Yakinikuya Japanese BBQ Restaurant

Came here for a birthday celebration with a group of over 20 people and while the food was fine, and the BBQ on the table was a fun change from the usual meal experience, there were a few things that really disappointed me about this place. Firstly, the exhaust fans weren’t working so the place was incredibly smoky to the point that my eyes were getting effected and secondly while I’m aware that I’ll likely smell like a BBQ upon leaving a place like this, because of the amount of smoke you’d think I’d spent the evening in front of a bonfire with the wind engulfing me in smoke. So if you’re sensitive in this way, give it a miss.
Now onto the service, or rather the antics of the manager/​owner. As I mentioned, we were here for a birthday, so when it came time for the cake they plunged the entire restaurant into darkness for about 10mins while they fiddled with candles before finally bringing it out to us. While it was a nice gesture it’s odd to take the light source away from all the other diners, it was like they’d had a black out! The bill had just been paid and the manager couldn’t get us out quick enough. For a group of 20+ people which for such a small place would have earned them a significant chunk of change for the night in less than 2 hours, you’d think they’d let us eat the cake inside for an additional 10−15mins. but no, the manager starts yelling at the whole group «patio, patio» and points us out the door. He may as well have yelled «get out» since that’s what he essentially meant!
As for the food, the meat serving was fine. A nice assortment of beef, chicken and pork, with 4 sides, miso soup and rice for $ 43 for two. The sides didn’t appeal to me so much, kimchi, cold potato, broccoli and raddish salad. But for the price, I’d visit Shabusen on Burrard. All you can eat inclusive of sashimi, raw meats to grill and more.
The saving grace was that they served us the cake at least… and they did apologize after having kicked us all out, but by then the damage was done. Too bad, it would have been nice to have liked this place. There’s a heck of a lot of better choices out there, so I suggest you move onto greener pastures and friendlier service!

This review is a little late. Actually, very late. But in the year-​and-​a-​half that it’s been since I’ve been here I still think about this place. I would almost consider going back to Canada JUST to eat here.
My girlfriend and I were visiting Vancouver from the California Bay Area. After a plane ride to Seattle, long drive to Vancouver, and a well-​deserved nap we were looking for a good place to have dinner. We both love sushi, so that was the initial direction we were headed. Then we came across this place, conveniently located around the corner of our hotel (The Blue Horizon), which was a fusion of Japanese food and Korean BBQ. I LOVE Korean, particularly Kalbi short ribs, so we decided to check it out. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. I’m not even kidding, we came back the very next day. We ordered beer and sake, a bluefin tuna roll, and some meats to grill at our table. Everything was fantastic! The sushi was great and reasonably priced, and the meats were ridiculously good. I’m salivating at this very moment just thinking about it. Wonderfully flavored, and the interactive aspect of cooking it at our table made it fun. They even switched one of the TVs to the 49ers game for us, which I thought was very nice.
We left happy and satisfied and without putting too much of a dent in my wallet. When thinking about dinner the following night, the decision was unanimous. They remembered us and welcomed us back with a smile, and even sat us at the very same table we sat at the night before. (It’s the little things, you know?) Very friendly service and great experience overall. Now a mandatory stop if I’m in the area again. Highly recommend!

It was close to midnight, and two friends and I were hungry and in need of some tasty BBQ treats. Saw that this place was open until 1am on a Wednesday — score! We walk in, stand awkwardly at the front for a few minutes, finally wander deeper into the restaurant in the hopes of someone noticing us. Finally a server comes up to us and tells us that the kitchen is closed. She says that they do last call at around 1130pm which is surprising considering their sign says open until 1am.
Been here once before about 6 months ago and it was mediocre. Ignore those close times posted, they are not honored whatsoever.

Food was good, but then again we cooked it. Maybe a little pricey. I also take issue with the service. We were seated promptly and left alone for 12 – 15 minutes until we told someone we were ready to order. Appetizers arrived with the meal rather than prior. Again after we finished it was a challenge to get someone’s attention to pay bill. Saw staff leaning and talking, made eye contact with owner or manager and he immediately turned away. One and done for us!

Meat was a bit tough… Not too impressed but would be worth going back since I did see lots of Japanese customers. I must have missed something!

