Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Introduce
For residents and visitors in California, Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ in downtown San Jose offers a truly unique and engaging culinary adventure that goes beyond a standard restaurant meal. Specializing in Yakiniku—which translates to 'grilled meat'—Gyu-Kaku is a Barbecue restaurant that brings the communal and interactive culture of Japanese grilling right to your table. The experience is centered around a personal, smokeless grill installed at every table, transforming every diner into an 'expert cook' and inspiring laughter, conversation, and an amazing time.
The name Gyu-Kaku, meaning “Horn of the Bull” in Japanese, reflects their commitment to premium, flavorful meats. Guests choose from a diverse menu of high-quality cuts, seafood, and vegetables, all specially marinated in traditional Japanese sauces. Favorites often include the Harami Skirt Steak in Miso Marinade and the Prime Kalbi Short Rib in Tare Sweet Soy Marinade. The concept of "Shared Plates" is central to the dining experience, making it an ideal choice for groups, families, first dates, or catching up with friends.
While the interactive grilling is the main event, Gyu-Kaku’s menu extends to a variety of Japanese comfort food and appetizers. Diners can enjoy ready-to-eat dishes like the popular Japanese Fried Chicken (Karaage), Fried Cheese Wontons, Takoyaki, and a selection of Gyu-Bowls and Gyu-Ramen, such as the Umakara Beef Rice Bowl or the Tonkotsu Ramen. Their famous Dessert is the S'Mores, where you can toast your own marshmallow treat right on the grill. The restaurant provides a full Bar onsite, offering a selection of Alcohol, Beer, Cocktails, Hard liquor, and Wine, making it a complete night-out destination.
The atmosphere at Gyu-Kaku is decidedly Casual yet Trendy, designed to be lively and welcoming. The staff are known for being attentive, friendly, and quick to offer helpful suggestions, guiding newcomers through the grilling process, from portion sizes to cook times. This commitment to great service ensures a positive experience, even when dining solo or bringing the family, with the inclusion of a Kids' menu and High chairs available for younger diners.
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ is conveniently located in the vibrant downtown district of San Jose, right at the intersection of commerce and entertainment, specifically at:
28 N Almaden Ave Suite 70, San Jose, CA 95110, USA
This prime location places the restaurant near major city points of interest, making it easily accessible for the dense population of Silicon Valley and for Tourists visiting the area.
For driving patrons, Paid parking lots are available nearby, a standard convenience for downtown San Jose dining. For ease of access and inclusivity, the restaurant has prioritized several accessibility features:
- Wheelchair accessible entrance for smooth entry and exit.
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot (via nearby public facilities).
- Wheelchair accessible restroom facilities.
- Wheelchair accessible seating arrangements within the dining space.
Furthermore, for those enjoying a stroll through the urban area with their companion animals, the establishment is pet-friendly, allowing Dogs allowed outside on any available patio seating, should you prefer al-fresco dining.
Gyu-Kaku offers a comprehensive array of services to cater to both the dine-in enthusiast and the at-home diner, ensuring flexibility and convenience for its San Jose clientele:
- Dine-in Experience: Full Table service for Lunch and Dinner, offering Seating arrangements perfect for Families and Groups.
- Reservations: The restaurant Accepts reservations, which are highly Recommended, particularly for dinner, to secure one of the sought-after tables with a built-in grill.
- All-You-Can-Eat (AYCE): A popular option for maximum variety and value, allowing diners to enjoy a selection of high-quality meats, appetizers, and sides for a fixed price and time limit.
- Happy Hour Specials: Highly-rated Happy hour drinks and Happy hour food are available daily, often featuring discounted meats, appetizers, beer, and cocktails, perfect for a post-work or early dinner treat.
- Takeout & Delivery: Full menu availability for Takeout and Delivery, including packaged meals like the Gyu-Bowls To-Go (e.g., Spicy Beef Rice Bowl) and Gyu-Combo To-Go, for enjoying the Gyu-Kaku flavors at home.
- Late-Night Food: Caters to the downtown crowd by offering Late-night food options.
- Dietary Offerings: A selection of Vegetarian options and Small plates are available to accommodate different preferences and appetites.
- Merchandise: Branded Gyu-Kaku Gear To-Go, such as T-Shirts, is available for fans of the franchise.
The aspects that truly set Gyu-Kaku apart in the competitive California restaurant market center on its interactive nature and value-driven offerings:
- Interactive Yakiniku Grilling: The signature feature is the personal, smokeless grill at every table, offering a fun, hands-on, and social dining activity for everyone at the table.
