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.
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.
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.
Fukushima
Yakiniku Restaurant Boasting "Fukushima Beef" and "Fukushima Kirameki Beef"
A popular yakiniku restaurant in Yatsuyamadanishi, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture, is known for its fresh, high-quality "Fukushima Beef" and "Fukushima Kirameki Beef." Praised for their tenderness and rich flavor, the meats are offered in affordable lunch sets such as the "Fukushima Beef Yakiniku Lunch" featuring four cuts of beef. The lunch sets come with unlimited rice refills, soup, salad, and small side dishes. The restaurant also offers a wide variety of side dishes like salads, kimchi, and cold noodles. Its relaxed atmosphere makes it suitable for casual dining and special occasions. With convenient access via car and ample parking near Route 4, this is a must-visit spot.
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.
Aichi
Enjoy Premium Kuroge Wagyu at a Reasonable Price at This Yakiniku Spot
"Hanagyu Owariasahi" is a charcoal-grilled yakiniku restaurant where you can enjoy "Kuroge Wagyu Beef, with a focus on "Hida Beef", at reasonable prices. To make the experience accessible to guests of all ages, the restaurant offers both regular and half-size portions of its dishes. The menu includes daily specials such as “Today’s Chunk of Meat,” which vary depending on availability and are a favorite among regulars. Another unique charm of this restaurant lies in its tableware—carefully selected by the owner and sourced from local pottery regions such as Tajimi City in Gifu Prefecture, renowned for Mino ware. The attention to detail adds a thoughtful, local touch to every meal.
Fukushima
Yakiniku Restaurant Boasting "Fukushima Beef" and "Fukushima Kirameki Beef"
A popular yakiniku restaurant in Yatsuyamadanishi, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture, is known for its fresh, high-quality "Fukushima Beef" and "Fukushima Kirameki Beef." Praised for their tenderness and rich flavor, the meats are offered in affordable lunch sets such as the "Fukushima Beef Yakiniku Lunch" featuring four cuts of beef. The lunch sets come with unlimited rice refills, soup, salad, and small side dishes. The restaurant also offers a wide variety of side dishes like salads, kimchi, and cold noodles. Its relaxed atmosphere makes it suitable for casual dining and special occasions. With convenient access via car and ample parking near Route 4, this is a must-visit spot.
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.
Shimane
A Date Spot for Adults to Enjoy Wagyu Beef From All Over the Country
Yakiniku Ichigo, located in Isemiya Town, one of the busiest areas in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, is a yakiniku restaurant that serves meat from all over Japan, with a focus on Wagyu beef from the San'in region. They have a wide selection of meats, from reasonable ones to high - end ones, and it is said that you can get the best meat at that time.
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.
Hyogo
A Restaurant Where You Can Enjoy Horumonyaki with Your Pet
"Motsuji," located in Awaji City, Hyogo , is a yakiniku restaurant run by an owner with extensive knowledge of beef from working at butcher shops and ranches. The specialty hormone-yaki (grilled offal) is made from fresh meat sourced directly from butcher shops and grilled on traditional infrared roasters, enhancing its flavor. As an authorized seller of "Awaji Beef," the restaurant offers top-quality cuts of beef alongside a wide array of chicken dishes and a variety of a la carte options. The "Beef Tendon Curry" and "Chanja Roll" are especially recommended. In addition, the restaurant provides a menu for pets, allowing diners to enjoy a meal with their dogs in private rooms. The interior, centered around private rooms and decorated in chic black tones, offers a relaxing atmosphere. A visit to Awaji Island wouldn’t be complete without stopping by.
Osaka
High Quality and Fresh Hormone by Professional Connoisseurs
"Hormone Yamato Kujo" is located in the bustling town of Kujo, Nishi-ku, Osaka City. The restaurant offers high quality hormone (horumon) grilled over charcoal at reasonable prices. Once fresh hormone is purchased, it is quickly and carefully prepped to remove the tastiness and keep it in a delicious state. The hormone is served with homemade sauce after the customer's order is placed, so that the customers can fully enjoy the texture of the hormone, which is the characteristic flavor of the hormone. The restaurant is also equipped with private rooms for up to five people, which can be used for large gatherings of family and friends.
