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
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
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.
Hiroshima
Enjoy Handpicked A5-Grade Wagyu in a Modern, Elegant Space
Located just a 3-minute walk from JR Fukuyama Station, this stylish yakiniku restaurant specializes in A5-ranked Wagyu beef, carefully selected through the restaurant’s own exclusive sourcing channels. Guests can enjoy exceptionally fresh dishes at reasonable prices, including "Wagyu Aburi Bijin (beauty) Yukhoe”, Seared Yukhoe, and "Wagyu Shinsen Btutsugiri Aburi Liver (Fresh Wagyu Liver Chunks)", lightly grilled for maximum flavor. For special occasions or surprise celebrations, the restaurant offers festive presentations with dry ice effects and sparklers. The interior features a modern design with textured wall panels resembling carved rock surfaces, creating a sophisticated atmosphere. Seating options include counter seats, private rooms, and intimate couple’s seats, making it ideal for everything from casual dining to banquets for both small and large groups.
Fukushima
Savour Wagyu Beef and Special Moments in a Cosy Atmosphere
This yakiniku restaurant is located in Asahi, Koriyama City, Fukushima. High-quality Japanese beef such as "Fukushima Beef" and "Fukushima Kirameki Beef" is served with a special sauce designed to enhance the natural flavour of the ingredients. The menu also features a variety of dishes made with seasonal vegetables and rice produced in Fukushima. The spacious interior includes table seating and private rooms, offering a warm, wood-accented atmosphere ideal for relaxation. Known for its attentive service and the chefs' meticulous care, the restaurant provides a welcoming setting for families and groups. It is suitable for a range of occasions, including special dinners, casual lunches, and banquets. On-site parking is available, making it easily accessible by car.
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.
Nagano
Taste High-Quality Wagyu Beef and "Shinshu Premium Beef"
A yakiniku restaurant specializing in premium beef, including "Shinshu Premium Beef," "Kobe Beef," "Matsusaka Beef," and "Yonezawa Beef." Local vegetables enhance the menu, allowing diners to fully immerse themselves in the flavors of Shinshu. Enjoy the richness of wagyu beef in the restaurant's serene private rooms.
Hokkaido
Highly Satisfying Jingisukan at an Affordable Price
"Sapporo Genghis Khan Darumaotoshi" is located about a 6-minute walk from Susukino Station and Hosui Susukino Station on the Sapporo Municipal Subway. The fresh raw lamb, which is purchased through the store's own unique route and cut on the spot after ordering, is tender and juicy. The recommended "Shoulder Loin" is a rare part that can only be harvested from a single lamb, and it has a good balance of lean meat and fat, and is easy to eat with little taste. The drinks have good cost performance, with not only soft drinks but also beer and other alcoholic beverages available for 110 yen. There are counter seats and table seats, which can be used for various occasions.
Hyogo
Yakiniku Restaurant That Offers High-Quality Meat at Reasonable Prices
"Yakiniku Ushigokoro" is located in Sumoto City, Awaji Island. The word 犇 (Hishimeki) means crowded, and it conveys the desire for many people to gather and enjoy the meal. The owner, who trained at a butcher shop and has solid skills, uses his discerning eye to procure and hand-cut fresh meat. High-quality meat is popular at a reasonable price, with recommended menu items such as "Joshio Tongue", "Thick Sliced Tongue", "Loin", which can be enjoyed as a mini-steak, and "Sirloin Shabuyaki", which is served with a special yolk sauce. The restaurant has counter seats and tatami rooms, so it can be used by a wide variety of people, including friends, couples, and groups.
Hokkaido
Famous Raw Lamb Genghis Khan Restaurant With Long Lines
This is one of the most popular restaurants in Asahikawa, the hot spot for Genghis Khan, and is known for its exquisite fresh lamb Genghis Khan. Raw lamb is chilled and not frozen, so it is tender and juicy. In the spacious restaurant with seating for about 100 people, you can enjoy the authentic taste of charcoal grilled food. "Hakodate Goryokaku branch" is also popular.
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.
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.
Osaka
A Yakiniku Restaurant Directly Managed by a Meat Wholesaler That Focuses on Homemade Quality
This yakiniku restaurant is approximately a 2-minute walk from Osaka Metro Shinsaibashi Station.Despite its convenient location near the Nishi-Shinsaibashi district (commonly known as Amerika-mura) in Chuo-ku, Osaka City, the restaurant is directly managed by a meat wholesaler and is popular for its high quality grilled meat at a good cost performance.All of the sauces, soups, kimchi, etc. are homemade.The restaurant uses Japanese binchotan charcoal and grills meat over a traditional shichirin (a charcoal griddle) to bring out the best flavor of the meat.The restaurant's interior is partitioned off with a bamboo screen, allowing diners to dine in a private, semi-private room, making it ideal for date nights or banquets where you want to enjoy grilled meat.
Yamanashi
Enjoy the offal 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.
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.
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.
Hiroshima
Enjoy Handpicked A5-Grade Wagyu in a Modern, Elegant Space
Located just a 3-minute walk from JR Fukuyama Station, this stylish yakiniku restaurant specializes in A5-ranked Wagyu beef, carefully selected through the restaurant’s own exclusive sourcing channels. Guests can enjoy exceptionally fresh dishes at reasonable prices, including "Wagyu Aburi Bijin (beauty) Yukhoe”, Seared Yukhoe, and "Wagyu Shinsen Btutsugiri Aburi Liver (Fresh Wagyu Liver Chunks)", lightly grilled for maximum flavor. For special occasions or surprise celebrations, the restaurant offers festive presentations with dry ice effects and sparklers. The interior features a modern design with textured wall panels resembling carved rock surfaces, creating a sophisticated atmosphere. Seating options include counter seats, private rooms, and intimate couple’s seats, making it ideal for everything from casual dining to banquets for both small and large groups.
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.
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
