The 6 Best Places to Buy Kobe or Wagyu Beef Online in 2020

By Brett Moore

Updated 11/14/19

Wagyu beef steaks
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Kobe beef is a very high grade of beef from Japanese cattle raised in Kobe, Japan. Wagyu (the term for Japanese cattle) refers to beef from four specific breeds, wherever they are raised. The genetics, diet, and handling of wagyu create a beef product with a highly desirable flavor and a tenderness that melts in your mouth.

Today, there are several U.S. producers and importers that sell wagyu beef. By USDA definition the cattle must be at least a halfbreed, with one parent from a purebred Japanese cattle bloodline. While importation of Japanese Kobe beef was restricted in past years, it is now allowed, but is subject to a tariff and still hard to find.

  • 01 of 06

    Steaks and Game

    Steaks and Game, a California company, has a huge selection wagyu beef cuts from special Japanese cattle breeds. Most of the company's wagyu is imported from Australia. You can view by cut, marble score, or producer, and choose from a wide range of offerings including ribeye, flank steak, skirt, tenderloin, New York strip, brisket, burgers, ribs, and even wagyu prime rib.

    Use the cut-to-order option to get your steak just as thick or thin as you wish. While most orders ship the same day, the cut-to-order products can take one to three days to process. Sign up for the Grill Club for coupons and special deals.

  • 02 of 06

    Snake River Farms

    Snake River Farms is an Idaho ranch established in 1968 that raises, processes, and sells American wagyu beef to restaurants and consumers. These cattle are a cross of wagyu breeds and Black Angus. This is a common practice for the American market as it produces steaks with the intense marbling of the Japanese breeds and the flavor Americans expect in a steak. The farm sells a full range of cuts, including steaks, roasts, brisket, ribs, burgers, and dogs. In addition, they have "Gold Grade" cuts with their highest marbling level.

    Snake River ships its products frozen via UPS or FedEx, and orders go out the same day if received by 1 p.m. EST. Standard shipping takes one to three days and express shipping takes two days.

  • 03 of 06

    Morgan Ranch

    A third-generation ranch located in the sand hills of Nebraska, Morgan Ranch began raising wagyu cattle in 1992 and prides itself on not administering hormones or non-therapeutic antibiotics to herds. Workers at Morgan Ranch process the beef themselves for sale directly to supermarkets, restaurants, and consumers. The ranch has a full line of Kobe-style wagyu beef products from ribeyes to ground beef, and provides free second-day shipping.

  • 04 of 06

    Allen Brothers

    Established in 1893 in the center of Chicago's Union Stockyards, Allen Brothers has a long history of supplying top-quality beef to Americans. The full line of Kobe-style wagyu beef products includes steaks, ground beef, pastrami, and corned beef brisket. All meats are shipped flash-frozen.

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  • 05 of 06

    DeBragga

    This New York company can provide Miyazaki Kobe-style beef wagyu from Japan. While it is not raised in Kobe, it has won awards for its quality in Japan's National Wagyu Competition. Australian wagyu from producer Sher Wagyu is also available, and American wagyu from Imperial Wagyu Beef in the Midwest is offered. DeBragga's meat is shipped fresh rather than frozen, so all orders take overnight delivery. Because of this, shipping costs vary by your location and climb steeply outside of the Northeast region.

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    D'Artagnan

    D'Artagnan has partnered with small farms and ranches for more than 30 years. You can order authentic Japanese wagyu of the Black Kuroge breed, imported from Japan, or American wagyu beef that's a cross of Japanese wagyu and Black Angus breeds, including filet mignon, ribeye, strip steak, tenderloin tips, flank steak, and tri-tip. Orders are shipped by FedEx.