Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

Japanese restaurant · Lyndale

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

Japanese restaurant · Lyndale

4

3025 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408

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Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ by null

Highlights

A casual Japanese BBQ spot where you grill top-quality meats, enjoy tasty sides, and cap it off with table-roasted s’mores.  

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3025 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408 Get directions

gyu-kaku.com
@gyukakujbbq

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

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3025 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408 Get directions

+1 612 224 9888
gyu-kaku.com
@gyukakujbbq

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

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Last updated

Jul 30, 2025

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@eater

Where to Eat on Christmas Day in the Twin Cities

"Enjoy the fun of Japanese barbecue without the cleanup: guests can grill their own meat, seafood, and vegetables on smokeless grills set up on the center of the table. A special holiday menu for two, four, or eight includes various cuts of beef, chicken, and seafood to grill tableside, plus rice, soup, salad, and S’mores. Larger groups can take advantage of the party-size 100-ounce Kirin beer tower for $30. The restaurant opens at 11:30 a.m. with final seating at 9 p.m." - Stacy Brooks, Eater Staff

https://twincities.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-open-christmas-day-minneapolis-st-paul
View Postcard for Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
@eater

Where to Eat on Christmas Day in the Twin Cities

"Enjoy the fun of Japanese barbecue without the cleanup: Guests can grill their own meat, seafood, and vegetables on smokeless grills set up on the center of the table. A special holiday menu for two, four, or eight includes various cuts of beef, chicken, and seafood to grill tableside, plus rice, soup, salad, and S’mores. Larger groups can take advantage of the party-size 100-ounce Kirin beer tower for $40. The restaurant opens at 11:30 a.m. with a final seating at 10:00 p.m." - Stacy Brooks, Eater Staff

https://twincities.eater.com/maps/where-to-eat-on-christmas-eve-day-in-the-twin-cities-st-paul-minneapolis
View Postcard for Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
@kwameadiyia_
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@itwheredockboat
Minneapolis St Paul
View Postcard for Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

Vivien

Google
We ordered the Meat Lovers set, and the portion size was perfect for two people - enough to feel satisfied without being overly stuffed. The cuts of meat were good quality and flavorful, which made the BBQ experience pretty enjoyable. I opted to upgrade the plain rice to the beef sukiyaki bibimbap, but honestly, it was a bit plain for my taste - could've used a bit more seasoning or flavor. On the downside, the host who greeted us at the door didn’t seem very welcoming. His facial expression looked pretty angry, which threw off the vibe a little at first. However, the rest of the service was attentive and friendly, and the prices were reasonable for the quality of food.

Kavitha P

Google
Came for a late night dinner with friends so we got the big private room in the back Super cute decor and friendly attentive staff Hubby and I shared the meat lovers combo which is a great deal $48 each Comes with soup salad rice chicken karage Gyu sushi, edamame and a ton of meat you grill yourself Very tasty and I loved the spicy sauce Then 2 smores for dessert to roast at the table was the perfect ending The cocktails were disappointing- the lychee martini did not taste like other ones I've tried - prob best to stick with hot sake next time Parking was easy in the lot since it was late but I imagine at peak times would be hard to find street parking

Melinda

Google
I don't usually do chains but this is my fourth Gyu-Kaku location. Unlike other chain restaurants, these are all pretty streamlined--quality meats, great staff, clean and aesthetically pleasing. Glad that this location is as good as Austin, Chicago, and Orlando. Our server Hoang was wonderful! The food came out at a great pace. I highly recommend making a reservation, even if it's at a time you don't think would be busy. After your first visit, save your receipt, download the app, and scan the receipt so you can get points. Higher rewards include free steak and 25% off your check. I think first-timers get a $10 off coupon for their next visit. I highly recommend you get a course that includes the Gyu-sushi and Beef Sukiyaki Fried Rice Bowl! Also, their Happy Hour is from 3pm-6pm Monday through Friday.

Nani ?

Google
Love everything about this place to the food, servers, and the atmosphere here. The bbq was delicious, and the wagu was so tender. I felt like it melted in my mouth lol. I took my husband here for his birthday, and he enjoyed it. The server was very helpful and explained everything to us.

Cristofo Romani

Google
I had enough beef and sake to make an Edo period feudal lord blush. Food's great, drinks are great, staff is great, the process of cooking is great. Only thing that isn't great is eventually you reach the end of it all and have to waddle out the door to survive the approaching food coma tsunami. Keep up the good times, Gyu-Kaku.

Avie Marie C. Snodgrass

Google
The food was really good and the service was the best! However, the portions for meats to be grilled were somewhat small

– ᏉᎥ ·

Google
Me and my girlfriend went to dinner here yesterday and our server, Caroline, was amazing! She went above and beyond to make our experience unforgettable. She went out of her way to give us a special treat for our one year anniversary, and it was very delicious! she made sure we had everything we needed and that we were enjoying our food. Would definitely recommend coming here!

