Update-date: Sep 30 2024
Yakiniku, a beloved dining experience in Japan, might puzzle some: the meat you order is served raw, and you’re expected to grill it up yourself. However, the hands-on experience of cooking your own meat actually enhances the dining experience and lets you eat at your own pace. This article offers a brief introduction to yakiniku and provides some recommended restaurants, perfect for first-timers!
A Staple of Japanese Cuisine: What Is Yakiniku?
Yakiniku is a style of dining where customers are served raw meat and vegetables to grill themselves at their own table. While beef usually takes center stage, some restaurants also offer pork, chicken, and seafood.
A grill net is embedded in the center of the tabletop, where the meat is grilled over a heat source such as charcoal or gas. Once cooked, the meat is typically dipped in a soy sauce-based tare sauce or lemon juice, or wrapped in leafy vegetables before eating.
While yakiniku shares similarities with barbecuing, most yakiniku restaurants are indoors, allowing for a more comfortable dining experience.
A grill net is embedded in the center of the tabletop, where the meat is grilled over a heat source such as charcoal or gas. Once cooked, the meat is typically dipped in a soy sauce-based tare sauce or lemon juice, or wrapped in leafy vegetables before eating.
While yakiniku shares similarities with barbecuing, most yakiniku restaurants are indoors, allowing for a more comfortable dining experience.
One of the advantages of yakiniku, compared to restaurants where the meat is already cooked, is the ability to grill it to your preference and savor it alongside lively conversation. Given that the meat is typically pre-cut into bite-sized portions, it encourages one to slowly enjoy different kinds of meat while drinking and chatting.
Many establishments also offer all-you-can-eat deals, adding a lively ambiance when dining as a group. Recently, some restaurants have even started catering to solo diners, which adds even more options for those traveling to Japan.
Many establishments also offer all-you-can-eat deals, adding a lively ambiance when dining as a group. Recently, some restaurants have even started catering to solo diners, which adds even more options for those traveling to Japan.
Classic Yakiniku Menu Items
Yakiniku restaurants boast a variety of beef brands and cuts. Here are some typical examples:
- Karubi: Taken from around the ribs, with layers of lean meat and fat. Its firm yet chewy texture makes it one of the most popular cuts.
- Harami: Despite looking like lean meat, this is actually a more muscular cut taken from the cow's diaphragm. Lighter than karubi, it has a satisfying chew.
- Tan: Cut from the center of the cow's tongue. Although rubbery, the meat is fatty and sliced thinly to accentuate its chewy texture. It's often seasoned with salt or green onions.
- Horumon: Generally refers to all types of innards, but the most common ones at yakiniku restaurants are shimacho (the cow's large intestine) and marucho (small intestine). The sweet fat and melt-in-your-mouth texture make for a unique bite.
- Karubi: Taken from around the ribs, with layers of lean meat and fat. Its firm yet chewy texture makes it one of the most popular cuts.
- Harami: Despite looking like lean meat, this is actually a more muscular cut taken from the cow's diaphragm. Lighter than karubi, it has a satisfying chew.
- Tan: Cut from the center of the cow's tongue. Although rubbery, the meat is fatty and sliced thinly to accentuate its chewy texture. It's often seasoned with salt or green onions.
- Horumon: Generally refers to all types of innards, but the most common ones at yakiniku restaurants are shimacho (the cow's large intestine) and marucho (small intestine). The sweet fat and melt-in-your-mouth texture make for a unique bite.
Many yakiniku restaurants in Japan were established by Korean residents. To this day, you can find Korean dishes such as kimchi (a general term for Korean pickles with lots of spices like red pepper and garlic) and bibimbap (a dish of vegetables, rice, and red pepper miso mixed in a heated stone bowl) on the side menu, as they complement the meat wonderfully. However, Korean-style yakiniku restaurants usually have the staff grill the meat for you, making it quite different from the self-grilling style of Japanese yakiniku.
In addition to yakiniku, some Japanese-style yakiniku restaurants abroad also serve classic Japanese dishes like okonomiyaki (a savory pancake filled with ingredients like cabbage and pork, topped with a special sauce) and sashimi. However, in Japan, these restaurants are focused solely on yakiniku, which may surprise those accustomed to a different menu at their favorite overseas restaurant.
In addition to yakiniku, some Japanese-style yakiniku restaurants abroad also serve classic Japanese dishes like okonomiyaki (a savory pancake filled with ingredients like cabbage and pork, topped with a special sauce) and sashimi. However, in Japan, these restaurants are focused solely on yakiniku, which may surprise those accustomed to a different menu at their favorite overseas restaurant.
Making the Most of Your Yakiniku Experience
First off, proper grilling is the key to delicious meat. For fatty cuts like kalbi, let some of the fat melt off while cooking to concentrate and intensify the flavor. For innards like horumon, ensure thorough cooking, starting from the skin and grilling it on high heat until it crisps.
If the grill becomes laden with burned residue after grilling several portions of meat, don't hesitate to ask the staff to replace it. Also, avoid overcrowding the grill with too much meat at once, as it can cool before you get to it. It's better to grill in smaller quantities.
