“How does yakiniku work? I’ve never been to Japanese BBQ.”

You cook your own meat at the table! It’s fun, social, and delicious.

How Yakiniku Works

“What’s the basic system?”

The setup:

• Grill built into your table
• Order raw meat and vegetables
• Cook it yourself
• Dip in sauce and eat

It’s interactive – part of the fun is cooking together!

What to Order

“What should I try?”

Popular cuts:

• Karubi – Beef short rib, fatty and flavorful
• Harami – Skirt steak, popular choice
• Tan – Beef tongue (try it!)
• Rosu – Loin, leaner
• Horumon – Offal/intestines (for adventurous eaters)

Also order:

• Rice
• Vegetables (onions, mushrooms)
• Kimchi
• Salad

How to Cook

“Any tips for cooking?”

Cooking tips:

• Don’t overcook – medium is often best
• Flip once
• Cook tongue thin slices quickly
• Fat drips cause flames – move meat if needed
• Use tongs, not chopsticks for raw meat

All-You-Can-Eat

“What about tabehodai?”

All-you-can-eat (tabehodai):

• Fixed price, unlimited meat
• Usually 90 minutes
• Good value for big eaters
• Quality varies – check reviews

Popular chains: Gyukaku, Stamina-en

What Japanese People Actually Do

Most locals:

• Go with friends or family
• Order variety of cuts to share
• Know how to cook each cut
• End with rice or noodles

Extra Travel Tips

1. Ventilation – Your clothes will smell like BBQ

2. Drinks – Beer and yakiniku are best friends

3. Lunch sets – Cheaper than dinner

4. Ask staff – They’ll help if you’re unsure

5. Reservation – Helpful for popular places

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