Gyu-Kaku

Gyu-Kaku
30 Victoria Street
#01-01 CHIJMES

238 Thomson Road
#02-46 Velocity @ Novena Square

11 Tanjong Katong Road
#01-16 OneKM

81A Clemenceau Avenue
#01-18 UE Square

1 Vista Exchange Green
#02-17 The Star Vista


http://www.gyu-kaku.com.sg/


Raw Wagyu Signature Platter - Kagoshima Beef Wagyu Chuck Karubi, Kagoshima Beef Wagyu Nakaochi Karubi, Beef Wagyu Karubi (SGD $64.80)



Good Japanese Barbecue For Meat Lovers

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 7
Ambience & Setting: 7
Food & Beverage: 8
Service: 8
Value for Money: 6
Spent about SGD $48 per person.


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Founded in 1996 in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan, and operated by Reins International Inc., Gyu-Kaku is an international chain of Japanese yakiniku restaurants, offering affordable, delicious, and fashionable Japanese barbecue. Then founder Tomoyoshi Nishiyama successfully grew Gyu-Kaku worldwide, and the restaurant regularly makes lists of 'most successful business' or 'business to watch'. Gyu-Kaku opened its doors in Singapore in December 2004.

Ambience at Gyu-Kaku is warm and intimate. Low and warm lighting cast shadows upon the dark, sturdy wooden furnishings. Privacy screens partition the area, ensuring each group of diners have some privacy within their own cocoon. Even the layout takes privacy into account, booths are not directly aligned across from each other. Ventilation is pretty good, despite all the grilling, there is but a hint of cooking odour in the air. I also like the spacious tables which can accomodate many plates at once.

Service at Gyu-Kaku is attentive and personalised. A call-bell to alert staff is present at each table, and staff respond quickly. They carry out requests efficiently, and display good product knowledge on the menu, able to state the weight of a platter, or describe the different types of beef steak cuts. Helpful too, they proactively offer to clear away empty / dirty plates throughout your meal. Staff will also assist to change the barbecue grill at the mid-point of your meal. Very professionally done.

Food at Gyu-Kaku is all about Japanese barbecue, which means lots of meat. In particular, wagyu beef and kurobuta pork feature heavily on the menu, with a variety of cuts to choose from. Generally, their meat is succulent and well marinated, and you cook the raw items directly on the built-in grill at your table. Portions are sized for 2 people, best shared. While prices are comparable to most restaurants, it's not the most affordable place to dine at. Budget about SGD $48 per person for a meal here.


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Gyu-Kaku Signage
Gyu-Kaku Signage


Gyu-Kaku Exterior
Gyu-Kaku Exterior


Gyu-Kaku Interior
Gyu-Kaku Interior


Cuts Of Steak
Cuts Of Steak


Privacy Partitions


Seating


Table Setting


Binchotan Charcoal Grill
Binchotan Charcoal Grill



The Beer Asahi Super Dry (SGD $10.90) is a Japanese pale lager, brewed by Asahi Breweries in Tokyo, within the Kanto region of Japan. This bright, clear golden yellow brew has a tame aroma of hops, grass, corn, and apples, with a smooth, refreshing, medium body and medium carbonation. Taste is floral bitter sweet, with notes of wheat, rice, malted barley, and lemon citrus, with a super dry, crisp finish. Very drinkable.

Beer Asahi Super Dry
Beer Asahi Super Dry (SGD $10.90)



The Garlic Fried Rice (SGD $4.60) has a light smoky aroma, with a delicate fragrance from the garlic. The rice is nicely fluffy and savoury, with the garnish of garlic chips lending a burst of flavour. Not bad, though I've had better.

Garlic Fried Rice
Garlic Fried Rice (SGD $4.60)



The Furikake Yaki Onigiri (SGD $5.80 for 2 pieces) has large rice balls, packed with sticky fluffy Japanese rice, sprinkled with furikake. Baste it with a light shoyu tare / light soy sauce, then grill it. I realise in hindsight that this is best eaten towards the end of the meal, as the rice grains tend to stick to the metal grill. If you eat it mid-way, get staff to assist in changing the grill. Still, it's delicious, the smoky aroma on the sweet salty rice balls is so appetizing, and the exterior takes on a crisp crunchy texture after grilling.

Raw Furikake Yaki Onigiri
Raw Furikake Yaki Onigiri (SGD $5.80 for 2 pieces)


Raw Furikake Yaki Onigiri


Cooked Furikake Yaki Onigiri
Cooked Furikake Yaki Onigiri



The Choregi Salad (SGD $5.80) features a bed of fresh, crunchy lettuce, topped with cucumber, daikon radish, crisp seaweed flakes, and a light shio sauce / salt sauce. Refreshing, the juicy sweet vegetal crunch of the vegetables, the earthy notes of the seaweed flakes, followed by the salty savoury sauce. Yum.

