Gyukatsu is just one of those foods that I can’t leave Japan without. As an essential part of my Japan Checklist, I had to make sure between my days exploring Tonkotsu Ramen and the different Yatai Street Foods, that I sneak in some time for a Gyukatsu meal. And on my first free-schedule dinner, I made my way to the nearest shop to close out the evening.
So how was my long-awaited meal today? Let’s get to it. How Good is Gyukatsu Motomura Actually?
–Menu–
–Set Overview–
–Grilling your Gyukatsu–
–Side Items–
–Serving Options–
–Verdict–
–Getting There–
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📋 Menu 📋
Gyukatsu Motomura’s offerings should be the same no matter which store you visit – A set of Gyukatsu featuring multiple side dishes. The only real decision you have to make here is the amount of beef you’re getting. Here’s a rundown of the different sizes they have.
🥩 Gyukatsu Set (130g) – ¥1,930 🥩
🥩 1.5x Gyukatsu Set (195g) – ¥2,600 🥩
🥩 Double Gyukatsu Set (260g) – ¥3,060 🥩
I did the math, and for the best value-for-money, I recommend you go for either the Standard Gyukatsu or the Double Gyukatsu set. And if you need it, extra Gyukatsu is also available as an add-on option.
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🥩 Double Gyukatsu Set Meal (260g) – ¥3,060 🥩
For a lighter meal, the Standard Gyukatsu set should do just fine. But if you’re feeling a bit hungry (or are just a big Gyukatsu fan), then Double is the way to go.
I clearly fall into both of those camps, so it’s the Double Gyukatsu Set for me.
The Gyukatsu set comes with a few sides and sauces. And while I’ll get to that below, let’s first go over the Gyukatsu and how to grill the thing.
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🍳 Cooking Your Gyukatsu 🍳
The Gyukatsu is served Medium Rare (I’d say it’s closer to Rare, but Medium Rare’s what the shop says), and while you can technically enjoy the katsu as is, it’s highly recommended that you finish cooking it via the heated stone grill at the table to your desired doneness.
For the standard Medium-Rare, you’re looking at about a 10-15 second sear each side. And while the flavors are already incredible, I recommend you aim for somewhere in the range of Medium – Medium Well to render out more of that characteristic sweet wagyu fat.
And how’s the overall taste?
With minimal searing, the Gyukatsu tastes fresh and somewhat bright, with the marbling providing a nice bouncy resistance to the beef’s texture.
Cooking it a little further, the brighter notes of the beef gradually intensify, tenderizing the beef and giving it some extra beefy flavors. And now that the fat has more time to render out, you’ll really get to experience just how sweet that wagyu fat really is.
And don’t forget that layer of breadcrumbs, taking in some of that released beef fat and whatever sauce you decide to serve it with. Very nice, I’d say.
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🥗 Set Side Items 🥗
As part of the normal set, your Gyukatsu order will come with a side of rice, cabbage, miso soup, and some pickled vegetables. Refills of these items will cost ¥100 each, but at this shop, your first refill of rice comes free of charge. (With a choice of small, medium, or large.) And since this store gives you all three of their sides, here’s a quick rundown of all of ‘em.
The Tororo (Grated Yam) is definitely an interesting dish. I was always hesitant on trying it until my friend accidentally ordered it for me, and I’ve been a fan ever since. The Tororo has this nice mix of savory, sweet, and garlicky flavors about it, and works surprisingly well with the richness of the Gyukatsu.
Typically, you’d pour the Tororo over the hot rice, but if you aren’t too sure about the texture, use it as a dipping sauce! The added flavors really bring a lot to the dish.
The Mentaiko (Pollack Roe) also provides the dish with a lot of saltiness with just a hit of spice. Use it as a topping to your Gyukatsu, although it’s not a bad idea to just eat it with some rice as a little side while grilling the beef.
And to round off the trio is their Warabi Mochi for a little dessert. In contrast to the rich and heavy Gyukatsu, the warabi mochi takes on a much lighter profile, being just slightly sweet, and tossed in some Kinako soybean flour. Quite the refreshing end to a meal with bold flavors.
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🥩 Serving Options 🥩
You have a lot to choose from when it comes to serving the Gyukatsu. There’s the standard Gyukatsu by itself, or with some Rice or Cabbage. Some Wasabi + Shoyu or their Mountain Wasabi Sauce for a little kick, and my favorite “standard” topping of Rock Salt just before I grill the Gyukatsu for a steak-like finish. (Oh, and all the different side dishes they have.)
Experiment and try out all the different combinations and see which serving style’s your favorite.
If you’ve seen my previous review at the Shibuya Store, you’ll know that my favorite method is something I called the “Toasted Shoyu” method, where I dip the Gyukatsu in the shoyu before grilling, adding a depth of toasty soy sauce flavor.
Do try it out, and let me know how it goes!
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⭐VERDICT⭐
So how good is Gyukatsu Motomura actually? In a word? Very. This place has some seriously good stuff.
The beef is sweet and melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the extra sear combined with all the different serving options makes the Gyukatsu experience something really wonderful. Not much to complain about here. So if you need a place to grab some amazing Gyukatsu beef cutlets – at a surprisingly affordable price – then head right over to Gyukatsu Motomura.
Here’s a look at Gyukatsu Motomura’s Shibuya Store
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🚗HOW TO GET THERE 🚗
There’s quite a few ways you can head to this Gyukatsu Motomura.
From Tenjin Station (Kuko Line), exit from Exit 5 and it’s about an 8 minute walk.
For Tenjin-Minami Station (Nanakuma Line), it’s Exit 1 and also an 8 minute walk.
And for Nishitetsu Fukuoka / Tenjin Station (Nishitetsu Line), it’s the Mitsukoshi Exit and a 6 minute walk.
All of these routes are interchangeable, since the stations are more or less connected.
As with the other Gyukatsu Motomura stores, there’s a good chance that there will be a line in front of the shop. Maybe keep that in mind and plan for any potential queueing.
Gyukatsu Motomura – Fukuoka Tenjin Street Store
🌏 Location 🌏
1 Chome-14-5 Daimyo, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka, 810-0041, Japan
🗺 Map 🗺
https://goo.gl/maps/eyYKLBLCAYcDX7HP6
⏰ Opening Hours ⏰
11 A.M. to 10 P.M. (Last Order 9 P.M.)
💻 Website 💻
https://www.gyukatsu-motomura.com/en/
📖 Online Menu (English) 📖
https://www.gyukatsu-motomura.com/en/menu
