Most people recoil at the idea of eating beef tongue. However, in many countries, it’s a delicacy and worth a try if you’re ever dining at a Yakiniku restaurant. It can be cooked a number of ways, and you’ll find that once you get past the name and origin of the beef, it’s a delicious dish that you’ll want more of. If you’re on the fence about beef tongue, consider these reasons why it’s become a staple in Korean food.

3 Details That Make Beef Tongue the Perfect Dish

1. Texture

Beef tongue has a variety of textures depending on how it’s cooked, making it both highly adaptable and able to be tailored to the diner’s preference. The back of the tongue is more tender, whereas the front of the tongue tends to be chewy. Overall, the meat becomes more tender as it’s cooked, and the similarities to traditional beef make it ideal in a number of different recipes that diners can enjoy.

2. Simplicity

Yakiniku restaurants specialize in grilling, and when it comes to thinly sliced meat—a popular way to cook beef tongue—it doesn’t get much easier. While it takes an experienced hand to grill thin meat, they cook relatively quickly while still retaining a texture similar to regular beef. The traditional Yakiniku style is to cook one side longer than the other to accomplish this. Thin slices are served a variety of ways; sometimes they’re plain and seasoned sparingly with salt or soy sauce, or they may be served in a soup or with rice in other dishes.

3. Quality

Pork is more prominent in Korean food, so any time beef tongue is used, it’s considered a quality or specialty dish. While beef tongue has humble beginnings as a replacement for regular meats during World War II due to shortages, the experimentation that followed has what’s led to so many inventive dishes created around beef tongue.

Sura Hawaii is Honolulu’s premier Korean food destination. They serve delicious barbecue and Yakiniku-style dishes and use only the freshest meats and ingredients. They’ve carefully designed the restaurant so that diners can see their food being cooked tableside and experience the artistry behind Yakiniku grilling. Whether you’re in the mood to try beef tongue, pork, or seafood dishes, you’ll find something unique and exciting. Call (808) 941-6678 today to make a reservation and visit their website to explore their menu. You can also connect with them on Facebook to learn more about their restaurant.