Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ in Santa Monica: Grill Your Own Deliciousness

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Introduce

For those in California craving an interactive and flavorful dining experience, Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ in Santa Monica stands as a popular choice. Unlike traditional Japanese restaurants where dishes arrive ready to eat, Gyu-Kaku specializes in "yakiniku," a Japanese style of barbecue where you become the chef at your own table, grilling an array of premium meats, seafood, and vegetables to your desired perfection. This hands-on approach, combined with a lively atmosphere and delicious offerings, has made Gyu-Kaku a well-known name not just in Santa Monica but across various locations. If you're a local looking for a fun group activity, a unique date night, or simply a delicious meal where you control the sizzle, Gyu-Kaku offers an experience that’s worth exploring.

Gyu-Kaku, meaning "Horn of the Bull" in Japanese, embodies the spirit of shared culinary enjoyment. The concept centers around a smokeless grill embedded in each table, inviting diners to bond over the process of cooking their own food. This interactive element is a major draw, transforming a meal into an engaging activity that's perfect for friends and family. From succulent prime kalbi short rib to flavorful skirt steak, the menu is designed to offer a wide selection of cuts and marinades, ensuring there's something to satisfy every palate. Beyond the meats, you'll find an array of small plates, salads, and soups, allowing for a diverse and well-rounded meal.

While the core of the Gyu-Kaku experience is undoubtedly the grilling, the overall dining environment aims to be vibrant and accommodating. Like any popular establishment, customer experiences can vary, particularly concerning initial interactions or service during peak times. However, the allure of fresh, delicious food that you cook exactly to your liking remains a strong appeal for many. This article will delve into what you can expect when you visit Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ in Santa Monica, covering its location, services, highlights, and why it continues to be a favorite for many California locals seeking a memorable Japanese BBQ adventure.

Location and Accessibility

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ is conveniently located at 231 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA. This prime location places it in the heart of Santa Monica, a bustling coastal city in Los Angeles County, renowned for its vibrant downtown area, shopping, and proximity to the beach. Situated on Arizona Avenue, the restaurant is easily accessible for both local residents and visitors enjoying the Santa Monica experience.

Being in Santa Monica, Gyu-Kaku benefits from high foot traffic and excellent connectivity. It’s often a short walk from popular attractions like the Third Street Promenade and the Santa Monica Pier, making it an ideal dining spot after a day of shopping, sightseeing, or enjoying the beach. Public transportation options are readily available in the area, and while parking in Santa Monica can sometimes be a challenge, there are usually several public parking structures and street parking options within reasonable walking distance. Its central location ensures that Gyu-Kaku is a practical and appealing choice for those seeking a Japanese BBQ experience in a dynamic urban setting.

Services Offered

Yakiniku (Tabletop Grilling): The signature service, where diners grill their own selection of premium meats, seafood, and vegetables directly at their table on smokeless grills.
Dine-In Service: Offers a lively and interactive dining environment suitable for various group sizes, from intimate dinners to larger gatherings.
Extensive Menu: Features a wide variety of cuts of beef (including sirloin, skirt steak, prime kalbi short rib, and specialty aged meats), pork, poultry, and seafood. Various marinades are available.
Small Plates and Appetizers: A selection of starters to complement the BBQ, such as cucumber salad, edamame, gyoza, Japanese fried chicken (karaage), and cheese wontons.
Rice and Noodle Dishes: Offers various rice bowls (like bibimbap and garlic fried rice) and noodle dishes (such as garlic noodles and ramen).
All-You-Can-Eat (AYCE) Options: Gyu-Kaku provides different tiers of AYCE courses with a timed dining limit (typically 90 minutes for ordering). This allows diners to enjoy a wide range of menu items.
Takeout Service: Select menu items, including rice bowls, ramen, and appetizers, are available for takeout.

