Authentic A5 Kobe Wagyu Beef in Cheltenham
和み
Nagomi is one of only a few restaurants outside London to hold a licence to serve authentic Japanese A5 Kobe Wagyu beef. If you’ve been searching for Kobe Wagyu without the London price tag and the London commute — you’ve found it.
What is Kobe Wagyu?
Kobe Wagyu is the most celebrated beef in the world. It comes exclusively from Tajima-strain black cattle (*Kuroge Washu*) raised in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. To be certified as Kobe Wagyu, each animal must meet strict standards on lineage, farming conditions, slaughter location, and grading — achieving a Beef Marbling Score (BMS) of 6 or above on a 12-point scale.
A5 is the highest grade on the Japanese Meat Grading Association scale. A5 Kobe Wagyu has extraordinary intramuscular fat marbling that melts at body temperature — producing a richness, tenderness, and depth of flavour that is impossible to replicate with any other beef.
Why Is Kobe Wagyu So Rare Outside London?
Authentic Kobe Wagyu exports to the UK are tightly controlled by the Kobe Beef Marketing and Distribution Promotion Association. Only approved importers and licensed venues may legally serve and market beef as genuine “Kobe Wagyu”. There are currently fewer than five restaurants in the UK outside London with this licence — Nagomi in Cheltenham is one of them.
How We Serve It
At Nagomi, A5 Kobe Wagyu is served as part of our full Yakiniku table-grill experience.
You grill the Wagyu at your own table, sliced thin, over medium-high heat. Because of the high fat content, A5 Kobe Wagyu needs barely 30 seconds per side — the result is something unlike any other beef you’ll have tasted.
Is your Kobe Wagyu genuine?
Yes. Nagomi holds a current licence from the Kobe Beef Marketing and Distribution Promotion Association. We can show you the certification on request.
How does A5 Kobe Wagyu taste different from regular Wagyu?
Regular Wagyu (including British Wagyu, which we also serve) has good marbling and a richer flavour than standard beef. A5 Kobe is on another level entirely — the fat-to-lean ratio is so high that the meat appears almost white with marbling. It melts on the palate. Many guests describe it as the best beef they have ever eaten.
Do I need to book to have the Wagyu Set?
We always recommend booking, especially at weekends. Please let us know when booking if you’d like to include the Wagyu Set and we’ll ensure we have stock reserved.
JAPANESE WAGYU BEEF
We are proud to say that Nagomi is one of only a few restaurants outside of London that is licensed to serve Kobe Wagyu beef.