Kagoshima A5 Japanese Wagyu

Japanese A5 Wagyu is renowned around the world for its exceptional marbling, tenderness and rich, deeply savoury flavour. But what exactly makes A5 Wagyu so special, and what makes the Wagyu we stock at Meat at Billy’s different?

Our Kagoshima A5 Japanese Wagyu comes directly from Kagoshima, Japan. It is 100% Fullblood A5 Japanese Black Wagyu, 650+ days grain fed, with the fine SASHI marbling and rich UMAMI that Japanese Wagyu is prized for.

What is Japanese Wagyu?

Wagyu simply means Japanese cattle, but when people talk about premium Japanese Wagyu, they are generally referring to beef from Japan’s recognised Wagyu breeds.

Our Kagoshima Wagyu comes from Japanese Black cattle, known in Japan as Kuroge Washu. Japanese Black is particularly renowned for its ability to develop the intricate marbling that gives Wagyu its distinctive texture and flavour.

What does A5 Wagyu mean?

When you see A5, you’re looking at Japan’s beef grading system.

The letter refers to yield grade, while the number refers to meat quality. A5 is the highest combination of yield and meat quality.

Meat quality takes into account factors including marbling, meat colour and brightness, firmness and texture, and the quality of the fat.

For us, though, the grade only tells part of the story. The real pleasure of A5 Wagyu is what happens when you eat it.

What is SASHI?

One of the defining characteristics of Japanese Wagyu is its intricate intramuscular marbling, known as SASHI.

Rather than large seams of fat running through the meat, SASHI is made up of fine threads and flecks of fat distributed throughout the muscle.

As the beef cooks, that fat begins to render, creating the incredibly rich, buttery texture and deep flavour associated with A5 Wagyu.

It’s also why A5 Wagyu is so different from a conventional steak.

It is exceptionally rich, so you don’t need a large portion to enjoy it.

Why Kagoshima Wagyu?

Kagoshima is located on Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost main island, and has a long history of producing high-quality Wagyu.

The Kagoshima region is particularly well known for its Japanese Black cattle and highly marbled beef.

Our Kagoshima A5 Wagyu is 100% Fullblood Japanese Black Wagyu, direct from Kagoshima, Japan. It is 650+ days grain fed and selected for the fine SASHI, rich UMAMI and tenderness that make this style of Wagyu so sought after.

Why do we cut our A5 Wagyu so thin?

This is one of the most important things to understand when buying our Kagoshima A5 Wagyu.

We don’t cut it thin because it’s a lesser steak. We cut it thin because of the amount of marbling in the beef.

Our A5 Wagyu sirloin is cut approximately 1.3mm to 4mm thick, depending on the cut.

At this thickness, you can cook the Wagyu very quickly over high heat. The marbling renders almost immediately, creating beautifully browned edges and an incredibly rich, tender mouthfeel.

It’s a very different experience from cooking a thick sirloin steak.

How to cook A5 Wagyu

We recommend using a flat grill, hot plate or heavy-based pan rather than an open grill.

A5 Wagyu contains so much marbling that cooking it over an open flame can cause flare-ups as the fat renders. You also risk losing that beautiful fat straight into the fire instead of keeping it with the meat.

Get your cooking surface very hot and cook the thin slices quickly on both sides, allowing the marbling to begin to render and the surface to brown.

Keep the seasoning simple. A little salt is often all you need, although A5 Wagyu is also fantastic with Japanese-style accompaniments.

A little goes a long way with A5 Wagyu.

Kagoshima A5 Wagyu at Meat at Billy’s

We don’t always have A5 Japanese Wagyu available, and when we do, quantities are limited.

When it arrives, you’ll find our Kagoshima A5 Wagyu in selected cuts, including our thin-cut sirloin, designed specifically to make the most of the beef’s exceptional marbling.

If you’re new to A5 Wagyu, don’t approach it like a regular steak. Buy a smaller amount, get your cooking surface very hot, keep the cooking time short and enjoy the richness.

It’s a very different way of enjoying beef, and one we think is worth experiencing.

– Shop Kagoshima A5 Japanese Wagyu Sirloin

– Shop Kagoshima A5 Japanese Wagyu Rib Fillet

Find more Wagyu options here in our Wagyu Category

Available in limited quantities, subject to stock. Order online for Brisbane delivery or Click & Collect, or check with your local Meat at Billy’s store.