Priscilla Farnham

Google
Quaint Japanese BBQ with good food. The bbq experience of cooking the meat and goodies yourself is unique and fun. They educate you on how long to cook different offerings. I loved the beef.
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Sarah W.

Yelp
I love this place! The food was excellent. Would recommend the lychee martini as well. We were very well taken care of by Calvin and he was amazing!!! Genuine recommendations without trying to upsell. Small place but it felt intimate and private still. Excited to come back
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Cindy P.

Yelp
This is one of my favorite Japanese BBQ in Minnesota! Everything is a la carte style so it's easier to order what you want but there is a fixed combination if you want a big order. I usually order around 4-5 items and is the perfect amount for me. I recommend trying the garlic noodles. It is so simple but SO GOOD!! Also, the chicken karaage is my favorite one I've ever had. Every place I've had, I always compare it back to gyu. They give a spicy mayo that goes so good with the chicken karaage. I usually always get the same thing everytime I go but it never disappoints. The service is great and usually fast. Be sure to go during the happy hour and scan your receipt for some points! If you keep saving more, you get free food. The parking lot is a little small but there is plenty of street parking near by. I am hoping they do all you can eat in the future!
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Leah T.

Yelp
Parking is a nightmare given it's in uptown. There is a 90 minute time limit and I felt rushed most of the time. However the food was delicious. I loved cooking the meats on the grill. The drinks were great as well. Fun experience overall.
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Yasiri N.

Yelp
Great spot for some bbq. I love the beef ramen, it is very savory. The gyozas and amazing. The fried rice is also great. Service is attentive and very friendly. The vibe here is family friendly but also can be an adult night out if you have family coming into town or just want to hang out with your boo and bbq some meats.
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Meow W.

Yelp
Although the service was very slow the meats are always great. The Harami Bistro is a must. Love the sauces that have.
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Sean P.

Yelp
Things start coming fast when you order one of their "feasts." You've got miso soup, salad, kimchi, mushrooms with fondue, sushi roll, meats... and it's all pretty darn good. A few standouts for me: 1) Mushrooms with fondue - Not usually something I'd go with but they were so rich and delicious. 2) Gyu Sushi Roll - the cold beef and fresh rice mixed with a bit of their sweet soy was nice and refreshing. 3) Short Rib - if only there was a little bit more! A pretty fantastic all-around experience even if it's a bit of work trying to keep track of everything and how long you've been cooking it, etc. Just par for the course!
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Teresa L.

Yelp
We had a reservation at 6:15PM for 3 adults and a child. We were seated immediately. The place wasn't packed yet on an early Thursday evening. The parking, however, appears to be full. We parked in a lot for residents nearby. The place appears to be clean. The food is fresh - you can tell by the color of the raw meats. The ambiance was relaxing. Our server was energetic as he greeted us. He explained Japanese BBQ well since it was our first time at the restaurant. My husband and I shared the chef's choice for two people + BBQ calamari + fried gyoza. The salad was good. The kimchi was delicious. The wasabi on the side of the sushi was made fresh. I love the miso soup. When our raw meats arrived, our server explained which cut was which and how long and where to cook them on the grill. Our in-law ordered Yuzu avocado salad, and our nephew had the kid's meal #2. I'm assuming their meal went well. Seeing edamame or cherry tomato for a kid's meal was strange. No American 5-year-old would be open to eat such a thing. Our server was very attentive to our table. Overall, it was a great experience. We would love to come back again with other family and friends. Also, I recommend downloading their app. You can get 100pts for registering, which gives allows you to redeem s'mores or a fountain drink.
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Deb S.

Yelp
This was a very fun experience with our party of nine (9) friends enjoying a birthday. The menu is huge and varied; we opted for two sets of the four-person special. There was so much delicious food! From the miso soup to the sushi, and on to the salads and veggies, and all through the meat portions - what a great fresh selection of delicious food. Service is attentive and helpful throughout the service, explaining everything as they serve. The dessert is a great surprise too - s'mores!!! This is a fun spot for a small group or celebration of any kind. I'd come visit again for sure.
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Mai V.

Yelp
Reserve! It's recommended. Although my reservation was at 7:45, I didn't get seated until quarter after my reserved time for group of 3 with a kid. Parking is a little tight but there's a small parking to the side and appears like a lot in the back where the residential homes are. Not sure, I could be wrong. Overall, experience and food was good. The noise level can get pretty loud with it being more like a social setting for large groups. I have to say playlist was pretty they had Stay With Me from Goblin playing! Service was great and food came out pretty quick. We did the meat lover course that includes S'more treat at the end. The kid menu also had a fun little activity to earn a free s'more. Grilling was the fun part. Each meat really only takes about 45 seconds to cook, depending if you want it med rare of cooked. Each table has 3 sauces: Ponzu, Sweet Soy Sauce and Spicy. All very good pairings with the meat. I love the spicy one most. Good for special occasions!
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Kathy T.

