I went to Gyu Kaku with great anticipation today with my husband for some celebrations.
I have been to Gyu Kaku many times while I was working in Japan and have no doubts on the food quality and service.
The food certainly did not fail me today; however I was greatly disappointed with the service provided towards the end of my meal.

We were at the restaurant around 6.40PM and ordered dishes amounting to a total of $181 for 2 person. We finished our meals around 8.10PM and with the staff asking us if we need any desserts.
However, feeling quite full from the meal, I asked for water instead. Shortly, with pressurizing from the staff if we need any other service, we decided to call for the bill. While waiting for the bill (which it took some time to come), my husband and I continued with our conversation. After the bill came, we were barely sitting for another 3 minutes or so; the staff came to tell us in a loud manner that there is a queue waiting for the table. The way the message was communicated has caused a lot of unwanted attention from our neighboring table. We feel very embarrassed and left immediately. Thinking that it was my oversight to have “overstayed”, I felt bad for the moment. However, upon reaching the door, I realised there were just 2 group of people waiting in the queue.

The service that we received at the end of the meal was disappointing as I felt that I was being chased out of the restaurant. If the restaurant is really always crowded, what I suggest for them is to implement a system that is quite commonly practiced in Japan Japanese restaurants whereby diners are pre-informed of the time-frame that they are allocated to finish their meals. This certainly would not let diners feel that they are being chased away.

For the first time in a very long time, I went for dinner on a Saturday evening without a reservation. Call it a step of faith, that the restaurant would not be crowded at 7pm and as for me, faith coz I have absolutely no idea what I would be in for.

AND... it was a dinner with no regrets!! And here's a list of what we had..

1. Assorted Mushrooms with Butter i.e. Japanese Shitake, Enoki, Shimeji!! YUMMY!!! I was almost going to faint with ectasy over the mushrooms, which were already cooked and all we needed to do, was to heat it over the fire for about 5 minutes.

2. I am an anti-vegetable person, so I was about to scream in horror upon hearing an order made for a Caesar Salad, till I tasted it myself. The salad dressing made all the difference and I finished the entire bowl of vegetables. =D

3. Having watched much Korean and Japanese drama serials, I was always wondering, when I would finally have the chance to eat barbequed meat. And finally, I did!! We had a small portion of Mayura Karubi (Shio, Tare, Miso), which totally lived up to its name of being 'prime' selection!! Thinly sliced but awesome choice of meat from the cow. Yummy!!

4. In addition to the above, we had portions of Buta Karubi (Shio, Tare, Miso) i.e. Pork, Chicken Garlic & Gyu-Kaku Prime Karubi (Black Pepper). Well-marinated, such that one could smell its fragrance, even before the meat was placed over the fire. =D

I was really impressed with the service crew, who was really efficient and attentive!! The crew did periodic changes of our BBQ grill, otherwise, we would be having burnt food, not even halfway through the dinner. Not to mention that, they made it a point to greet every entering and leaving customer!!

And the restaurant definitely had really nice ambience, with soft music playing in the background and there was only a max. of 2 seating groups in each 'small' area, so it was actually pretty conducive to do catching up with friends.

I will not deny the fact that, the chances of me returning for another visit are pretty high, for I really love its supply of beef!! And not to miss out the mushrooms too!! =D

I must say, first, that when i went to Gyu Kaku based on the reviews below, i thought the price range would be as stated per person.
But i was wrong - i was on a budget and therefore had to watch what we ordered; we could have easily eaten up to 200 per person - and that would have likely been a more realistic price per head gauge.

(As a side note, the intern with us in the office told me that she went with her family - a total of 6 persons, and their total bill was 2000dollars.)

Anyhow, we had:

Korean Style Cucumber
Wagyu Karubi (Wagyu Oyster Blade) Large, Shio
Prime Venison Garlic (Large)
Ika (Calamari) Black Pepper Foil Grill
Cabbage
Shitake Mushroom
Ishiyaki Bibimba - Rice Topped With Various Seasonal Vegetables and Served in a Sizzling Hot Stone Bowl

We loved the Korean Style Cucumber. The seasoning was sourish and light, and the cucumber crisp and fresh. Portion ridiculously small, so again - its easy to chalk up a hefty bill.

