Delicious Yakiniku to Try in Yamagata Prefecture! 13 Picks by Area, Including Yamagata City

Photograph:しんたみき

Osama no Yakiniku Kuronuma Yamagata Nishiko-mae Ten, about a 6-minute drive from Yamagata Station, is a Yakiniku restaurant where you can casually enjoy Domestic beef supplied directly by Kuronuma Chikusan, a butcher shop founded in 1948.

The interior has a modern Japanese feel, and there are Private room-style seats separated by noren (traditional fabric dividers), so you can enjoy your meal in a relaxed setting.

Photograph:リコスケ

The signature "Osama-mori (King assortment)" is an assortment that lets you enjoy Osama no karubi (King short rib), Strip loin, Outside skirt, and salted tongue all at once.

The Strip loin and short rib have a moderate amount of marbling and are said to be tender with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Along with the high quality of the meat, some reviews also mention the solid portion size.

Photograph:しんたみき

The "Aburi Beef Sushi 3-Type Set" is a set where you can enjoy three kinds: aburi beef sushi, aburi Beef Tongue sushi, and aburi Yamagata-gyu (Yamagata beef) sushi.

After you order, they sear it right in front of you with a burner, so you also get to enjoy the live performance. The aburi meat sushi can also be ordered from just 1 piece.

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"Yakiniku Horumon Oji Yamagata Kagota Ten" is a Yakiniku restaurant about 3 minutes by car from Yamagata Station.

The interior has a modern Japanese feel. It offers table seating, zashiki (tatami seating), and Private rooms, so you can use it for many different occasions.

Photograph:リコスケ

The Variety Assortment is said to include King's Tenderloin, lean loin, toro-karubi (rich short rib), addictive Outside skirt, and spicy marinated壺 short rib.

It is satisfying to eat, and you can enjoy a range of different cuts little by little.

Photograph:ぷくぷく侍

This is the "meat cake" served as part of the "Special occasion course." It comes with a sparkler, giving it strong visual impact.

It is often chosen for Special scenes such as birthdays and other celebrations.

Photograph:Yukino Nara

Yakiniku Akatsuki in the Kaminoyama area is a 5-minute walk from Kaminoyama-Onsen Station. Run by the butcher shop Niku no Abe, it is a Yakiniku specialty restaurant serving Yonezawagyu (Yonezawa beef) and Yamagatagyu (Yamagata beef).

The dining room centers on table seating and also has Private room options.

Photograph:ちっくと

This is the Yonezawa-gyu (Yonezawa beef) thick-cut premium salted tongue served at dinner time. Its beautiful appearance stands out, with fine marbling throughout.

Even though it is thick-cut, it is easy to bite through and has a pleasantly springy texture.

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The lunch only "Minamicho Roast Beef Rice bowl" turns the restaurant's popular "Minamicho Roast Beef" into a Rice bowl.

The meat uses Yamagata-gyu (Yamagata beef), carefully selected by the owner. The thinly sliced roast beef has a texture that goes well with the rice, and lets you really taste the flavor of the meat.

Photograph:syouwakan

Yakiniku Senka Gyuuriki, about a 15-minute drive from Yamagata Station, is a Yakiniku restaurant that focuses on Yamagata-gyu (Yamagata beef). In addition to Yamagata-gyu, one of its draws is that it also uses Yamagata-grown rice and local vegetables.

The spacious interior has table seating, as well as zashiki (tatami seating) and Private rooms.

Photograph:syouwakan

Yamagata-gyu (Yamagata beef), known for its fine textured meat and beautiful marbling, is a brand of wagyu that represents Yamagata Prefecture.

The photo shows "Yamagata-gyu Roast." It uses a round cut from Yamagata-gyu, and while it has a satisfyingly firm texture, it is also said to be tender.

Photograph:883ライダー5434

The "tan tabe-kurabe assortment" lets you enjoy the different cuts you can get from a single tongue.

It includes tan-karubi (tongue belly), hana-saki tan (scored tongue), and jo-tan (premium tongue), so you can compare the texture and flavor of each cut as you eat.

Photograph:安藤あんどう

Located about a 1-minute walk from the East Exit of Yamagata Station, Taishu Yakiniku & Samgyeopsal Sakaba Golden Meat is a restaurant where you can enjoy Yamagata-gyu (Yamagata beef) Yakiniku and Shonai-buta (Shonai pork) samgyeopsal.