If the grill becomes laden with burned residue after grilling several portions of meat, don't hesitate to ask the staff to replace it. Also, avoid overcrowding the grill with too much meat at once, as it can cool before you get to it. It's better to grill in smaller quantities.
While yakiniku restaurants typically have a la carte menus, others also provide all-you-can-eat options. Those looking to eat a lot on a budget should seek out a yakiniku restaurant with all-you-can-eat deals. Just be sure to review what types of meat and drinks are included.
Delicious Yakiniku Restaurants in Tokyo
Now that you're armed with the knowledge to appreciate yakiniku fully, it's time to explore some restaurants!
USHIGORO Bambina Ebisu Main Branch (Ebisu)
USHIGORO Bambina Ebisu Main Branch is a restaurant operating under the concept of providing the highest quality tastes at reasonable prices. They offer only A5 Japanese Black wagyu, the highest grade available, alongside wines that perfectly complement their meat, all at affordable prices.
The restaurant's signature item, An Assortment of Prime Rare Parts (3,850 JPY), allows you to enjoy a plate of rare beef cuts at great value. Moreover, their wine selection, handpicked by an acclaimed sommelier, boasts flavors that rival even the priciest wines!
The restaurant's signature item, An Assortment of Prime Rare Parts (3,850 JPY), allows you to enjoy a plate of rare beef cuts at great value. Moreover, their wine selection, handpicked by an acclaimed sommelier, boasts flavors that rival even the priciest wines!
The interior exudes a relaxed and warm ambiance. The All-You-Can-Drink (1,800 JPY) deal, available exclusively for terrace seats, likewise offers superb value, as it includes draft beer and wine with a two-hour limit (last order is 30 minutes before the end). The combination of succulent grilled meat, engaging conversation, and refreshing drink is unbeatable.
USHIGORO Bambina Ebisu Main Branch
Open: [Weekdays] 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm) Opens at 4:00 pm on Premium Friday every month [Weekdays, Sunday, National Holidays] 4:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 8,000 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from JR Ebisu West Exit. From the Ebisu Station intersection, enter the shopping area on Ebisu Ekimae-dori Street. It is on your right
Address: 1F RKF Ebisu, 2-1-2, Ebisuminami, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Map
More Details Reservation
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 8,000 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from JR Ebisu West Exit. From the Ebisu Station intersection, enter the shopping area on Ebisu Ekimae-dori Street. It is on your right
Address: 1F RKF Ebisu, 2-1-2, Ebisuminami, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Map
More Details Reservation
Yakiniku Oboshimeshi (Akasaka-mitsuke)
Yakiniku Oboshimeshi is a premium yakiniku restaurant with a unique twist: a seasoned chef will grill each piece to perfection right in front of you, eliminating the need to do it yourself.
Recommendations include the [Course of the Day] (24,200 JPY) and the [Owner's Table] (36,300 JPY), which is an 11-dish course made with carefully chosen seasonal ingredients.
The Sauce Meat Cuts Platter features the five most delicious cuts of the day, and the Summer Vegetable and Yukhoe Consomme Film Wrap is an arrangement of yukhoe (meat sashimi). Both are great examples of the beautifully presented dishes available at this restaurant.
Recommendations include the [Course of the Day] (24,200 JPY) and the [Owner's Table] (36,300 JPY), which is an 11-dish course made with carefully chosen seasonal ingredients.
The Sauce Meat Cuts Platter features the five most delicious cuts of the day, and the Summer Vegetable and Yukhoe Consomme Film Wrap is an arrangement of yukhoe (meat sashimi). Both are great examples of the beautifully presented dishes available at this restaurant.
Around 500 bottles of wine, primarily from the Burgundy and Bordeaux regions in France, as well as America, are available, giving you plenty of choices for pairings.
The restaurant's modern interior presents a calming atmosphere. The first floor has counter seats, while the second and third contain private rooms. You can get to the upper floors without passing through the first floor dining area, ensuring a wholly private experience.
The restaurant's modern interior presents a calming atmosphere. The first floor has counter seats, while the second and third contain private rooms. You can get to the upper floors without passing through the first floor dining area, ensuring a wholly private experience.
Yakiniku Oboshimeshi
Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm. During State of Emergencies, until 8:00 pm
Closed: Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 28,000 JPY
Access: Tokyo Metro Ginza Line and Marunouchi Line - Akasaka-mitsuke Station - 3-minute walk / Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line - Akasaka Station - 5-minute walk
Address: 3-19-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo Map
More Details Reservation
Closed: Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 28,000 JPY
Access: Tokyo Metro Ginza Line and Marunouchi Line - Akasaka-mitsuke Station - 3-minute walk / Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line - Akasaka Station - 5-minute walk
Address: 3-19-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo Map
More Details Reservation
Yakiniku is one of the most fun and gratifying ways to dine out as a group while traveling Japan. With a wide selection of meat and vegetables, there's something for every palate. Plus, you can find anything from budget-friendly all-you-can-eat joints to high-end restaurants serving exquisite wagyu beef. So, go ahead and find one that matches your tastes and budget!
Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.