Yelp
I love this place!! Make sure to make a reservation through Open Table, as the place gets crowded very quickly. You can select various pieces of meat from the menu, with a bunch of different sides. You can also order the set, however you would be paying for sides or dishes that you may not want and can make you full must faster. The food comes out relatively quickly and you are the one grilling your food. They have those air auctioning devices over the table, so it really does not get smokey or stink in the restaurant. The one downside is that they do not have AYCE. The other gyu-kaku that I have been to in a different state has AYCE. I wish they had that option here.
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Dima S.

Yelp
We had the meat lovers menu and upgraded to kalbi short rib cause hello! It's the best! Upgrade the rice with beef bibimbap and harami skirt steak. The beef bibimbap super delicious and hot in the pot but a bit on the oilier side. Same goes for the garlic noodles. Super delicious yet greasy. The appetizers come first and there's a lot so try not to go all out otherwise you get too full by the time the protein arrives for grilling. It was fun to grill the meat. I think my kids mostly enjoyed the s'mores and rated this restaurant top of the list. As for me and my husband, as much as we enjoyed it, it's a bit of a hassle trying to grill with little kids and also we felt as if the sodium level was a bit high in the seasoning of the meat and side dishes. Total was about $200 with tip. We also ordered kimchi, salmon, and steamed dumplings along the with the Meat lovers course with all the upgrades.
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Nosa E.

Yelp
Always a great experience at a Gyu-Kaku. I haven't been to one of these in a while but the experience was just as good if not better than I remembered. Our waitress was very on top of things! The meats were great. All in all a great time.
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Annelise E.

Yelp
Made a reservation here October 15 to celebrate a birthday. It was the first time we had been. Tip 1) because of the style of dining, and the popularity, it really is best to make a reservation! Tip 2) there is a dedicated parking lot, so rather than having to find street parking in uptown you can just pull right in. We were seated quickly, and our server George was great. He asked if we had been there before, and upon learning that we had not, walked us through the menu offering helpful suggestions. He also explained how the grill worked and timing suggestions for each course as he brought it to us. While all tables next to us were full, we were still able to have a quiet conversation without raising voices to be heard. We had the Chef's Choice coursed meal. We don't eat pork, and George assured us it wasn't a problem, swapping out the pork belly for chicken and shrimp. Wow! The salad and appetizers of miso soup, gyu-Kaku beef "sushi" were tasty. We also got the house sake (and were asked if we wanted it cold or hot!), which was a nice touch to the meal. I don't think we finished the bottle! The meats were brought quickly, and observantly, meaning we had time to cook and finish one course before moving on to the next. Tip 3) chopsticks are the default utensil BUT if you want standard silverware it's absolutely available, just ask: they won't make you feel badly or weird for not using chopsticks. We especially liked the kalbi short rib, the rib eye, the fillet mignon and the fried rice. Now that we know exactly what we like, we may order a la carte in the future and save the coursed meal for special occasions. To top off the birthday celebration, George brought us s'mores! How fun that my last s'more is now at a Japanese restaurant rather than a bonfire. Will absolutely be back!
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Pa V.

Yelp
Although this place is a franchise and a bit pricey- we really like Gyu- Kaku for a special occasion! We're happy to have more Asian BBQ places in MN! I strongly recommend you to make reservations prior. For the most part I think the quality of the meat is good- not great or the best but fair. I really like the pork belly or toro beef for a more fatty cut. The cocktails here are also good. There is a small parking lot on the side, otherwise metered street parking. The seating can be a bit crowded too when busy.
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Bruce K.

Yelp
Here for dinner with my great friend Tim A. and it's his fault. He's the one who, when I complained about my horrendous experience with Dollar Rent A Car in Los Angeles, suggested that I Yelp about it. I did https://www.yelp.com/biz/dollar-car-rental-los-angeles-3?hrid=FIDNeI3VXfhUW9Df5JMnCw and that was 17800 reviews ago. So we're here and it's fabulous. I don't know about Korean BBQ so it was wonderful to have someone to do all the ordering and explain it to me. Sure, the waiter was friendly and helpful and kept our drinks flowing (So. Many. Heinekens.) but Tim showed me the way. We started with some sort of seafood bites and then we started grilling the meats. A little bit here, a little bit there and I had bite size chunks of medium rare steaks on my plate. And the shrimp, which needed a lot less time. Delicious, fun and interesting. I'd do this again! [Review 17859 overall - 90 in Minnesota - 1380 of 2022.]
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Cindy T.

