INSIDE EDITION's latest investigation finds restaurants across the country are advertising Kobe beef even though they're serving less expensive meat.
A New York City restaurant with three Michelin stars has altered its menu as a result of an INSIDE EDITION investigation, which found its Kobe beef was actually a different type of meat.
Le Bernardin, an exclusive French restaurant in Manhattan, listed a Kobe beef lunch on its menu for a whopping $110, which INSIDE EDITION's Lisa Guerrero ordered during a recent trip.
But when she later asked the manager to see the restaurant's Kobe beef certification, he was stumped. She asked him to bring it outside, but he never came out.
The owner later called to say they made a mistake and the restaurant immediately changed its menu from Kobe beef to Japanese Wagyu, a less expensive Japanese beef.
An INSIDE EDITION investigation, which will air in full on Friday, found that Le Bernardin was not alone. Other restaurants IE visited in New York and California were also advertising Kobe beef on their menus in the form of steaks, burgers and even hot dogs, even though they’re not actually serving it, according to the Kobe Beef Association.
Read: Breast Milk Bought Online May Contain Bacteria That Could Harm Your Child, Investigation Finds
Kobe beef, which has a marbled appearance, comes from pure-bred cattle raised on a special diet in Japan. The meat can cost $55 dollars an ounce, and just a small amount makes it to the U.S. each year. There are only eight restaurants in the entire country certified to sell authentic Kobe beef, according to the Association.
Tune in on Friday to see more of IE's exclusive investigation.
Watch: Restaurants Cook Up Controversy Serving Lion Meat in Tacos and Burgers