Ok for the meats, no complaints about the Wagyu Karubi we had - there is an extensive choice of wagyu cuts. We didnt really know the difference, the menu was not self explanatory - and we figured it would be too tedious to ask anybody to explain. So we just picked one cut and had it marinated in Shio. The marinade was okay actually, not too salty, pretty okay. Possibly the cucumbers evened it out.

My partner liked the venison alot, but he cant smell. The meat was okay - not tough like the beef, but there was this strange smell and initial weird taste when you first put it into your mouth. It leaves no bad aftertaste of any sort, so that wasnt a problem - but the initial smell can be a little offputting. A little sourish, like it was a little spoilt. But it was okay. Decent.

I liked the calamari, but it was something i felt i could have done myself. The calamari (and other seafood, if you order) comes packed in an aluminium foil packet and basicially you just leave it atop the charcoal grill till it is ready. My partner isnt a big fan of squid, but he thought it was okay.

The biggest problem i had (attributed to the fact that we've never been to gyu kaku and had no idea what exactly was instore) was that our vegetables came raw with nothing whatsoever, except the two sauces provided for to dip our food in after they are cooked, and i wasnt sure how to cook them. we couldnt just throw them onto the grill. they would turn black. but neither could we just eat them raw. raw cabbage is gross. so in the end i just dunked everything in the sauce provided for and left them on the grill for abit.
it was rather difficult. I doubt we will order any raw vegetables (save for the appetisers) if we go back.
Anyhow, when i voiced my concern to the waiter, he couldnt really provide an alternative, save that we could eat it raw or try to heat it over the grill. But he was very patient and genuinely interested in listening to what i had to say. And i appreciate that alot.

The Ishiyaki Bibimba that my partner and i shared was rather uniquely presented. I like the fact that they ask you whether you take chilli (my partner does not, as with alot of other things that impede my food choices) and then they mix up the rice on your table in front of you. When the waiter was done, he told us that he would serve us after a few minutes, because if he let it set, the rice would be crispier.
I like that they take time to explain these things.

In anycase, i wasnt entirely impressed by the Ishiyaki Bibimba, but my partner (great big fan of fried rice in general) loved it. and i told him honestly, the crispy bits are the burnt parts.(which get stuck in teeth) but it was nevertheless enjoyable.

I think the next time we come back, we'll be prepared to spend alot more. There are alot of things i would like to try, but because we just paid a ton of money for a trip, we had to watch what we ordered.

We weren't full at the end of the meal, but it was a reasonable filling of hungry stomachs - to the extent that you can move, but your stomach is reasonably satisfied. (which is supposed to be how much you're in theory supposed to eat for each meal)

The service was very good because at all times the staff was courteous, patient and polite. and they make it a point to open and close doors for you - which really, is an unnecessary but very polite gesture. I also like the fact that they changed the grill above the charcoal every like half an hour. eating carbon is bad.

Checked this place out after looking thru all the good reviews... The BBQ is good.

Service is fantastic.....good alternative to traditional Jap and Korean BBQ

The sake was so so, I am quite particular with Sake..... the best is at Mizuki fine dining at Market Street

I know there're lots of places out there where meat-lovers can go to glut ourselves, but Gyu-kaku is IMHO one of the best in Singapore.

Based on the many Japanese expats/visitors who frequent the place, it looks like it serves pretty authentic fare as well. However, I'm told that Gyu-Kaku is more of a Korean BBQ concept done with a Japanese influence.

The food is generally top-notch. Unlike many other such places, each dish of meat is properly marinated with your choice of sauce. Other joints I've been to simply lash the sauce onto the meat after they take your order. Also, the cuts of meat Gyu-Kaku uses are quality (not NTUC) cuts. You can absolutely tell the difference in the taste and texture of the meat.

While on the subject of sauces, my own opinion is that most meats don't go well with miso marinade (too salty), but I guess it varies with personal preference. Must-tries include the shio buta karubi (pork), Wagyu beef tongue and black-pepper venison. Aside from the BBQ dishes, you may also want to try their ramen which is really pretty good.

It's a shame though, that the management did away with the oysters which were one of the best things on the menu till recently. Three fresh plump oysters simmering in a light butter-and-soy sauce broth - perfect with a scoop of rice.

I'm not a sake fan so I usually go for Asahi, but judging from the orders made by Japanese guests, the sake selection must be at least passable.

For 2 pax, I usually spend less than 70 bucks for both food (semi-buffet satisfaction) and a couple of drinks which is good value in my book.