Yelp
The food here was really good!! I decided to try a new appetizer called the Takoyaki and it's definitely a unique texture. It's crispy on the outside and mushy/doughy on the inside. The beef selections that I got were marinated to perfection. I also got the spicy pork but it was a little too spicy for me. The staff here are super nice!! The restaurant also looks really clean!

Christina W.

Yelp
The food is pretty decent. Our server was not attentive though on my last visit. He forgot about two items that we ordered and he gave and charged me for a large rice when I ordered a regular bowl. When we needed assistance, I was forced to ask other servers walking past because he was sitting off to the side by the kitchen. I will come again for the experience and food but I really hope the service is better next time.
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Hannah P.

Yelp
I was craving for kbbq but noticed there weren't a place around the area with a good review so I decided to go to gyu kaku. I've been to the location in Chicago many times so I knew what to expect. For 3, we got 6 prime galbi rib, 2 Harami steak, sukiyaki rice bowl, garlic noodle, shrimp medley, assorted veggies, spicy cabbage and fried bacon (and beers). As expected, prime galbi rib was REALLY good. My parents were impressed how the meat melts in mouth. They also loved the noodle. Rest were also good. If you decide to order La carte, what we ordered was perfect for 3 people. Would recommend!
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Nicky C.

Yelp
My first time there and was amazed. We went during the day and were promptly seated. Our server was friendly and thoroughly explained the menu and how to cook our meat. First bite was like meat candy,just shook my head and started to happily hum. Will definitely be back.
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Paula P.

Yelp
I went with a group of 6 friends on new year's eve. We made a reservation and waited a few minutes before being seated, we ordered the Guy-kaku feast for 6. Our favorite appetizers were the pork gyozas and the gyu sushi. Of the meats we loved the prime kaibi short rib, harami skirt stea and the pork belly. The cocktails were also delicious. Great highlight of the menu: Beef Sukiyaki Bibimbap, it was FABULOUS, full of flavor, we ordered extra because we couldn't stop eating it. The s'more's dessert included was also fun to eat. Our server was fantastic and very attentive in explaining how everything worked. Definitely a fun experience and plenty of food.
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Laurita M.

Yelp
This place is no joke!! We got the combo meal for 4 people and the food just kept coming. It was amazing salads, rice, beef, chicken and shrimp! A lot of food for 4 people, we didn't finish all of it but it was delicious!

Wanlee Y.

Yelp
The staff were very friendly. We got seated right away and waiting 10 mins for our course to come out. The meal was delicious and some of the cuts literally melts into your mouth! We got the value course meal and it filled my boyfriend and I up. Would totally come again!
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Hue H.

Yelp
The food was great. The staff were nice and knowledgeable about the menu. If you go with something from the course menu, just know it can feed more people than it says especially if you get a side or two. Great ventilation so you didn't feel like you were suffocating. 10/10 would recommend this experience. Only downside is it can get pretty loud so if you're going with older people it can be difficult for conversation.
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Gennie L.

Yelp
gku-kaku exceeded my expectations! i was initially hesistant on trying this restaurant, but i'm glad i did! my friends and i did the yakiniku party for 4 people ($42.50 per person). for the amount of meat that's in this course, it's definitely worth it. this course comes with salad, miso soup, chicken garlic noodles, edamame, kimchi, japanese fried chicken, spicy tuna volcano, prime kalbi short rib, sweet soy tare, filet mignon, umakara ribeye, bistro hanger steak and a TON more. it also includes smores for the dessert. service was amazing - the servers were attentive and kind. overall rating: 10/10
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KJ O.

Yelp
It's a small place that's tucked away, we had fast service and everything was seasoned well. We will be heading back for sure.
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Kenneth Z.

Yelp
Food is very fresh and good, service is good as well. Only few this need point out, reservation must have if you have few more persons, also even have reservation still consider some waiting time for they preparation. During the order, food preparation time is longer than expected. If you feel need more, order as early as possible before empty the grill. For the population level of this restaurant, size of restaurant is little small and may consider add more personnel in kitchen to service BBQ food faster, it will also help to reduce the dinner time and we waste more than 20 minutes to last four addition dishes of meat. Still don't understand why took so long to cut the meat and bring to the table even do not need cook. Anyway, good food and my family like it. Still has more rooms to improve the customer experience, wish they continued growing up business and has more and more satisfied customers.
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Malinda V.

Yelp
First things first, I've only been two places that does yakiniku (grilled barbecue). Gen which is Korean bbq and gyu... Japanese of course. Though there are similarities in the cuts of meat the style of cooking differs. Hands down I enjoyed Gyu-Kaku a lot more. Reason being the whole restaurant wasn't smoky and with the open flame cooking it tasted more clean. Everything was delicious! Highly recommended and will continue to have Japanese bbq nights!
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Anna B.

