it comes from Kobe, Japan in Hyogo Prefecture. If you visit Japan and stop in Kobe you will notice an abundance of Kobe beef restaurants vying for the Western tourists. Kobe is an international city with a significant foreign population. I use to live in Hyogo Prefecture in Himeji, which is a couple of stops on the express train.
Unfortunately I never went to a Kobe beef restaurant as I was still eating, for the most part, white meat only. It is likely I did have it in sukiyaki once, which is a very popular dish for this meat. Even when living in the same prefecture it is sold just about anywhere, including the basement in department stores which are supermarkets in Japan. Needless to say it is extremely expensive, so I never bought any.
Now Kobe beef is becoming more popular and accessible worldwide, even in the U.S. Many of the fine, upscale dining establishments are offering it on their gourmet menus. Kobe beef is known for its well-rounded, beautifully marbled texture, tenderness and most of all, taste.
You will find on the menu it is graded differently than the USDA grades on meats in the U.S. They use the A 1-5 system. A-5 is the best you can get. There are 10 major U.S. cities where you can find a restaurant that serves Kobe beef. If you are in one of these cities you should check it out. This would be the perfect place to go to for an anniversary, Valentine’s Day, birthday or any other occasion.
1. San Francisco – Harris’ Restaurant
They feature the Kobe rib eye, which is a thick cut of boneless Wagyu beef rib eye. Their location is at 2100 Van Ness Avenue., San Francisco, California 94109 (415) 673-1888
2. Los Angeles – Wolfgang Puck’s Cut
It’s location is at The Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills. One of their specialties is the True Japanese 100% Wagyu Beef from Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan featuring a New York Sirloin 6 Oz. Their address is at 9500 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California (310) 276-8500
3. San Diego – Osetra Fish House
This restaurant specializes in serving traditional Japanese Kobe beef dishes. Enjoy their Kobe New York Steak, Filet Mignon and Rib-Eye. Located at 904 5th Avenue., San Diego, California (619) 239-1800
4. Chicago – The Saloon
For appetizers you can order up their Wagyu beef sliders or the Wagyu burger. Kobe beef is extremely popular as hamburgers. The Kobe beef New York Strip is intensely marbled Kobe style beef. 200 E. Chestnut Street, Chicago, Illinois (312) 280-5454
5. Las Vegas – Craft Steak at the MGM Grand
Vegas has become a bastion not only for gambling and live entertainment, but for fine dining restaurants too. MGM Grand’s Craft Steak serves the Kobe Beef Tartare as an appetizer. Also available is the Kobe beef “surf and turf” and Platinum menus. You can get the Grilled Kobe Skirt Steak. For more information call (702) 891-7318
6. New York City – Kobe Club
You will certainly get your fill of Kobe beef appetizers and entrees consisting of Kobe club beef tartare as an appetizer and various Kobe dishes that include rib-eyes, filets and strip-loins. Address: 68 West 58th Street, New York, New York 10019 (212) 644-5623
7. Boston – Sahbu-Zen
One of their entrees is the Kobe beef from Mishima. You can find this restaurant at 16 Tyler Street, Boston, Massachusetts (617) 292-8828
8. Washington D.C. – BLT Steak
Right in the heart of the nation’s capital is where you can get the Japanese Kobe Strip (A5). 1625 Eye Street NW, Washington, DC (202) 689-8999
9. Seattle – Wasabi Bistro
Try their mouth-watering Wagyu rib eye steak cooked with five spices and a brown sugar rub. 2311 2nd Avenue, Seattle, Washington (206) 441-6044
10. Miami – DeVito South Beach
Considered one of the best and most authentic restaurants for Kobe beef in the U.S. It is owned by the actor, Danny DeVito. You can get their 8 Ounce Center Cut Japanese A-5 Kobe Boneless Rib Eye “Filet.” Its South Beach location is at 150 Ocean Drive, South Beach, Florida (305) 531-0911
There is mention on some of these menus of American Kobe beef, Australian Kobe beef, etc. This means there was a cross-breeding with Angus and Japanese Wagyu cattle. In the early 2000s during the ban on meats imported due to the Mad Cow disease panic that is when cross-breeding occurred. The ban was lifted in 2005. The difference with Japanese Kobe beef and American Kobe beef is the meat is darker and less marbled with the latter. One thing is certain when you bite into a Kobe beef steak or burger the meat will literally melt in your mouth.
SOURCES:
Grant Y, “The Real Beef on Kobe Beef”, Chef Seattle
Restaurants that serve Kobe beef from around America, Affluent Tastes
Danny DeVito South Beach, Devito South Beach
Jackie Sayet, “Kobe Confidential: At DeVito South Beach, Beef us Buttoned Up and “Like Butta”, Miami New Times Blogs
Brigg Ranch Wagyu History, Briggs Ranch Genetics
