Japanese Barbecue in Midtown With Wagyu and Tender Beef Tongue
Grill wagyu and thin-cut beef tongue at a Midtown yakiniku fixture, with scallion rice to balance the richness.
🔥 Wagyu, Gyutan and Sides
Japanese barbecue in Midtown has a long-running address at Yakiniku Gen, a warm room on East 52nd Street and a fixture dating to 1995. Start with the wagyu, which delivers a rich first bite of melting fat and aroma, then pair it with scallion rice to balance the richness.
The standard thin-cut gyutan is the second cut to put on the grill, a tender beef tongue that stays savory without feeling heavy. Beyond the grill, simple sides get real care, and the creamy, well-seasoned potato salad gives a change of pace between bites of meat. Japanese patrons often fill the dining room, a quiet stamp of authenticity for this yakiniku spot.
Find it at 250 East 52nd Street. Weekday service runs Monday through Friday from half past four to 11 PM, and Saturday and Sunday open at noon and run to 11 PM, with lunch specials for a weekend daytime grill session. The cozy setting also suits a date night over wagyu.
