Wagyu

noun

Wa·​gyu ˈwä-(ˌ)gyü 

variants or less commonly wagyu

plural Wagyu also wagyu

1

: any of four strains of a breed of black or red Japanese cattle valued for their highly marbled meat

In the U.S., Japanese Wagyu cows have been crossbred with those of other breeds to produce unsurpassably tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef.

—Saveur

Note: Wagyu were developed in Japan in the late 1800s to 1910 by crossbreeding native cattle with European breeds.

2

or Wagyu beef or less commonly wagyu beef : beef from Wagyu cattle

The surface of my Wagyu was intricately laced with delicate veins of off-white fat—by laboratory measurement, three times more marbling fat than U.S. prime-grade beef, though with slightly less cholesterol.

—Jeffrey Steingarten

Wagyu beef is tender and flavorful because of its intramuscular fat, or marbling.

—Sam Gugino

compare kobe beef

Examples of Wagyu in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The burgers listed below, which range from sliders and smash versions to gourmet Wagyu sandwiches, start as low as $4 apiece and range up to $22 for the sit-down restaurant varieties, which usually come with fries. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 May 2024

The wine and sake pairing features Japanese winemakers working in France, rare sakes and a Bordeaux blend perfectly selected for the delicate, buttery A5 Miyazaki Wagyu beef course. —Pat Saperstein, Variety, 22 May 2024

The Ruxton serves nine different cuts of steak and a mixture of dry- and wet-aged meats, from a 6-ounce filet mignon to a 32-ounce porterhouse to a 36-ounce Wagyu tomahawk. —Amanda Yeager, Baltimore Sun, 28 Feb. 2024

Catch is one of the few places on the planet that’s certified to sell authentic True A5 Kobe, the highest grade of Wagyu beef. —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 6 May 2024

Look for dishes like Wagyu gyoza ($22); the White Lotus sushi roll ($26), made with popcorn shrimp tempura, avocado, asparagus, tuna and wasabi truffle soy; cauliflower ($15) with red dates and pine nuts; and Chilean seabass with truffle miso ($47). —Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 2 May 2024

Entrees include berry french toast, crab Benedict, filet medallions, sauteed salmon, Wagyu steak and eggs, and Duroc pork chop. —Journal Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2024

At a recent Pizzeria Sei test tasting, toppings ranged from California-roll-inspired to decadent potato and caviar to silky Wagyu beef tongue. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2024

But also don’t skip on the street food section of the menu, which features a number of creative yet more casual dishes: think Wagyu beef quesadillas, bao buns, and bite-sized croque monsieurs with ham and mozzarella cheese. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Japanese wagyū, from wa "Japan, Japanese" + gyū "cattle, cow"

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Wagyu

• Wagyu beef