The clean interior, based around white tones, includes counter seats, table seating, and Semi-private rooms.

Photograph:hime031

The highly recommended menu item, "Atsugiri Jo Tan Shio (thick cut premium salted beef tongue)," is made using only the tender root portion of the tongue.

It is cut thick, and they say you can enjoy its clean bite and the rich flavor that spreads with each chew.

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At this restaurant, table servers are installed at every seat.

The lemon sour and highball are self serve, and you can adjust the strength to your liking. The style of pouring your own drink feels fresh, and another nice point is the short wait time.

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Taishu Yakiniku Sakaba Kemusuke Yamagata Ekimae Ten is an izakaya centered on Yakiniku, about a 5-minute walk from the East Exit of Yamagata Station.

Most of the seating is at tables. Filled with smoke and lively energy, it is a casual place where you can enjoy Yakiniku without putting on airs.

Photograph:マサ君

The specialty "Aka" is a dish of juicy Horumon paired with a secret sauce.

The soy sauce based sauce is known for its bold seasoning. It goes great not only with rice but also with beer and lemon sour.

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"Yamagata-gyu (Yamagata beef) Ichigo Ichie assortment 260g" is an assortment centered on Yamagata-gyu, along with the day's recommended cuts.

Among them, the "Yamagata-gyu Shimofuri Karubi" stands out for its fine texture and good balance of marbling. They recommend enjoying it with wasabi or salt.

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Special Wagyu Yakiniku HANAka is located about 15 minutes by car from Yamagata Station, and it also has parking.

The interior has a calm atmosphere, creating a space where you can enjoy your meal at a relaxed pace. With antique-style table seating and Sunken kotatsu seating with the warmth of wood, it is easy to use for different occasions.

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At this restaurant, the owner, who knows Yakiniku well, mainly serves Yamagata-gyu (Yamagata beef) that he has carefully selected.

One of the top recommendations is the "Yamagata-gyu Chateaubriand," known for its melt-in-your-mouth texture. It has a great balance of lean meat flavor and high-quality fat, and many people pair it with wine.

Photograph:休日料理人

The "Yamagata-gyu (Yamagata beef) Premium Assortment Lunch 150g" is a lunch set that lets you compare filet, Special tongue, and Special cuts. It comes with a well-balanced assortment of lean cuts and richer marbled meat.

The main meat platter comes with labels explaining (Each) cut, which guests say makes it easy to understand even for Yakiniku beginners.

Photograph:すみログちゃんねる

Yonezawa Gyu Yakiniku Sakano, located in the Yonezawa area about 5 minutes by car from Yonezawa Station, is a restaurant where you can enjoy Yonezawa beef as Yakiniku or steak.

The interior centers on partitioned box seats and fully private rooms, creating a calm Japanese style space with the warmth of wood.

Photograph:メラメラブーメラン

The signature Nikujiru Negi Negi Beef Tongue Shio is a carefully made dish of green onions wrapped in Beef Tongue.

Grilling the green onions brings out their sweetness and makes the flavor even richer. Diners say the tender texture of the tongue and its juicy umami fill your mouth.

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If you want to try a variety of cuts little by little, the assortment menu is a great choice.

The "Yonezawa-gyu (Yonezawa beef) assortment" in the photo comes with five kinds of meat, including lightly grilled shabu-shabu style loin and kalbi (short rib). You can enjoy comparing cuts with different textures and rich flavors.

Photograph:j-i-r-o-r-i-a-n

Togashi Nikuya Tsuruoka Ten, about a 9-minute drive from Uzen-Oyama Station in the Shonai Heiya (Shonai Plain) area, is a Yakiniku restaurant run by the meat wholesaler Togashi Seinikuten.

The calm interior offers table seating, raised tatami seating, and Semi-private room seating.

Photograph:j-i-r-o-r-i-a-n

In addition to Domestic beef such as Yamagata-gyu (Yamagata beef), this restaurant offers a wide range of meats, including pork, chicken, and Horumon.

The photo shows the "Minna de Waiwai assortment." It comes with a well-balanced assortment of beef, pork, and chicken, making it easy for anyone to enjoy, whatever their preference may be.

Photograph:j-i-r-o-r-i-a-n

This is the classic Yakiniku dish "Premium Salted Beef Tongue."