Features / Highlights

Interactive Dining Experience: The ability to grill your own food at the table is a major draw, offering a unique and engaging experience perfect for social gatherings.
High-Quality Meat Selection: Customers frequently praise the deliciousness of the food, with specific highlights on premium cuts like the sirloin, yellowtail (though reviews mention salmon as "just ok"), and particularly the highly recommended cucumber salad. The "prime kalbi short rib" and "Harami Skirt Steak" are often cited as best-sellers.
Diverse Menu Offerings: Beyond the BBQ, Gyu-Kaku offers a broad array of Japanese appetizers, rice dishes, and noodle dishes, catering to various tastes and preferences.
Happy Hour Specials: Gyu-Kaku features extensive happy hour deals that make many popular menu items, including various cuts of meat, vegetables, and select beverages, available at reduced prices. Happy hour runs for significant portions of the day, including all day Monday.
Lively Atmosphere: The restaurant often has a bustling and energetic ambiance, contributing to the overall fun of the yakiniku experience.
Attentive Service (when consistent): While experiences can vary, many customers have highlighted receiving polite and attentive service from the wait staff, which enhances the dining experience.
Chain Recognition: As a recognized chain with locations across the US, Gyu-Kaku offers a consistent brand experience, familiar to many who have dined at its other establishments.

Promotions or Special Offers

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ is well-known for its generous and extended Happy Hour specials, which are a significant draw for many California locals. These promotions offer excellent value on a wide array of popular menu items, making a visit to Gyu-Kaku even more appealing.

The Happy Hour schedule at Gyu-Kaku Santa Monica is notably extensive:

Monday: All Day Long
Tuesday – Thursday: 11 AM – 6:30 PM & 8:30 PM – 9:45 PM (last seating)
Friday & Saturday: 11 AM – 6:30 PM & 8:30 PM – 10:15 PM (last seating)
Sunday: 11 AM – 6:30 PM & 8:30 PM – 9:45 PM (last seating)

During these happy hour windows, diners can expect discounted prices on various cuts of meat, including premium sirloin, bistro hanger steak, kalbi chuck rib, and different chicken and pork options. Additionally, a selection of appetizers, vegetables for grilling (like zucchini and shishito peppers), rice dishes (such as beef sukiyaki bibimbap and garlic noodles), and even some small sushi plates (like Gyu-Sushi and Spicy Tuna Volcano) are available at reduced prices. This makes it an ideal time to explore a wider range of Gyu-Kaku's offerings without a full à la carte commitment.

In addition to Happy Hour, Gyu-Kaku also offers various All-You-Can-Eat (AYCE) courses. These courses typically have different price tiers (e.g., Standard, Premium, Ultimate) and come with a 90-minute time limit for ordering food and desserts. While the AYCE model aims to provide extensive options, it's important for diners to be aware of the "rules and restrictions," such as charges for uneaten food to minimize waste. These AYCE options are perfect for those with a big appetite or groups looking to try many different items.

For the most current details on specific happy hour items, AYCE course pricing, and any other limited-time promotions, it is always recommended to check Gyu-Kaku's official website or contact the Santa Monica location directly.

Contact Information

To plan your interactive Japanese BBQ experience at Gyu-Kaku in Santa Monica, or for any inquiries, you can use the following contact details:

Address: 231 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA
Phone: (424) 744-8220
Mobile Phone: +1 424-744-8220

It is advisable to call ahead, especially during peak dining hours or if you plan to visit with a larger group, to inquire about wait times or make reservations, particularly for the popular AYCE option. The staff can also provide current information on happy hour specifics and menu details.

Conclusion: Why Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ is Suitable for Locals

For residents of Santa Monica and the wider Southern California region, Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ offers a distinct and engaging dining experience that caters to several local preferences and desires, making it a highly suitable choice for various occasions.

Firstly, its core concept of yakiniku, or tabletop grilling, provides an interactive and social element that appeals strongly to modern diners. This hands-on approach transforms a meal into an activity, perfect for friends, families, and even dates looking for something more engaging than a traditional sit-down dinner. It fosters conversation and shared enjoyment, which is highly valued in the casual yet vibrant California dining scene. The ability to cook your own food to your exact preference is a unique draw that many locals appreciate.

Secondly, the restaurant’s commitment to providing delicious and premium cuts of meat, such as the highly recommended sirloin and the popular prime kalbi short rib, ensures a high-quality culinary experience. While individual experiences with service may vary, the consistent quality of the ingredients themselves is a significant factor in its appeal. The broad menu, extending beyond just BBQ to include appealing appetizers like the well-liked cucumber salad, further enhances its suitability by catering to diverse tastes within a group.

