Can you buy real Kobe beef in the US?

Today, enough reaches the U.S. to satisfy the average beef consumption of just 77 Americans. It’s so scarce that Kobe’s marketing board licenses individual restaurants, and real Kobe beef is available at just eight restaurants in the entire country (see the list), while none, ever, is sold at retail.

Is Costco Kobe beef real?

The Japanese Costco Wagyu Beef Grade A5 New York and Ribeye Steaks are real, authentic Grade A5 Japanese Wagyu imported from Japan. You can see the difference, and we think you will taste the difference.

Where can you get Kobe beef?

Only 9 restaurants in the US serve real Kobe beef — here’s where you can order it

• 212 Steakhouse Restaurant — New York City, New York.
• Alexander’s Steakhouse — Cupertino, California.
• Alexander’s Steakhouse — San Francisco, California.
• Bazaar Meat by José Andrés, SLS Hotel — Las Vegas, Nevada.

Why is Kobe beef banned in the US?

The U.S. banned Kobe beef, along with all other Japanese beef imports, over concerns about mad cow disease in 2001. While some of these restaurants did serve American-style Kobe beef (the result of crossbreeding Japanese cattle with American cattle), the ban ensured that authentic Kobe beef never made it onto menus.

What is better Kobe or Wagyu?

Wagyu marbling is also better tasting. Wagyu fat melts at a lower temperature than any other cattle’s, resulting in a rich, buttery flavor unseen in other strains of beef. Because Kobe beef exemplifies everything that makes Wagyu better! It is considered the most abundantly marbled beef in the world.

Is American Wagyu better than prime?

Wagyu is usually extremely marbled, more than USDA Prime, but not as much as Japanese Wagyu, and the flavor and texture is distinctive. It is also about twice the price of USDA Prime. Do not die without having tasted great American Wagyu. Steaks can run up to 30% fat and $60 to 70 for a 12 ounce ribeye.

Where does Costco get their Wagyu beef?

Costco’s selection of A5 is imported from Japan and procured by a company called Authentic Wagyu, LLC. They have relationships with the USDA-approved processing facilities in Japan that allow them to procure these cuts and sell them to companies like Costco.

How much is a Kobe cow?

Narrator: This is wagyu beef, one of the most expensive meats in the world. Produced in Japan and prized for its rich marbling and buttery taste, high-grade wagyu can cost up to $200 per pound, and the cows themselves can sell for as much as $30,000.

Is Kobe beef expensive?

Because of this and the uncompromising regulations the region uses for its cattle, Kobe beef is the most expensive beef in the world. With only 3,000 head of cattle qualifing as authentic Kobe cattle each year, the supply of Kobe beef is low and the price is high.

Is Wagyu beef illegal?

Wagyu is banned in the U.S. Fact: It’s true that Wagyu DNA and live animals are permanently banned for export from Japan, but the meat is not. Sometimes there’s confusion because there was a ban on the meat for a while, too, but it ended in 2012 when exports resumed.

What do Kobe cows eat?

The cattle are fed on grain fodder and brushed sometimes for setting fur. The melting point of fat of Kobe beef (Tajima cattle) is lower than common beef fat. Kobe beef is expensive, partly because only about 3,000 head of cattle may qualify as Kobe per year.

What is the number 1 Steakhouse in America?

#1: Porterhouse for Two — Peter Luger Steakhouse Since 1950, Peter Luger Steakhouse in Brooklyn has made it a family mission to select the best cut of meat.

What does Kobe beef taste like?

Wagyu beef tastes sublime: buttery, almost sweet, with delicate notes of umami, it is the pinnacle of fine dining. The taste of Wagyu is unparalleled compared to standard beef (or any other meat!). It shines in a league of its own in the flavor department.

Is Kobe beef cheaper in Japan?

How expensive is Kobe beef? Depending on the grade of Kobe beef you choose, a single steak can cost upwards of $400 in the US or $200 in Japan. However, you can also get a high grade Kobe beef in Kobe at lunchtime for under $50 per person, so the Kobe beef price in Japan is usually less than half what it is abroad.