Deriving from the words grilled (yaki) and meat (niku), yakiniku is the incredible Japanese BBQ dining experience. With the selected meats cooked right in front of you, it takes you on a journey with all your senses. While the Korean counterpart, the almighty Korean BBQ, may be slightly more popular in Hong Kong, don’t underestimate the power of the Japanese barbecue.
With beef being flown in from around the world, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, you have the opportunity to enjoy some of the best Wagyu and premium meats, all from the comfort of Hong Kong! Beef might be the star of the show, but the supporting characters are also equally important. Yakiniku restaurants are centralized in Tsim Sha Tsui and HK Island, especially Sheung Wan and Causeway Bay, and it can be hard to know which ones are the most value for money. Whether it’s the seafood, vegetables, sake, or wine, the following list of incredible yakiniku restaurants in Hong Kong provide you with the full yakiniku experience.
Yakiniku Sakaba 燒肉酒場 — Causeway Bay
Specializing in the “Genghis Khan roast meat”, this spot is a must try for all yakiniku enthusiasts! It has a special arched grill pan with vegetables placed around the roasting pan and the gravy of the meat tenderising them. Truly scrumptious! There is mutton sourced from New Zealand thus losing lamb’s sometimes characteristic fragrance that some don’t enjoy. The assorted platters of lamb, beef, and Wagyu are priced from HK$268 to HK$398. They also offer a range of other items such as pork, chicken, beef and seafood. Their homemade shouchu is a must add-on, as well.
10/F, Circle Tower, 28 Tang Lung Street, Causeway Bay | +852 8481 9684
Yakiniku More 牛魔 — Tsim Sha Tsui
Meat aficionados everywhere – you must try this hot favourite in Tsim Sha Tsui. They specialize in high-quality Wagyu beef from United States, Japan, and Australia. It is known to be fresh, juicy and tender, some of the best in town! Sets for two are priced from HK$650 to HK$750, which include side dishes, tofu salad, two to four cuts of meat, and assorted mains like spicy tofu seafood soup or kimchi pancake. Their barbecue grills are designed to be smoke-free and there is a self-service beer tap system which makes for an amazing dining experience! If you are tired of meat, you can try their salads or rice and noodles, specifically their tofu salad with sesame sauce and urchin noodles.
Shop 5-6, G/F, 8 Minden Ave, Tsim Sha Tsui | +852 2750 8800
Yakiniku Kakura 黃埔天地聚寶坊 — Causeway Bay, Hung Hom
The popular Japanese brand from Saga is in Hong Kong. After their success in their Hung Hom location, they also opened their Causeway Bay restaurant. With soft lighting, comfortable seating and the traditional style, you are transported to Japan. They are known for serving A5 Kuroge Wagyu from Kyushu (individually ordered cuts range from HK$188 to 598), but all the parts of the meat are delicious! The brisket and belly are soft and rich while the ribs had finely distributed fat and tender meat. If beef isn’t your jam, you have options of chicken, pork, seafood and many more!
Hung Hom: Shop G1&G3, G/F, Treasure World (Site 11), The Whampoa | +852 2816 2916
Causeway Bay: Shop 101-102, 1/F, Tower 535, 535 Jaffe Rd | +852 2803 2138
Wa Shou Yakiniku 和匠日式燒肉店 — Jordan
If you are looking for good Japanese BBQ in Jordan, look no further than Wa Shou Yakiniku. Their carefully selected, high quality Wagyu beef, marinated in their special secret sauce is an absolute delight. À la carte cuts range from HK$1,680 for US Prime Grade Karubi to HK$660 for A4 Wagyu ribeye. You get to cook your own meat under the watchful eye of the BBQ master, who will provide the tips and tricks of the trade. Another signature dish is their Myanmar tiger prawn, which is huge! It is bigger than a typical tiger prawn so takes up to 12-20 minutes to cook, but is best consumed without any additional seasoning. The original flavours and texture are chewy and juicy and fresh!
