Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ: A Fun and Flavorful Dining Experience in NYC's Cooper Square

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Introduce

In the vibrant and dynamic Cooper Square area, Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ stands out as a destination for more than just a meal—it's an interactive dining adventure. This restaurant specializes in yakiniku, the traditional Japanese style of grilling premium meats and vegetables right at your table. It's an experience that encourages conversation, shared laughter, and a hands-on approach to your food. Gyu-Kaku has become a favorite for New Yorkers seeking a fun, flavorful, and memorable night out, moving beyond the traditional restaurant model to create a truly engaging atmosphere.

With a personal smokeless grill installed at every table, Gyu-Kaku puts you in charge of your own culinary destiny. The menu is a feast of high-quality marinated meats, fresh seafood, and crisp vegetables, designed to be grilled to perfection by you and your dining companions. The lively and cozy ambiance makes it an excellent choice for a variety of occasions, from a casual weeknight dinner to a celebratory group gathering. It's a place where you can be the chef, share plates, and enjoy the delicious results of your own handiwork.

Location and Accessibility

Gyu-Kaku is conveniently located at 34 Cooper Sq, New York, NY 10003, USA, placing it at the nexus of the East Village, NoHo, and Greenwich Village. This prime spot makes it a popular dining destination for college students, locals, and tourists exploring the downtown area. Its location is easily reachable by public transportation, with several subway stations within a short walking distance.

The restaurant is designed with accessibility in mind, offering a wheelchair-accessible entrance, restroom, and seating. This commitment to inclusivity ensures that all guests can enjoy the unique dining experience. While the area has both free and paid street parking, finding a spot can be challenging, so it's often more convenient to arrive by subway or a ride-sharing service. The venue's popularity means reservations are highly recommended, especially for dinner, to avoid a potential wait.

Services Offered

Gyu-Kaku provides a range of services tailored to its unique dining model and the needs of a busy urban crowd.

Dine-in: The main draw is the dine-in service, which revolves around the in-table grills. The staff is on hand to guide you through the menu and the grilling process, making it a comfortable experience even for first-timers. The atmosphere is casual, cozy, and trendy, perfect for groups and family outings.
Takeout and Delivery: For those who can't stay to grill, Gyu-Kaku offers a robust takeout and delivery service. The menu includes pre-cooked items like the Gyu-Bowls, ramen, and a variety of appetizers, allowing you to enjoy the great flavors of Gyu-Kaku at home or at the office. They offer no-contact delivery for added convenience and safety.
Reservations: Given its popularity and the communal nature of the dining experience, Gyu-Kaku accepts reservations for both lunch and dinner. Booking a table in advance is strongly advised, particularly for large groups or during peak hours, to secure your spot and minimize wait times.
Catering and Group Dining: Gyu-Kaku is an excellent choice for group events. The menu features large combos and family meals designed to be shared, and the interactive grilling process makes for a fun and engaging group activity. The restaurant can accommodate large parties, making it a great venue for birthday celebrations or corporate outings.

Features and Highlights

Gyu-Kaku stands out from other Japanese restaurants by providing a complete, high-quality, and entertaining experience.

The Yakiniku Experience: This is the defining feature. The novelty and fun of grilling your own food at the table make for a memorable outing. It’s an interactive dining style that turns a simple meal into an engaging activity, perfect for breaking the ice on a first date or bringing a family together.
High-Quality Meats: The quality of the meat is consistently praised by customers. Gyu-Kaku offers a variety of premium cuts, including tender and flavorful beef tongue, skirt steak, and short rib. The marinades are also a key highlight, adding layers of savory, sweet, and spicy flavors to the grilled meats.
Great Happy Hour and Late-Night Food: Gyu-Kaku is known for its excellent happy hour, which includes discounted drinks and food. This makes it an incredibly affordable option for enjoying high-quality Japanese BBQ. Additionally, it offers late-night dining, catering to a diverse crowd of patrons, from students to night owls.
Desserts and Drinks: The fun doesn’t end with the main course. The dessert menu, particularly the S'mores, is a huge hit. The interactive nature of roasting marshmallows at your table adds a perfect, playful finale to the meal. The drink menu is also a highlight, with a "great beer selection" and "great cocktails" to pair with the rich flavors of the grilled meats.
Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Gyu-Kaku is a welcoming spot for families. The menu includes kid-friendly options, and high chairs are available. The interactive grilling concept is a major draw for children, making them a part of the cooking process in a safe and engaging way.

