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Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena Reviews List
Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena
Social dining - spending time with friends and family - is what Gyu-Kaku (GEW-KAH-KOO) is all about. Gyu-Kaku offers the fun of ‘shared plates,’ inspiring laughter, conversation, and good times. You can’t help it – with a personal grill installed at every table, everyone instantly becomes an expert cook. The staff at Gyu-Kaku are friendly, leading you through the night with helpful suggestions. The sounds around you are of parties and laughter - the perfect choice for first dates, families, and catching up with friends. Gyu-Kaku, meaning "Horn of the Bull" in Japanese provides the authentic Japanese Yakiniku (barbeque) dining experience where our customers share premium cooked meats over a flaming charcoal grill while sipping on Japanese Sake, Shochu and frosty cold beers.
See more Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena details
87 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Rating Breakdown 87 reviews
5 stars
(29)
4 stars
(33)
3 stars
(18)
2 stars
(5)
1 star
(2)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- good for groups(47)
- fit for foodies(37)
- special occasion(31)
- hot spot(29)
- great for lunch(24)
- neighborhood gem(20)
Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena Reviews List
Review 1 for Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Thank you!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Our server was great! They made our Father's Day incredible!"
Dined on 6/16/2013
2012
Special Features: good for groups, great for brunch, hot spot, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 2 for Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Fun Fathers Day
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Our reservation was for 11:30 am, so we were seated very promptlyServers were attentive. Food was ordered a la carte. Portions were a little small(like only 4 small pieces of chicken). Whatever, it was a special occasion. And considering it was Fathers Day, the fact that service was friendly and fast and the food was hot (so we had to cook it ourselves ;-) The dads and the kids had lots of fun and loved the food. Wish there were a few more veggie options for us omnivores."
Dined on 6/16/2013
2005
Special Features: good for groups, hot spot, kid-friendly
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Review 3 for Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"For food that I had to cook myself, did take a long time to get out if the kitchen. Just a few slabs of meat on a plate took about 25 min to get to my table. First item I ordered was 2 bowls of pre cooked white rice, I didn't receive it until we were finished with our entrees. My service was really bad. For a table for 2, it felt like tables of 4 or more were getting the best service. Oh yea it took about 30min just to get a fork. Only plus side of guy is their happy hour prices on drinks. I could have gone to King Taco down the street n actually gotten full off a burrito at a fraction of the price than pay $30 to be unsatisfied. I might go to guy again but only for drinks."
Dined on 6/06/2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, hot spot
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Review 4 for Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"no more lunch all you can eat. I'm so bombed"
Dined on 6/02/2013
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Review 5 for Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Made reservation but had to wait 20 minutes as table was not ready then had to split up our group. Not happy with the handling. Our service was nice."
Dined on 5/27/2013
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Review 6 for Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
food was ok!
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Meat has no flavor. Nothing beats Korean BBQ. All you can eat for $9.99!!!!!!!!"
Dined on 5/25/2013
Special Features: special occasion
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Review 7 for Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Overall good experience this time
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Today was our first time taking my step-son to Gyu-Kaku. We have been waiting for a few years for him to be old enough and I'd say it was a success. He had fun cooking anyway. We had 3 of the meat lover's lunch specials and also the Garlic Noodle special - all very good. You get four kinds of meat, salad, rice, edamame and miso soup. We also had seaweed salad and ice cream - also good. I miss the old all you can eat deal, but for only $11 the meat lover's lunch special is not so bad for what you get. The only problem with today's visit was that their AC wasn't working and it was very hot outside already so we were all sweating by the time we left. It was Mother's Day and we came at 3PM. Still had to wait but only for about 10 minutes or so."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, hot spot, great for lunch, special occasion
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Review 8 for Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Mother's day
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I took my mother here for Mother's Day and it was a bit warm because the air conditioner was broken. However, the staff were extremely accommodating and towards the end of our meal the manager literally got down on his knees and apologized for the heat even though the air conditioner began to work shortly after our reservations. This restaurant provides one of the best customer service experience at a restaurant I've encountered in a long time. They constantly refilled my water and I consume water like a fish."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, romantic, late-night find, great for lunch, special occasion
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Review 9 for Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Disappointed...
