How Expensive Is Wagyu Steak?

how expensive is wagyu steak

Wagyu steak is a popular type of steak that is known to be very expensive. Is it really that expensive, though? How much does wagyu steak cost per pound?

The price of Wagyu beef depends on many factors. For example, the reason why Wagyu is so expensive is that they are considered to produce some of the nicest tasting beef in the entire world.

They are known for their very high percentage of unsaturated fat, which is higher than most other types of steak.

Additionally, Wagyu beef has up to six times as many omega-3 acids than common beef.

It’s not just the taste that makes Wagyu so expensive though; there are also environmental factors that come into play.

Wagyu breeds eat about four pounds of feed for every one pound of meat they produce.

In comparison, other breeds only need about two pounds of feed for every pound of meat produced.

All of this is part of the reason why Wagyu is so much more pricey than traditional types of beef.

So now that you know some background information on wagyu, how much does a pound of Wagyu steak cost?

Let’s find out…

Just How Much Does Wagyu Steak Cost?

It’s no secret that Wagyu steak is the most expensive steak that money can buy. Unless you’re talking about gold flaked steak (which really doesn’t exist), then Wagyu has you beat without question.

So, how much does a pound of Wagyu beef cost? Depending on the version and cut, it will usually run for about $100 per pound.

On the other hand, if you’re not satisfied with just eating steak all day long, you could go for the more luxurious version of Wagyu, known as Kobe beef.

Kobe beef usually runs for about $200 per pound!

That’s right, it costs twice as much as normal Wagyu beef. For that much money, though, you should expect to have a very luxurious meal.

How Much Does Wagyu Steak Cost At A Restaraunt?

If you visit some luxurious steakhouse that happens to have Wagyu on the menu, then expect your wallet to take a hit.

The price of Wagyu steak is largely going to depend on which restaurant you buy from, as well as what cut you choose.

For example, The Strip House in New York sells the most expensive type of Wagyu steak at $180 per pound. This cut is known as Chateaubriand.

If you want to go for the name-brand version instead (which is actually cheaper), then head over to Old Homestead Steakhouse. Here, you can get your hands on the A5 Wagyu Chateaubriand for only $95 per pound!

The most expensive steak (not cut) that I was able to find is at Morton’s Steakhouse. Here, you get their double-cut porterhouse topped with gold flakes, which runs for $2,700 per steak!

Thankfully most steakhouses that have Wagyu on their menu will not cost $2,700 per steak! (phew!)

The average price of a Wagyu steak in the US is around $150 – $200 per pound.

So although it’s going to be an expensive meal, it’s one of the best that you’ll ever have.

Why Is Wagyu Steak So Expensive?

There are a couple of reasons why Wagyu steak is so expensive. First, Wagyu beef has a very high percentage of unsaturated fat (higher than most other types of steak) and also contains a high amount of omega-3 acids.

Second, Wagyu breeds eat about four pounds of feed for every one pound of meat they produce.

In comparison, other breeds only need about two pounds of feed for every pound of meat produced.

All of this is part of the reason why Wagyu is so much more pricey than traditional types of beef.

Wagyu cattle are looked after beyond belief, the rearing method is what makes this steak so pricey.

In Japan, to qualify for the Wagyu mark the cattle must meet strict criteria which include:

  • Grow up to 700kg, which typically takes about 3 years, instead of 15-months.
  • All Wagyu steak can be traced back to a farm.
  • Calves are fed in a special way, to ensure the meat has plenty of marbling.
  • Brushed with a stiff brush to increase blood circulation.
  • And more…

These are just some of the criteria that need to be met in order to receive the Wagyu mark, there are many more.

So why is Wagyu beef so expensive? Not only do you receive a high-quality product, but you know traceability and moral production practices too (typically).

How To Find Fair Priced Wagyu Steak

Finding Wagyu steak that is reasonably priced is not very difficult. It’s only extremely pricey in certain places, like steakhouses or high-end outlets.

For example, if you live in the USA then Walmart is widely considered to be the place to buy Wagyu beef at a time.

The reason for this is that they sell Australian Wagyu beef – which has all of the health benefits of Wagyu but is significantly cheaper.

So if you’re looking for a steak that tastes great and won’t break the bank (as much as usual!) then head over to Walmart!

Now some of you may say that “Walmart isn’t known for their luxury goods” so how about some other options?

You could try buying online. Often shopping online will result in finding cheaper Wagyu meat than you would in the local vicinity.

For example, Wagyu USA sells Wagyu steaks online and they also happen to be extremely affordable.

Their Kobe-style steak is priced far lower than their Japanese counterpart (Kobe beef), as well as halal/kosher cattle too!

So for those of you looking for Wagyu steak at a low price, buying online is definitely your best option.

If it’s not in the budget to buy Wagyu steak every night of the week then don’t worry.

You can always try grilling some beef fillet (or sirloin) and marinating it in either miso or teriyaki sauce.

Both of these sauces have a sweet, salty, and zesty flavor that will make your regular steak seem like Wagyu.

So instead of spending a small fortune on wagyu steak why not try grilling it up at home with some delicious recipes to get maximum flavor?

Finally, if you’re still not happy with how much something is then remember that you can always suggest a cheaper price.

This may seem like an obvious point but it’s often overlooked!

Wagyu is a one-off for many of us, and not something that can be eaten on a regular basis.

Can You Buy Wagyu Steak In Supermarkets?

Wagyu can be found in some supermarkets, yes. But it’s not Wagyu steak that you’ll find – just the meat itself.

For example, if you were to buy some Wagyu beef then it will cost significantly more than traditional types of beef due to being a high-quality product.  

But if you wanted to get your hands on Wagyu steak then you would need to know where to look.

The best option is usually searching online, where retailers will often sell their meats at a reasonable price (and for higher quality too).

As with any type of meat, Wagyu beef will slowly lose its quality if it’s kept in the freezer for too long.

So refrain from buying larger quantities than you need at once to avoid wastage, and always defrost your meat before cooking it.

Other Considerations

It’s worth keeping in mind that there’s a difference between Wagyu and Kobe beef.

Both of these types of meat originate from Japan, and it’s hard to determine which is more popular.

But Wagyu steak tends to be significantly less expensive than Kobe beef for varying reasons (including the farming process).

It should also be noted that Veal isn’t related to Wagyu at all.

Due to the similar-sounding names, many people assume that veal is a type of beef.

But it’s actually pale and tender meat from young calves – and is often used in cooking due to its tenderness.

So if you’re looking for an alternative to Wagyu steak then try out veal.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this post has answered your question of how expensive is Wagyu steak?

It’s not surprising that this is a luxury product that can be quite expensive.

But you have a few different options to choose from, and also some other alternatives if prices are too high for your budget.

This is a steak like no other so I highly recommend giving it a try, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

However, be sure not to put yourself under any financial strain just to try this steak.

I’ve only had this steak a couple of times and each time was for a celebration, so I don’t eat it regularly.

I hope you enjoyed this article and have learned something about the price of Wagyu steak today.

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