Odd and inattentive service. Small portions for the price paid. Takoyaki was undercooked and the Octopus was barely detectable inside. Way better Japanese/​Korean BBQ choices to opt for than this place

Strange service from the manager/​owner.
Food is good, although pricy compared to Gyukaku. Mostly I want to review the service having been twice now. First time was generic, they mostly left us alone after serving our order. Today however was strange. We just had our hot plate changed and eating, about to put on new meat and the manager/​owner comes up and snatches the tong out of my hand without asking (dude where have your hands been?) and proceeds to dump two different meats onto the hot plate together, mashing it up as if teaching us how to cook it. If I had ocd I would have cried out, could have splattered blood all over, not to mention having two different sauces mixed together. Another instance he came up and lectured us about not letting the meat burn (hi I like charred meat!)
He was probably feeling rushed having been a holiday but we saw none of the other tables being harassed like we were. Felt bad for the nice waitresses that we gave a 5% tip after his behaviour.

We shared the dinner for two among three people and everyone had plenty to eat. In addition, we ordered the shrimp tempura for my littlest one and he loved it.
As for the service, we were welcomed immediately upon entering, and brought to a table right away. The server checked in on us often until all of the food was served. Unfortunately, we didn’t see him again until we had waited for an extended amount of time for our check. Another table seemed to have the same problem as us. Would have been five stars if not for this.

Took advantage of their happy hour and they did not disappoint. Great selection on their menu, as it included $ 8 sake and $ 11 pitchers.
In addition, the staff was great and the ambiance was held to nice radio and soft chatter.
Good people and good food. Recommend the pork belly and juicy kalbi as good value options on the happy hour.
Just a bit sour that the owner/​manager scolded my friends and I for not coming inside the restaurant with haste.

I came here for dinner on a Friday night (around 9pm). The place was pretty busy, but the staff was friendly and we were promptly seated.
My friend and I ordered the Sakura BBQ Combo which comes with an assortment of meats, side dishes, miso soup, and rice for 2.
The meat itself was good for the price and I was very satisfied with the portions. There was even leftovers to take home!
The environment was laid back and the restaurant itself was very clean. I’d recommend going here with a group of friends, but maybe not for a first date since it can get pretty loud.
The total rounded to $ 55 (only food, no drinks) which was $ 28.5 for each of us, not including tips.
* Overall rating *
Food ⁴⁄₅
Environment ⁵⁄₅
Service ⁴⁄₅
Price ⁴⁄₅

This is the bad version of Gyu Kaku. STINGY on the food. It’s expensive, I don’t mind but why are the food portions so small? Are they serving infants? BAD SERVICE. My girlfriend and I were ignored. Slow service. We couldn’t get napkins and utensils. I had to do it myself and get some from another table. BAD AMBIANCE. Maybe why the servers ignore customers. They couldn’t hear us with the blasting sound of the place. ITS TOO DAMN COLD. There doesn’t seem to be air conditioner or heating system. Food taste is so so. For a place where I have to cook my own food, this place definitely fail the mark. Go to GYU KAKU and save your money.

3.5 starts, rounded up. My boyfriend and I ordered a beef/​pork set, in addition to yogurt soju, and spent around $ 60 – 70.
+ In addition to the beef/​pork set, we received 4 side dishes, miso soup, and white rice.
+ Pork (²⁄₅ stars) was just OK, sort of rubbery and didn’t taste great compared to the beef, so I would highly recommend just getting beef dishes or a beef se
+ Beef tongue (⁵⁄₅ stars) was my favorite part of the meal since it was flavorful and they gave huge, thick slices of it.
+ All the other beef (⁴⁄₅) was good, but would have been better if they also provided a salt/​sesame oil dipping sauce
+ Yogurt soju (²⁄₅ stars) tasted watered down and not at all like it had any alcohol.
+ PARKING: Plenty of metered street parking or a parking lot in the back

This time i’m giving it 3 stars. Im having second thoughts with the pork belly. The freshness wasn’t there anymore, it actually tasted a bit off. A little disappointed as i’m a pork belly-​die hard. The beef tongue was still rubbery and tough to eat! What we gonna do about that?
we had a bit of confusion with some of the servers but i am glad the manager (i think), came over and resolved the problem.
I would not order pork jowl anymore, not worth it.

