A Tokyo restaurant that fuses Korean barbecue with Wagyu beef and lets you eat and drink as much as you want? Muhan — full name Jukusei Niku Kobo Muhan — opened on 1 August 2023 in Akasaka, a nightlife-heavy neighbourhood in Minato ward that also happens to be a base for small-group tours of the city. It's part of the same restaurant group as Yakiniku MUGEN, a well-regarded local yakiniku spot, and it carries over some of that restaurant's signature recipes, including its kimchi and homemade salad dressing.
The draw here is simple: all-you-can-eat packages built around two grades of beef — domestic Wagyu and premium Japanese Black Wagyu — paired with either unlimited soft drinks or unlimited alcohol. The entry-level domestic Wagyu deal with soft drinks costs ¥4,928 (about US$33), rising to ¥6,028 (US$40) with booze included. Upgrade to the premium Japanese Black Wagyu and you'll pay ¥6,028 or ¥7,128 (US$47) depending on your drink package. Note that the premium cut is noticeably fattier, so some regulars stick with the standard option. If you're just in for lunch, set meals start at ¥1,100 (US$7) for a standard yakiniku set.
The all-you-can-eat menu goes well beyond beef, and every item is included rather than priced individually. Expect Wagyu tongue, upper loin, short ribs, skirt steak and sukiyaki-style cuts, plus black pork samgyeopsal, Korean-style spicy chicken, and a full lineup of sides: kimchi, japchae glass noodles, Korean pancake, tteokbokki, stone-bowl bibimbap and garlic rice, yukgaejang soup, kimchi and sundubu jjigae, Korean cold noodles, and both soy-marinated and spicy marinated crab (ganjang and yangnyeom gejang).
Logistics are refreshingly modern: you scan a QR code to order and plates arrive fast, then you cook everything yourself at the table — the classic Korean BBQ setup, which works especially well with quality beef since you control the timing. Add the sides and a bottle of soju and it's easy to see why fans rate it so highly. Staff are accommodating too; an evening slot arrived at 20:20 with a 21:30 finish, followed by a generous 30 minutes to wrap up and leave.
Practical details: Muhan sits on the first floor of the Akasaka Sun Building Annex at 3-12-10 Akasaka, Minato-ku. It's about a three-minute walk from Akasaka Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line, or eight minutes from Akasaka-mitsuke Station on the Ginza and Marunouchi lines. Opening hours run 11:30 to midnight daily, and the phone number is 03-5544-8816.
For travellers, this hits a sweet spot: it's one of Tokyo's more affordable ways to try genuine Wagyu, the all-you-can-drink add-on makes it an easy group dinner, and the location puts you right in one of the city's best after-dinner neighbourhoods. Book a slot, pace yourself on the fatty cuts, and save room for the marinated crab.
