Apparently, beefcake may or may not be a dish. But in the summer of 2008 David and Terrance seemed to think so as they were having pizzas for lunch at an Italian restaurant in their Rokko neighborhood and brainstorming a name for their line of T-shirts. They wanted to include the name of their adopted hometown Kobe and something the area is known for. Earthquakes? Too macabre. Beef? Too obvious. Beefcake? Isn’t that a dish like a meat pie? Turns out a beefcake is a man way too into his own physique. Still, David and Terrance thought the mishmash of images and a touch of cuteness made for the perfect name.

Kobe Beefcake IS…

a fashion brand started in 2008 by proud Kobe, Japan residents David Burden and Terrance Young. The idea (and now reality) is making lots of money designing selling overpriced original and stylish T-shirts with a homegrown Kobe flavor to them. David and Terrance looked around and saw a few brands that positively inspired them (take a guess which) and many more that were crappy derivatives or derivatively crap and felt they could have fun and create something worth wearing.

Kobe Beefcake is NOT…

a promotional organization for the Kobe beef industry.

a line of meat pies made of Kobe beef. Although that does sound delicious.

a magazine for narcissistic buff men obsessed with building their bodies and looking in the mirror at their built bodies.

Kobe Beefcake MIGHT…

start a line of wares for the elderly to take advantage of Japan’s rapidly aging society. Look forward to Kobe Beefcake branded adult diapers.

make meat pies after all.