A5 wagyu is the holy grail of Japanese beef, but with such a high price tag for this top-of-the-range meat, is it worth the cost?
I first experienced the excellence and premium quality of A5 Wagyu beef at Rokkasen yakiniku restaurant in Shinjuku, Tokyo. An all-you-can-eat experience that costs a whopping 30,000 yen (200 USD), I thought it was worth trying at least once, you know, to experience “the best of the best” of Japanese beef.
Incredible Marbling
From our very first order, my friend and I went for all the A5 Wagyu beef dishes including sirloin, tenderloin, and ribs.
As expected, the marbling on the meat was simply astonishing, a brilliant display of pure white fat intricately woven through deep red meat to create a beautiful patterned design.
One can only fantasize what this amazing A5 Wagyu beef will taste like once it is grilled and all the marbling melts into the meat.
Thick & Juicy Cuts
Well, that’s exactly what happened! Grilling these thick pieces of A5 Wagyu beef was one of the most satisfying tasks I’ve ever done.
The meat immediately takes on a shiny new look as fatty oil drips from the crispy exterior of this now-edible beef that has been exposed to an intense flame.
My first taste of this juicy succulent beef was a sensation I could never forget!
The meat instantly melts in your mouth so that your tongue is engulfed in fatty, meaty flavors while your teeth and jaw are relaxed from barely needing to chew!
A5 Wagyu Beef Sukiyaki
In addition to chunks of sirloin and ribs, Rokkasen also offers A5 Wagyu beef sukiyaki dishes!
Sukiyaki is a type of Japanese hot pot that features thin slices of meat and vegetables marinated in a flavorful savory broth and enjoyed by dipping into a condiment of saucy whipped egg yolk.
Admittedly, I didn’t find much difference between this A5 Wagyu beef sukiyaki and the beef sukiyaki from regular restaurants, likely because they are all rather saucy dishes where the meat’s sole flavor hasn’t the chance to shine in the spotlight.
So, Is A5 Wagyu Beef Worth It?
An unforgettable experience like no other, A5 Wagyu beef is absolutely worth trying at least once in your lifetime. However, one must be prepared for the large volumes of fatty oils that will enter the digestive system, so be sure to drink something fizzy to ease the process!
Succulent as it may be, I would only recommend consuming A5 Wagyu beef on rare occasions. This is because no matter how hungry you are, there is a limit to how much of it you can stomach due to the abnormally high-fat content.
As much as I loved the fatty “melt-in-your-mouth” dining experience of A5 Wagyu beef, I do typically prefer my beef to be a little leaner (partly so I can eat more of it!). Hence, I’d recommend A4 Wagyu beef restaurants for a more filling and affordable experience that you’ll be able to dine at on a more regular basis.
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