Wagyu Gyudon Japanese Beef Bowls - Cheapest and Best way to Experience Wagyu in Japan

Tokyo Consult blog readers often inquired about where to get cheap Kobe Beef 神戸牛 or Matsusaka Beef 松阪牛 in Japan. While the best Kobe Beef is never meant to be reasonably priced, "generic" Wagyu is often more affordable to the budget travelers. After extensive research and a bit of luck, I was fortunate to have the opportunities to have tried 3 inexpensive Wagyu Beef Bowls during my trip to Japan in 2017. I am sharing my dining experiences and where to enjoy these delicious and cheap Wagyu Beef in this blog post.

Charm of traveling in Japan is discovering tasty food inside of meal boxes

- To read about different Gyudon Beef Bowl chain restaurants in Japan, visit: Beef Bowl Japanese Gyudon - Best and Cheapest Japanese Soul Food
- To read about my Kobe Beef in Kobe 2016 Experience, visit: Kobe Beef in Kobe 2016
- To read about my Wagyu Experiences and list of best Wagyu and Kobe Beef restaurants in Tokyo, visit: Wagyu Japanese Beef




NAKAU GYUDON BEEF BOWL RESTAURANT
*Wagyu Beef Rice Box (limited time or seasonal only, try your luck at Nakau restaurant)

While walking by Nakau Japanese fast food restaurant nearby the hotel I stayed at in Japan, this 24-hour franchise Beef Bowl restaurant caught my attention. The only item on the menu that caught my attention was their Kuroge Wagyu Beef Rice Box. At 790 yen or about $7 USD,




Placing the meal tickets on the counter after purchasing them from the vending machine with multilingual interface.




Typical condiments at a Beef Bowl place include pickled ginger Beni Shoga, Soy sauce, chili powder, and spice powder.






Wagyu Beef with rice is served in a "重 Ju" meal box, More upscale ingredients such as Unagi Eel and Wagyu are often served in more formal meal boxes.




Voila! Highly anticipated 黒毛 和牛 Kuroge Wagyu Beef served above fluffy rice, topped with Onsen Tamagao 温泉 卵 soft boiled egg. Similar to other Wagyu in Japan, beef is very tender and has a very robust beef flavor.




Once the egg yolk is broken by the spoon, runny egg yolk mixed with sweet soy sauce seasoned Wagyu Beef made it irresistible.





INFORMATION
Nakau Restaurant Tokyo Shinjuku Location
〒Tokyo, Shinjuku, Nishishinjuku, 7 Chome−８−１２
TEL: +81 3-6833-8824
なか卯 小滝橋通り店
〒160-0023西新宿7-8-12 昇立ビル1F







GYU NO CHIKARA GYUDON BEEF BOWL RESTAURANT
*Japan-raised Beef Bowl

I have been wanting to try their Japanese-raised cattle beef bowl for more than 10 years but I have not had the chance until 2017. While I shopping in Tokyo Ueno 上野 area, I walked by the restaurant that have left a strong impression about 10 years ago when stayed at a hotel near Ueno station. I did not have the opportunity to try their famous gourmet beef bowl in 2007, and I was not going to give up the chance in 2017.




How is 国産牛 Japanese-raised cattle different from 和牛 Wagyu cattle? Wagyu is typically limited to 4 major breeds of cattle raised in Japan. On the other hand Japanese-raised cattle could be any other breed raised in Japan for more than 3 months and are not limited to the 4 major Wagyu breeds. Nevertheless, to suit Japanese palate and jaw strength, Japanese-raised beef is typically more tender than the imported American and Australian beef used in other franchise beef bowl restaurants. The quality and tenderness is often superb and comparable to Wagyu Beef.




Despite of the traditional decor to this restaurant, English language interface meal ticket machine was available for international travelers.




Optional fresh garlic and garlic press was available for connoisseurs who were seeking for an extra kick in their Wagyu Kokusan Beef Bowl.




At 690 yen or about $6.30 USD, the value of non-overpowering flavor and tenderness of the Wagyu Beef exceeds its affordable cost.




INFORMATION
Gyu No Chikara Beef Bowl Restaurant, Tokyo Ueno
〒6-14-7 Ueno | Tsu Bldg. 1F, Taito 110-0005, Tokyo Prefecture
TEL: +81 3-3837-8869
牛の力
〒110-0005 東京都台東区上野6-14-7TSUビル1F

YOSHINOYA GYUDON BEEF BOWL RESTAURANT HANEDA AIRPORT
*Wagyu Beef Box

This Yoshinoya restaurant location is one of their very few locations in Japan that serves Wagyu Beef. At triple of the price of their ordinary Beef Bowl, the staff starts cooking after placing Wagyu Beef order. This Yoshinoya Beef Bowl restaurant location is perhaps the most reliable restaurant that serves quality Wagyu Beef.

Yoshinoya is everywhere in Japan and throughout the world, how is this Haneda airport restaurant different from others?



Many customers, including local Japanese salary man were staring at the Wagyu Beef Meal Box plastic model in display outside of the restaurant.




At an unpretentious restaurant like this one, Wagyu Beef is served at a very affordable price.




Of course English menu is available at Haneda airport location. There was no meal ticket vending machine, therefore, just tell the multilingual staff or finger point at the pictorial menu. Pay after eating.




I noticed the relatively thicker slices of Wagyu Beef served on steaming white rice. The value of Wagyu is in their tenderness even at thicker cuts. Perfect balance of saltiness/Umami of soy sauce based stew, sweetness from the onion/scallion, and savory taste of the Wagyu beef were in harmony.




While famous "brand name" Wagyu Beef such as Kobe Beef or Matsusaka Beef are expensive in Japan and world wide, Wagyu Beef Bowl is one of the best and cheapest options for smart budget-conscious travelers who want to enjoy Wagyu Beef at reasonable prices. For travelers who are taking off from Haneda airport, this Yoshinoya restaurant offers the last chance to enjoy best and cheap Wagyu Beef at 1240 Yen (70 yen for soft boiled egg) or about $11.50 USD.
 



INFORMATION
Yoshinoya Gyudon Beef Bowl Restaurant, Haneda Airport International Terminal
〒144-0041 Tokyo, Ōta, Hanedakuko, 2 Chome−6−5−4F
TEL: +81 3-5708-7505
吉野家 羽田空港国際線旅客ターミナル店
〒144-0041 東京都大田区羽田空港2-6-5国際旅客ターミナルビル内