Shop 3, G/F, Tak Wai Building, 23-27 Cheong Lok St, Jordan | +852 2264 8928
Akune Wagyu Tachikui Yakinikumise 阿久根和牛立燒店 — Mong Kok
As one of Hong Kong’s first Japanese BBQ restaurants Akune Wagyu Tachikui Yakinikumise is a must visit! It has the classic dark wooden sliding doors and red lanterns. You have the option of ordering by the piece and the cuts are super affordable ranging from the higher end of A4 and A5 Wagyu beef (HK$2.80 to HK$3.20 per gram) to briskets, shoulders, and chucks. This is considered a “standing” restaurant, i.e. bar seats only, so its best if you go alone or with one other person. Perfect for a quick, easy, and not astronomically priced Japanese barbecue. Is the first yakiniku the best yakiniku in Hong Kong? Try it for yourself and chime in on the debate.
Shop 8, G/F, Ngai Hing Mansion, Pak Po St, Mong Kok | +852 2697 6988
Meat Cuisine Hiro 肉料理廣 — Causeway Bay
Since 2006, this joint in Causeway Bay has been serving exceptional meat, first as Iroha and then under new leadership as Meat Cuisine Hiro. They are most known for the prized Hida beef also known as “Hida-gyu“. It comes from the black-haired Japanese cattle breed and is considered by many to be the ideal Wagyu due to its intense marbling. For a full experience, Set C (HK$1,180 for two diners) is a great choice as you are able to try 16 different parts of A5 Hida and the menu explains the process, along with side dishes. To top it all off, you have the sesame ice cream!
2/F, Jardine Center, 50 Jardine’s Bazaar, Causeway Bay | +852 2882 9877
Japanese Wagyu Yakiniku Pure 和牛燒肉‧純 — Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui
With outlets in Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay, you can get your dose of Japanese Wagyu Yakiniku Pure, no matter which side of the harbour you’re on. This restaurant specializes in not just one type and origin of meat, instead, sourcing Wagyu from across Japan. You can select the part of and quality of beef, and enjoy the cooking process right in front of you! While it could be considered on the expensive side (lunch sets start at HK$170 for two meats, soup, rice, and salad), nothing can beat the taste of the melt in your mouth Wagyu. This is considered by many as the best yakiniku in Hong Kong – so what are you wating for?
15/F, Henry House, 42 Yun Ping Rd, Causeway Bay | +852 2807 0103
Nice Yakiniku & Fine Wine 佳牛美酒 — Causeway Bay
It’s all in the name – perfectly grilled meats and a curated wine list are enough to make anyone happy! The restaurant is on the smaller size, with 16 bar seats and two private rooms, so it would make for a great celebration spot as long as you book in advance. The menu is seasonal and does change but it is known to not disappoint. The 10-dish Signature Menu is priced at HK$1,280 per person, while à la carte Wagyu starts at HK$158 for Wagyu curry rice/udon. They also have an exceptional wine list and you should order ahead so that they can decant it for you to achieve the best tasting result.
7/F, Aura on Pennington, 66 Jardine’s Bazaar, Causeway Bay | +852 2886 4838
Yakiniku Shin 燒肉臻 — Tsim Sha Tsui
Yakiniku Shin will transport you to Japan with their sake vending machine that has over 18 kinds of sake! For just $248, you can have a 90-minute all-you-can-drink package. The food is also incredible as they serve a number of different beef, seafood, and vegetables. The potato salad is a particularly great side dish, salty, savoury and spicy all in one. For grilling, you can’t miss the beef cuts, specifically the A4 Wagyu, and the pork ribs. The seven-tier assorted beef set is priced at HK$330 and the assorted pork set is HK$198.
Shop 102, 1/F, Multifield Plaza, 3-7A Prat Ave, Tsim Sha Tsui | +852 2518 3828
Header image credits: Akune Wagyu Tachikui Yakinikumise
