Matsusaka beef

[2] Farmers in the Mie Prefecture would raise smaller and more muscular, female cows to do agricultural work.

[2] When westerners introduced them to eating beef, farmers began to raise the cows to have traits that were more favorable for human consumption.

[4] To prevent cheap meat from being sold under the Matsusaka name, all authentic stores have an "Association Member's Certificate".

The Mie Prefecture Matsusaka Shokuniku Kosha public corporation implemented a system for tracking the cows to ensure authenticity.

Shabu-shabu is prepared with very thin slices of meat which are quickly dipped in a kelp broth and then eaten.