Gyu-Kaku
Gyu-Kaku (牛角 gyū kaku, "bull's horn") is a chain of Japanese yakiniku restaurants specializing in barbecued beef.
Gyu-Kaku is known for its unique form of dining in which the customers are involved in the cooking process of grilling their own food. Each table has a charcoal brazier built in and is equipped with tongs for cooking. Restaurant goers pick from a large variety of meats, vegetables and seafood. All types of beef are available, ranging from the traditional yakishabu beef, to short ribs and even filet mignon. A waiter delivers a platter of raw meats and/or other assorted foods. There are three selections of dipping sauce for the meat: sweet and spicy, tsuke and ponzu. Seafoods, vegetables, pork and chicken are also available. Customers cook the meat over the grills, careful not to get their clothes singed by the jumping flames.
The happy hour consists of a variety of dishes with BBQ’s offered at 50% off, and also a selection of cheap Japanese beers.
There are approximately eight hundred Gyu-Kaku locations within Japan, and locations have also been opened in the United States (New York City, California, Hawaii), Hong Kong, Taipei, Indonesia and Singapore. Gyu-kaku is part of Reins International Inc.
In Japan, the chain uses several innovative advertising methods, including sending coupons to the mobile phones of customers who sign up for the service, which can be redeemed for discounts by showing the message to staff.
Gyu-kaku also sells its own brand of kimchi in Japanese supermarkets, as well as a line of dipping sauces and marinades.
[edit] External links
- (Japanese) Gyu-Kaku's Website
- (English) Gyu-Kaku's English Website
- Chantal Garcia Japanese BBQ a best kept L.A. secret, Daily Trojan, 11/10/04.
- How Korean Cuisine Can Compete in the World, Chosun Ilbo, Feb.5,2008.
- Manhattanites Served Korean Food as Japanese, Chosun Ilbo, Feb.4,2008.
- How Japan Proved the Value of Korean Food, Chosun Ilbo, July.25,2007.