Moreover, Gyu-Kaku's extensive and flexible Happy Hour schedule is a major advantage for locals. With Happy Hour running for significant portions of the day, including all day on Mondays, it offers excellent value on many popular items. This affordability makes a high-quality Japanese BBQ experience accessible to a wider range of budgets, allowing residents to enjoy a satisfying meal without necessarily breaking the bank. For value-conscious Californians, this is a compelling reason to choose Gyu-Kaku.

Lastly, its prime location in Santa Monica makes it incredibly convenient. Being near popular attractions like the Third Street Promenade means it's easy to integrate a meal at Gyu-Kaku into a day of shopping, entertainment, or beach activities. While parking in Santa Monica requires planning, the central location enhances its accessibility for both local residents and visitors.

In summary, Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ in Santa Monica is well-suited for locals due to its fun and interactive yakiniku experience, its focus on high-quality ingredients, its value-driven happy hour promotions, and its convenient location. It offers a unique and enjoyable Japanese dining option that caters to the social and culinary preferences of the California community.

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Menu

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Gyu-Combo To-Go
Gyu-Combo 2 US$16.00
The closest you can get to the Gyu-Kaku yakiniku experience without grilling the meat yourself. Customize your meal! Select two proteins as single or double portions, two marinades, and rice portion. Includes Miso Soup, White Rice, and a Set Salad.
Gyu-Combo 3 US$20.00
The closest you can get to the Gyu-Kaku yakiniku experience without grilling the meat yourself. Customize your meal! Select three proteins as single or double portions, three marinades, and rice portion. Includes Miso Soup, White Rice, and a Set Salad.

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Gyu-Bowls To-Go
Crunchy Garlic Shrimp Noodles (GAH) US$16.00
Crunchy Garlic Shrimp atop thick Japanese noodles stir-fried with sliced garlic, crunchy chili garlic oil, butter, and soy sauce. Topped with diced red bell peppers, chopped green onions, and sesame seeds. Mildly spicy.
Garlic Shoyu Chicken Noodles (GAH) US$15.00
Thick Japanese noodles stir-fried with chicken, sliced garlic, butter, and soy sauce. Topped with diced red bell peppers, chopped green onions, and sesame seeds.
Beef Sukiyaki Fried Rice Bowl (GAH) US$15.00
Our signature thin-sliced Sukiyaki-marinated beef stir-fried with white rice, egg yolk, mushrooms, and sliced onions. Topped with diced red bell peppers, chopped green onions, and sesame seeds.
Beyond Beef Rice Bowl (GAH) US$15.00
Our beloved Sukiyaki Bibimbap goes BEYOND. 100% plant-based Beyond Beef is marinated in our secret Sukiyaki sauce and stir fried with mushrooms, diced red bell peppers, and sliced white onions. Served over rice. Topped with chopped green onions and sesame seeds. Also contains butter and sesame oil. Picture for visualization purposes only. Beyond Bibimbap will arrive pre-mixed.
Fried Chicken Karaage Rice Bowl (GAH) US$15.00
Japanese Fried Chicken Karaage on a bed of white rice and shredded cabbage. Topped with Japanese Chili Mayo and chopped green onions.
Garlic Fried Rice Bowl (GAH) US$12.50
Our Garlic Fried Rice features white rice stir-fried with egg yolk, sliced onions, sliced garlic. Seasoned with a combination of our Shio Soy Sauce, butter, sesame oil, and black pepper. Topped with chopped green onions and fried garlic chips.
Roast Beef Rice Bowl (GAH) US$16.00
Premium roast beef on a bed of mixed greens and steamed rice. Topped with white and green onions, Signature soy-based barbecue sauce, and kuki wasabi.
Spicy Beef Rice Bowl (GAH) US$15.00
Beef rib meat and rice dowsed in our signature Umakara Sauce and mixed with an assortment of bell pepper, shishito pepper, and corn, then garnished with sesame, green onions, and chili flakes.
Umakara Beef Rice Bowl (GAH) US$15.00
Thin-sliced Yakishabu beef marinated in our sweet & spicy Umakara sauce with sliced onions on a bed of white rice and shredded cabbage. Topped with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Gyu-Ramen To-Go
Spicy Beef Ramen (GAH) US$14.00
Gyu-Kaku original recipe: Japanese BBQ meets Ramen! Rich kalbi beef soup and medium thickness ramen noodles topped with thin-sliced beef, boiled egg, green onions, spinach, daikon radish, and sesame seeds. Ramen noodles and hot soup are packaged separately to maintain their maximum deliciousness. Please reheat soup in the microwave (if necessary) and pour over noodles.
Tonkotsu Ramen (GAH) US$14.00
Our Tonkotsu pork bone ramen comes with chunky, fatty braised pork belly Kakuni chashu and is topped with hard-boiled egg, chopped green onions, diced red bell peppers, and sesame seeds. Ramen noodles and hot soup are packaged separately to maintain their maximum deliciousness. Please reheat soup in the microwave (if necessary) and pour over noodles.
Goma Negi Shio Ramen (GAH) US$14.00
Beef and shio-based soup with medium-thick ramen noodles and thick braised pork belly Kakuni chashu. Toppings also include boiled egg, green onion, and sesame seeds. Ramen noodles and hot soup are packaged separately to maintain their maximum deliciousness. Please reheat soup in the microwave (if necessary) and pour over noodles.