Yelp
I always love coming to gyu-kaku with friends it is a great spot for any occasion. Their staff is very friendly and accomodating and know the menu very well in regards to the meats the offer and how long you have to cook them for. I highly recommend reserving your table ahead of time because they always seem to be busy whenever I go, but it's definitely worth the wait. Their seasonal menu for the spring time is lovely as well, I didn't get the chance to try it this visit but would love to next time I stop in. They also give you a super sweet ice cream dessert for your birthday which I think is super lovely! I don't see much restaurants doing that often any more so it was a great plus to end our dinner.
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Greenlee Z.

Yelp
Went here for lunch. We did the lunch menu where you get 3 meats for $19.99. We also got a side of spinach with garlic. The meal comes with miso soup l, a side of rice and salad. There are certain cuts of the meat that is an extra charge. The meat cooked pretty fast and was pretty flavorful. Otherwise they do have some sauce on the side if you need it. Pros: staff are very friendly and service is fast. Cons: they never brought me sesame oil but no biggie. Parking lot is small so you might need to do street parking. Will I go back again? -Yes, I will go back to try other things on their menu.
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Pa Y.

Yelp
The place was amazing my husband took me there for our valentines date and the service was amazing! Definitely recommend making a reservation.
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Annette N.

Yelp
Thank you server Luis for coming to welcome our table of four tonight. My husband and I did enjoy this style of Japanese cooking some 20 years ago in Australia so we looked forward to celebrating my birthday with friends tonight at your establishment. You were super welcoming and spent a bunch of time with us encouraging us to go ahead and "risk" creating our own dinner that appealed to us and allowed us to go off your preSelected combo meals that I am sure are also just fine: We did just that and we're completely satisfied. I am not even going to list what we had because I believe it is all good. I will mention that tables of 2and 4 plentiful. I also saw tables that might be of six.. and then one large in the back that may have sat 8-10- now THAT ! would be fun! $188 before tip (including a couple of drinks). A fun night out and I didn't need to do the dishes:
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Emily D.

Yelp
Wow!! The food here is fantastic!!! Absolutely delicious. The waitress did a great job explaining flavor profiles and sauces. It was super helpful! She was also so so sweet and energetic. The garlic fried rice was worth my upgrade! The umakara marinaded items were easily my favorite. I didn't have time to try the drinks but they look great! The lunch price was only $22 dollars for 3 meats, miso, salad and rice upgrade! Great value! The place is well put together but small, so call for reservations. The lost star is for the following reasons. Really I'd only take off half but that's not an option. The flip menu on the table (has a cooking guide so you do need it) was very dirty and gross....and I get it because my hands were a mess after. But need to be cleaned! It was a major let down even though it was small. To that point, a wet wipe or something would be good.... The sauce bottles on the table don't work and the labels were already worn off Overall, great experience just a few details to shape up!
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Erin M.

Yelp
We went without reservations at 630p on a Friday night for two people. We were able to be seated immediately. When we left at 815p the dining room was full and people were still coming to eat. We ordered the Chef's favorite BBQ meal. It was more than enough food for 2 people. It could probably comfortably feed 2 adults and a kid or 3 low to moderately hungry adults. The meats were well seasoned and very tender. Salad had a good flavor, but we barely ate it with the amount of other food. The broccoli and cheese was a flavorful and fresh part of the meal. The gyu sushi was tender, but fell apart easily and there was alot of rice for one bite. As a Korean, I would say the bibimbap was very disappointing because it was not remotely close to the Korean dish. It was served in a hot stone bowl, but only contained meat and rice. The rice never crisped up on the bottom and there were no vegetables, egg, or sauce. I would order ala carte next time, but the first time ordering a bundle was a good choice. The staff bussing tables was very attentive and was the staff who did most of the service for us. I would recommend this place for a date night, out with friends or families with older children. I wouldn't bring my younger kids because of the length of the meal and the fear of them reaching in the grill. The meal does take longer than an average meal, so plan accordingly. They have a happy hour which is advertised on the flip table cards, but the hours of the happy hour aren't listed. COVID info: They checked our vaccination proof at the host stand(per MPLS's requirements at the time of the visit). There was a plastic divider between back to back booths. Most staff were wearing mask correctly.

Mike Y.

Yelp
Nice setup. Needed a reservation but otherwise no issue. Service was good and fast. Some times however it felt chaotic, but that was I guess part of the experience. Food was plentiful and good. We had a lot of fun.
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Tuyen P.

