If you love BBQ and seafood, then Gyu-Kaku is a must-try. Grab a big group of friends, and get your grill on.
Gyu-Kaku is actually a chain of Japanese yakiniku restaurants, and has locations all over the United States, including as New York City, Chicago and Las Vegas. Boston’s location is near Boston University, and about two minutes away from those who live in south campus.
Photo by Surabhi Subramanian
As a seafood and grill enthusiast, I decided to try the food at Gyu-Kaku in Boston with my friends. Since Gyu Kaku is popular in the city, one of my friends made a reservation way earlier and we got a comfy booth. With a homey and nature-themed interior design, this is the perfect spot to take your Instagram-worthy photos.
Photo by Surabhi Subramanian
Overall, the price is reasonable, especially if you come in a group and split the check among your friends. Each plate of ingredients costs between $1 and $12 unless you order the Kobe Style ones which cost between $14 and $32. If you come in a large group, you can order combos and flip through the a la carte menu for add-ons.
Photo by Rahazimah Abu Bakar Sadiqin
Now, let’s talk about the real deal: the food. The ingredients provided are fresh and come in variety. My friends ordered beef, chicken and pork belly. Vegetarians and pescatarians would also enjoy their Gyu-Kaku experience. My personal favorites were the calamari, the shrimp and the shitake mushroom.
Get a bowl of white rice or garlic rice bibimbap if you want to catch up on carbs. Since you are the ones grilling your food at the table, it’s very DIY, and whether the food is satisfying or not largely depends on you.
Photo by Rahazimah Abu Bakar Sadiqin
My friends and I ordered more grilling ingredients about two times before getting the dessert: Matcha crêpe cake with green tea vanilla ice cream. Frankly speaking, the dessert is one of the best one I have ever had in Boston. The crêpe cake was a bit cold but after I mixed it with the ice cream, it just melted in my mouth and I enjoyed every bit of it.
The meaning of Gyu-Kaku is “Horn of the Bull”. Similar to how strong the horn of the bull is, this restaurant is so good that it gives me strong reasons to come back. Plus, the staff always makes the customers feel at home by greeting us in Japanese once we enter the restaurant and before we leave.
Gyu-Kaku is definitely the place-to-be if the following criteria are in your restaurant checklist: fresh food, affordable prices (for college kids) and excellent customer service.