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Gyu For All!
MEGA Beef Sukiyaki Fried Rice US$30.95
A TRIPLE SERVING of our Crowd Favorite: Sukiyaki Fried Rice with Beef. Serves 3-5 people. Our signature thin-sliced Sukiyaki-marinated beef stir-fried with white rice, egg yolk, mushrooms, and sliced onions. Topped with diced red bell peppers, chopped green Onions, and sesame seeds.
MEGA Garlic Shoyu Chicken Noodles US$30.95
A TRIPLE SERVING of our Crowd Favorite: Mega Garlic Noodles with Chicken. Serves 3-5 people. Thick Japanese noodles stir-fried with chicken, sliced garlic, butter, and soy sauce. Topped with diced red bell peppers, chopped green onions, and sesame seeds.

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Appetizers To-Go
Fried Pork Gyoza Dumpling US$8.45
Five (5) Fried Pork Gyoza Dumplings with Ponzu citrus soy dipping sauce
Japanese Fried Chicken US$8.45
Our secret-marinated Japanese Fried Chicken Karaage. Served with Japanese Chili Mayo and a wedge of lemon.
Black Pepper Wings US$10.45
Dangerously addictive Nagoya-style Tebasaki chicken wings! Five (5) fresh-fried wings tossed in a sweet soy and black pepper sauce.
Miso Chili Wings US$11.00
Five (5) fried chicken wings coated in our sweet & spicy Miso Chili sauce.
Vegetable Spring Rolls US$8.95
Four (4) Fried Vegetable Spring Rolls with Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce on the side.
Fried Cheese Wontons US$7.45
Crispy fried wontons filled with cream cheese and green onions. Served with sweet chili sauce.
Takoyaki US$8.95
Fried Octopus Balls! A street food classic straight from Osaka. Six fried octopus fritters drizzled with Takoyaki sauce and Japanese mayo. Topped with crushed bonito flakes and green onions.

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Salads And Veggies To-Go
Edamame US$6.00
Steamed Japanese soybeans. Lightly salted.
Gyu-Kaku Salad US$9.95
Mixed greens, sliced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and diced red bell pepper. Topped with a boiled egg (sliced), shredded daikon radish, and shredded cabbage. Served with Gyu-Kaku Dressing on the side.
Spicy Addicting Cucumber US$6.95
Fresh cucumbers in Crunchy Garlic Chili Oil with a dash of Shio Tare, sesame oil, and sesame seeds.
Yuzu Shishito Peppers US$8.95
Fried shishito chili peppers in our Japanese yuzu citrus sauce. Almost always mild.
Napa Kimchi US$7.00
Spicy, pickled Napa cabbage kimchi

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Sides To-Go
Miso Soup US$4.45
A comforting cup of our classic miso soup with seaweed, tofu, and chopped green onions.
White Rice - Regular US$4.50
8 oz of Japanese short-grain white rice
White Rice - Large US$6.00
12 oz of Japanese short-grain white rice
White Rice - Extra Large US$7.50
12 oz of Japanese short-grain white rice
Brown Rice US$5.00

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Dessert To-Go
S'Mores Milk Chocolate US$4.00
Two s'mores pre-softened, wrapped-up, and ready to eat. Graham crackers, marshmallows, and milk chocolate.