Choregi Salad
Choregi Salad (SGD $5.80)


Choregi Salad



The Vegetable Wrap Set (SGD $5.80) features fresh, crunchy, green lettuce and purple lettuce, meant for wrapping the grilled meats before eating. It's served with several condiments; garlic, chili paste, mayonnaise, and chopped bird's eye chili / chili padi, which can be paired to your liking.

Vegetable Wrap Set
Vegetable Wrap Set (SGD $5.80)


Vegetable Wrap Set



The Beef Wagyu Karubi (SGD $24.80), or boneless beef short ribs, is among the optimum cuts for yakiniku / grilled meat barbecue, due to its tender, juicy texture, and high amount of marbling. Good amount of savoury flavour, it's best cooked 80% of time on one side, and only 20% of time on the other. The portion here is served with 80g, or 5 slices of beef wagyu karubi / short ribs, and the medium thin slices can be cooked in about 10 seconds or so.

Raw Beef Wagyu Karubi
Raw Beef Wagyu Karubi (SGD $24.80)


Raw Beef Wagyu Karubi


Raw Beef Wagyu Karubi


Grilling


Cooked Beef Wagyu Karubi


Cooked Beef Wagyu Karubi
Cooked Beef Wagyu Karubi



The Raw Kagoshima Beef Wagyu Chuck Karubi (SGD $43.80), or Beef Wagyu Zabuton Karubi, has a decadent melt-in-the-mouth texture, with a rich, oily feel to the meat, and robust savoury flavour. The high amount of marbling gives it a luxurious bite, silky and smooth, completely luscious. The portion here is served with 80g, or 5 slices of beef wagyu zabuton / chuck, and the medium thin slices can be cooked in about 10 seconds or so.

Raw Kagoshima Beef Wagyu Chuck Karubi
Raw Kagoshima Beef Wagyu Chuck Karubi (SGD $43.80)


Raw Kagoshima Beef Wagyu Chuck Karubi


Cooked Kagoshima Beef Wagyu Chuck Karubi
Cooked Kagoshima Beef Wagyu Chuck Karubi



The trio of pork in the Kurobuta Platter (SGD $39.80 for 270g) is good value for money. All have good savoury sweet flavour, but the main difference is the texture and amount of fat in each. The Pork Belly has the most fat, with a satisfiying sizzle, and a decadent tender chew. The Pork Jowl has a lovely bouncy chew, and a luscious juicy meaty flavour. The Pork Collar is tender but lean, with a more stringy chew than the others. This platter makes for a good filler.

Raw Kurobuta Platter - Pork Belly, Pork Jowl, Pork Collar
Raw Kurobuta Platter - Pork Belly, Pork Jowl, Pork Collar (SGD $39.80 for 270g)


Raw Kurobuta Platter - Pork Belly, Pork Jowl, Pork Collar


Grilling


Cooked Kurobuta Platter - Pork Belly, Pork Jowl, Pork Collar


Cooked Kurobuta Platter - Pork Belly, Pork Jowl, Pork Collar
Cooked Kurobuta Platter - Pork Belly, Pork Jowl, Pork Collar



The Assorted Meat Platter (SGD $25.80 for 240g) has a trio of beef, all nicely juicy and savoury salty. The Beef Karubi or boneless beef short rib is the most tender cut, having a soft chew. The Beef Harami Shio or salt marinated beef skirt steak has a deliciously bold flavour, having a little moisture with a strong chew, requires slightly more effort to cut than the others. The Beef Fire Karubi or chili marinated beef short rib has a light spicy heat, with a soft chew to texture. This platter makes for a good filler.

Raw Assorted Meat Platter - Beef Karubi, Beef Harami Shio, Beef Fire Karubi
Raw Assorted Meat Platter - Beef Karubi, Beef Harami Shio, Beef Fire Karubi (SGD $25.80 for 240g)


Raw Assorted Meat Platter - Beef Karubi, Beef Harami Shio, Beef Fire Karubi


Raw Assorted Meat Platter - Beef Karubi, Beef Harami Shio, Beef Fire Karubi


Grilling


Grilling


Cooked Assorted Meat Platter - Beef Karubi, Beef Harami Shio, Beef Fire Karubi
Cooked Assorted Meat Platter - Beef Karubi, Beef Harami Shio, Beef Fire Karubi


Cooked Assorted Meat Platter - Beef Karubi, Beef Harami Shio, Beef Fire Karubi



Loved the Beef Tongue (SGD $10.80) with its meaty bouncy chew to texture, and light savoury flavour. This cooks rather quickly, and is a good way to start the meal.

