- Categories:
- Food & Beverage
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- AppreciationFood
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every June 21
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- 🥩
National Wagyu Day on June 21 invites connoisseurs and curious foodies alike to indulge in the unparalleled delight of Wagyu beef. This day celebrates culinary excellence, highlighting the distinct qualities of Japanese, American, and Australian Wagyu. Learn about its rigorous authentication, savor its rich marbling, and share your favorite Wagyu experiences.
Want to sponsor National Wagyu Day? Learn how
Expected National Wagyu Day Deals
While we await official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National Wagyu Day inspires high-end steakhouses and specialty butchers to offer exclusive deals. Expect restaurants like Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Morton’s The Steakhouse to feature Wagyu specials, while gourmet grocery stores such as Whole Foods Market and online retailers like Snake River Farms may offer discounts on cuts. Specialty purveyors like Crowd Cow and Holy Grail Steak Co. are also likely to run promotions on their premium Wagyu selections, making it an ideal time to try different grades and origins. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as June 21 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Wagyu Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalWagyuDay. Share mouth-watering photos and videos of your Wagyu dishes, from grilling to gourmet preparations.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalWagyuDay. Film short, engaging videos showcasing Wagyu cooking tips, taste tests, or visiting a restaurant that serves it.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalWagyuDay. Share recipes, discuss your favorite Wagyu cuts, or find local events celebrating this special beef.
National Wagyu Day Hero
Shigeo Hamada
History of National Wagyu Day
National Wagyu Day was founded in 2022 to create a day to celebrate the delicacy of Wagyu and to spread awareness about the rigorous authentication process. Wagyu, renowned for its marbling and melt-in-your-mouth texture, comes from a breed of cattle originating from Japan.
Wagyu comprises several cattle breeds, including the highly prized Tajima strain, which gives us the famous Kobe beef. Wagyu’s exceptional tenderness, rich flavor, and intricate marbling of fat throughout the meat make it one of the most sought-after beef varieties in the world.
Japanese Wagyu cattle are bred solely as authentic because they’re bred only in Japan. American Wagyu comes from crossbreeding authentic Japanese Wagyu with Angus cattle, and Australian Wagyu comes from the Japanese lineage, which is raised in Australia. The distinction between Japanese and American Wagyu is that imported Japanese Wagyu is usually boneless. Additionally, it always comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.
National Wagyu Day timeline
Evidence suggests that the Wagyu cattle we know today can trace their genetic strain back over 35,000 years.
Before this, cattle in Japan are used exclusively for agricultural purposes.
Four Wagyu bulls are imported from Japan and are bred with the American Angus and Continental breeds.
The current meat grading system used by the Japan Meat Grading Association is developed, it sets standards for yield grade and meat quality, giving Japan full control of Wagyu beef quality.
After decades of crossbreeding Japanese cattle with foreign cattle, four major cattle breeds — Japanese Black, Japanese Brown, Japanese Polled, and Japanese Shorthorn — are recognized as superior and become predominant.
Japan declares Wagyu cattle a "national treasure" and enacts an export ban.
June 21 is declared as National Wagyu Day to celebrate the delicacy and spread awareness about its rigorous authentication process.
Steve Haddadin sponsors the first National Wagyu Day on National today and the first celebration takes place. Want to be a sponsor: learn how.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Wagyu Day
Local steakhouses, butcher shops, and gourmet restaurants can celebrate National Wagyu Day by featuring special Wagyu tasting menus or limited-time dishes. Offer educational workshops on Wagyu cuts, cooking techniques, or pairing suggestions with wine or sake. Specialty food stores can host in-store demonstrations or offer discounts on various Wagyu products, encouraging customers to explore this premium beef. Consider collaborating with local chefs for unique culinary events.
How to Verify Authentic Wagyu?
- Obtain a copy of the authentication certificate.
- Visit the Japanese Carcass Verification Bureau website. The website is in Japanese so be sure to translate it to a language you understand if necessary. You’ll need to translate each page you visit, the proceed button does not translate so click on the colored one to proceed to the next page. Locate the cattle identification page and enter the Cattle ID number that’s on your authentication certificate.
- Check the lineage information that verifies the beef as registered Wagyu beef.
- Grading according to Japanese Wagyu standards includes marbling information, meat color, fat texture and content, and quality of the beef.
