Tachi, Assembly Chef Hallโs tiny, stand-up omakase restaurant, is reopening for delivery tomorrow and keeping us on our toes with another unique concept: wagyu steak. Rather than serving its signature sushi, the restaurant is pivoting to bring us a different Japanese specialty.
โI think during this time, we need to be flexible in what we can offer,โ says Kamen Sun, COO for the restaurant group that manages Tachi, as well as Sushi Masaki Saito and Shoushin. “It’s always been our restaurant group’s vision to offer exclusive and authentic experience to the public.ย The current situation is just giving us opportunities to do that in other ways.”
Although wagyu has not previously been a focus at any of the groupโs restaurants, it’s regularly featured on their menus. โWe have knowledge about Japanese wagyu and we have a very good source because weโve used it,โ Sun adds.
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Tachiโs new takeout menu includes several types of Japanese wagyu, which range in price from $115-150, as well as Australian and Japanese wagyu steaks, which start at $75. While this certainly isnโt budget-friendly beef, those who are familiar with wagyu will know that itโs par for the course.
Wagyu is known for its rich, buttery flavour and tender texture. In order for beef to be classified as wagyu in Japan, it can only come from one of four specific cow breeds. Itโs also required to meet a series of other strict guidelines. The Japan Meat Grading Association gives each piece of wagyu a score based on factors like marbling, firmness, colour, yield, and overall quality.
Tachiโs Japanese wagyu steaks are all in the A4-A5 range, the highest possible marks. โWe offer variety so people can experience and try out the different brands,โ says Sun, adding that each of the three types of wagyu Tachi offers (Miyazaki, Kumamoto, and Hokkaido) have different nuances that might be interesting for diners to explore.
Wagyu cows can be raised outside Japan, but most are cross-bred with other types of cows and the meat is also subject to more relaxed guidelines (although, like Japan, Australia has a grading scale for wagyu). โI think it depends on the needs and preferences of people,โ says Sun, noting that Australian and American wagyu tends to taste beefier (in addition to being more affordable).
Tachi’s wagyu steaks are delivered raw for home preparation, along with tips for cooking it correctly. As the weather warms up, Sun says she hopes the new wagyu menu can offer home cooks something unique to barbecue.
To pair with the wagyu, Tachi is also offering a brief sake menu. There are just three bottles available, two of which can rarely be found outside Japan. Sake is a better match for wagyu than wine or beer because its mild taste allows the subtle flavours of the meat to shine. โThe meat is already so nice that you want something clean,โ says Sun.
Tachiโs new delivery program kicks off tomorrow. Orders need to be placed a week in advance by phone (647-240-4117) from Monday to Friday, with deliveries then taking place the following Thursday or Friday.