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What is Yakiniku?

Grill your own premium cuts at the table — Japan's most social dining experience.

⚡ Bold & Satisfying🥂 Celebration & Splurge🍻 Night Out

Yakiniku is a Japanese style of grilling bite-sized pieces of meat — usually beef — over a charcoal or gas grill built into the dining table. The word means 'grilled meat' (yaki = grill, niku = meat). Diners cook the meat themselves to their preferred doneness and dip it in tare sauce, salt, or lemon. Yakiniku is one of Japan's most popular social dining experiences, perfect for groups, celebrations, and casual nights out.

Types of Yakiniku

Karubi

Short ribs — rich marbling, the most popular yakiniku cut

Harami

Skirt steak — lean, tender, and full of beefy flavor

Tan

Beef tongue — sliced thin, often with salt and lemon

Wagyu

Premium Japanese beef with exceptional marbling — the luxury choice

Horumon

Offal — intestines, tripe, heart — an acquired taste beloved by locals

When to Eat Yakiniku

Yakiniku is the ultimate group dining experience — best with friends, family, or colleagues. It is popular for celebrations, casual nights out, and weekend dinners. The interactive cooking makes it fun and social. In Singapore, yakiniku ranges from $15 budget all-you-can-eat to $200+ premium wagyu experiences.

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Best Yakiniku in Singapore

Fat Cow

Orchard $$$
Premium

Yakiniku-Oh

Orchard $$

Yakiniku-GO

Multiple $

Hitoyoshi Yakiniku

Bukit Timah $$

Wa-En Wagyu Yakiniku

Various $$$
Premium

View All Yakiniku Restaurants →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between yakiniku and Korean BBQ?
Yakiniku emphasizes unmarinated, high-quality meat dipped in sauce after cooking. Korean BBQ often features pre-marinated cuts with different side dishes. Both involve tabletop grilling, but the seasonings and accompaniments differ.
What yakiniku cuts should a beginner try?
Start with karubi (short ribs) for rich flavor and harami (skirt steak) for a leaner option. Beef tongue (tan) with salt and lemon is also a great introduction.
Is yakiniku expensive?
It varies widely. Budget yakiniku chains like Yakiniku-GO offer meals from $15. Mid-range options cost $40-80 per person. Premium wagyu experiences can exceed $200 per person.
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