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Used to love Gyu Kaku, but haven't been since 2009. Just went back last week (4/24/13) and was quite disappointed. Service went downhill, we were seated but never got the sauces that we had asked for 3 times. Food quality deteriorated also, especially the meat.It took a while to get service, perhaps since we were seated in the corner, but that shouldn't make us any less valued customer. For the price, probably wouldn't go again."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2011
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Review 10 for Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Arrived 5 minutes before our
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Arrived 5 minutes before our 8:30 reservation and still were not seated after 20 minutes while the host continued to seat large parties of walk-ins. Went back to the host stand to check on our table (for 2 people) and he acted like we had just walked in and hadn't been standing there waiting to be seated for 20 minutes. Finally got seated and then they said there was a long wait for meat because they had a ton of orders on the line. This was all on a relatively slow Sunday night. Server was really nice though and once the food came it was great, but just a bit disorganized in the beginning."
Dined on 04/21/2013
2012
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Review 11 for Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Overall great experience although
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Overall great experience although quite on the expensive side."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 12 for Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Bad drinks
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Our party of 7 was here to celebrate a friend's birthday. The food was good, although the meat came out pretty late. The worst part of our dining experience was not the rowdy group sitting next to us, but it was our drinks. We ordered mojitos and a pitcher of peach soju. It was completely watered down and there was no alcohol in it! We saw how much fun the group next to us was having and concluded that their drinks must have all the alcohol that we were missing! :( Also, we wanted to let our server know, but he seemed to have disappeared for long periods at a time. Every time he came back, he never even gave us a chance to tell him about our drinks! We gave up and went to another bar to finish up our night."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2013
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Review 13 for Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
What's the Point of a Reservation?
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We arrived exactly at 6pm and were told that the other half of our table was still being occupied. After waiting 40 minutes of waiting and splitting us up in seats, there was finally a table large enough for the 6 of us. My husband complained about the wait and they gave us a free pitcher of beer, which was very nice. Appetizers slowly and steadily came out, but the meat took almost another hour to arrive! By the time we got our food we were pretty full and tired of waiting. Wait staff was nice enough, food was decent and definitely worth the happy hour price, but will probably not return due to the extremely slow service and wait time."
Dined on 04/21/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, special occasion
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Review 14 for Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
One of my favorite restaurants..foo
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"One of my favorite restaurants..food is excellent and the happy hour specials are awesome"
Dined on 04/14/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 15 for Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I am a regular at these establishme
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I am a regular at these establishments. I frequently visit and I like switching up the different restaurants. However, thus experience wasn't that great. I know it's happy hour and it was busy but server repeatedly forgot items. I watched people raise hand just to get a tab. The good was amazing as always and I love how the hostess is always excited to see us. I'll try Pasadena again but my last time"
Dined on 04/14/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, hot spot
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Review 16 for Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Very nice place. good for
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Very nice place. good for both family and friends special occasions."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, kid-friendly
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Review 17 for Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
The concept is excellent.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The concept is excellent. Needs improvement with the system regarding on items being served so that proper chronology of food items will be followed and nothing will be missed or left out. Customers should be relaxed while eating not to be bothered and be minding with auditing the food items that has already been served. As it is, it seems like there was poor service, but actually it is the system in the kitchen that failed. The waitress were friendly enough but not enough to cover up the overall poor service in general. The soup was served last and it was served only because we inquired for it. Otherwise, they don't know."
Dined on 04/08/2013
2007
Special Features: good for groups
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Review 18 for Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Not such a happy evening
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The evening started out very nice, we were celebrating my sons's 18th Birthday. The waiter approached our table quick and very friendly. We received our drinks quick and placed our order. After receiving the appetizers we'd ordered, the night quickly went down hill. A third of our order arrived and everything came to an immediate halt. It took another 35 mins to receive the rest of it. Our original waiter left on his break and another soon took over. After asking about our order and hearing several apologies, we eventually received our food. I've never been to a restaurant where my family ate in shifts. I've been to this restaurant several times and varied days and time of days and never Have I been this disappointed. We did get 20% off."