Yelp
Asian bbq always hit the spot. Second time dining here and it was not a disappointment both times. My first experience was actually in Chicago. In Chicago, they actually have all you can eat menus which is a plus. Here they do not so the check can get pretty hefty at the end. We had a party of 4 and ended up paying $50 per person for food, drinks, tips. It isn't the worst but how often can we pay $50 for a meal right? Wish they have an all you can eat here though, hopefully one day! They do have a preset menu that you can also order, which might save you a few dollars but you may not like everything on there. So pick your battle. Food was delicious as I remembered. Qualify meat is always a plus. This is Japanese bbq style so there's no side dishes like what you would find at Korean bbq. They both have their own distinction and it's great. The place was packed on a Saturday night. Every table was full and even at 9pm when we were done ppl were still waiting for their table. There's a lot of food on the menu so definitely want to try more but meat is meat right? They have an open bar but the cocktails are great. This time I got the mango tango and it was good. It was sweet so a girly drink. My friend got the Sangria slush and she loved it. I might get that next time. Staff was nice. Food came out at an ok speed I guess since it was so busy. Our waiter gave us a heads up to order fast because the kitchen was behind. It was busy so our water wasn't filled but when you're short staffed what can you do? Definitely check it out if you've never :)
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Shelby H.

Yelp
It was my first time trying Japanese barbecue, and the spot was amazing. The spot itself is not that big of an establishment, there is limited parking, but there's plenty of street parking nearby. Establishment itself is very cozy on the inside And has a great ambience. My friend and I decided to try the holiday magic course and we got tons of different meats, shrimp, salad, miso soup, sushi, cheese sauce, broccoli, and more. We also ordered a mojito and a margarita for drinks. At the spot, you get to cook meats yourself and they give you instructions on how to do so. The food also comes out very fast which is really nice. Overall, I would say this is one of the best spots in the Twin Cities for Japanese barbecue.
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Jenny L.

Yelp
Let's get one thing straight: I am a proud carnivore. Yes, vegetables have their place, and I do love veggies, but boy, do I love myself some meat and alcohol. Luckily, Gyu-Kaku has some amazing cuts of meat with a vast booze menu, so how could I not love this place? My friend and I came here for a late lunch, and it was packed. We did make a reservation, but it still seemed fairly busy despite the social distancing guidelines for indoor dining. Still, there was plexiglass along the booths to divide diners as much as possible, as well as a touchless temp check machine, which I thought was nice. The servers were all masked as well, and everything looked clean and spotless when we arrived. Shoutout to Thy, our server, who was patient for us first time diners, and super speedy. She changed the grills without us even having to ask, and was very attentive, even comping us for a wrong order - she's amazing! Now onto the food. We ordered gyoza, kimchi, white rice to go along with the meats, as well as a sangria and lychee sake. The gyoza was okay, nothing to write home about; although the ponzu sauce was pretty tasty. Kimchi and rice were standard - can't really mess those up. The drinks were refreshing and tasty, but nothing outstanding about them. The meats are really where this place shines. We ordered the Kobe style kalbi short rib with sweet soy tare, the Harami skirt steak with miso, and pork belly with sweet soy tare. The Kobe style kalbi was expensive for how little you get, but the marbling is absolutely worth it. It seriously melts in your mouth and tastes so luxurious. Skirt steak was also good, full of flavor. Their marinades are really delicious and help the meat shine. The pork belly was just as yummy, but not really the star of the show. If I were to go again, I would probably focus more on the beef choices, as these seem to be where it shines. The portions are pretty small, so I would recommend ordering side dishes or rice to make it a meal. They do have a small parking lot next to the restaurant, but it's pretty much always full. Luckily, there's plenty of street parking all around. The service was wonderful, and all around a great experience. I would definitely come back for my Japanese BBQ fix!
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Jessica N.

Yelp
Disclaimer: this is a retroactive post, so be considerate of the unreliability of memory. Me and my family went here for dinner a couple months after they opened. We've eaten at their Chicago locations before and fell in love with the place, so we were very excited to have a location so close to home. The place looked very nice, clean, and new. There was a downstairs bar area, but it wasn't open for business at the time. The bathrooms were single rooms and very modern. The restaurant was a medium-sized building, so there were not as many tables as I have seen at their Chicago locations. While there was private lot parking (free for patrons), spaces were tight and very limited. Since this is in Uptown, free parking of any sort is a bonus. COVID Precautions: patrons and staff were all required to wear masks. Patrons had to sanitize hands and scan their temperature upon entrance. Fall 2020: We got the Yakiniku Party since we were a party of four. You can click on this link to see what this dinner set includes (https://www.gyu-kaku.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/hh_hm_grandmenu2205.pdf). Most of the food was decent, but there were a couple of starters and BBQ items that were more memorable in taste. For starters, I liked the Napa kimchi (we even got a second order of this!) and the garlic noodles. We also ordered a Beef Sukiyaki Bibimbap a la carte, which was pretty yummy. For the BBQ items, their beef plates were all very good and decent quality. I still think the grill was better in Chicago because the meat there was juicier and had more of a grilled/charcoal taste to it. I was also surprised by the shrimp because it held onto the garlic flavor well after grilling it. I was not impressed by the s'mores at the end because I was way too full to really enjoy it. I was also annoyed that they wouldn't let us sub out the s'mores for their matcha tiramisu (we even offered to pay the difference for it too! We were just full and didn't want to want to waste food since none of us wanted s'mores. We'd much rather try the matcha tiramisu over s'mores). The matcha tiramisu was pretty good though, not too sweet and had a hint of matcha. Honestly this is more of a three stars in terms of KBBQ I've had overall-- and even in terms of the different locations of this franchise. But this could be due to a variety of things (ie, the grill [Chicago's grills were bigger and the net was concave above the table surface], the fire power, how we cooked our meat that day, the quality of meat that day, etc.). However, I am rating it a four because it is the best option that MN has right now and I am glad for it's presence in the neighborhood.
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Aaron T.

