All Hail The Queen Of Wagyu: Teppanya Welcomes Japan's Famed Matsusaka Beef To Manila

There's Wagyu Beef, then there's Matsusaka Beef. Often referred to as the "Queen of Wagyu," Matsusaka Beef is one of the world's most coveted beef in the world prized for its exquisite marbling and rich butter-like texture and mouthfeel. And it's now in Manila. Soon you can indulge in the savory richness of the world famous beef at Teppanya and Sicilian Roast. The secret's out...

Straight from Ito Ranch in Japan's Mie Prefecture to Manila, the world acclaimed Matsusaka Beef is poised to elevate your Wagyu Beef dining experience in selected establishments. In partnership with local importer Prime Cuts by Doubleday, the rare Matsusaka Beef from the revered Ito Ranch Matsusaka Beef Farm will be made available to partner establishments starting with Teppanya and Sicilian Roast. Ready for a taste of the best? Then, read on...

At the formal launch in Shangri-La Plaza, Prime Cuts by Doubleday showcased its latest and probably most indulgent and luxurious offering to date with the arrival of Matsusaka Beef from Ito Ranch. That afternoon, the lucky guests experienced the rare savory richness of one of the world's legendary cuts of beef prepared by the skilled master chefs of Teppanya. 

At the event, Mark Pineda of Teppanya joined management of Prime Cuts by Doubleday, Ito Ranch and Sicilian Roast for the ceremonial toast festivities... 

...as wooden masu containing sake were distributed to guests. The rhythmic beat of taiko drums formally celebrated the much anticipated arrival of Matsusaka Beef to Manila. One of the acclaimed "Big Three" or Sandai Wagyu which includes Ōmi Beef and Kobe Beef, Matsusaka Beef are reared in extremely controlled conditions resulting in its buttery high fat-to-meat ratio, beautiful marbling, pure flavors and real fork-tender texture with only a small amount processed each year thus its premium prices due to its rarity and limited availability. It's called "Queen of Wagyu" simply because Matsusaka Beef comes only and exclusively from Japanese black female cows. 

Now let's take a closer look at Matsusaka Beef. The export of Matsusaka Beef is closely controlled and regulated thus its exclusive status. And with extremely limited quantities as opposed to commercial beef, you really can't blame the locals from wanting to keep this culinary gem for their own consumption. But thanks to Prime Cuts by Doubleday, diners can soon experience the rarest of premium beef. But this isn't the first time Matsusaka Beef was made available in the country. Previously, certain local establishments offered the premium beef but the partnership between Ito Ranch and Prime Cuts by Doubleday marks a milestone first. Ito Ranch is selective when it comes to its partners for worldwide distribution and Prime Cuts by Doubleday makes the cut as the enviable exclusive and official source of Japan's famous Matsusaka Beef. 

Established in 1953, Ito Ranch is Japan's most decorated Matsusaka producer with over 35 competition awards including a historic three year Grand Champion honors consistently ranking it as top-tier farm. It's a historic feat no other Japanese Matsusaka producer can claim. The formula for success? Simple. Pedigree and lineage, raising Japanese black cattle in a stress-free environment and fattening cattle much longer than the usual 25 months with its standard 35-month program resulting in high oleic concentration allowing the meat to melt at a low 12 degrees Celsius for that unmistakable butter-like texture. And lastly, a proprietary feed that remains a closely guarded family secret. 

All these combine for one of the world's best Wagyu beef experiences with its high fat, oleic acid concentration, intricate marbling and low melting point delivering an indulgent savory richness like no other. And that's why Matsusaka Beef is the rarest, most exclusive and expensive beef in the world. 

And soon, diners will experience a taste of the very best at Teppanya (for more on Teppanya, see my posts All Hail The Emperor: A Royal Feast With The New Emperor Set Menu At Teppanya In SM By The Bay from two years ago, Super Premium Unlimited Madness, The Ultimate Teppan Feast Upgrade At Teppanya In SM By The Bay from 2023, Fired Up For All-Out Teppanyaki: Teppanya Celebrates Its 5th Anniversary With The Insane Unlimited Madness Promotion from 2019 and Fire And Flavor: Setting The Stage For A Culinary Performance At Teppanya from six years back). What can diners expect at Teppanya? Imagine opulent bites of the special Nigiri and a lavish and sumptuous teppanyaki dining experience featuring Matsusaka Beef at Teppanya. 

And the moment guests eagerly waited for is finally happening as whole slabs of Matsusaka Beef are prepped by Teppanya for everyone to sample...

At the Teppanya booth, the prized Matsusaka Beef are delicately carved and sliced...

...lightly seared on a teppan grill and portioned for sampling servings...

...like the Sukiyaki with a light yet rich broth, tofu and fresh vegetables. The broth is immediately transformed by the decadent savory richness of the Matsusaka Beef draping the palate with its elegant lingering notes in just one sip and bite. The familiar and comforting flavors of sukiyaki teases the palate yet the flavors are nothing quite like previous experiences. It's sukiyaki taken a whole new level with Matsusaka Beef. 

Simply seasoned and garnished with thin slices of crisp garlic, Matsusaka Beef grilled to medium rare perfection is the best way to enjoy its pure, clean and unrestrained flavors as it slowmy melts in your mouth releasing even more intense notes. 

This is where all the tedious and meticulous protocols in raising Matsusaka Beef with generations-old family practices and traditions pays off in one juicy bite. 

And one bite just leads to another. The flavors are not overwhelmingly strong but elegantly refined and nuanced with its buttery richness. It's premium beef in a class all its own. 

And if you can't wait to secure a couple of premium slabs of Matsusaka Beef, you can order online via the Prime Cuts by Doubleday website and online store (link details at the bottom of the post).  

At the launch, the Matcha Latte by Maison Midori was the perfect libation with each sip cutting through the richness preparing your palate for another indulgent bite of Matsusaka Beef. 

Teppanya and Sicilian Roast will soon render their own lavish culinary expressions using the famed Matsusaka Beef in their menus, and that's definitely something to look forward to in the coming weeks. 

Access to the world's finest produce is slowly opening up and transforming the local dining scene. And with access to a constant supply of Matsusaka Beef, things can only get better. The rarest, most exclusive and expensive beef in the world isn't something you easily shrug off nor pass up. And thanks to Prime Cuts by Doubleday, Teppanya and Sicilian Roast, the new menus offering Matsusaka Beef provide new and memorable dining experiences without requiring a plane ticket. 

There's Wagyu beef, and there's Matsusaka Beef. And sooner than you think, you too can experience and savor the world's best at Teppanya and Sicilian Roast with the arrival of the "Queen of Wagyu". 

For more on Matsusaka Beef at Prime Cuts by Doubleday, visit their website and online store at https://dprimecuts.com/

For more on Teppanya and the availability of Matsusaka Beef, visit their FB Page and IG Feed at https://www.facebook.com/teppanyaphserendrabgc/, https://www.facebook.com/TeppanyaSMNorth, https://www.facebook.com/teppanyaevia, https://www.facebook.com/TEPPANYAPHMOA, https://www.facebook.com/TeppanyaPHShangriLaPlaza and https://www.instagram.com/teppanyaph/ for updates.

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