Grill · savour the sear
Yakiniku
Bite-sized meat cooked on a grill, often at the table. Consider it if you want to order different cuts a little at a time.
Before choosing: Self-grill or staff-cooked? Plates or a course?
MEAT DISHES · CHOOSE YOUR EXPERIENCE
Choose yakiniku, sukiyaki or shabu-shabu
Grill it, simmer it in a sweet-savory sauce, or cook it in broth. Choose the meal by its flavour and the experience you want at the table.
What kind of meal feels right today?
“Meat dishes” is a broad survey category. These three styles are examples to explore, not individual popularity ranks. Wagyu describes a category of cattle breeds, not a dish; check the cooking style separately from the meat.
Simmer · sweet and savory
Sukiyaki
A hot-pot dish of thinly sliced beef and vegetables with sweet-savory soy sauce and sugar. Preparation varies by region and restaurant.
Before choosing: Who cooks? Can you skip the egg?
Cook in broth · vary the dipping sauce
Shabu-shabu
Thinly sliced meat cooked in hot broth and enjoyed with a dipping sauce. Available meats and broths vary by restaurant.
Before choosing: Check the meat, sauces and shared pot
Make the first order with confidence
Choose the cooking style before booking or entering. Decide whether your group wants to grill at the table or share a hot pot.
Check the unit: a plate, one portion, a set course or all-you-can-eat. Ask whether everyone must choose the same course and whether there is a time limit.
Check meat type, quantity and whether rice and vegetables are included. Compare the total with tax, service charges, drinks and extras.
Ask for cooking instructions before starting. If unsure about the heat or pot, ask for help rather than adjusting equipment yourself.
The ordering flow and decision checks are editorial suggestions. Follow the restaurant’s instructions, menu and terms.
Remember at the table
- Keep raw-meat tongs or chopsticks separate from your eating utensils. Do not put cooked meat back on the raw-meat plate.
- Cook meat thoroughly. A surface colour change is not a safety guarantee; ask staff how to cook the particular meat safely.
- Sukiyaki may be served with raw egg for dipping, but using it is optional. Ask to skip it or about a cooked alternative if you prefer to avoid it.
Common questions
Does wagyu mean the same meal everywhere?
No. The cut, portion and cooking method shape the meal as well as the meat type. Check the menu rather than choosing by the name or grade alone.
How do I choose a course or all-you-can-eat?
Think about whether you want variety or a set sequence. Check included dishes, extras, last-order time and any uneaten-food policy with the restaurant.
What will you explore next?
Sources
Dish descriptions draw on JNTO guidance; safety and allergy advice draws on public authorities. Restaurant arrangements and prices are not guaranteed.