Can You Buy Kobe Beef Directly

Wagyu beef entered the United States market in the 1970s and became more and more popular as the years went on.

However, not every grocery store or butchery sells this upscale and tender meat.

That means your options are limited. While there are very few places that are strictly a wagyu shop, our expert butchers have compiled a list of the top ten places to get your fill of wagyu beef.

What is Wagyu Beef?

Wagyu is a reference for any of the four kinds of Japanese cattle. These breeds were originally used as draft animals to help cultivate rice farms in Kobe, Japan.

Wagyu are thought of as having long physical endurance traits.

Since farmers like their animals to be extremely fit, they have more intramuscular cells than other breeds because it provides tons of energy  [1].

Those unique cells give the beef the famous marbling effect that means it's of the highest quality.

Wagyu beef is also very healthy and delicious. You can trace your wagyu cut all the way from farm to fork.

Besides, eating wagyu helps lower your cholesterol and will reduce your risk of having a heart attack.

"Wagyu is something that every meat lover should experience at least once."

- Robb Walsh, food writer.

Wagyu's health benefits make it hard to beat, especially when compared to other protein sources.

With more monounsaturated fat, less salt, and lower cholesterol, you'll never go back to the traditional kind after trying wagyu beef.

10 Best Places to Get Wagyu Beef

Now that you have an understanding of wagyu beef and how it compares to other forms of meat. Let's talk about where you can find and buy delicious wagyu.

Flying to Japan isn't always an option, so here are our picks of the top ten best places online to get wagyu beef.

1. Crowd Cow

Crowd Cow is extremely popular for its high standard wagyu that comes from farms all over the world.

They only work with farmers they personally know, which means you can feel confident in your purchases.

Founded by Ethan and Joe, two friends who believed that people should know where their meat comes from.

Within twenty four hours of launching, the Crowd Cow service had sold its first product.

With over 50 wagyu beef options to choose from, you can't go wrong. They even have plenty of pre-seasoned options to help you get the best tasting wagyu beef on your kitchen table.

Here are just a few of the cuts they sell:

• Dry-aged
• Bone-in and Boneless Ribeye
• New York Strip
• Filet Mignon
• And many more options

Pros

• Best Wagyu beef
• Great flavor
• Passionate about how ranchers raise their cows

Cons

• Don't source wagyu or Kobe from Japan

2. Carnivore Club

Looking to get wagyu shipped annually to your door? Then Carnivore Club is the right store for you.

It is the first subtraction service that offers premium meat delivered monthly to your front door.

Each box comes with unique meats and gifts that fit a particular theme.

For example, they've offered a wild game box and regional steak box with Kobe beef, wagyu beef, and other types of cuts.

Take a look at their page to pick the right box for you.

Carnivore Club meat delivery is most popular with its air dried meat. So if you love jerky, then this is the place for you.

Pros

• Air-dried products
• Special variety boxes

Cons

• Can't purchase a singular product
• Hard to find the exact meat you want

3. My Chicago Steak

Chicago Steak has been around since 1865, which makes it one of the longest running butchers in the United States.

This company specializes in hand-cut prime beef, which is the best steaks money can buy.

The cattle are raised humanely, and they only pick the best of the best for your table.

They even offer you recipes so you can elevate your cooking and not mess up your prime beef cuts.

They have the best customer service that will make you keep coming back for more.

This online outlet sells six different wagyu options ranging from Kobe beef to wagyu filet mignon.

All of which are sourced from the highest quality farms and flash frozen to preserve flavor. You don't have to worry about how they are raised when buying from Chicago Steak.

Pros

• Been around since 1865
• Great customer service

4. Meat N' Bone

Live in Florida? Then you could get your full blood wagyu beef delivered right to your door through this online business based in the Florida area.

Anywhere else in the country there is a 48 hour turnaround time from order to delivery.

Similar to some purveyors, you can have them cater an event or just hire someone to come out and do the grilling.

