Travelers who know Wagyu often ask the same question in Korea: is Hanwoo the same thing? The short answer is no. Here is Hanwoo vs Wagyu in plain terms.
Different breeds, different countries
- Hanwoo is Korea's native cattle breed, raised in Korea.
- Wagyu refers to Japanese cattle breeds, most commonly Japanese Black.
They are separate breeds with separate grading systems, so one is not a "version" of the other.
Different grading scales
Japan grades beef with a letter and a number, such as A5. The letter (A–C) is the yield grade, how much usable meat the carcass gives. The number (1–5) is the quality grade. For the top quality grade, 5, the marbling score (BMS) must be 8 to 12 on a 12-point scale.
Korea grades Hanwoo quality as 1++, 1+, 1, 2 and 3. Marbling is scored on a nine-point scale, and 1++ covers No.7 to No.9.
Because the scales are different, you can't convert "A5" into a Korean grade number, or the other way round. What you can say is that 1++ is Korea's top quality grade, just as 5 is Japan's.
Taste
Taste depends on the cut and the individual animal as much as on the breed, so treat any rule as a generalization. Many people describe top-grade Wagyu as extremely rich and buttery, and Hanwoo as having a stronger beef flavor with a little more chew. The best way to find out is to try Hanwoo yourself while you're in Korea.
How Hanwoo is served
At a Korean beef restaurant, Hanwoo is usually ordered per 100g, brought to the table raw and grilled in front of you, with side dishes (banchan) included.
Try 1++ Hanwoo in Busan
HANWOO GOJIP in Gaya-dong, Busan, displays only grade 1++ Hanwoo. You choose your cut from the showcase.
| Menu | Price |
|---|---|
| Hanwoo chadolbagi, thin-sliced brisket (100g) | ₩18,000 |
| Hanwoo assorted (100g) | ₩22,000 |
| Hanwoo ribeye (100g) | ₩24,000 |
| Hanwoo galbisal, boneless rib (100g) | ₩24,000 |
| Hanwoo specialty cuts (100g) | Market price |
| Hanwoo yukhoe, beef tartare (200g) | ₩25,000 |
Visiting as a traveler
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Walk-ins are welcome. Weekend evenings get busy, so booking ahead is safer.
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English is fine, in the restaurant and on the phone (+82 51-891-9777). Menus are available in English, Chinese and Japanese.
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You can also message us on Naver TalkTalk, even outside opening hours.
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Foreign credit cards are accepted.
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No table-setting charge, no corkage fee. Side dishes and 1++ Hanwoo beef soup are unlimited refills.
📍 HANWOO GOJIP Busan Gaya
- 134 Eomgwang-ro, Busanjin-gu, Busan (Gaya-dong 490), 1F & 2F
- +82 51-891-9777
- Mon–Fri 15:00–22:00 / Sat–Sun 11:00–22:00 (L.O. 21:30), open year-round
- One minute from the Gaya Park Entrance bus stop (bus 110-1) · private parking