When you just feel like having a good steak, but don’t want to splurge at a restaurant or go through the hassle of cooking a steak while worrying about its doneness, try out these amazing Japanese Beef Cubes! The dish boasts a combination of umami-rich beef, a savoury soy sauce base, the subtle sweetness of mirin, and a hint of heat from wasabi. It is surprisingly easy to cook, with almost no skill required and only a handful of ingredients!
The key ingredient here is, of course, the beef. A tender cut of beef is required, and I’ve used the beef tenderloin, also known as eye fillet. This cut of beef is renowned for its tenderness and buttery texture, making it perfect for this dish, and it doesn’t require any additional tenderization either. While wagyu beef is another excellent option, it’s just too expensive for me 😂.
The tender beef is cut into one-inch cubes, ensuring that it’s bite-sized and easy to chew. The cooking process is quick and precise, with the beef cooked for less than 2 minutes, resulting in a beautiful sear that locks in the meat’s juices while creating a flavourful, caramelized exterior. The result is beef cubes that are perfectly browned on the outside and succulent on the inside.
To elevate the dish further, a simple yet magical sauce is prepared. It consists of light soy sauce, mirin (a sweet rice wine), and a touch of wasabi for that subtle kick. The sauce is drizzled over the seared beef cubes, infusing them with a burst of umami and a hint of spice.
These Japanese Beef Cubes can be served with rice or on its own, along with any vegetables of your choice. The simplicity of the dish and its incredible flavours make it a must-try for anyone craving a steak that is steeped in Japanese flavour. So let’s get to it!
Watch How To Make It
Japanese Beef Cubes
Ingredients
- 200 g beef tenderloin (eye fillet)
- spring onion garnish
Sauce
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp mirin
- 1/4 tsp wasabi
Instructions
- Cut the beef into 1 inch cubes.Pro Tip: Beef tenderloin / eye fillet is a super tender cut of meat and does not need a tenderizer. The cubes should be bite-sized pieces, and its important to use tender meat so it's easy to chew. Another good alternative is wagyu beef.
- Heat oil in a pan over high heat until it starts to smoke, then place in the beef cubes. Cook all 4 sides until they turn brown. This should take less than 2 minutes and set it aside.
- Make the sauce with light soy sauce, mirin and wasabi. Drizzle the sauce on the beef cubes.
- Pair it with rice, garnish with spring onion then serve!