Yuji

Beef is a Japanese obsession. From the high-grade steakhouses of Ginza to 300 yen gyudon stores in every suburb, you can find it served in almost any style in Tokyo. One of the most fun and delicious forms of wagyu beef is yakiniku — a style of barbecued beef popularized in the mid 20th century. Yuji in Shibuya is one of the most entertaining places to give it a go. Seated inside their shabby chic interior — with beat-up walls, heat-scorched patches on the counter, and colorful pop art on the walls — you’ll enjoy an interactive dining experience beloved by locals and tourists alike. Built into the center of each table is a metal rectangle, on which the staff will place the burning flame grill you’ll be cooking your meat on, with a black extractor pipe hanging above to clear out the smoke. Classic beef steak is on offer, alongside various vegetable dishes, and pieces of beef offal including heart sashimi, pancreas, and lungs. The experience here is lively and interactive. Expect noise, smoke, and laughter to fill the air. Far from the austere ambience in the restaurants of Ginza, Yuji has the vibrancy of Shibuya flowing through it, making it one of the most fun places in town to sample top-quality wagyu beef.