June — Review by TabiEats
Osaka, Japan — Japanese Wagyu/Yakiniku/Sukiyaki
June is a JA Zen-Noh operated Wagyu restaurant in Osaka offering an exceptional yakiniku and sukiyaki experience featuring premium Japanese black cattle beef. The reviewers praised the quality cuts of meat, the fresh farmer-sourced vegetables, and the well-balanced sukiyaki sauce, describing the meal as incredibly satisfying and affordable.
What was great: Exceptional quality Kuroge Wagyu beef with beautiful marbling and tenderness, fresh vegetables sourced from local farmers, sukiyaki sauce perfectly balanced sweetness, the ability to enjoy both yakiniku and sukiyaki in one course, attentive service and clean modern atmosphere, convenient location near Umeda Station
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
The ultimate course at June delivers an impressive array of premium Kuroge Wagyu cuts. The yakiniku portion features five different cuts of Japanese black cattle: beef round, kalbi short ribs, beef loin, top sirloin, and sirloin from Hokkaido. Each piece showcases exceptional marbling and tenderness. The beef loin and top sirloin were eaten with simple salt to highlight the natural beef flavor, while the kalbi and sirloin were paired with miso and soy-based tares. The beef round stood out as particularly beefy with a pleasant firmness, described as eating a high-quality steak. The Hokkaido sirloin paired beautifully with daikon radish soy sauce.
The sukiyaki course includes tender sirloin cooked tableside in a sweet warishita sauce with vegetables including napa cabbage, mizuna greens, shiitake mushrooms, carrots, tofu, and shirataki. The meat is dipped in raw beaten egg, creating a creamy and mild coating. The vegetables, particularly the onions and mizuna, were praised for their natural sweetness and quality. Udon noodles finished the sukiyaki course, absorbing all the essential flavors from the beef, vegetables, and broth.
The meal begins with a fresh choregi salad featuring nori, cabbage, mizuna, bell peppers, and various vegetables, all noticeably crisp and fresh. A palate-cleansing soba sprout soup with tofu was served between the yakiniku and sukiyaki courses. Dessert consisted of seasonal watermelon and corn tea.
The Experience
June is located on the seventh floor of Hep Navio building, just a three-minute walk from Umeda Station in central Osaka. The restaurant features modern Japanese design with a comfortable, clean, and welcoming atmosphere. The sukiyaki course is cooked tableside by diners, adding an interactive and engaging element to the meal. Staff provided clear English instructions for cooking the sukiyaki, demonstrating attentive service. The chef was knowledgeable and discussed regional differences between the Osaka and Tokyo locations.
Value and Pricing
The reviewers specifically noted that the prices were very affordable for the quality and quantity of premium Wagyu beef offered, particularly impressive given the ultimate course includes both yakiniku and sukiyaki experiences in one sitting.
Notable Moments
This restaurant has a variety of cuts of black cattle Japanese beef called Kuroge Wagyu, and you can enjoy that, but you can also enjoy sukiyaki as well. But today we're going to be eating both. The Japanese black Wagyu ultimate course lets you enjoy both yakiniku and sukiyaki. Isn't that amazing?
I feel like I'm in heaven right now.
You can tell they're really good vegetables. We love vegetables, so we know what we're talking about.
The Verdict
June represents an exceptional value for premium Wagyu dining in Osaka. The restaurant's direct connection with JA Zen-Noh farmers ensures high-quality ingredients throughout the meal, from the exceptional beef to the remarkably fresh vegetables. The combination of yakiniku and sukiyaki in one course provides variety and an engaging dining experience. The reviewers highly recommend this restaurant for anyone in Osaka craving authentic sukiyaki and yakiniku at affordable prices. The regional specialties and cooking methods specific to Kansai make it a worthwhile destination, with mention that the Tokyo location offers different experiences worth exploring for comparison.