Either of these options means you are getting flavor packed meals cooked directly for you.

Many meat lovers have started buying from Meat N' Bone because of the standard of their stock.

Their small team means they put the best care in raising their cows and getting orders out. They also have a selection of over 90 Kobe beef and wagyu to pick from.

Pros

• Catering options
• Great deals on products
• Quick delivery times

Cons

• Small team means less experience
• Limited number of products

5. Snake River Farms

Founded in Idaho by Robert Rebholtz Sr., Snake River Farms decided to do something different in the beef industry by choosing to develop their own breed of cattle.

This place cares about how they raise their cattle.

Their entire breed of cattle descends from a famous line of Japanese cattle, and the entire herd is bred and kept on a 80,000 acre ranch out in western America.

These cattle are raised humanely and allowed to free-range, which makes them healthier and happier.

Unlike other purveyors, Snake River Farms has the best special rates and solely focuses on selling American wagyu and Kobe beef.

You'll get exactly the cut you want at this wagyu shop. While raised in the United States, their stock still has the marbling and taste of wagyu raised in Japan.

Pros

• Best special prices on products
• Solely sells American and Japanese Wagyu
• Breed descends from Japan
• You'll get order quickly

Cons

• Limited Kobe selection
• Obtained from only one farm

6. Holy Grail Steak

Overall, Holy Grail Steak has some of the best wagyu and Kobe in the entire world. This is the only wagy shop that sources and sells Kobe beef raised in Japan.

It also lives by the golden rule of 'a steak only tastes as good as it was raised' [2].

Whether you are looking for Japanese Wagyu, American Wagyu, or spiced burgers and steaks, Holy Grail got you covered.

With a variety of options, all at a reasonable price, you'll find the prices are reasonable for the quality.

It's important to note that Holy Grail Steak only delivers within the lower 48 of the United States.

You have plenty of options including getting your order overnight or on a Saturday for some occasions. They are meticulous with how they package and track their orders, so it gets to your family in the freshest way possible.

Pros

• An overall high quality
• Goods shipped in a way to keep fresh
• Variety of wagyu and Kobe options to choose from
• Sources from Japan

Cons

• Doesn't deliver to Alaska or Hawaii

7. Fossil Farms

Fossil Farms is dedicated to providing wild game meat and wagyu to home chefs and restaurants.

You'll even see some of their wagyu and Kobe being sold in local grocery stores.

What sets Fossil Farms meat service apart from other butchers is that it isn't just an online location;

You can visit its physical location in New Jersey and see what they are all about in person. Go and ask them in person how their food has been raised.

While this outlet isn't strictly a wagyu shop, it does sell delicious wagyu steak and Kobe at an ideal cost.

The marbling in their wagyu comes from the breed being raised in a proper way.

Pros

• Great domestic quality
• Worth the pricing

Cons

• Color can sometimes be off
• Not the best customer service follow up
• Limited options of Kobe

8. D'Artagnan

D'Artagnan has been committed to free-range, natural production and sustainable, humane farming practices since before it was the cool thing to do.

Their goal is to provide the best ground beef, hot dogs, and wagyu that is all raised on small farms.

This dedication has led to a number of successes over time, one of which is why they sell like crazy all year.

D'Artagnan meat delivery offers 26 different wagyu and Kobe items. including American wagyu beef.

Their steak deals are a great way of keeping the cost down but still getting the specialty wagyu options.

Pros

• A whole page dedicated to wagyu and Kobe steak
• Plenty of wagyu options including short ribs
• Bundle options

Cons

• Can't identify the source of wagyu or Kobe
• American beef and Japanese beef choices are limited

9. Thrive Market

You've probably heard of Thrive Market as it has been showcased in magazines and on television.

This online outlet offers healthy groceries straight to your door through a subscription service. A healthy life shouldn't be hard, and it isn't with Thrive Market.

You can even buy ground beef and hot dogs right from the comfort of your home.

