I’ve never been a big carnivore, preferring to graze mostly on vegetables, legumes and seafood. Recently, however, I attended the Wagyu BBQ at the Chef’s Armoury in Sydney, where I ate about a month’s worth of the most succulent, tender and flavoursome beef I’ve ever tasted.
On the menu was Wagyu. Two varieties – grain fed and organic, grass-fed beef. Both were expertly barbecued on a traditional Hibachi grill by Chef’s Armoury owner, Leigh Hudson, and served with salad, grilled garlic skewers and fresh wasabi.
Wagyu is highly marbled Japanese beef, also known as Kobe beef. The marbling is what gives the beef its tenderness and complexity in flavour. A fellow guest aptly exclaimed that he could actually "feel the fat melting" in his mouth. I certainly could. It was almost addictive with each bite being somewhat of a revelation.
Thankfully I had other things to distract me from the beef binge -- Japanese knives. Some of the very best. It's no wonder the Japanese are so skilled at creating such beautiful tools. In the home of the Samurai, forging sharp steel is a most esteemed craft.
Hudson's knives sit gleaming like museum artifacts in glass cases. Each one seems to speak to whomever looks upon it. Knives of all shapes and sizes. All Japanese. All exquisite.
Chef's Armoury
747 - 751 Botany Road,
Rosebery NSW Australia
www.chefsarmoury.com
BBQ looks yummy!!! I can't take my eyes off the knives.. I am big fan of Japanese knives... esp Santoku. :)
Posted by: mycookinghut | 21 October 2009 at 05:13 AM
Just what I'm looking for. I'm going to check this place out on the weekend. Thanks for the tip on the knives.
Posted by: Benjamin | 21 October 2009 at 09:08 PM
I wish I ate more like you but I do love meat! And Wagyu is my undoing along with bacon :D Those Japanese knives look amazing! I remember Iron Chef Sakai showing us his customised knife-it looked amazing!
Posted by: Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella | 21 October 2009 at 10:20 PM
Those Japanese knives look great,...!!!
I only tasted once's Wagyu beef I so loved every bite from it, even that I am not a beef eater!!! It is very pricy over here in the best restaurants in Belgium.
Posted by: Sophie | 22 October 2009 at 02:05 AM
I'm distracted too - by the knives :)
Posted by: Cynthia | 23 October 2009 at 09:47 AM
The bbq beef looks so tasty. I am also distracted by the knifes
Posted by: vaxcel | 24 October 2009 at 03:19 AM
those knives look amazingly good, about the beef, the best i've ver tried, your photos look sooo delicious, well done! cheers from london
Posted by: pity | 28 October 2009 at 10:56 PM
Your site is loading super-slowly for me today :( So, did you get a Japanese knife of your own? I'm so jealous!!! :)
Posted by: Manggy | 29 October 2009 at 01:46 AM
What an awesome day out! High quality beef and sharp knives - sounds like heaven to me :)
Posted by: Christie @ Fig&Cherry | 29 October 2009 at 03:37 AM
If you're ever in NYC, check out Japan Premium Beef Inc in Noho for washugyu (wagyu style American beef). There's also an amazing hidden sushi den behind the butcher which cooks its best cuts
http://nymag.com/listings/stores/japan-premieum-beef-inc/
PS love your blog!
Posted by: Kate Williams | 29 October 2009 at 10:45 AM
Man those knives look awesome! Love the pictures on your blog, great work :)
Posted by: Joy | 31 October 2009 at 06:27 AM
Your posts just get better and better. I do hope, if it's your aspiration, you make the move to television with your own show. I could see you traveling Australia and finding it's hidden gems and cooking dishes that the travels inspired. I've tried your okra recipe and will try your bacon and egg tart tomorrow. What I love is that each recipe is simple and the flavors are derived from the actual ingredients, i.e. you don't have to dress them up with "extras".
Kudos on one of my weekly must visit blogs.
Posted by: Lance | 01 November 2009 at 01:00 AM
Mmmm... I gorged myself on Ohmi and Kobe (two regional varieties of Wagyu), while i was in Japan this month.
Posted by: Marc @ NoRecipes | 03 November 2009 at 04:01 PM
This bbq is look mouth watering and the knife looks very sharp,...any ways thanks.
Posted by: fioricet online | 17 November 2009 at 08:27 PM
Looks yummy indeed.. I'm starving right now.. :)
Posted by: buy drugs online | 25 November 2009 at 03:09 PM
I love cooking because it runs in the family, we are what you call cooking addicts.
Posted by: Canon Digital Cameras | 09 February 2010 at 10:15 PM
Love eating grilled barbecue especially when it is paired with champagne.
Posted by: Seo Los Angeles | 09 February 2010 at 11:32 PM
Just looking at the grill pork makes me hungry already. I can't wait to have barbecue for dinner this coming weekend.
Posted by: Baby Registry | 10 February 2010 at 12:21 AM
BBQ is very delicious.But in our city,we can not do that at home,when we want to eat ,we must go to the restaurant .
Posted by: seo tools | 05 March 2010 at 04:06 PM