Raw Beef Tongue
Raw Beef Tongue (SGD $10.80)


Raw Beef Tongue


Grilling


Cooked Beef Tongue
Cooked Beef Tongue



The Basil Chicken & Cheese Fondue (SGD $5.80) is very nice, with large chunks of chicken marinated in a zesty herbal basil pesto. Takes slightly longer to grill due to its size, but it comes off smoky herbal sweet savoury in flavour, with a nice tender juicy chew to texture. The gooey cheese lends good flavour, but it can also be eaten on its own.

Raw Basil Chicken & Cheese Fondue
Raw Basil Chicken & Cheese Fondue (SGD $5.80)


Grilling


Cooked Basil Chicken & Cheese Fondue


Cooked Basil Chicken & Cheese Fondue
Cooked Basil Chicken & Cheese Fondue



The Gindara Miso Foil (SGD $19.80) has slices of gindara / black cod fish, steamed in a foil packet along with onions, straw mushrooms, miso paste, butter, and carrots. The result is the black cod fish becomes so tender and flaky, with a light sweet salty savoury flavour. Takes about 5 - 7 minutes to steam on the grill, well worth the wait. However, I wish the portion was more generous.

Cooked Gindara Miso Foil
Cooked Gindara Miso Foil (SGD $19.80)


Cooked Gindara Miso Foil



The Wagyu Signature Platter (SGD $64.80) was the highlight of our visit. The Kagoshima Beef Wagyu Nakaochi Karubi, or Beef Wagyu Intercostal / Rib Fingers, has a meaty, satisfiying chew, with an oily, fatty luscious texture, and a bold savoury flavour. Also featured here is the Kagoshima Beef Wagyu Chuck Karubi, and the Beef Wagyu Karubi. Really enjoyed this platter.

Raw Wagyu Signature Platter - Kagoshima Beef Wagyu Chuck Karubi, Kagoshima Beef Wagyu Nakaochi Karubi, Beef Wagyu Karubi
Raw Wagyu Signature Platter - Kagoshima Beef Wagyu Chuck Karubi, Kagoshima Beef Wagyu Nakaochi Karubi, Beef Wagyu Karubi (SGD $64.80)


Raw Wagyu Signature Platter - Kagoshima Beef Wagyu Chuck Karubi, Kagoshima Beef Wagyu Nakaochi Karubi, Beef Wagyu Karubi


Raw Kagoshima Beef Wagyu Chuck Karubi
Raw Kagoshima Beef Wagyu Chuck Karubi


Raw Kagoshima Beef Wagyu Nakaochi Karubi
Raw Kagoshima Beef Wagyu Nakaochi Karubi


Raw Kagoshima Beef Wagyu Nakaochi Karubi


Grilling


Grilling


Cooked Kagoshima Beef Wagyu Chuck Karubi
Cooked Kagoshima Beef Wagyu Chuck Karubi


Cooked Kagoshima Beef Wagyu Nakaochi Karubi
Cooked Kagoshima Beef Wagyu Nakaochi Karubi



The Wagyu Thick Tongue (SGD $23.80) is decadent. Thick with a soft fatty chew, it has a luscious savoury oily flavour, with a soft chew. I enjoyed this.

Raw Wagyu Thick Tongue (SGD $23.80)


Raw Wagyu Thick Tongue
Raw Wagyu Thick Tongue


Grilling


Cooked Wagyu Thick Tongue
Cooked Wagyu Thick Tongue



The Sweet Potato With Butter (SGD $3.80) is lightly steamed over the grill, the butter melting to coat the fingers of thick cut sweet potato, laced with honey. This gives the dessert a dual layer of sweetness in taste, with some depth, the chewy tender strips having a lovely fragrance. Good enough on its own, even without pairing with the vanilla ice cream on the side.

Raw Sweet Potato With Butter
Raw Sweet Potato With Butter (SGD $3.80)


Raw Sweet Potato With Butter


Grilling


Cooked Sweet Potato With Butter
Cooked Sweet Potato With Butter


Vanilla Ice Cream
Vanilla Ice Cream



The Taiyaki (SGD $5.80 for 2 pieces) was somewhat underwhelming for me, possibly because we didn't cook it long enough. The filling of red bean paste is nicely sweet, but the doughy texture of the pastry shell is dry. Skip this.

Raw Taiyaki
Raw Taiyaki (SGD $5.80 for 2 pieces)


Cooked Taiyaki
Cooked Taiyaki


Vanilla Ice Cream



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