Dined on 04/04/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, great for lunch
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Review 19 for Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great dinner at Gyu-Kaku!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Took my parents there for my Dad's Birthday on Sunday and we all loved it! Turns out they have great specials on Sundays so it was really affordable as well which was great!
I have been a few times before but the experience was new to them. Its nice that the waiters explain how to cook each item as they drop it off as it can get a little overwhelming. All the food was excellent - personal favs were the Harami Miso Steak, Butterfish and the Lamb. Everything was great though!"
Dined on 03/24/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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Review 20 for Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The waiter,Nick,was really
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The waiter,Nick,was really attentive, polite, and had was very courteous. I would recommend anyone to try this restaurant."
Dined on 03/21/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, kid-friendly, late-night find
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Review 21 for Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Even with a reservation we
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Even with a reservation we waited 20 minutes. What is the point of a reservation?"
Dined on 03/15/2013
2008
Special Features: good for groups, romantic, hot spot
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Review 22 for Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
meat and great company
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Everything I come here for dinner with my boyfriend, we would walk out with a full stomach and a big smile on our faces. Good quality meats, great service, great for couples, dim lights and its very romantic! They always have happy hours, which means half off on meats!! Overall, this place is great and its worth it. :D"
Dined on 03/14/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 23 for Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food was good. Fresh & tender.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Food was good. Fresh & tender. The service was a little off. Waiters confused, brought wrong plates, didn't seat us till after our reservations."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, late-night find, romantic, hot spot
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Review 24 for Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Food was very salty last night....n
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food was very salty last night....not too sure if it's the happy hour thing or something else.
Overall is was alright!"
Overall is was alright!"
Dined on 03/05/2013
2010
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Review 25 for Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Bad experience
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We ordered drinks and appetizers which were delicious, but we waited over an hour for our meat and still didn't receive it. We ended up just getting the check and going somewhere else to eat. They claimed it was because it was busy, but people that came after us received their food before we did AND we had a reservation. Never going back again."
Dined on 03/04/2013
2012
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Review 26 for Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Awesome Grill =)
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The grill is awesome. The exhaust is on the side of the grill which keeps the smoke controlled while cooking so you don't come out smelling like Korean BBQ. =)
The corn cheese was very salty so I wouldn't recommend it. Everything else was delicious."
Dined on 02/08/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, romantic, special occasion
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Review 27 for Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I have been to this restaurant
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I have been to this restaurant before and always love coming back to visit. Wether with a group or out on a date with my sweetheart,Gyu-Kaku never dissapoints. The meat that we order always tastes fresh and tender. I really enjoy their mushroom medly dish and cheese fondu. Thank you Gyu-kaku for making my pre-vaentines dinner lovely."
Dined on 02/13/2013
2008
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 28 for Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Successful Last Minute Reservations
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Had to take 5 pm reservations for Valentine's Day. We picked the Valentine's Day special for two. Was surprised that everything was included, not just one choice from each category. We cooked our food at the table. There was a wide variety of foods served and each one had it's own flavor (sauce/seasoning) and each was really good. It was fun, pleasant, relaxing. Halfway through, I told my wife, I'll be sorry when this is over. She agreed.
So yes, we will go back again. And I did find this restaurant through Open Table; their e-mail on the 13th saying I could still get reservations."
So yes, we will go back again. And I did find this restaurant through Open Table; their e-mail on the 13th saying I could still get reservations."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2012
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Review 29 for Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great romantic spot
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Brought my girlfriend here for Valentine's Day and they had a set menu which was very convenient. Didn't have to order a thing. The waiter was very knowledgeable about all the food items. Very friendly staff. Great experience. I highly recommend."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2011
Special Features: romantic
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Review 30 for Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Service and food were good.
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Service and food were good. I would like to note that the Miso Soup is too salty but everything else is great!I like the new package deals."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 31 for Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Some dishes were very good,
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Some dishes were very good, some blah. You cook your own dinner on a grill placed in the table. Our grill wasn't hot enough to do the job in a timely manner. The vegetables were limitd and difficult to cook, as there wasn't enough oil to get them going. The sizzling rice dish was outstanding, and the qulaity of the beef, shrimp and chicken was very good."
Dined on 02/13/2013
2005
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena
Based on the average of (56) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
9 out of 10 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic