Explore the future of food

Welcome to the Future Meat Lab blog! Discover trends and information on sustainable eating.

Where to buy & prices

Introduction

If you want to try alternative meat, it’s helpful to know where to find it and how much it costs. Here’s a quick guide for both the US and Japan.

Where to Buy

United States: Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat products can be found using their official store locators (Impossible: link, Beyond Meat: link) You can also check Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, or use Instacart for home delivery.

Japan: Stores like Aeon, Seijo Ishii, and Tokyu Store sometimes carry plant-based meat, but availability varies. Online shopping is often more reliable—Amazon Japan and Rakuten are good options.

Price and Value

  • Plant-based burger patties: around 300–600 JPY per piece.

  • Specialty cultivated meats: still expensive and limited mainly to high-end restaurants or research.

  • Overall, plant-based alternatives are the most practical choice for everyday use, with costs slightly higher than regular meat but manageable, especially when bought in bulk.

Quick Links

Impossible Foods Store Locator: link

Beyond Meat Store Finder: link

Instacart (US delivery & stock check): link

Amazon Japan: link

Rakuten: link

How does it taste? Blind taste test results

Introduction
Do alternative meats really taste like meat? We held a blind taste test at a small BBQ to find out.

How We Tested
Participants were given both an Impossible-style plant-based patty and a regular beef patty while blindfolded. They scored taste, texture, and overall preference.

Results
About 90% of participants could tell the difference, and many preferred real beef. However, some participants said they liked the plant-based patty just as much, showing that taste preferences vary.

Takeaways
Alternative meat is not identical to real meat, but improvements in flavor and texture make it an enjoyable choice for many. Cooking tips—like browning the patty well and using flavorful sauces—can make a big difference in taste.

Differences between japan and the U.S. in alternative meat

Introduction
Cultural differences affect how people perceive alternative meat. Here’s what we found in a Japanese student survey and comparisons with the US.

Survey Highlights (Japan)

  • Biggest concerns when choosing alternative meat: taste (67%), safety (43%), price (30%), availability (20%), information (40%).

  • Useful website content: clear explanations (83%), taste and texture reviews (40%), store locations (40%), price comparisons (37%), environmental impact (37%).

US vs Japan

  • United States: People focus more on price, convenience, and meat-like qualities. Alternative meat experience is common.

  • Japan: The main concern is taste—people want to try and enjoy it first. Environmental or ethical reasons are less immediate factors.

Takeaway
For a Japanese audience, a website should prioritize easy-to-understand explanations, honest taste reviews, and practical buying information. Adding price guides and cooking tips can also help readers accept and enjoy alternative meat.

Stay informed and inspired

We hope our blog posts reach anyone interested in alternative meat, from the curious beginner to the global food trend enthusiast. Our goal is for you to learn practical information—like where to buy and what to expect—and feel inspired to explore alternative meat in your own daily life. We plan to add new blog posts approximately once every three months, so check back often for fresh insights!