Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Dining

I always wanted to try this place but it was always soo packed! And now I know why. It wasn't until I discovered that beer (the good kind . .Kirin & Sapporo) was only 99 cents, did I make an effort to try it. This place is totally awesome and is my new Friday night hang out for their late night Happy Hour (they have happy hr twice a day). We usually go in a group of 4 or more and it works out ALL the time. No hassles with the check afterwards like usual. Two things though: 1) You must like meat 2) you must like alcohol. If you want sushi, this is not the deal for you as far as happy hr is concerned. For $15 per person (the minimum required) you can totally get full off all kinds of yummy appetizers (wontons,calamari, ahi poke..) , select meats ( we always get the garlic kalbi chuck & chicken), and did I mention, beer/sake!!! Besides the value, the restaurant itself is quite nice. Great for groups & birthdays as well a casual date or just hanging out at the bar. The staff is super friendly and helpful with the grill, suggestions for selecting items if you're unfamiliar with the food, and fast w/ the refills on alcohol! It's been a couple months now and we're still not sick of this place.

Pros: Everything!

Posted 12/28/08

I recently went here on a date and it was so much fun. We were able to cook our food on a grill in the middle of our table. It kept us entertained. The food was fresh and marinated to perfection. I recommend the Bimba spicy rice as a side. They bring it to you in a cast iron skillet and it cooks at your table. All of the beef dishes are very tasty as well. The smores are fun at the end for dessert. The only thing I don't like is if you go hungry, it takes a while to cook and the portions are a bit small.

Pros: fresh, fun, and tasty

Cons: can be expensive if you are hungry

Posted 11/18/07

This is one of my favorite places to eat. It has a very friendly and welcoming atmosphere and the good is fastastic. They have great Happy Hour specials (sometimes 1/2 off certain meats, $.99 beer, etc.) It's fun to cook your food on a hibachi-type BBQ planted in the middle of your table, and because everything is grilled it feels very healthy. Highly recommend the garlic noodles or Ramen noodle soup in addition to rice, meat and veggies.

Pros: Great food, great ambiance, friendly atmosphere

Cons: If you don't like cooking your own food, forget it

Posted 10/23/07

Yes, I was a dibeliever regarding the benefits of "cook it yourself" dining (why would I want to go out and cook the food myself if I could do it at home for free?!?). I also never enjoy traditional Korean BBQ joints since I come out smelling like a grill and they don't have a good selection of chicken & seafood. But I gave Gyu Kaku a chance and was won over. This place is very clean, non-smelly, with a wonderfully diverse menu. And WHY do people think Gyu Kaku is expensive?!?! There's a choice of pricey or moderately priced beef, while the rest of the entrees are all fairly priced (my favorite entree, the basil chicken, was around $7). My husband and I paid $60 for a great meal... Why I LOVED this dining expereince: tasty food that won't break your diet (you don't get as full b/c you take your time grilling and eating the food, without carby sides like mashed potattoes), cool low-key ambience, waitors that are attentive but not in-your-face... Overall this is a new favorite date spot for us.

Pros: Diet & wallet-friendly, tasty, take-your-time dining

Cons: Fills up quickly so make reservations for peak hours

Posted 10/13/07

this place is for those who dont know they are getting ripped off... there are many of these places in the valley and LA that offer this kind of cooking and food for almost half of the price and half of the fuss...try gochi in the valley...

Posted 09/13/07

Save yourself the trouble of figuring out what to eat and get the Miso Harami Skirt Steaks. Wow, they're unbelievable. Expect to pay about 25-30 per person. Wonderful atmosphere and exceptional service. On a side note, I wouldn't recommend taking a vegetarian here with meat eaters. The grill can get pretty dirty through the course of the evening and picky vegetarians probably won't like meat parts touching the veggies...which is near impossible.

Pros: Great food. 25ish per person excluding alcho. drinks. Great for groups.

Cons: Vegetarians do NOT go here with meat eaters. The grill gets meaty.

Posted 09/08/07

Ive seen this place a dozen times but never dined there. I finally stopped by with a friend and we both loved it. You get to cook your own choice of marinated meats with seafood, beef chicken or pork to choose from. The rice is served in a hot bowl with your choice of added vegees or egg. I tried the crispy seaweed with creame cheese for the first time which was a good appetizer. I ended up having a couple beef plates so next time I will be getting some seafood. The service is excellent and they also have a bar.