- All-You-Can-Eat Value: The AYCE options are a major draw, providing great variety and the opportunity to sample a wide array of premium, marinated meats and sides at a reasonable set price.
- High-Quality Marinades: Known for the exceptional flavor of their Beef, Pork, and Chicken, which are carefully prepared with house-made Japanese marinades like Miso, Tare Sweet Soy, and Garlic Shoyu.
- Exceptional Service: Consistently praised in customer reviews for having Excellent service, with staff being attentive, friendly, and very accommodating, even during busy periods. The management is also noted for being gracious in handling unexpected situations.
- Family-Friendly Environment: Unlike some trendy spots, Gyu-Kaku actively caters to families, featuring a Good for kids designation, a kids' menu, and High chairs, ensuring a welcoming atmosphere for all ages.
- Robust Happy Hour: A perfect spot for a value-focused outing, offering substantial Happy hour food and drinks deals daily, attracting both the business crowd and local residents.
For reservations, inquiries about the menu, or takeout orders, Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ can be contacted directly:
Address: 28 N Almaden Ave Suite 70, San Jose, CA 95110, USA
Phone: (408) 320-2811
Mobile Phone: +1 408-320-2811
For California diners in the San Jose area, Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ is worth choosing for several compelling reasons that elevate it beyond a typical dining option. Foremost is the unique and highly interactive Yakiniku experience. The tableside grilling creates an inherently social and memorable event—it is not just about eating delicious food, but about the fun of cooking together, making it an outstanding choice for celebrations, team outings, or a novel date night. The fun, engaging environment helps to justify the price point compared to simple kitchen-prepared meals.
Secondly, the All-You-Can-Eat option, combined with the daily Happy Hour, provides significant value for money. This dual focus allows patrons to enjoy a huge variety of the menu's high-quality, pre-marinated meats and sides—from Toro Beef to Japanese Fried Chicken—either in an extensive AYCE format or through budget-friendly small plates during happy hour. This flexibility is perfect for Bay Area residents who appreciate quality and a good deal.
Finally, the consistent and highly praised customer service truly sets this location apart. Multiple reviews highlight the attentive and friendly staff, and the management's commitment to guest satisfaction. When planning a group dinner or a special occasion, knowing you are in a location that prioritizes excellent service and a Family-friendly environment adds immense value and peace of mind. Gyu-Kaku is an essential San Jose destination for anyone seeking high-quality Japanese Barbecue and a genuinely fun, interactive meal.
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Food & drink
Gyu For All!
- MEGA Garlic Shoyu Chicken Noodles $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.
- MEGA Beef Sukiyaki Fried Rice $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.
- Gyu-Family Meal For All $84.00
We have put together some of our fan favorites to create a well-balance meal that feeds four. Substitutions respectfully declined. Includes: 1x Gyu-Combo with 7 oz Yaki-shabu Beef in Miso, 1x Gyu-Combo with 7 oz Toro Beef in Sweet Soy Tare, 1x Beef Sukiyaki Fried Rice, 1x Garlic Shoyu Chicken Noodles, 1x Black Pepper Wings, 1x Fried Pork Gyoza, 1x Gyu-Kaku Salad, 1x Edamame, and 1x Napa Kimchi
Sides To-Go
- White Rice - Regular $4.50
8 oz of Japanese short-grain white rice
- Miso Soup $4.45
A comforting cup of our classic miso soup with seaweed, tofu, and chopped green onions.
- White Rice - Large $6.00
12 oz of Japanese short-grain white rice
- White Rice - Extra Large $7.50
12 oz of Japanese short-grain white rice
- Brown Rice $5.00
Salads And Veggies To-Go
- Edamame $6.00
Steamed Japanese soybeans. Lightly salted.
- Gyu-Kaku Salad $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.
- Napa Kimchi $7.00
Spicy, pickled Napa cabbage kimchi
- Spicy Addicting Cucumber $6.95
Fresh cucumbers in Crunchy Garlic Chili Oil with a dash of Shio Tare, sesame oil, and sesame seeds.
- Yuzu Shishito Peppers $8.95
Fried shishito chili peppers in our Japanese yuzu citrus sauce. Almost always mild.
Extra Sauces To-Go
- Sweet Soy Sauce Bottle (12 Oz) $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
- Sesame Miso Dressing Bottle (12 Oz) $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) $20.00
Select 3 Bottles.
- Takeout Sauces $0.00
- Hot & Spicy Sauce Bottle (12 Oz) $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
Gyu-Bowls To-Go
- Fried Chicken Karaage Rice Bowl (GAH) $15.00
Japanese Fried Chicken Karaage on a bed of white rice and shredded cabbage. Topped with Japanese Chili Mayo and chopped green onions.
