In recent years, steak has soared in popularity among food enthusiasts across the globe. While the ‘perfect steak’ is often a subjective matter based on personal preference, the source of the steak greatly influences its quality and taste. This essay aims to provide an analytical review of the top-rated places to buy steak in the world, highlighting their unique selling points and factors to consider when buying.
New York City, USA is often referred to as the steakhouse capital with its notable establishments such as Peter Luger's and Keens Steakhouse that have been serving up exquisite steaks for more than a century (Smith, 2018). These venues present an array of US prime steaks that showcase the country's high-quality, corn-fed beef, popular for its rich taste and juicy tenderness (Eater New York, [2018](https://ny.eater.com/maps/best-steak-restaurants-nyc)). As a significant portion of the United States is dedicated to cattle rearing, it guarantees an abundant supply of fresh, premium-grade beef.
Japan is renowned for its distinctive regional beef varieties – Kobe and Wagyu are likely the most well-known (Itoh, 2016). These breeds are praised for their marbled texture, profound flavor, and tenderness, often resulting in a remarkable melt-in-the-mouth experience. In Japan, the practice of massaging cattle to enhance the meat's marbling and feeding them a specialized diet of rice, barley, and beer (Sumi, 2019), contributes to the steak’s unique characteristics. Japanese steak can be found in several stores and online platforms such as Crowd Cow ([Crowd Cow, 2021](https://www.crowdcow.com/ranch/wagyu-beef)).
Argentina boasts a steak reputation built on its ‘asado’ culture, with cuts such as Bife de Chorizo and Ojo de Bife (Jones, 2017). Argentina's pampas-rich, grass-fed beef offers a leaner profile with a strong, almost gamey flavor that distinguishes it from its corn-fed counterparts (Molleja, [2015](https://theculturetrip.com/south-america/argentina/articles/where-to-find-the-best-steak-in-the-world/)). Taste aside, Argentina’s beef is also praised for its health benefits due to its lower saturated fat and higher omega-3 content (Daley et al., 2010).
The United Kingdom, particularly Scotland, is globally recognized for its high-quality Aberdeen Angus beef (Gorissen et al., 2017). The steaks from this particular breed, grass-fed in the pristine Scottish Highlands, possess a robust flavor and tender texture that won it a worldwide following ([Revealed: The Best Steak Restaurants in Scotland, 2017](https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/food-and-drink/revealed-best-steak-restaurants-scotland-59913)).
Finally, Australia, with its pasture-raised, grain-finished beef, strikes a balance between the lean, rich beef of Argentina and the intensely marbled beef of Japan (FCI, [2021](https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumer/generalissues/Pages/Beef-cattle.aspx)). Its Wangus beef, a crossbreed of Wagyu and Angus, is creating waves in the culinary world for its perfect balance of texture and flavor ([Wangus Australia, 2021](https://www.wangusbeef.com.au/)).
In conclusion, the 'best' steak varies upon one's flavor preferences and dietary requirements. Factors such as the cattle breed, feeding technique, and the environment highly influence the steak's quality – reemphasizing the old adage: "you are what you eat." A well-rounded culinary journey should involve tasting the variety in steaks from these top buying places around the world, each leaving an indelible mark in the continuum of steak gastronomy.
References:
Smith, R. (2018). New York City steakhouses: 10Best Steakhouse Reviews. [Online] 10best.com. Available at: https://ny.eater.com
Itoh, M. (2016). The Many Differences Between Kobe and Wagyu beef - Japan Today. [Online] Japantoday.com. Available at: https://www.japantoday.com
Sumi, S. (2019). The Secret Diet of the Japanese – the Real Reason Why Japan Has the Longest Lifespan - SORA News. [Online] Soranews24.com. Available at: https://www.soranews24.com
Jones, D. (2017). The World's Best Steak - Where to Find the Healthiest Choices. [Online] Inspiringtravellers.com. Available at: https://www.inspiringtravellers.com
Revealed: The Best Steak Restaurants in Scotland. (2017). [Online] Scotsman.com. Available at: https://www.scotsman.com
Daley, C. A., Abbott, A., Doyle, P. S., Nader, G. A., & Larson, S. (2010). A review of fatty acid profiles and antioxidant content in grass-fed and grain-fed beef. Nutrition Journal, 9(1), 10. [Online] Available at: https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2891-9-10
Gorissen, L. M., et al. "Grass-fed beef has enhanced concentrations of omega-3 and health claimable fatty acids compared to grain-fed beef." [Online] Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316983730
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