Yelp
So this place is hard to rate, I sat at the bar so I didn't really have the full experience as expected. But wasn't fully invested into the staff interaction hence the 3 stars. The hosts acted as if they couldn't be bothered and in being the only one at the bar the bartender tried to take my food 5 minutes after to box it up and have me pay, so odd. As far as the food it came out piping hot and had some good flavor, but nothing to rave about, didn't even get a chance for pictures in it was mixed for me before even seeing. Might try and do a table next time, we will see.... So many other places to try
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Elijah W.

Yelp
It was such a fun experience with a great variety of meets. The staff was very professional and on top of everything making sure we knew what we were doing since it was my first time. I didn't expect the starters to be anything special but they were. I would gladly go just for the starters but the meat definitely still takes the show everything was high quality and marinated well. I have to say my favorite was definitely the duck breast.
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Katherine G.

Yelp
This place has great food, excellent service and, I swear to you, the most gorgeous diverse crowd in the TCs. Dress to impress, and be ready to smile and compliment!
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Lynne C.

Yelp
Be sure to make reservations, we found it easier just to call because the website isn't very accurate. We were able to get our group of 6 in within a few hours of calling which was nice. Beware that parking, as is with any restaurant in Uptown, is an absolute headache so plan in advance for that. We got the meal for 6 with came with our choice of soup (we chose the spicy tofu), salad, sushi, veggies, a huge assortments of meat, fried rice, and s'mores for dessert. The meat was really delicious, but the timing they recommended was a bit off so we sometimes burnt the pieces by accident. The meat was also a bit salty and they were a bit slow to fill waters... would recommend if possibly getting the white rice to tame the over salted foods but otherwise really great experience. It was our first time here and my first time at a Japanese BBQ vs Korean and would say I really enjoyed it!!
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Tony X.

Yelp
I'm sorry but not sorry Japanese BBQ over Korean BBQ This place is super steaking good! For the beef lovers! I've always preferred Japanese BBQ over Korean BBQ. If you love steak this place has all the cuts you would want. Staff was friendly, grill plates replaced often, meats were delicious. Got the A5 Wagyu, it was expensive but worth for the experience. I wouldn't get it again but it's worth the try if you have not. Can't say enough great things about this place. For the price and quality, this is much better than some of the extremely expensive Korean bbq in the city.
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David L.

Yelp
Went there with a friend during a business trip to Minneapolis. We arrived at 8pm on a Friday without reservations, and had to wait about an hour and a half for our table. I'd normally not be thrilled about the wait, but their downstairs lounge was an amazing place the have a drink and enjoy some appetizers. Very hip and stylish, and a different vibe than in the main dining room. We had some draft Japanese beer and shared chicken karaage (fried chicken nuggets) 4/5 stars and gyu sushi (fully cooked roast beef sushi) 4/5 stars. Both were fantastic! For dinner we ordered the "chef's choice" combination. There quite a selection of meats, and about 6 slices of each. Kalbi short ribs (5/5 starts): Soy marinated, sweet and savory. This was my favorite cut of meat. Filet Mignon (5/5 stars): Non-marinated with just salt. Wonderful! So tender. Be sure to use the dipping sauces provided. Shio Pork Belly (3/5): Good. Lacks depth. Not bad. Garlic Shrimp (3/5): Good. Tender but lacks flavor. Okay. Umakara Rib Eye (4/5): Heavier marinated, both sweet and spicy. Tip 1: Since there are only a few slices of each meat, consider cooking one type of meet at a time. Take your time! Don't over cook it. Tip 2: Grill the kimchi. This changes the taste and experience completely! The meal was great and very filling for two people, especially after a couple of beers and appetizers. The service was pleasant and efficient. As busy as it was the team there was attentive. Overall, we had a great dining experience at this Gyu Kaku (Minneapolis). Be sure to arrive early and visit the lounge!
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Lana T.