- Beyond Beef Rice Bowl (GAH) $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.
- Roast Beef Rice Bowl (GAH) $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.
- Garlic Fried Rice Bowl (GAH) $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.
- Crunchy Garlic Shrimp Noodles (GAH) $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.
- Umakara Beef Rice Bowl (GAH) $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.
- Beef Sukiyaki Fried Rice Bowl (GAH) $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.
- Garlic Shoyu Chicken Noodles (GAH) $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.
- Spicy Beef Rice Bowl (GAH) $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.
Appetizers To-Go
- Japanese Fried Chicken $8.45
Our secret-marinated Japanese Fried Chicken Karaage. Served with Japanese Chili Mayo and a wedge of lemon.
- Fried Cheese Wontons $7.45
Crispy fried wontons filled with cream cheese and green onions. Served with sweet chili sauce.
- Miso Chili Wings $11.00
Five (5) fried chicken wings coated in our sweet & spicy Miso Chili sauce.
- Fried Pork Gyoza Dumpling $8.45
Five (5) Fried Pork Gyoza Dumplings with Ponzu citrus soy dipping sauce
- Takoyaki $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.
- Black Pepper Wings $10.45
Dangerously addictive Nagoya-style Tebasaki chicken wings! Five (5) fresh-fried wings tossed in a sweet soy and black pepper sauce.
- Vegetable Spring Rolls $8.95
Four (4) Fried Vegetable Spring Rolls with Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce on the side.
Gyu-Kaku Gear To-Go
- Beef Cuts Cow Map T-Shirt $25.00
Never forget which part of the cow your Gyu-Kaku beef comes from with this t-shirt! Only available in black.
- Yakiniku T-Shirt $25.00
- Irasshaimase! T-Shirt $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.
Gyu-Combo To-Go
- Gyu-Combo 2 $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 $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.
Dessert To-Go
- S'Mores Milk Chocolate $4.00
Two s'mores pre-softened, wrapped-up, and ready to eat. Graham crackers, marshmallows, and milk chocolate.
Drinks To-Go
- Red Bull Yellow Edition $5.00
- Coke Can $1.95
12 oz. Can of Coke
- Red Bull Energy Drink $5.00
- Sprite Can $1.95
12 oz. Can of Sprite
- Diet Coke Can $1.95
12 oz. Can of Diet Coke
- Red Bull Sugar Free $5.00
Gyu-Ramen To-Go
- Spicy Beef Ramen (GAH) $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.
- Goma Negi Shio Ramen (GAH) $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.
- Tonkotsu Ramen (GAH) $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.
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Details
Service options
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Comfort food
- Happy hour drinks
- Happy hour food
- Hard liquor
- Late-night food
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
- Tourists
Planning
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
Parking
- Paid parking lot
- Parking
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Photos










Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Location
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
28 N Almaden Ave Suite 70, San Jose, CA 95110, USA
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Reviews
all you can eatservermanager30 minutesgrillmoneywaterplateschoiceparty
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1I am very appreciative of the delicious food and considerate service. There was an unexpected situation with our seating, and the manager graciously comped our meal. This level of service was exceptional and made us feel very happy and well taken care of. The dishes were also delicious - highly recommend!
October 10 · Tao Hu⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Amazing food and excellent service! The staff was attentive, friendly, and made the whole experience even better. The food came out quickly, and everything was fresh and flavorful. The all-you-can-eat menu is definitely the way to go—great variety, high-quality meats, and a reasonable price. Perfect for a fun, interactive dining experience. Highly recommend!
January 31 · Leo LeeI like Japanese style bbq and this restaurant chain has been my favorite since college. However, this specific restaurant is mediocre to be best. The speed of dishes are slow, dishes were just okay, quality of meats are not great cover by marinate so overall it is just okay. It is not worth the price tag anymore
September 18 · Man XueOur server was very nice. He deserves a five star review. However, this is the weirdest review I have ever left. The meat seemed inedible, the grill would not get hot, the tea did not taste good. We literally did not eat anything and when we requested our bill early because we told them we wanted to leave without eating, the manager didn’t even come over to ask what was wrong. I’m very surprised they were not curious about why we were leaving tremendously early. Definitely do not go here until they make some real changes to their operations.
August 05 · Tanner HearneThe servers were really nice.But the food was so bad. The beef was not fresh, had no beef taste and almost tasted sour. Extremely overpriced A5 wagyu as well, again not fresh and had no taste. Even the rice seemed like it was kept overnight and just reheated.Worst Gyukaku location by far. Best to avoid this place
October 15 · Haoming Li
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