National Wagyu Day FAQs
When is National Wagyu Day?
National Wagyu Day 2026 falls on Sunday, June 21, inviting a full day of culinary indulgence. It’s the perfect opportunity to savor this luxurious beef at home or at your favorite restaurant.
How popular is Wagyu beef?
Wagyu beef has seen a significant surge in popularity globally, with its distinctive marbling and rich flavor making it a sought-after delicacy. The market for premium beef continues to expand, driven by increasing consumer appreciation for high-quality, traceable products.
What is the difference between Japanese, American, and Australian Wagyu?
Japanese Wagyu is considered the purest, with strict genetic lineage and feeding protocols, resulting in intense marbling. American Wagyu is typically a crossbreed (often with Angus) offering a rich, beefy flavor with good marbling. Australian Wagyu often falls between the two, with excellent marbling and a slightly milder flavor profile than its Japanese counterpart.
How is Wagyu graded?
Japanese Wagyu is graded by the Japanese Meat Grading Association (JMGA) using a letter (A, B, C for yield) and a number (1-5 for quality, based on marbling, color, texture, and fat quality). American Wagyu follows USDA grading (Prime, Choice), but many producers also use a marbling score similar to the Japanese system. Australian Wagyu uses the Meat Standards Australia (MSA) system, which includes a marbling score from 0 to 9.
How to Celebrate National Wagyu Day
Host a Wagyu gathering
Gather your friends and family for a Wagyu BBQ cookout. Grill juicy Wagyu burgers and steaks while enjoying each other's company. There's no better way to savor the rich flavors of Wagyu beef than by accompanying your meal with laughter and good conversation. Make sure to show everyone at the gathering the authentication certificate that you obtained from the butcher to continue spreading awareness about the rigorous authentication process. Also be sure to post and share the love of Wagyu on social media by using the hashtag #NationalWagyuDay.
Visit local restaurants that serve Wagyu
Visit local restaurants that serve Wagyu dishes. Expand your palate and appreciation by trying everything from Wagyu sushi to Wagyu ramen while supporting businesses. Make sure to ask for a copy of the Authentication certificate to continue spreading awareness about the rigorous authentication process. Be sure to post and share the love of Wagyu on social media by using the hashtag #NationalWagyuDay.
Visit the Japanese Carcass Verification Bureau Website
Using the 10-digit cattle ID on the certificate you obtained from the butcher or restaurant. This is your chance to look up the details of the Wagyu on your plate and explore the history of the cattle, tracing their origins and the meticulous care they received throughout their lives. Discover the secrets behind the unparalleled flavor and marbling that make Wagyu a culinary treasure. Experience a deeper connection to your meal as you uncover the story behind each savory bite.
5 Fun Facts About Wagyu
Wagyu literally means “Japanese cattle”
"Wa" translates to Japanese and "gyu" means cattle.
All Kobe is Wagyu but not all Wagyu is Kobe
Kobe beef is just one type of Wagyu beef that comes from the Tajima strain of Wagyu cattle raised in Kobe, Japan.
The best grade is A5
The highest possible grade is A5 Wagyu beef: it has the best yield, marbling, color, and texture.
The royal treatment
Wagyu cattle are raised with the utmost care: they’re fed the best quality food, live in luxurious conditions, receive the best medical care, and even spa treatments.
The Wagyu Olympics
The Japanese hold a prestigious event called the Wagyu Olympics every five years, where participants vie for top honors in categories like meat quality and breed enhancement.
Why We Love National Wagyu Day
It sparks curiosity and creativity
National Wagyu Day sparks curiosity and creativity, inspiring chefs and home cooks alike to experiment with innovative ways to showcase the versatility of Wagyu beef. From savory steaks to decadent burgers and beyond, it's a day to celebrate endless possibilities and pleasure derived from this delicacy.
It celebrates the heritage
It's a day to honor the history and meticulous craftsmanship behind Wagyu beef. It's a wonderful way to recognize the dedication and expertise of those who produce this culinary delicacy.
It raises awareness
Wagyu beef is one of the most sought-after meats in the world. National Wagyu Day is an opportunity to learn about why it's in demand and it raises awareness about the rigorous authentication process Wagyu beef undergoes.
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