Yelp
OVERALL: I am so impressed with the cleanliness of the location and the overall experience. FOOD: We came with 3 people and they happened to have a combo for 3! It included miso soup, calamari, rice, corn, and salad for appetizers. It included plenty of meats as well (pork belly and the mystery pot steak being my favorite). There had a ton of options for different marinades and a lot of sauces. It was full of flavor in every bite. PRICE: The pricing was $95 for 3 and for the quantity of meat and apps it was definitely worth it! We did add on some prime kalbi beef as well that was $15. This is definitely a pricy meal but it is well worth it. My goal is to come back for happy hour which has really affordable rates. ($50/2) SERVICE: Our food came out rather staggered and we missed a couple things (cabbage) and our drinks arrived late due to our server thinking someone else brought it lol. It was probably a 3/5 for service but luckily we cooked all the stuff ourselves so there wasn't a ton of waiting around. SAFETY: they are very safe. All over they have verbiage on how to stay clean and temp checks! ATMOSPHERE: Very nice and busy!
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Jenny L.

Yelp
Gyu-Kaku did not disappoint. This is the second location I visited (other one being in MA). I love everything about the restaurant...from the service to the atmosphere to the food. I was able to make a reservation during their soft opening week and was happy they offered 20% off the total bill during the soft opening. Our reservation was for 6:30PM on a Sunday but we arrived a few minutes early. Upon arrival guests are required to get their temperatures check via a cool machine similar to the passport scanning machine you find at the international flight terminals. You basically stand in front of it and it gives you your temperature almost immediately. Anyways, the host further explained covid rules, etc. and brought us to our table. They have an extensive menu even though it's their "limited" menu because of covid-19. They have prix fixe courses but we opted out since I have tried this restaurant before. If you are new to Gyu-Kaku I would recommend the prix fixe menu as it is a great way to try out different meats. Everything we ordered were amazing (prime kalbi short ribs, beef tongue, toro beef, and pork belly). The meats were so buttery it almost melt in your mouth. Quality of meats was excellent. It was a bit pricey for the quantity you get (about 3.5oz each), but worth it. Most of the meat items comes with a sauce (fyi, it is not marinated on the meat). In addition, they give you 3 dipping sauces - the spicy one wasn't spicy at all but tasty nonetheless. We also ordered apps - fried cheese wontons, cheese corn butter, and gyu-sushi. All the apps were great but I could do without the gyu-sushi next time. It is basically raw beef on top of rice. Nothing wow about it other than it looked better than it tasted. The drink menu is also great. I tried the lychee gin mojito and my bf had a 33oz Sapporo draft. The service was superb. Our server Henry, as well as other servers were super attentive despite how busy it was. They changed our grill once it got charred, checked in on us without being annoying, and took our dirty plates as soon as we finished. This location just opened and is new to Minneapolis. The decor was amazing. Everything is very clean obviously. There is a bar area, as well as a downstairs room. Currently, it is by reservation only (open table or call in) as they are limiting their seatings for social distancing. Hours from 4:30-10pm. There is a parking lot that fits about 10 cars or metered street parking. I'm glad they are able to open this location during covid-19.
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Mo S.

Yelp
I picked up these delicious Wings @gyukakuminneapolis recently. The wings were juicy and flavorful. Known for their Japanese BBQ Cuisine, the Wings can be paired with any dish. Stop by for a visit if you're in the Uptown area! * Black Pepper Chicken Wings
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Anne C.

Yelp
The east Asian food scene in the Twin Cities is pretty lacking, so I am very happy we have Gyu-Kaku here to fill this void. I've been to their locations in Los Angeles and Boston, and the food here is comparable. The meats are well marinated and very flavorful even without using the dipping sauces, though those are fantastic, too. There are other non-grilled items, too, (great options for takeout or delivery), though I would say the meat is definitely the selling point here. Service can be a little slow, even during non-peak times (hence the four stars). There is a parking lot next to the restaurant though it fills up pretty quickly. Street parking is available, including right outside the restaurant if you get lucky.
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Yande M.

Yelp
So this was my first time visiting this type of restaurant and it was so exciting! I want to highlight how clean our table was and the cool check-in process. They have this tablet that you stand in front of that takes your temperature. while they followed a lot of safety measures (wearing masks, gloves, the social distancing of tables) they messed up when they brought us the wrong dish, which we touched, and then they realized their mistake and gave it to the right table. I mentioned it to the waiter, he didn't really seem to care. That made me extremely nervous... They lost two stars for that. Hopefully, that doesn't happen on a regular basis... I don't see how that is safe or sanitary. We also were seated 18 minutes after our reservation time even after receiving a text that our table was ready. We ordered the Meat Lovers and it was jampacked with different kinds of meat. We also ordered the filet mignon just to have a bit more. The gyoza was delicious and so was the shrimp garlic noodles. I enjoyed the cocktails. One thing that was disappointing was being told after the glass had been empty for a while and asking for another drink, the waiter said "sorry, we're all out of that." Well, are there other options? It just didn't seem like he was very enthusiastic about being there. But overall, the food was great and I will definitely try it again.