Hanwoo beef has gained worldwide renown for its exquisite marbling, tenderness, and robust umami flavor. This top-tier Korean beef was once impossible to find outside of Asia, but its popularity has steadily grown in recent years. As more distributors bring Hanwoo to America, opportunities to purchase this Wagyu-rivaling delicacy continue to increase. So where can beef aficionados actually buy illustrious Hanwoo steaks and roasts? Let’s explore the best avenues for procuring these prestigious cuts.
What Makes Hanwoo Beef So Special?
Like Japan’s revered Kobe beef Hanwoo cattle are prized for their genetics and meticulous upbringing. These animals from the Bos taurus breed grow thick lacy marbling between exceptionally tender muscle. Careful feeding and low stress levels enhance the cattle’s fat distribution. Hanwoo beef therefore melts on the tongue with remarkable succulence. Its flavor surpasses typical beef as well, awash in nutty, buttery richness. With such outstanding eating quality, it’s easy to see why Hanwoo now competes with Wagyu for discerning palates.
Finding Hanwoo Beef Retailers Near You
Specialized Korean grocers represent the most reliable local source for purchasing Hanwoo beef. Search for large Asian supermarkets in areas with sizable Korean populations. The very best selections reside in Los Angeles, New York City, Atlanta, Dallas, and other major Korean hubs. Visit the meat department and ask if they carry certified Hanwoo beef. Top stores like H Mart and Galleria Market regularly inventory ribeyes, short ribs, thinly sliced meats for shabu shabu, ground Hanwoo and more.
Upscale American butchers and steak purveyors deal in high-end beef, including prized imports like real Japanese Wagyu. Occasionally these experts can source authentic Korean Hanwoo through their networks. Inquire with respected butchers at farmer’s markets, local chains or special order clubs. They may be able procure vacuum-sealed short ribs, marbled sirloins and tenderloin tips on request.
Michelin-starred restaurants may provide another rare opportunity to sample Hanwoo beef, if you’re lucky. LA’s critically acclaimed Pasjoli offers a Hanwoo striploin tasting menu, while NYC’s Atomix rotates Korean-born Hanwoo onto its lineup of immaculate courses. Top Korean barbecue joints like Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong in Los Angeles also feature rare imported Hanwoo.
Buying Hanwoo Beef Online
Online outlets give wider access to authentic, high-grade Hanwoo beef. The best vendors ship fresh cuts straight from approved ranches in Korea. They export packers, ribeyes, brisket, short ribs, ground meat and thin slices vacuum-packed and flash frozen to preserve quality. Expect overnight delivery direct to your doorstep.
Research sellers carefully and check certifications before purchasing Hanwoo online. Valid options include HansikHouse, HolyGrail Steak Co, and Crowd Cow. For the utmost in freshness and accountability, order directly from family-owned farms like Seodong Hanwoo.
Larger specialty grocers like KR Market and Seoul Mart ship frozen Korean grocery items nationwide, including premium beef. Delivery services like Umamicart give another online Hanwoo beef ordering option.
While buying frozen then thawed cuts lacks the same wow factor, properly frozen and thawed Hanwoo still outshines typical beef. Just don’t pay top dollar for unfrozen meat that must ship cross-country over several days. Stick with reputable sources that properly handle and ship frozen cuts.
What to Expect When Buying Hanwoo Beef
When seeking out the best beef in the world, expect a hefty price tag to match. And Hanwoo certainly qualifies among the world’s premium elite beef echelon. Budget $150-$300 per pound for the most exquisite cuts like tenderloin, ribeye and striploin. Lesser known cuts cost less but still carry a premium over American Wagyu and prime beef.
Ensure labels and packaging state “Hanwoo” and check for official Korean beef certificates. The box should display the Korean Beef Marbling Score (BMS) between 1 and 9 – with 9 being the highest grade. Packaging may also note the cattle’s origin district. The finest Hanwoo hails from Korea’s Jeolla province.
When buying domestically, purchasing whole subprimals or quarters offers better value than individual steaks. You can customize cutting yourself. Buying in bulk also helps when importing beef internationally. Just be sure your vendor properly handles and stores inventory.
Cooking Your Hanwoo Beef to Perfection
Once you secure the beef, focus on doing it justice on the plate. Allow steaks and roasts to reach room temperature before cooking. Use dry heat like grilling, broiling or pan searing to cook quickly while developing a nice crust. Pull larger cuts off heat around 115°F for rare doneness, monitoring with a thermometer.
Avoid overcooking beyond medium or masking the Hanwoo’s flavor with heavy marinades and rubs. Simple salt and pepper keeps the focus on the beef itself. Sear slices briefly in broth for Korean shabu shabu hot pot. Roast leaner flats and round cuts slowly, basting to compensate for less marbling.
Savoring the Hanwoo Difference
From striploin carpaccio to bone marrow, Hanwoo’s refined marbling and delicate flavor deserve to be cherished. Seek out this exemplary beef to experience its textural perfection and satiny richness. For the ultimate indulgence, look for the highest BMS grade cuts you can find – and budget for accordingly. Your palate will thank you. Hanwoo’s growing availability means more opportunities to taste supreme Korean beef greatness without even boarding a plane.
I went to Korea to find HANWOO, is WAGYU old news?
FAQ
Can you buy Hanwoo in the US?
How much does Hanwoo beef cost?
Can you get Hanwoo outside of Korea?
Why is Hanwoo not exported?
What is hanwoo beef?
This breed is raised mainly for meat and is the source of Hanwoo beef, one of the most rare and expensive meats in the world. Coveted for its high marbling, this beef is preferred in Korean cuisine despite its high price, as it is typically fresher and regarded as premium beef thanks to its high palatability and desired chewiness.
Is Hanwoo a good steak?
Hanwoo beef has a chewy “beef” flavor but is much more tender than a typical American steak. It is about halfway between an Angus steak and a Japanese Wagyu steak regarding tenderness and fat/marbling content. South Korea’s favorite meat is Hanwoo, raised there, and its price reflects that.
Where to buy hanwoo beef in Seoul?
If you are in Seoul and you ask a beef connoisseur where you can locate the best cuts of Hanwoo beef, they will most likely tell you to go to Born & Bred. Born & Bred is a high-end restaurant and a butcher shop. This butcher & restaurant was one of the first places to sell meat in Majang, Seoul’s primary meat market.
Where to buy Hanwoo in Korea?
This Majang meat market has a lot of different cuts of Hanwoo. Since it’s the biggest meat market in Korea, with about 3,000 meat sellers and animals coming from farms all over Korea every hour, it’s not surprising that meat is hanging everywhere.