Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Dining
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Phone: (310) 234-8641
- Cross Street:
- Westwood Boulevard
- Hours:
- Mon-Thu 12pm-2:30pm, 5pm-11pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-5pm, 5pm-12am, Sun 12pm-5pm, 5pm-10am
Message from Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Dining
Our first location here in the US. Authentic Japanese BBQ, just around the corner!
- Open-Faced Charcoal Grill
- Kobe Beef Filets & Other Meats
- Seafood, Veggies, & Happy Hour
Paid advertisement by Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Dining.
Editorial Review for Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Dining – by Ginny Chien
The Scene
Traditional (tatami booths) meets modern (exposed overhead piping) in this narrow dining room that buzzes with excitement, perhaps from the anticipation of playing with an open grill. Gregarious servers hustle to a looping soundtrack of hip-hop and electronica. The crowd runs the gamut from hipsters sporting vintage Levi's to families enjoying quality time.
The Food
With outposts on nearly every corner in Japan, Gyu-Kaku is the Starbucks of Japanese barbecue. And like the java joint, this Asian chain boasts the same efficiency and high quality. The fun begins when you get your tongs. Transfer the fresh, uncooked bites of meat to your very own charcoal-powered grill and flip to your heart's desire. Tender kalbi (short ribs), briny shrimp and half a dozen other meats are doused in ta're, the usual soy sauce-based sweet marinade; shio, a salty sesame secret sauce; or miso.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Know Before You GoThe menu is predominantly a la carte, although there are two complete dinners offered for couples.
User Reviews for Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Dining
05/07/2008 Posted by kitanohara
Encouraged by all the fanfares in the media about Gyu-Kaku, I decided to check one out in Los Angeles. We were a group of 8, and was seated right across from the Men's rest room, that was a bummer. But with enthusiasm, we ordered beef, salmon, shrimp, vegies, and so on. Many knows that almost all of the foods served in Gyu-Kaku are of Korean cuisine, and not Japanese. But that misrepresentation is perfectly OK as long as the food tast good. To everyone's disappointment, the food was completely "Americanized" for mass consumption by the locals (who rated the food as excellent). Every meat and seafood pieces were heavily marinated in soy sauce and way too much sugar, Even the Bibimba tasted the same- nothing like the real one with a zing of hot pepper sauce. If you truly loved the Korean BBQ, skip Gyu-Kaku and look for many excellent eateries around the city.
Pros: Good service
Cons: Char coal did not light properly for the first 30 minutes.
05/06/2008 Posted by kanpachipachi
okay this is a big chain place for bbq. that doesn't mean it is the best. i've been to two locations. wla and san fernando. had to wait twice. ambiance is good. service is good too. pricing might be a little high. but i just can't get over the way they cut their meat! they are all so uneven! sometimes i get a chunk and sometimes i can't even pick them up with my chopsticks! i like the meat simple. they are too sauced up to figure out the quality of the meat.
Pros: fun place to go once in a while
Cons: pricing and the over crowded tables
