Saga Beef: Where Better to Try it than in Kira, Saga!

While not as well known as Kobe or Matsuzaka beef, Saga beef is, in fact, considered to be one of the best three Japanese beefs (wagyu). Saga beef does not simply refer to the meat of cattle raised in Saga. Only cattle which meet the extremely stringent rearing criteria set by the Japanese Agricultural organization, Japan Agriculture, can be branded Saga beef.

So if you are planning a trip to Saga, I’d highly recommend a visit to Kira. This restaurant in central Saga is run by Japan Agriculture, and specializes in Saga Beef. I first heard about this restaurant from an acquaintance of mine who lives in Hong Kong! Apparently, Saga is more well-known than Fukuoka in Hong Kong because of Saga beef.

Choose from a variety of eating styles including steak, shabu shabu and steamed dishes.

If you order a steak or shabu shabu you can cook it yourself on the hot plate at your table.

This shows the characteristic marbling of Saga beef (known as shimofuri). The finer the marbling, the higher quality the meat.

This soft succulent beef simply melts in the mouth.

Saga beef is not cheap, its true, but if you love beef it is well worth the price.

Saga beef is served in various restaurants nationwide and Kira also has restaurants in Ginza and Fukuoka. Obviously, you are guaranteed to receive a high quality product wherever you eat Saga Beef but it will be slightly cheaper here!

When I wish to welcome a visitor to Saga prefecture, I always take them here.

Information

Saga Beef Restaurant Kira (佐賀牛レストラン 季楽 本店)

Address:　3-9-16 Otakara, Saga city
Telephone: 0952-28-4132
Opening Hours: Lunch: 11:00~15:00 (Order stops 14:00)
Dinner: 17:00 ~ 22:00 (Order stops 21:00)
Regular Holidays: Second Wednesday of each month
Access 1: 10 min walk from Saga station
Parking:　Free parking
Distance to airport: 12　km from Saga Airport
Wi-Fi:
Language:
Menu Language: Japanese
Credit cards:
HP：jasaga.or.jp/kira/honten/
Map：