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Drinks To-Go
Sprite Can US$1.95
12 oz. Can of Sprite
Red Bull Energy Drink US$5.00
Red Bull Sugar Free US$5.00
Red Bull Yellow Edition US$5.00

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Extra Sauces To-Go
Sweet Soy Sauce Bottle (12 Oz) US$7.50
Enjoy our original Sweet Soy Sauce at home! Use it on your delivery/takeout order or bring a Japanese flair to your next backyard BBQ! Soy sauce, pear juice, and ginger are three of the secret ingredient that we can share with you. Only available at Gyu-Kaku. Gluten Free
Hot & Spicy Sauce Bottle (12 Oz) US$7.50
Enjoy our original Hot & Spicy Sauce at home! Use it on your delivery/takeout order or bring a Japanese flair to your next backyard BBQ! Our mildly spicy Japanese BBQ dipping sauce. Only available at Gyu-Kaku. Gluten Free
Sesame Miso Dressing Bottle (12 Oz) US$7.50
Enjoy our original Sesame Miso Dressing at home! Use it on your delivery/takeout order or bring a Japanese flair to your salad and veggies! Only available at Gyu-Kaku. Gluten Free
3 Gyu-Kaku Bottle Bundle (12 Oz Ea) US$20.00
Select 3 Bottles.
Takeout Sauces US$0.00

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Gyu-Kaku Gear To-Go
Beef Cuts Cow Map T-Shirt US$25.00
Never forget which part of the cow your Gyu-Kaku beef comes from with this t-shirt! Only available in black.
Irasshaimase! T-Shirt US$25.00
Irasshaimase! is the greeting that all guests hear when they enter Gyu-Kaku. It means "Welcome!" and it also means that you are about to enjoy some delicious Japanese BBQ! Only available in black.
Yakiniku T-Shirt US$25.00

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Details

Service options
No-contact delivery
Delivery
Takeaway
Dine-in

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner

Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet

Offerings
Alcohol
All you can eat
Beer
Cocktails
Comfort food
Happy-hour drinks
Happy-hour food
Late-night food
Small plates
Spirits
Vegetarian options
Wine

Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities
Toilet

Atmosphere
Casual
Trendy

Crowd
Family friendly
Groups
Tourists

Planning
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Children
Good for kids
High chairs
Kids' menu

Parking
Paid street parking
Parking

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Photos

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Location

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

California Los Angeles County Santa Monica Downtown Arizona Avenue

231 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Reviews

We enjoyed our meal, the food was delicious! Highly recommend the cucumber salad and the sirloin. Our server was really polite and attentive. Unfortunately, the young lady who seated us was very rude. We’ve never been spoken to so disrespectfully in a restaurant before.
April 27 · tracey chesney
I was really looking forward to trying this place, but unfortunately, the service was incredibly disappointing. We were seated and given menus, and our drink order was taken but after that, we waited for 25 minutes without a single check-in from our server.What made it worse is that the restaurant wasn’t even busy. Besides our table, there were only two other parties, and they were also clearly frustrated, waiting a long time just to receive their bills.To top it off, we could hear the staff’s conversations through the restaurant while guests were unattended. Very unprofessional.We had no choice but to get up leave & look for another restaurant.Needless to say, I won’t be coming back.
May 22 · emma arambula
I came here for lunch, and I have to say, it was a lovely experience overall. I've visited other Gyu-Kaku locations before, and the food was just as delicious here as I remembered. The service was quite good too, although we did have a little hiccup when two of our meat dishes were forgotten towards the end (we had ordered two sets of three BBQ items). Thankfully, our server was attentive and came by to check on us; they offered sincere apologies for the oversight. It’s clear they genuinely care about their guests, and I appreciated the friendly atmosphere. Honestly, this experience felt more warm and personal compared to the East Coast locations I've been to.
March 23 · Ju Hui Lee
The food is not clean! The mushroom has a lot of dirt on it. We have to ask them clean it twice.The meat was too fatty and has too much tender. Hard to chew.It’s crazy for a $100 dinner.
October 28 · Vicky Wang
It's decent, the food is good enough, really fatty, and the sweet soy sauce is the best.The servers here are kinda forgetful forgetting my soup and that we are even here.We waited a little bit and then had to go ask the waiters here to take our order. The Miso soup was okay.
November 08 · N/A VT