If you were to dine at a high-class or fine-dining establishment, you might browse the menu and come across the terms “Wagyu beef” or “Kobe beef.” What’s the difference between them? Are these terms somehow synonymous or just related?

Wagyu beef originates from Japan. The word “Wagyu” roughly translates into English as “Japanese cow.” This high-grade, special beef is a delicacy with unparalleled texture, tenderness, and flavor. All Kobe beef is a form of Wagyu beef, but the same cannot be said the other way. More or less, “Wagyu” is an umbrella term that defines a variety of beef that comes from the four notable breeds of Japanese cattle. Does that make sense? To provide greater clarity, let’s examine Wagyu vs. Kobe beef and the differences explained here.

Kobe Beef: Specific Origins and Rigid Quality Control

Certified Kobe beef must meet a strict set of criteria to qualify as the highest quality beef. Cattle must be purebred Tajima-Gyu with written certification of their pedigree. Kobe beef is a subset of Wagyu that comes directly from the region around Kobe, Japan. The limited availability and high-quality control standards ultimately create a tighter supply of Kobe in the world. Kobe-style beef is common these days, but finding authentic Kobe beef within the U.S. is relatively rare.

Wagyu Beef: Strict Standards With Broader Details

To compare Wagyu vs. Kobe beef, we must explain the differences further. Wagyu beef is a broader term people use to describe beef originating from any of the four purebred Japanese cattle breeds. These prominent breeds include the Japanese Brown, Japanese Black, Japanese Polled, and Japanese Shorthorn. Within the U.S., you can find either crossbred, purebred, or full-blooded Wagyu beef. Beef classified as Wagyu does not necessarily need to come from Japan. Instead, people place a greater emphasis on the pedigree and heritage of the cattle itself due to its invaluable marbling.

If you’re searching for high-quality Wagyu ground beef for sale, turn to Lone Mountain Wagyu. We raise our full-blood Wagyu is raised right here in America on our ranch in New Mexico. Additionally, we offer several delectable selections online, such as our Wagyu ground beef, for making top-notch burgers or classic recipes with a special gourmet twist. Browse our beef collections today. We’ll ship your order right to your front door so you can savor it to the very fullest.