Short ribs braised in wine and aromatics make for an elegant holiday dinner

A recipe whose main ingredient is bone-in beef short ribs is about as much use in Japan as a recipe whose main ingredient is hens teeth. Never in my 20 years in Japan have I ever seen bone-in beef short ribs sold anywhere in this country. Not even once. Even if you could get it, 2.7 kgs, plus a bottle of Barolo wine - it would end up costing 20,000 yen to make this one dish!

We have spare ribs on the New Year menu. We don't drink so skip the wine.

Pork spare ribs you can get, and not too expensive. Bone-in beef short ribs? Never seen them - but judging by the price of beef here, if you can find them I wouldn't be surprised if it cost a small fortune!

Pork spare ribs you can get, and not too expensive. Bone-in beef short ribs? Never seen them - but judging by the price of beef here, if you can find them I wouldn't be surprised if it cost a small fortune!

You can order them from "the meat guy" online, the guy has everything.

The Meat Guy site was hacked and is closed down. Check your credit card charges.

The Meat Guy site was hacked and is closed down. Check your credit card charges.

I know, thanks I order regularly from him and he will be back online soon enough.