Japan’s Best Wagyu is in Mie

Mie’s beef is world class, and if you ask most Japanese people which part of Japan has the best beef, they’ll most likely say it’s in Mie, specifically Matsusaka. However, the entire prefecture seems to be in the niche, high-end beef business in some way. Perhaps the most famous beef in the world is Kobe Beef, but what Matsusaka lacks in marketing and branding, they make up for at dinnertime. Matsusaka Beef has evenly distributed fats, near perfect marbling and a texture that can melt in your mouth.

Japan’s Best Wagyu is in Mie

It can be a bit expensive to enjoy this delicacy, largely because Matsusaka Beef is in short supply and the process of producing the beef is extremely selective. Farmers in Matsusaka even give their cows massages and use beer to stimulate cows’ appetite during the summer’s humidity. This is certainly not your average supermarket meat. We’ve picked a few places to enjoy Japan’s best beef during your time in Mie.

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Dream Ocean

Matsusaka itself is a city located in central Mie Prefecture. If you want to enjoy Matsusaka Beef, where else to go but to the source? Wagyu is never particularly cheap but Matsusaka’s Dream Ocean restaurant offer some fantastic deals, including all-you-can-eat offers. The atmosphere is casual while the quality is consistently high, as the restaurant aims to introduce Matsusaka Beef to people from all over the country and abroad. There are also a variety of preparation methods and cuts so that you can enjoy it in your preferred way; such as steaks, sukiyaki, or shabu shabu.

Dream Ocean

: Mie Pref. Matsusakashi Inagichou 254-1

: 0598282829

: 11:30-15:00(L.O.14:30)/17:00…

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Iga beef at Moritsuji tei

Iga beef is a bit less famous, but still locally renowned cousin of Matsusaka Beef which was traditionally a preserved food eaten by ninja - something Iga is famous for! Iga beef is known for its vivid color and softness. A wonderful way to enjoy Iga beef is by cooking it with vegetables over coals, and that is exactly what you can do at Moritsuji Tei restaurant in Iga. Where better to get dinner after your visit to the city’s ninja museum?

Mori Tsuji Tei

: Mie Nabari-shi Sekoguchi 603-1

: 0595632911

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Isshobin Suzuka

Head slightly north from Matsuzaka to the city of Suzuka for Matsuzaka beef with a twist. Isshobin Suzuka cooks A5 Matsuzawa wagyu, the highest quality ranting, but in yakiniku form. They also use touch screens to order for a modern and convenient twist. This establishment prides itself on keeping their quality high, but prices down, and also make their own miso sauce - a trade secret which they have been using for over 50 years.

一升びん鈴鹿店

: 三重県鈴鹿市庄野羽山3-9-3

: 0593781001

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05

Stage Shoen

If you’re in Iga and craving a slightly different form of yakiniku, head to Stage Shoen. Another Iga beef establishment, this one also specializes in yakiniku, but unusually for these kind of beef establishments, this restaurant has Korean food such as kimchi on offer to complement the meat. The restaurant prides itself on being family friendly and accessible.

Shoen