Japanese A5 Wagyu is characterized by intense richness due to its intense intramuscular marbling (fat). Wagyu literally translates to "Japanese Cow." Customers describe eating Japanese Beef "like eating the richest dessert they've ever enjoyed in steak form." 3-5oz will easily satisfy a grown man.
Japanese A5 Wagyu steak tends to be sliced more thinly (unless specifically noted in product notes) and is best cooked simply in a stainless steel or cast iron pan in its own fat. Due to the high marbling and thin cut, it cooks very quickly.
Wagyu Beef Grading
You'll notice next to each cut a "BMS" - this stands for Beef Marble Score, and is a scoring system that defines the level of intramuscular fat the cow displayed at slaughter. This scale ranges 1-12, with a BMS 12 being the highest amount of fat. For reference, the average USDA Prime steak would score somewhere around a BMS 3 if graded against a piece of Japanese Wagyu. Don't get caught in thinking BMS 12 is "the best" - there is no best at this level! The best is simply what you like the most and we have plenty of customers that prefer a BMS 9 over BMS 11.
Japanese Beef Prefectures
The Japanese locations you may recognize (such as Kobe, Kagoshima, etc.) next to each product are the prefectures they come from, and are another determinant in the characteristics of the steak you're choosing. Each prefecture has different Wagyu farming practices that have been passed down for generations. We highlight those that are public information on each product's page.
The Meatery is honored to have been chosen as one of just a few websites authorized to sell authentic Kobe Wagyu Beef. All Japanese A5 Wagyu includes a Certificate of Authenticity including the nose print of the cattle.
Most Customers season it simply with salt, truffle salt, or salt & pepper and choose to serve it either as an appetizer or with very neutral side dishes that don't compete with the buttery richness of this exquisite meat. Super Tip: slice your A5 Wagyu into vertical strips, about 1" wide and cook each one at a time to boost your confidence with the cook. It is super easy to cook Japanese A5 Wagyu, and we have thousands of happy customers that overcame that fear.