Vlad Bunoan

A premium selection of Ito Ranch Matsusaka Beef showcased during the launch event

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Ralph Revelar Sarza

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1760756268151A premium selection of Ito Ranch Matsusaka Beef showcased during the launch event.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="A premium selection of Ito Ranch Matsusaka Beef showcased during the launch event. Handout"/>A premium selection of Ito Ranch Matsusaka Beef showcased during the launch event. HandoutManila’s fine dining scene just got its rarest ingredient yet. For the first time, Filipinos can now taste Ito Ranch Matsusaka beef, Japan’s legendary “Queen of Wagyu,” brought in by Prime Cuts by Doubleday, the Manila-based purveyor connecting local chefs with the world’s finest meats.</div>The launch, held at Shangri-La Plaza’s Grand Atrium, gathered chefs, restaurateurs, and industry leaders in an afternoon that paid homage to Japan’s precision and quiet dedication to craft.Matsusaka beef is known for its intricate marbling and low melting point of around 12°C, giving it a melt-in-your-mouth texture that has earned it cult status among wagyu purists. Because it is rarely exported, its arrival in the Philippines marks an important milestone for local chefs and diners who measure a meal not just by flavor but by intention.“This launch is about more than introducing our beef to a new market. It’s about sharing the care, patience, and generations of tradition that go into every step of raising our cattle,” said Hiroki Ito, third-generation head of Ito Ranch in Mie Prefecture.Founded in 1953, Ito Ranch is Japan’s most awarded Matsusaka producer, with over 35 competition wins, including a three-year Grand Champion streak from 2017 to 2019 at the Matsusaka Beef Carcass Competition. The ranch’s meticulous care has been featured by Business Insider, and its beef was once described by chef Ferran Adrià as being “from another dimension.”When I asked how they ensure that Filipinos receive the same level of quality as in Japan, Doubleday CEO Lorenzo Vega said their expertise in logistics and temperature-controlled transport is key. Each wagyu shipment from Japan to Manila, he explained, is handled within a carefully monitored environment that upholds the same standards of care practiced by Ito Ranch.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1760756212713Prime Cuts by Doubleday, Ito Ranch, and Teppanya executives present the Ito Ranch Matsusaka Beef at Shangri-La Plaza.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Prime Cuts by Doubleday, Ito Ranch, and Teppanya executives present the Ito Ranch Matsusaka Beef at Shangri-La Plaza. Handout"/>Prime Cuts by Doubleday, Ito Ranch, and Teppanya executives present the Ito Ranch Matsusaka Beef at Shangri-La Plaza. HandoutThe launch featured a Kagami Biraki sake toast and a live tasting led by Teppanya and Sicilian Roast, two of Manila’s most established culinary collaborators. It also drew support from Maison Midori Matcha, My Shopping Box, and Ralph’s Wines &amp; Spirits — a mix that underscored how Japanese tradition can quietly meet Filipino creativity without losing its essence. </div>Ito Ranch Matsusaka Beef will soon be available in select restaurants, including Teppanya and Sicilian Roast, with more partners to follow. Businesses and chefs interested in sourcing authentic Matsusaka Beef may contact Prime Cuts by Doubleday. What began as a trade deal now feels like a small cultural exchange that lets Manila taste how far patience and precision can go.

For the first time, Filipinos can now taste Ito Ranch Matsusaka beef, Japan’s legendary “Queen of Wagyu,” brought in by Prime Cuts by Doubleday, the Manila-based purveyor connecting local chefs with the world’s finest meats.

For the first time, Filipinos can now taste Ito Ranch Matsusaka beef, Japan’s legendary “Queen of Wagyu,” brought in by Prime Cuts by Doubleday, the Manila-based purveyor connecting local chefs with the world’s finest meats.

Well done, Manila: Japan’s Ito Ranch Matsusaka beef is finally here

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Well done, Manila: Japan’s Ito Ranch Matsusaka beef is finally here

Ralph Revelar Sarza

Published Oct 18, 2025 11:00 AM PHT

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Matsusaka beef

Ito Ranch

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