The Manual Guide to Kobe Beef

By Ann Binlot December 5, 2014

manual guide kobe beef sam 0523 lr — Image used with permission by copyright holder

At around $300 to $400 a serving, Kobe beef is one of the rarest and most expensive cuts of meat on the market, but what many people don’t know is that the USDA lifted the ban and that the legal importation of authentic Kobe beef from Japan only began recently, and on top of that, only a select handful of restaurants in the United States, including New York’s Empire Steakhouse are authorized to serve it.

So what is the big deal about Kobe beef? “It’s very tender, it’s very juicy, and it’s like eating marshmallow steak,” said Empire Steakhouse owner and executive chef Jack Sinanj. “It’s very soft. It’s not an everyday steak.” The cow has to be raised in Japan, where it is fattened with beer — who knew that drunk cows could produce such tasty steak? Each piece of Kobe beef that’s imported to the United States also comes with a certificate of authentication with the cow’s nose print on it. “It says who is the father, who is the mother,” said Sinanj. “You know the name of the cow and the parents.”

The steak, which Sinanj says should be cooked medium rare, is so soft that it doesn’t even need a steak knife. When you finally take that bite, it melts in your mouth like butter. Sinanj also suggests that you pair it with a good bottle of red wine and sides like the Empire Steakhouse’s creamed spinach. So next time you go to a restaurant and see something on the menu that is labeled as Kobe beef, think twice — you may not be getting what you ordered.

For more information, visit empiresteakhousenyc.com.

Editors' Recommendations

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Ann Binlot is a New York-based freelance writer who contributes to publications like The Economist, Wallpaper*, Monocle…

Food & Drink

How to cook ribs in the oven: A step-by-step guide

Don't have a smoker? Don't fret — an oven can be an excellent tool for fall-off-the-bone ribs

Ribs cooking in the oven

Who doesn't love mouthwatering rib recipes? But there is an age-old question that needs to be answered if you don’t have a grill: Can you cook ribs in the oven? The answer is simple: Yes, you can. After all, you can use your oven for so much more than baking. You can cook bacon in the oven, cook ham in the oven, or even, yes, cook steak in the oven.

We used to think that ribs were only properly prepared if they were cooked in one of the best smokers or on the grill (sometimes first placed in a slow cooker), ideally over a long period of time. However, when circumstances (time constraints, lack of tools or space, etc.) don’t allow for these methods, you can cook some fall-off-the-bone ribs in a conventional oven.

Food & Drink

Load up on high-fiber foods: Your guide to getting enough fiber in your diet

Learn about fiber-rich foods and how to get plenty daily

Fiber in beans

"You need more fiber in your diet." How often has your doctor, nutritionist, or mom told you that? You probably know you need fiber, but do you understand why it’s so important?

The kind of soluble fiber that you find in grains, fruits, and veggies is best known for keeping you regular. You’re not as likely to suffer tummy problems or experience constipation if you constantly eat fiber-rich foods. While this is an essential component of healthy living, fiber has many benefits beyond regular, healthy bowel movements. Fiber also helps you maintain a healthy weight and reduces your risk for certain diseases.

Food & Drink

Rum 101: An enthusiast’s guide to understanding the different types of rum

After you read this rum guide, you'll know which are your favorites

Rum's importance in the grand history of American drinking stretches back to before the U.S. became a country. Rum was a necessity in the Colonial days, both as an item for trade and as one of the primary means of getting good and wasted. When the country was just getting on its feet, whiskey as we know it hadn't quite made an impact yet. That left, rum and hard cider, and other imports.

Nowadays, rum is crafted in many parts of the globe, with producers employing traditional rum-making methods and a multitude of blending and aging techniques. Given its strong influence in the world, it’s important to know what rum is, how it’s made, as well as the different types of rum that are available out there.