Barbie (Aussie BBQ) Day

What Is Barbie (Aussie BBQ) Day?

August 2nd is "Barbie Day" in Japan. The "Barbie" here has nothing to do with the fashion doll — it refers to Australian-style barbecue. The day was established by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), which promotes Australian meat. Its purpose is to raise awareness of the Australian "barbie" in Japan — thick-cut chunks of meat grilled slowly while people enjoy conversation — and to help it catch on. The date comes from a pun: 8 and 2 can be read "ba (8) bi (2)."

"Barbie" Is an Australian Word

In English, "barbecue" is often shortened to "BBQ." In Australian English, however, the "cue" is dropped and it is affectionately called a "barbie."

• The name: In Australia, a barbecue is called a "barbie"
• The style: Chunks of meat are cut thick and grilled slowly
• The enjoyment: It's not just about cooking and eating, but about valuing time spent talking with the people gathered
• The catchphrase: "Let's barbie!" — family and friends gathering to enjoy thick-cut Aussie beef steaks

How It Differs From Japanese Barbecue

At Japanese barbecues, people often grill thin slices of meat and vegetables one after another. The Australian "barbie," by contrast, is characterized by grilling thick cuts of meat over time and enjoying the conversation while waiting for them to cook. Even though both are gatherings for grilling and eating meat, the sense of time may feel a little different.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Get some thick-cut beef and grill it slowly at home or at a campsite
• Enjoy chatting with family and friends while you wait for it to cook
• Cook the meat thoroughly to the center and watch out for undercooking
• It's a hot season, so don't forget to stay hydrated and find shade outdoors

Making the Grilling and the Talking Part of the Feast

Barbie Day on August 2nd is a day to follow the Australian barbecue tradition: gather together and enjoy slowly talking while the meat grills. In the summer holiday season, why not gather family and friends with a "Let's barbie!" and share some slightly thicker cuts of meat than usual?