Happy Hour Dinner with the Value Course for 2 at Gyu-Kaku Downtown San Diego, CA
Scott and I hadn’t had Korean or Japanese BBQ in awhile, so when the opportunity arose where we wanted to choose an anniversary dinner spot in Downtown San Diego - Gyu-Kaku was a clear answer since it’s a couple blocks from the hotel we were staying at, and we’ve eaten there before so we know it’s tasty AF! We took a look at the menu beforehand, and decided we weren’t going to do AYCE (all you can eat), since we would be having tacos before, but the pre-fixe style courses looked like would be best option to try a selection of meats, at good portions.
Gyu-Kaku’s BBQ courses allow you to save up to 20% per pre-selected courses. Each “course” package is good for 2 people, the “Value Course” which we ordered during happy hour for $75 - $37.50 PP (normally $80 - $40 PP) and includes:
STARTERS
Gyu-Kaku Salad
Miso Soup ×2
White Rice ×2
Edamame - subbed w/spicy cucumbers since they were out of edamame
BBQ ITEMS
Sukiyaki Bone-In Kalbi
Yaki-Shabu Beef Miso
Toro Beef Sweet Soy Tare
Angus Beef Rib Sweet Soy Tare
Umakara Pork
Chicken Basil
Assorted Vegetables
We also ordered Tokyo Iced Teas ($9 each for HH, $12 each normally) which were really strong, but I guess it’s like a Long Island Iced Team but “Tokyo-style” so it’s going to be very alcohol heavy. The drink had vodka, tequila, gin, rum, Melon liqueur, triple sec, sour mix and soda in it. I wanted to get a beer instead, and thought I had ordered a “Mega Mug”/32oz of the kirin draft, but (since I was tipsy from the Tokyo Iced tea and a wine I previously had at our hotel), and I said “Mega PITCHER”/60oz ($18 during HH, $24 normally). So I thought it was strange the waiter asking us how many glasses we wanted, but we just went with it. Sure enough they bring out the pitcher and I basically drank 4 almost 5 glasses, since I had to handover my Tokyo Iced tea to Scott to finish (And he had his own as well). See the entire drinks menu here.
Overall I’m glad I ordered the beer, because it complements the grilled meats well, Scott wasn’t very keen on the meat selection since it was all pretty fatty, and actually really liked the basil chicken (which we NEVER order chicken), so that was a pleasant surprise. If you’re not picky on your proteins, and would like to try a variety, the courses are the route to go to get the most value. If you are coming super hungry, then of course AYCE could be the way to go because you can order everything and try it all. If you’re more of a picky eater and know what you like to eat, then just order from the a la carte menu!
GYU-KAKU Japanese BBQ - Downtown San Diego
801 5TH AVE.,
SAN DIEGO, CA 92101
(619) 310-5782
Business Hours: Daily: 11:30AM–10PM (Last Seating)
Happy Hour: Daily: 11:30AM–6:30PM & 8:30PM–10:15PM
