In First Half of 2026, Are Yakiniku Lovers Choosing Meat Based on 'Natural Flavor'? Ushikoi Releases Popular Meat Rankings

Ushikoi, a yakiniku restaurant beloved by celebrities and meat enthusiasts alike, has announced its '2026 First-Half Popular Meat Rankings' based on order data from all its locations between January 1 (Thu) and June 30 (Tue), 2026.

In this ranking, Ushikoi's flagship product, 'Piece Beef,' claimed the top spot. It was ordered at a rate of 125.9 plates per 100 customer groups, approximately 2.3 times more than the second-place 'Salted Tongue,' which recorded 55.8 plates.

Additionally, three Harami (diaphragm) items and four beef tongue dishes made it into the Top 10. While 'Kalbi' (short rib) ranked 8th, items like 'Piece Beef,' 'Harami,' 'Upper Harami,' and 'Single Cut Harami'—all known for their rich meat flavor and satisfying texture—dominated the upper ranks.

Top 10: '2026 First-Half Popular Meat Rankings'

Summary of Data Collection

● Period: January 1 – June 30, 2026

● Locations: All Ushikoi stores

● Items: Meat menu items

● Method: Orders per 100 customer groups during the period

※ Groups that ordered only course meals were excluded from the count

'Piece Beef' ※ Photo shows 5–6 person serving

Three Key Trends Observed from the Rankings

1. 'Piece Beef' leads with 125.9 plates per 100 groups—about 2.3 times the second-place item

'Piece Beef,' which took first place, is Ushikoi's representative flagship product.

Unlike the dry texture often associated with lean cuts, it features a chewy, satisfying texture, with meaty umami that intensifies with every bite. Through a unique cutting technique, excess fat is carefully removed, resulting in a high-protein, low-fat dish that remains deeply satisfying.

In this ranking, it was ordered 125.9 times per 100 groups, about 2.3 times more than the second-place 'Salted Tongue' at 55.8 plates. This result suggests that it is a repeat favorite among many customers.

'Piece Beef'

2. Three Harami menu items enter the Top 10

In this ranking, 'Harami' ranked 3rd, 'Upper Harami' 5th, and 'Single Cut Harami' 7th, with all three Harami items making the Top 10.

Harami is a popular menu item known for its tender texture and rich, natural beef flavor. At Ushikoi, not only the classic 'Harami' but also 'Upper Harami' and 'Single Cut Harami' are frequently chosen by customers.

While 'Kalbi,' a yakiniku staple, ranked 8th, all three Harami items ranked higher than Kalbi.

This indicates strong customer support not only for fatty, sweet-flavored items but also for cuts that emphasize natural meat flavor and satisfying texture.

'Single Cut Harami'

3. Beef tongue offerings gain broad support across diverse menu options

Four items made the Top 10: 'Salted Tongue,' 'Upper Salted Tongue,' 'Green Onion Upper Salted Tongue,' and 'Thick-Cut Upper Salted Tongue.'

In addition to 'Salted Tongue,' often chosen as a starter, other high-ranking items include the hearty 'Thick-Cut Upper Salted Tongue' and 'Green Onion Upper Salted Tongue,' which pairs well with condiments—each offering distinct textures and flavors. Notably, 'Salted Tongue' ranked 2nd, confirming its status as a staple favorite at Ushikoi.

'Thick-Cut Upper Salted Tongue'

Notable Dish Outside the Top 10

Although it narrowly missed the Top 10, 'Wagyu Sirloin Yaki-Suki' ranked 12th.

Using premium black-haired Wagyu beef, it is offered at just ¥1,090 (¥1,199 including tax), making it a popular menu item for enjoying high-quality Wagyu at an affordable price.

By dipping the grilled sirloin into a raw egg yolk, customers can enjoy the unique richness of Wagyu and its melt-in-the-mouth texture.

Overall Ranking Analysis

In this ranking, the lean 'Piece Beef,' with excess fat carefully trimmed, claimed first place, and three Harami items made the Top 10.

This result indicates that at Ushikoi, alongside marbled cuts with rich fat flavor, items highlighting the natural taste and satisfying texture of meat also receive strong support.

Since its founding, Ushikoi has prioritized lean cuts, focusing on yakiniku that fully showcases the inherent flavor of meat. This ranking reflects how Ushikoi's brand identity as the 'charisma of lean meat yakiniku' is mirrored in actual customer ordering behavior.

Recommended Way to Enjoy 'Piece Beef'

'Piece Beef,' ranked #1 in the 2026 first-half popularity ranking.

At Ushikoi, we recommend wrapping 'Piece Beef' around 'Neginchu' (a green onion and chili mix) and dipping it in sesame oil.

The natural umami of lean beef blends with the aromatic flavor of 'Neginchu' and the rich scent of sesame oil, enhancing the deliciousness of 'Piece Beef' even further.

We recommend starting with this method of enjoyment.

Top 10 Lineup Photo

1st: 'Piece Beef' 2nd: 'Salted Tongue' 3rd: 'Harami'

4th: 'Upper Salted Tongue' 5th: 'Upper Harami' 6th: 'Aburi Roast'

7th: 'Single Cut Harami' 8th: 'Kalbi' 9th: 'Green Onion Upper Salted Tongue' 10th: 'Thick-Cut Upper Salted Tongue'

【Ushikoi: Favored by Meat-Loving Celebrities Including GACKT, Ryoma Takeuchi, Ryuto Kazuhara, and Yuto Nagatomo】

Opened in July 2012 in Kanda, Tokyo, Ushikoi now operates six locations across the city, including Shinjuku, Ebisu, Shibuya, and Ikebukuro. The restaurant attracts a steady stream of customers daily, making reservations increasingly difficult.

Positioning itself as the 'best-value lean meat yakiniku charisma,' Ushikoi has grown into a popular yakiniku destination frequently visited by celebrities and featured widely in TV and social media. Its secret to success lies in offering high-quality, delicious yakiniku—comparable to premium restaurants—at affordable prices.

A Word from Koi Nosuke

Hello everyone. I'm Koi Nosuke, self-proclaimed yakiniku scholar.

In the first half of 2026, the most chosen meat at Ushikoi was, as expected, 'Piece Beef.'

Lean yet chewy. Light yet satisfying. When you visit Ushikoi, please try it at least once.

Beef tongue and harami were also widely selected by many customers. If you're unsure what to order, start with the top-ranking items...

【All Six Ushikoi Locations】 ※ Please contact individual stores for business hours. · Kanda Store (TEL: 03-5577-5875) 3-6-13 Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 1 min from JR 'Kanda Station' ※ Closed on Sundays · Shinjuku 1F Store (TEL: 03-6233-8629) 2-45-8 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 1 min from Seibu 'Seibu-Shinjuku Station' · Shinjuku 2F Store (TEL: 03-6233-8629) 2-45-8 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 2F 1 min from Seibu 'Seibu-Shinjuku Station' · Ebisu Store (TEL: 03-6452-4115) B1, 1-4-13 Minami-Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 1 min from JR 'Ebisu Station' · Shibuya Store (TEL: 03-6419-7122) 1F/B1, 1-24-4 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 3 min from JR/Tokyo Metro 'Shibuya Station' · Ikebukuro Store (TEL: 03-6914-0155) 2F, 1-13-11 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 5 min from JR/Tokyo Metro 'Ikebukuro Station'

＜Customer Inquiries＞ Please contact the nearest store listed above.

Ushikoi X (Twitter) https://twitter.com/ushikoi