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When it comes to meat, grilling it to perfection is one of the most satisfying ways to enjoy it. In Japan, this love for grilled meat comes to life through yakiniku, a style of Japanese barbecue where marinated meats are cooked over an open flame and dipped in savoury sauces. If you're planning a barbecue party with friends and family but aren’t sure which yakiniku cuts to serve, we’ve got you covered with the best options that are sure to impress your guests.
What is Yakiniku?
So, what is yakiniku all about? The yakiniku meaning is just literally ‘grilled meat. It is a Japanese style of grilled meat where diners have to grill their own meat at a table in restaurants. You can also get your own portable grill and cook them yourself at your own home or preferred location. The meat often includes different sizes of beef, chicken or lamb. Those who enjoy self-cooking would often find themselves craving the yakiniku experience, especially meat lovers.
While eating the meat, there will be special tasty sauces to dip in, too. However, it’s not just about the meat - it’s the quality of each cut. Most yakiniku restaurants also offer quality meat slices to offer an authentic, premium experience.
9 Best Meat for Yakiniku
1. Wagyu Beef (Ribeye or Striploin)
Without a doubt, wagyu beef, such as ribeye or striploin, is the best meat for barbecue. This type of meat is favoured by meat lovers thanks to the rich, marbled texture. Have you ever heard someone mention how the meat melts in their mouths? Yup - it must've been wagyu beef! However, this type of yakiniku meat is also known to be more expensive than the rest, so if you have the budget, go for it! It’s worth every penny as it's packed with juiciness and flavour.
2. Beef Karubi (Short Rib)
Another popular yakiniku meat is the beef karubi, also known as short rib. They typically consist of more fat than the other types of meat, but they grill well. The best part of the beef karubi is how you can eat it plain without any marinade or sauce - it tastes just as good! However, if you prefer to marinate it, the taste will be even more delicious.
3. Beef Tongue (Gyutan)
Although it may not be as common as other meats, beef tongue is great for yakiniku due to its thin slices. They have a chewy texture and are usually lightly seasoned with lemon or salt. One of the best tips we can recommend is to grill this meat first to savour the unique taste. If you grill it after the other meats, the flavour may be mixed together.
4. Pork Belly (Buta Bara)
The pork belly, or buta bara, is also a popular meat for yakiniku. Although it has high fat content, the flavour is rich when grilled as the layers of both fat and meat are blended together. The fat part is usually crispy, but when you bite into it, the juices tend to flow. You can enjoy it on its own or marinate it with your preferred sauce.
5. Pork Collar
If you’re not a fan of pork belly, another great alternative is the pork collar. When grilled correctly, you can really taste how tender it is. A simple marinade should do the trick, such as with salt and pepper. Those who are not keen on eating fatty meat will enjoy a similar taste when eating the pork collar.
6. Chicken Thigh
Chicken thigh is a well-loved yakiniku meat thanks to its rich flavour. Compared to chicken breast, it’s more juicy and doesn’t make you feel too overwhelmed. You can also play around with the marinade, such as the usual BBQ flavour or throw in a few herbs and spices. They can also be grilled pretty quickly, so it won’t take too much time.
7. Chicken Wings (Tebasaki)
Chicken wings remain a staple, no matter if they are grilled or not. The skin of the chicken wings tends to be slightly crispy, but it offers a rich flavour once it’s been grilled. They typically go well with honey soy sauce or BBQ. There may be people in your barbecue party who can’t eat other meat besides chicken, so having these would be ideal.
8. Lamb Shoulder or Lamb Loin
Besides beef and chicken, lamb is also a favoured meat for yakiniku. It adds a bit of variety to your barbecue party as it also offers a rich and earthy flavour. However, do remember to thinly slice them so that you can grill them properly. Throw in some herbs or garlic marinades to enhance the lamb flavour. Don’t forget to also include mint sauce to add some extra kick!
9. Seafood (Prawns, Scallops, Fish or Squid)
Of course, those who can’t eat meat too much can enjoy seafood too! Seafood are the best barbecue meat, and seafood also tastes more flavorful when grilled. Seafood like fish, prawns and squid tends to have a light and fresh taste compared to meats, offering a diverse palette for your barbecue party.
Conclusion
If you plan on hosting a barbecue party, you can’t miss out on the best yakiniku meat to serve your guests and yourself as well! These meats are perfect for your party, no matter the number of pax.
To easily get your ingredients and a hassle free yakiniku experience, order your meat from The Meat Club’s Yakiniku collection! You can find most of these cuts in our collections. Do browse our other collections as well for a variety of meat selections.
Hire BBQ Catering Singapore with The Meat Club Today!
Prefer to have a complete barbecue party package? Leave it all in the hands of The Meat Club’s BBQ Party Catering! We’ll have the ingredients ready, just leave us a message with all the requirements you need and we’ll make sure you got the freshest meat and veggies ready!