Hokkaido’s Wagyu Beef, Cooked to Perfection in Sapporo: Yakiniku Wagyu Kurosawa
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Hokkaido is famous for its fresh food, with ample shoreline providing fresh-caught seafood for donburi, and broad pastures giving dairy and beef cattle room to graze. While travelers with a taste for Japan’s super-high-quality wagyu beef might beeline towards Kobe, it really shouldn’t be a surprise that Hokkaido’s a great place to sample Japan’s choicest cuts. That’s why we made sure to add this Sapporo restaurant to our itinerary during our latest visit to Japan’s northernmost island, and why we’re recommending it now. Since yakiniku (Korean BBQ) gives the diner the chance to cook each morsel of beef to their own ideal level of rareness, we had an amazing meal at Yakiniku Wagyu Kurosawa, trying all kinds of wagyu!
Hokkaido’s Very Own Wagyu
To start, one of the first things that attracted us to this Sapporo yakiniku spot was the chance to try local wagyu! Shiraoi is a small town in southern Hokkaido, and the wagyu from the area has only just become popular in recent years, meaning it's still a rare find outside of the region. We knew we had to stop by Yakiniku Wagyu Kurosawa (aka 焼肉和牛黒澤, or Korean BBQ Wagyu Kurosawa) to taste this up and coming Shiraoi beef, served up by a shop of friendly staff!
But once we arrived, we quickly learned that the restaurant had plenty more to offer!
Authentic Certified Japanese Wagyu Beef, 100% Guaranteed
The name “wagyu” (和牛) quite literally means “Japanese beef,” since 和 = Japanese, and 牛 = beef. But after chatting with Yakiniku Wagyu Kurosawa's outgoing owner, we learned that not just any beef from Japan qualifies as wagyu! Any beef producers that want to use the prestigious “wagyu” title have to submit to rigorous quality testing. Only the very best become certified!
So when you order wagyu at this yakiniku eatery, you know you're getting some pretty good stuff, and it's not just limited to Shiraoi's wagyu. Among the wide variety of beef cuts and platters Kurosawa offers, a handful of them are perfect for a wagyu “tasting,” since they have Shiraoi beef, Kobe beef (internationally renowned for its high quality), and Matsuzaka beef (often ranked #2 in Japan) all on one tray.
We really liked the shop's interior, especially the maps showing where in Japan the famous wagyu comes from, and a poster showing where each cut of beef comes from. A handy learning tool, if you're working on your Japanese!
The owner also told us with some frustration about how some restaurants in tourist hubs will try to trick customers into thinking that low-rank wagyu, or even normal every-day beef, is the real high-quality stuff. That's why staff at Yakiniku Wagyu Kurosawa are happy to prove, at the drop of a hat, that they only serve the best.
They'll literally pull out the official certification papers for each cut of wagyu they use, so you can see exactly how authentic the beef you're eating is. Then again, once we bit into the real Kobe beef at the restaurant, we really had no doubts!
All the Ways to Eat Wagyu
Diners generally try not to mask the flavor of wagyu, since there's already so much to savor, but we learned that just a bit of sauce or topping really brought out the essence of the meat.
We started with thicker slices of all three of the restaurant's wagyu varieties.
And while they were glorious on their own, just a dab of wasabi added a kick that really complimented the rich, meaty taste.
This thin-sliced beef brisket, Korean chadolbaegi style, was perfectly cooked after just a couple seconds being dragged over the flames of the barbeque.
And a dip in Yakiniku Wagyu Kurosawa's original yakiniku sauce finished off the savory bite.
Completing the Meal with Sides and Drinks
Chatting with the staff, they agreed that since wagyu is really high quality (and therefore a pricier indulgence), the most practical way to go for most travelers was to order a wagyu sampler big enough for everyone to compare the different flavors, and then fill up everyone's stomachs with some of Japan's uncertified (but still tasty) normal beef.
Then again, they have some other side dishes to add a little variety to the meal as well! These Korean pancakes, for example, had ground beef added to the mix before frying, which made them even more delicious than normal. We also recommend throwing some local vegetables on the grill alongside the meat, for some color and extra Hokkaido flavor.
And doesn't trying local food make you want a local drink to go along with? We went for Otaru Beer, a German-style pilsner that hails from the nearby town of Otaru!
With melt-in-your-mouth flavor that makes our mouths water just thinking about it now, you really shouldn't miss the variety of wagyu available at Yakiniku Wagyu Kurosawa. Bring a special someone or a group of friends along to share in the feast, and dig in to one luxurious meal next time you visit Sapporo!
Yakiniku Wagyu Kurosawa (焼肉和牛黒澤/Korean BBQ Wagyu Kurosawa)
Apollo Bld. B1F/B2F, 3 Jonishi, 7 Minami, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Hours: 16:00 – 23:30 (L.O. 22:30)
Official Website (jp)
Details
NAME:Yakiniku Wagyu Kurosawa (焼肉和牛黒澤/Korean BBQ Wagyu Kurosawa)
MAP
ACCESS:Susukino Station (すすきの駅)
CONTACT TEL:81) 11-215-0009
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Hokkaido (北海道) is the northernmost of the four main islands that make up Japan. The area is famous for Sapporo Beer, plus brewing and distilling in general, along with fantastic snow festivals and breathtaking national parks. Foodies should look for Hokkaido's famous potatoes, cantaloupe, dairy products, soup curry, and miso ramen!
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Niki, in south-west Hokkaido, is about 30 minutes from Otaru. The small town is rich with natural resources, fresh water, and clean air, making it a thriving center for fruit farms. Cherries, tomatoes, and grapes are all cultivated in the area, and thanks to a growing local wine industry, it's quickly becoming a food and wine hotspot. Together with the neighboring town of Yoichi, it's a noted area for wine tourism.
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Niseko is about two hours from New Chitose Airport, in the western part of Hokkaido. It's one of Japan's most noted winter resort areas, and a frequent destination for international visitors. That's all because of the super high-quality powder snow, which wins the hearts of beginners and experts alike, bringing them back for repeat visits. That's not all, though, it's also a great place to enjoy Hokkaido's culinary scene and some beautiful onsen (hot springs).
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Osaka is known for friendly (and funny) people, but its history is nothing to laugh at, playing a major part in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's 16th century unification of Japan. Thanks to long years of economic activity, it's one of Japan's biggest cities, and Osaka's popular food culture earned it the nickname "The Kitchen of the Nation." To this day Osaka is the model of western Japan, and alongside historic structures like Osaka Castle, it also has major shopping malls like Umeda's Grand Front Osaka and Tennoji's Abeno Harukas. Osaka is a place to eat, eat, eat, with local specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushi-katsu, and for extra fun, it's home to Universal Studios Japan.
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The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.
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Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.
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SHIKOKU
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On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).
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KAGAWA
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Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.
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KYUSHU
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Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!
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FUKUOKA
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Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
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KAGOSHIMA
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Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
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OKINAWA
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The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.
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