Thrive Market is dedicated to giving you the best deals on wagyu beef and Kobe beef all while you earn rewards and save money.

Most customers have found the shipping experience through Thrive Market to be one of the best. If you ever have questions, the customer service team is right there to help.

Pros

• Shipped right to your home
• Great customer service

Cons

• Can't identify the source of Kobe
• Only one page of American Wagyu and Japanese Wagyu choices

10. Allen Brothers

The Allen Brothers online outlet slogan is 'The Great Steakhouse Steaks,' which should give you some confidence about their goods.

They provide a selection ranging from fish to wild game and everything in between.

This place has been around since 1893, providing the best Kobe steaks to cooks around the nation.

They focus on selling USDA prime, which is the premier grade of beef  [3].

Many customers love the transparency Allen Brothers delivery places on sourcing. All Kobe beef is sourced from the U.S. outside of the Japanese beef.

But on top of just sourcing the U.S., they only pick breeds from the mid and middle-northern states because that is where the best climate and land is for cows.

Pros

• Pages of options to pick from
• Follow strict sourcing guidelines
• Ideal marbling in wagyu beef
• Great deals

Cons

• Mainly used by chefs
• Longer order times

BONUS: A Delicious Recipe Using Wagyu Beef

Now that you know the best places to get your wagyu outside of Japan, you are going to need some options on how to cook them up. Here is a recipe that you can use to help you get started.

Pan Seared Wagyu Steak & Red Wine Sauce

You'll need:

• Wagyu steak
• Shallot
• Garlic
• Butter
• Red wine
• Thyme
• Salt and pepper

With these simple ingredients, you'll get a delicious steak.

First, let the steak sit until it comes to room temperature before adding the seasoning. Put the pan on medium/high heat, then sear the steak until you think it is ready.

To make the sauce, simply add the shallot, garlic, and thyme to the now empty wagyu pan.

Sear these ingredients until they are golden brown, then add the wine and bring the entire sauce to a boil. Finally, remove from the heat and whisk in the butter.

What to Look for in Wagyu Beef Providers

To make the most out of your search, consider learning what makes a Wagyu beef product suitable. Here are some factors to look out for:

Transparency

Wagyu beef symbolizes luxury, and tradition surrounds this product. Customers also feel confused about what constitutes Wagyu and other types of beef products. When you're looking for a place to buy your product, ensure they make you understand what you're getting.

Ideally, the website should have information on grading and ways to cook your meat. Many options will have a certificate of authenticity.

Shipping

The best company should provide comprehensive information about how they ship your meat. It includes the methods and how they ensure it is safe during transit. If you spend money on Wagyu beef, focus on ensuring it arrives in prime condition.

Selection

There are many meat options with Wagyu beef. Our favorite providers have a wide range of offerings. The best part is they provide plenty of information on what makes every selection unique.

Price

Never empty your bank account when buying premium Wagyu beef. Regardless, it's an expensive endeavor since the beef takes more effort to raise. You can't get these products at bargain prices due to their premium nature.

Do you want to be able to say you tasted Wagyu beef? Consider buying hot dogs, burgers, or sausages made from this meat instead. You still have a premium experience despite the lack of Wagyu marbling.

Where Should You Buy Wagyu Beef?

While all of the above stores are great places to get wagyu and Kobe beef, our top recommendation is Crowd Cow.

Crowd Cow offers special deals which make it the best bang for your buck.

But they also care about how ranchers raise their beef and only pick those that are raising them right. You'll see that the flavor of the Wagyu beef and its firmness are a step above everything else.

However, you won't go wrong by buying from any of these places who are all purveyors of a well cooked steak.

Our #1 Recommendation

Crowd Cow

Pros

• High-quality meat delivered right to your door
• Humanely raised without antibiotics or added hormones
• Customizable meat orders available
• Get the BEST PRICE until the end of this month

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Source: https://carnivorestyle.com/where-to-buy-wagyu-beef/

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