Have you ordered “Kobe” beef at a restaurant recently? 

Well, we hate to burst your bubble, but you’ve only been paying for Kobe beef, not actually eating it. The reason is because real Kobe beef is only available in Japan, and has been illegal to import since 2010. So the “Kobe” beef you’re paying a premium for is not what it claims to be, because there are no laws in this country preventing vendors from calling their beef whatever they want.

Now, there is Australian Wagyu beef (see the photo) and is the closest to Japanese Wagyu, of which Kobe is a variety. Japanese Wagyu that has been cross-bred with Black Angus is called American Style Kobe Beef, but does not have the intense marbling. That my friends is a huge difference. There should then be a distinction that it is “American-style” and not just “Kobe” nor purebred “Wagyu.”

We don’t mind paying for something, when that something is actually what it’s supposed to be, but we won’t pay a premium for something just because what the label or menu says.

Just a helpful tip from Asbury Eats.