Liked it:-) staff are friendly and fast. Attentive. :-)
re: Korean or Japanese style… the yakiniku culture is derived from the Korean BBQ culture… hence the similarities of menu selections even at gyukaku… just for your information:-)
I liked that I could try different types of meat at once.
Want to go again and try different dishes.

It seems like nobody can really figure out whether or not this place is Japanese or Korean.
Whatever.
Typical bbq place that also offers sushi items– some important notes–
–Great value for late-​night bbq, better than happy hour at Gukaku (imo)
–Great value for late-​night happy hour pitchers of Sapporo
–Open late til 2am (I think maybe only during the summer).
–Large portions, I felt– larger than Gyukaku
–The meat quality is hit or miss. The thicker cut beef I wasn’t feeling– everything else was ok.
–The marinades don’t really add anything special– Gyu-​kaku deff has better sauces– but such a meh– point to choose a place.
–If you’re in the area this is a great option– I wouldn’t go out of my way though.
–If I were REALLY into Korean/​Japanese bbq I would prob like this place better, but I’m not.

Went on vacation to the beautiful city of Vancouver and ate here twice in three days. Went both times for their late night Appy Hour and loved it.
First off, pitchers of Sapporo for $ 10. Too many choices of meat and you get the fun of cooking it yourself at the table.
Simply an overall fun place to eat and drink.

A year later and this place is still top notch. Delicious sweet and sour fried chicken and japchae. Best service on robson, genuine and attentive.

This place actually gets a 3.5 star. Meat is good, but portions are on the smaller side. Side dishes are ehhhhh, price is decent. Good to come here with 2 – 4 people & order a variety of things. BBQ is cooked at ur table. Service here is good. They will help you cook if you want them to, but it’s not necessary. The meat cooks fast.
Even tho yakiniku and Korean bbq are two diff things, I totally get a Korean vibe here. I would rather to go Sura KBBQ up the street, or for yakiniku I would go to GyuKaku. This place is like a cross between the two but not as good.
Or another solution, you can get really drunk… And everything will taste better!

This place by far our favorite Japanese BBQ! Another place we frequent almost every week. Our favorite is the Sakura combo. Don’t be deceived by tiny serving of the sliced meats, as it is very filling. It can be shared by 2 to 3 small eaters.
I love all their side dishes but my most favorite is the mashed potato and you can ask for a refill too. Staff is very friendly and always give us our favorite spot. Very nice and quiet ambiance.

I have never heard of this place, but my go to Japanese BBQ place (Gyu-​Kaku) was closing soon and this was open late (Until 2 am the server said)
It was a bit chilly inside and the seats were not padded, but I soon forgot about both of these things.
The server was quick to bring menus and offer drinks. It was a Saturday night, and Happy hour menu was not valid, but for some reason it was given to us anyway.
We ordered small hot saki, a glass of white wine and the Soju Grapefruit cocktail (which was really tasty)
We looked at the menu and decided on the 55 $ combo. It came with 4 types of meat to grill, a «lettuce set» 4 side dishes, rice and soup.
We also ordered a Bibimbap.
The sauces were in plastic squeeze bottles, and there was only 2 which tasted the same.
The side dishes were tiny plates consisting of Kimchee, cold potato, picked radish, and fishcakes. I tried a fishcake and it wasn’t to my liking. The only thing I liked and ate all of was the radish.
The «lettuce set» was just large leaves of lettuce-that’s it that’s all– we skipped it. I didn’t try the soup but my friend did and didn’t complain nor compliment so I am sure it was ok.
Now the meat that came had a bone attached which was 25% of the serving. I found that odd. The grill was not what I am used to it was infrared, not charcoal, so the meat didn’t get as cooked or blackened as I like it. I also found the meat portions to be small after the bone was removed. It also wasn’t great quality. It was nothing like the meat they serve at Gyu-​Kaku.
The Bibimbap was good, but it lacked much meat also. However, It was a great addition to the meal, as without it, I dont think there would of been nearly enough food. I actually ordered one to take home to eat for lunch the next day. Oddly, one was 11 $ and one was 9 $ when we got the bill which came to 125 $before tip.
When I go to Guy-​Kaku, our bill for 2 people is always around 100 $ and there is way way more food, (see my review and then you decide which to chose)
I think I am just spoilt because of the other place, and I wont be back here.