Pros: BBQ fusion at its best

Cons: a bit pricey

Posted 07/14/07

This place in truly amazing. I used to drive by this place all the time and had heard about it from some friends and family. I'm pretty discerning when it comes to food, but this place has never failed me. My boyfriend and I will treat ourselves to an over-indulgent meal of 1) harami miso, 2) rosu miso, 3) kalbi tare, 4) garlic chicken and 5) bibimba and we are STUFFED! not only that, but we will have had the most delicious meal, enjoyed ourselves (since you pretty much are left to cook your own food) - all for about $35 for two people! Top the feast off with some smores that you prepare yourself at your personal fire pit. Do yourself a favor and give this place a try. The waiters are totally attentive and parking is easy (valet after 5pm).

Pros: Value, Attentive Service, Smores!!

Cons: Long wait on weekends so make a reservation

Posted 10/23/06

Try them for Happy Hour, when selected dishes are half off. The beef is juicy and tender, and bibimba is also excellent. Just make sure you order the unagi version.

Pros: Friendly waiters

Cons: Parking

Posted 09/25/06

The food is good and the first time I went there I loved it but the second time I felt like it was too expensive. They used to have half off on one particular dish during the week but now it's 30% betwee 5:00 - 6:30 and after 6:30 it's 20% off on something like chicken basil for example. Anyway, it's good but expensive and LOAD!!!

Pros: Cool setting

Cons: expensive

Posted 09/07/06

went here once, haven't had a chance to go again but will for sure. the food was awesome, salads were so good and fresh, love the way you cook everything at the table yet you don't come out smelling that much. The service was good and the place has a romantic setting. Definitely a place to try!

Pros: great food & service/ very romantic

Cons: very limited parking

Posted 07/13/06

Food: Average. Couple of dishes were too salty (Ahi Poke and Bibimba). Korean BBQ meat is better and less saltier. The vegetables were fillers for the combinations and shouldn't have been included.

Ambience: Romantic setting. If you have vision problems, I suggest you bring a flashlight and a good pair of glasses, because you may not be able to read the menus.

Service: Average. I can go to an American restaurant and get the same type of service. Nothing special here.

Value: Too high for what it's worth. We ordered the Samurai and Geisha, and from the portions they provided, it should've been at least half the price. You can go to a good Korean BBQ restaurant and pay at least half the price for a larger portion of meat and vegetable dishes, and come out of the restaurant without feeling ripped off.

Pros: Ambience

Cons: Price, Parking, Ambience

Posted 01/07/06

We ate at the Sherman Oaks store for the sixth time and it was just an excellent experience. They seem to have finally worked out the bugs with their service issues. As always, the food was just awesome and the newer items, including some of the drinks were delicious. The Unagi Bibimba and Kalbi Soup the perfect starters and the Harami Miso is an absolute must try. Enoki mushrooms are worth ordering, too. Dinner can get a little pricey, but you won't be disappointed in the end. Great work Gyu Kaku Sherman Oaks!

Pros: Excellent food, Unagi Bibimba, Kalbi Soup

Cons: Parking, Parking, Overall Pricey

Posted 01/01/06

having just relocated out here and having such horrible food experiences, i am pleased to have stumbled upon this kick ass place. the service is always friendly and accomodating, the ambience is fashionably lowkey chique, and u can't beat their happy hour deals. Wutever meat u have, don't forget to pair it with a crackling pot of Unagi Bi Bim Bap. This place is fun cuz u get to grille ur own food but the only downfall is that the portions are small. Great place for a date, celebration or just with friends! I'm so glad there's one right around the corner from my apt.

Posted 06/30/05

I really like this restaurant. Foods are good, peoples are nice.

Posted 06/12/05

Im a big fan of Japanese food and sushi; I finally had the opportunity to check out Gyu-Kaku. The food is absolutely amazing, make sure you try the Kobe Kalbi or the Harami Miso both are truly the best meats I have ever eaten, melts in your mouth. The servers are on the ball and are there to help guide you thru the tasty menu. Make sure you leave room for dessert, the best SMores this side of the campground.

Pros: Great value, fun atmosphere, gerat service

Posted 05/27/05

Im a big fan of Japanese food and sushi; I finally had the opportunity to check out Gyu-Kaku. The food is absolutely amazing, make sure you try the Kobe Kalbi or the Harami Miso both are truly the best meats I have ever eaten, melts in your mouth. The servers are on the ball and are there to help guide you thru the tasty menu. Make sure you leave room for dessert, the best SMores this side of the campground.

Pros: Great date place, decent prices, great happy hour

Posted 05/26/05