Nagano
Indulge in Premium Yakiniku Handpicked by a Shinshu Meat Connoisseur
This charcoal-grilled yakiniku restaurant is conveniently located just a 2-minute walk from JR Nagano Station. The restaurant offers a lineup of over 100 varieties, all approved by the owner, who is an expert on premium Shinshu meat, including carefully raised locally produced "Kitashinshu Miyuki Wagyu Beef", "Shinshu Minemura Beef", and "Ringo Wagyu Shinshu Beef", as well as Nagano-produced "Miyuki Pork" and "Shinano Jidori Chicken". There's also a wide selection of Nagano-produced wines and sake to pair with the yakiniku, making it the perfect dinner spot for sightseeing in Nagano. The restaurant offers table seating as well as semi-private table seating with roller curtains, making it ideal for a date, anniversary, or other special occasion with someone special.
Yamanashi
Enjoy the Horumon of "Fuji Spring Water Pork"
Located approximately an 8-minute walk from Tsuru City Station on the Fujisanroku Electric Railway, "Grilled Izakaya Meat and Sake" serves a variety of grilled meats, including "Fuji Spring Water Pork" from Tsuru City, beef tongue, beef skirt steak, and wagyu offal. The beef tongue and skirt steak, prepared with a special sauce, are offered at prices rarely found in Tokyo. The carefully selected wagyu offal is a highlight of the menu. A wide selection of drinks is also available, including beer, highballs, and local sake. The interior features a welcoming atmosphere with both counter and table seating, creating a relaxed dining experience. It is an ideal spot to visit with friends or family during sightseeing or a trip through Yamanashi.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tokyo
A Trendy Spot for Casual Dining With Premium Meat
Niku toiro is a notable restaurant that had its grand opening in March 2025. It uses high-quality meat procured through secret routes and serves a variety of elaborate course meals. Enjoy yakiniku in a casual setting in a luxurious, modern Japanese private room.
Hyogo
A Restaurant Where You Can Enjoy Horumonyaki with Your Pet
"Motsuji," located in Awaji City, Hyogo , is a yakiniku restaurant run by an owner with extensive knowledge of beef from working at butcher shops and ranches. The specialty hormone-yaki (grilled offal) is made from fresh meat sourced directly from butcher shops and grilled on traditional infrared roasters, enhancing its flavor. As an authorized seller of "Awaji Beef," the restaurant offers top-quality cuts of beef alongside a wide array of chicken dishes and a variety of a la carte options. The "Beef Tendon Curry" and "Chanja Roll" are especially recommended. In addition, the restaurant provides a menu for pets, allowing diners to enjoy a meal with their dogs in private rooms. The interior, centered around private rooms and decorated in chic black tones, offers a relaxing atmosphere. A visit to Awaji Island wouldn’t be complete without stopping by.
Mie
Enjoy the Tradition and Authentic Taste Founded in 1902
Gyugin Flagship Store is located about a 13 - minute walk from Matsusaka Station on the JR and Kinki Nippon Railway lines, blending in with the old townscape. At a time when eating meat was not customary, the founder trained in Tokyo to gain knowledge about beef. Later, he popularized "Matsuzaka Beef" with the hope that "the common people could easily eat meat." We carry rare meat that has been carefully raised for over 900 days in the Matsusaka beef production area and is considered a "special product." After the meat is butchered, it is left to age for about a week to ensure it is even more delicious. Enjoy the deliciousness of authentic Matsusaka beef along with top - notch service in a tastefully appointed tatami room.
Search for Restaurants Where You Can Eat Yakiniku in a Private Room by Area
