Ground beef in Japan: what it's called and where to buy it

Ground beef is 牛ひき肉. The most common mince in Japan is 合いびき肉, a beef and pork mix, so check the label if you don't eat pork.

Look for this on the label

牛ひき肉
gyū hikiniku · beef only
合いびき肉
aibiki niku · beef and pork mix

How the world cooks Ground beef

HambāguJapanese hamburg steak
Ragù alla bologneseSlow-simmered meat sauce
Tacos de picadilloSpiced mince and potato tacos
MoussakaAubergine and mince bake
KöfteSpiced grilled meatballs
Keema matarMince and peas curry
MeatloafBaked meatloaf with ketchup glaze
KöttbullarMeatballs in cream gravy

Where to find it

In the shop

Meat section, with the other minced meats (ひき肉).

Which shops

Every supermarket. Gyomu Super and Costco sell larger packs. Halal shops sell halal mince.

Watch out

合いびき contains pork (豚). 鶏ひき肉 is chicken and 豚ひき肉 is pork.

If you can't find it

Minced chicken (鶏ひき肉) for keema, tacos and meat sauce

Let the app do the swaps for you

Lazy Recipe sees that you're in Japan and turns any dish into 3 steps with what Japanese supermarkets sell. Your shopping list shows each item's Japanese label and aisle.

Get it on the App Store Use on the web

Cook with it

Cooking Mexican food in Japan with supermarket ingredients
Halal cooking in Japan: what to check and where to buy
Cooking Brazilian food in Japan with supermarket ingredients