It is said to be light yet juicy, with just the right amount of springiness. This dish lets you fully enjoy the texture and rich flavor that make Beef Tongue so special.

Photograph:j-i-r-o-r-i-a-n

Izakaya Aburichaya, a 1-minute walk from Tsuruoka Station, is an izakaya known for its charcoal grilled dishes made with Shonai (area in Yamagata) ingredients. Along with grilled Shonai pork, Yamagata jidori (local chicken breed from Yamagata), and prefecture-produced beef, they also offer Horumon and seafood.

Inside, the restaurant has table seating, zashiki (tatami seating), and Semi-private room options. Even though it is right by the station, it has a calm atmosphere.

Photograph:machato0208nari

The "Tarafuku assortment" is a very hearty plate loaded with Shonai-buta (Shonai pork) short rib, beef Outside skirt, chicken thigh, and more.

By grilling it slowly over charcoal, it turns nicely browned on the outside while staying moist inside. The sweetness of the special Yakiniku sauce brings out the meat's rich flavor.

Photograph:machato0208nari

In addition to sumibiyaki (charcoal grilling), the restaurant also offers izakaya-style dishes like sashimi and fried items.

The photo shows hirame (olive flounder) ozukuri (sashimi-style slices). Hirame, which is in season in winter, has firm, springy flesh and a gentle sweetness.

Photograph:j-i-r-o-r-i-a-n

Yakiniku Shabu-shabu Hirata Bokujō Sakata Ten is a Yakiniku restaurant run directly by Hirata Bokujō, which was founded in 1964. It is about a 10-minute drive from Sakata Station, and it also has parking.

The calm interior offers table seating, Sunken kotatsu seating, and Private rooms.

Photograph:harubekky

The Yakiniku at this restaurant mainly features pork. They use "Kinka-ton (Kinka pork)" and "Sangen-ton (three-way crossbred pork)," both raised at Hirata Farm.

"Kinka-ton" is known for its delicate texture and refined sweetness. "Sangen-ton" is said to have rich, high quality fat that melts on the tongue.

Photograph:harubekky

This is the “Horumon assortment,” plated with four kinds: korikori (a crunchy cut), Outside skirt, liver, and Heart.

It lets you compare the different textures and flavors of each cut. The freshness, made possible by the ranch's direct operation, is also one of the highlights.

Photograph:なおliebeしろくま

Yakiniku Danran Sajiro, located about 3 minutes by car from Sagae Station, is a Yakiniku restaurant with a wide selection of Special meats, centered on Yamagata-gyu (Yamagata beef).

The interior has a homey atmosphere where you can relax without feeling formal. It offers Sunken kotatsu seating and Private rooms available for groups of 6 or more.

Photograph:syouwakan

The "Kami Sajiro Set" is an assortment that comes with Yamagata-gyu (Yamagata beef) Premium Kalbi or Yamagata-gyu hanger steak, Yamagata-gyu Premium Loin, Premium Salted Tongue, and vegetables.

Each cut is said to be tender, with a rich sweetness in the fat. In addition to the tare sauce, it is also recommended to change up the flavor with salt or garlic.

Photograph:hime031

In addition to A la carte orders, the restaurant offers a wide range of options, including All you can eat courses and lunch menus.

The photo shows the "Sajiro lunch with Yamagata-gyu (Yamagata beef) and whole head-on shrimp." It is well regarded for its hearty volume and for letting you enjoy a variety of meats little by little.

Photograph:www.doom.now.cc

About 8 minutes by car from Tendo-Minami Station. Yakiniku and Sundubu Chego Tendo Ten in the Tendo area serves Yakiniku and authentic Korean food.

The interior has a warm and calm feel with a wood-based design, and all seats are in Private rooms.

Photograph:saituuu333

"Thick Cut Premium Salted Beef Tongue" is a dish of Beef Tongue cut to about 1 cm thick and marinated in a special sauce.

Despite its substantial thickness, it is said to be juicy and tender.

Photograph:syouwakan

The signature "sundubu-nabe (soft tofu Hot Pot) (pork short rib)" is a menu item that combines pork short rib with 10 ingredients including vegetables and tofu.

You can choose the spice level to suit your taste. If you are not good with spicy food, the mildly spicy option with kimchi on the side is recommended.