Matsukaya beef is black haired Wagyu which comes from the Matsusaka region of Mie, about 2 hours from Osaka.
Although relatively unknown internationally and certainly not as popular as Kobe beef, Matsusaka is one of the most famous beef types within Japan.
It is generally considered one of the three top brands alongside Kobe and Yonezawa beef.
It has a high fat-to-meat ratio with a marble fat score of 10-12 whereas Kobe beef is rated at 6+.
Matsusaka beef only comes from female Tajima-ushi cows whilst Kobe beef comes from both male and female.
These cows are slaughtered at the age of 3 rather than 2 years or younger for normal cows, allowing them an extra year to develop more flavour.
The secret of Matsusaka beef lies in how the cattle are raised:
The young cattle are fed large amounts of grass to develop growth,
When they reach a certain age they are fed grass, wheat and tofu leaves, sometimes topped with sugar syrup.
The cattle are fed beer to promote a healthy appetite and aid digestion.
Massaging of the cow softens the meat and increases the marbling.
Next comes the Shochu (distilled spirit), which is sprayed & brushed onto the cattle to improve blood circulation through out the entire body.
Music is played to calm their moods.
They are taken outside to allow sunbathing.
All this to achieve superior quality meat.
Beef connoisseurs say that Matsuzaka beef has a more complex and developed "beefier" flavour, compared to beef from Kobe.
"Eating Kobe is like eating foie gras, where Matsusaka is more like eating beef".
According to many internet recommendations and reviews, the place to experience this splendour is at Matsusakagyu Yakiniku.
A restaurant chain which has 3 locations in Osaka.
Yakiniku is Japanese barbeque where ingredients (meat or vegies) are cooked on a grill over flame to one's liking then eaten with soy sauce, salt or wasabi.
In order to avoid disappointment or suffer a long wait for a table, a reservation was made at the Hozenji-Hanare restaurant.
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| The griddle |
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| assorted appetisers |
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| fat used to baste the griddle & fresh wasabi |
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| Kalbi short rib |
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| Orange juice (No vodka haha) |
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| Matsusaka beef platter |
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| So fatty ! cooks in seconds |
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| Yummo |
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| lightly grilled beef sashimi |
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| Big sirloin steak |
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| Whiskey & soda |
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| Shochu lemon |
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| Plum wine |
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| GAH !!! |
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| Happy Birthday Mate ! |
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| Green tea icecream |
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| The manager came out to talk to us and added Trevor to facebook to discuss Osaka nightlife |
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| Cheers ! |
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| I ordered an extra dessert: Yuzu iced sherbet. Delicious ! |
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| Us and the friendly staff |
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| Mr Manager and Trevor |
Premium course set: (7800Yen/A$82)
"All you can drink menu" (2000Yen/$A22)
Unlimited draft beer, shochu, wine, plum wine, cocktails & soft drink.
http://www.matsusaka-projects.com/english/index.php
This place was AWESO0ME ! and full of nice staff ~
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