Japanese wagyu isn’t only available in the north — these two hotels and one yakiniku restaurant in the south also serve it

Reported by Huang Shih-yuan / Taipei

After 14 years, Japanese wagyu has finally made its return to Taiwanese foodies. The Regent Taipei was the first to start selling it, with other Taipei hotels also announcing its upcoming availability. But beyond Taipei, friends in the south can also enjoy Japanese wagyu. Currently, Hanshin Hotel’s three restaurants on the 45th floor (teppanyaki, steakhouse, and lobster lounge) began offering premium Japanese wagyu sets on October 2, while Kaohsiung-based yakiniku restaurant Carbonza Mari’s three locations in Kaohsiung and Tainan have also started serving A5 wagyu.


▲ Miyazaki beef introduced by Hanshin Hotel. (Photo / Provided by Hanshin Cuisine)

Hanshin Hotel
The first batch of wagyu at Hanshin Cuisine, located on the 45th floor of Hanshin Hotel across its three restaurants (teppanyaki, steakhouse, and lobster lounge), comes from Miyazaki A5-grade wagyu from Kagoshima. Starting October 2, cuts such as ribeye, tenderloin, and striploin will be available. The steakhouse offers various cuts including grilled Miyazaki wagyu ribeye, grilled Miyazaki wagyu tenderloin, and grilled Miyazaki wagyu sirloin, each starting from 6 ounces, priced between NT$3,580 and NT$4,200.

Importers Meifu Meat Products noted that the first batch of wagyu allowed into Taiwan mainly consists of Miyazaki beef from Kagoshima, with prices per kilogram ranging from NT$4,000 to NT$4,700, all graded as the highest A5 level. Jian Qiwen, store manager of Hanshin Cuisine’s 45th-floor location, mentioned that due to the tight schedule of the first wagyu import, Miyazaki beef was prioritized. Starting next month, other well-known Japanese wagyu varieties such as Omi, Matsusaka, and Kobe will also be introduced, giving foodies more choices.

Address: No. 266, Chenggong 1st Rd., Qianjin District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: (07)216-1766

Carbonza Mari Premium Yakiniku
Carbonza Mari Premium Yakiniku has three branches in Kaohsiung and Tainan, which began selling Japanese A5 wagyu on October 2 and 3 respectively. On its first day of sales, the Kaohsiung branch generously gave the first 10 customers a plate of Japanese wagyu worth NT$1,980, while the two Tainan branches each drew six lucky guests to enjoy a free tasting of the NT$1,980 Japanese wagyu plate. This time, Carbonza Mari imported an entire wagyu, so all cuts are available, with the most affordable being the monk’s head cut at NT$980 per plate.

Kaohsiung Gaomei Branch
Address: No. 562, Dong 4th Rd., Sec. 1, Yishu, Gushan District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: (07)552-6555

Tainan Zhonghua Branch
Address: No. 796, Zhonghua Rd., Yongkang District, Tainan City (near Chi Mei Hospital)
Phone: (06)203-5599

Tainan Fupian Branch
Address: No. 630, Section 2, Fupian Rd., Anping District, Tainan City (diagonally opposite the back entrance of the new city government)
Phone: (06)298-3377

Tainan Regent Hotel
Dubbed “dream beef,” Japanese wagyu has made a strong comeback after a 14-year hiatus. Tainan Regent Hotel has partnered exclusively with Kobe’s “Tei Shin Livestock Co., Ltd.” in Japan and is set to begin serving Japanese wagyu on October 17. Both ROBIN’S Steakhouse Teppanyaki and the Chinese restaurant Jing Ying Xuan at Tainan Regent Hotel will offer it.

Address: No. 1, Heyi Rd., West Central District, Tainan City
Phone: (06)213-6290