Contact Information

To make a reservation or for any inquiries, you can reach the Gyu-Kaku location in Cooper Square using the information below.

Address: 34 Cooper Sq, New York, NY 10003, USA
Phone: (646) 437-8305

What is Worth Choosing

When dining at Gyu-Kaku, a few items and experiences stand out as particularly worth choosing for a truly authentic and satisfying meal.

The Combos: For a group or even a hungry pair, the combos are the way to go. These pre-selected sets, like the Gyu-Family Meal for All, offer a fantastic variety of meats, appetizers, and sides at a great value. They are designed to provide a full and well-rounded meal, taking the guesswork out of ordering and ensuring you get to sample a wide range of their best offerings, including high-quality beef and appetizers like gyoza and wings.

The Yakiniku Meats: While all the meats are great, some cuts are local favorites. The "beef tongue" is a standout, praised for its tender texture and rich flavor. The marinated "skirt steak" and "prime kalbi short rib" are also highly recommended for their succulent taste and perfect grilling quality. The fun of experimenting with different cooking times and marinades is a huge part of the appeal.

The Desserts: The S'mores are a must-order. The simple pleasure of grilling marshmallows over the open flame and then creating your own s'mores is a delightful end to the meal. It’s a nostalgic and fun treat that you won't find at most other restaurants.

The Ambiance and Experience: What is most worth choosing is the overall experience. Gyu-Kaku is not just about eating; it's about connecting with people over a shared, interactive activity. The lively, bustling environment, combined with the delicious food and the novelty of being your own chef, makes for a truly unique and memorable outing. It’s the perfect antidote to the mundane, and a sure way to have a good time with friends, family, or a special someone.

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Menu

Gyu For All!
MEGA Garlic Shoyu Chicken Noodles $30.95
A TRIPLE SERVING of our Crowd Favorite: Mega Garlic Noodles with Chicken. Serves 3-5 people. Thick Japanese noodles stir-fried with chicken, sliced garlic, butter, and soy sauce. Topped with diced red bell peppers, chopped green onions, and sesame seeds.
MEGA Beef Sukiyaki Fried Rice $30.95
A TRIPLE SERVING of our Crowd Favorite: Sukiyaki Fried Rice with Beef. Serves 3-5 people. Our signature thin-sliced Sukiyaki-marinated beef stir-fried with white rice, egg yolk, mushrooms, and sliced onions. Topped with diced red bell peppers, chopped green Onions, and sesame seeds.
Gyu-Family Meal For All $84.00
We have put together some of our fan favorites to create a well-balance meal that feeds four. Substitutions respectfully declined. Includes: 1x Gyu-Combo with 7 oz Yaki-shabu Beef in Miso, 1x Gyu-Combo with 7 oz Toro Beef in Sweet Soy Tare, 1x Beef Sukiyaki Fried Rice, 1x Garlic Shoyu Chicken Noodles, 1x Black Pepper Wings, 1x Fried Pork Gyoza, 1x Gyu-Kaku Salad, 1x Edamame, and 1x Napa Kimchi

Gyu-Kaku Gear To-Go
Yakiniku T-Shirt $25.00
Beef Cuts Cow Map T-Shirt $25.00
Never forget which part of the cow your Gyu-Kaku beef comes from with this t-shirt! Only available in black.
Irasshaimase! T-Shirt $25.00
Irasshaimase! is the greeting that all guests hear when they enter Gyu-Kaku. It means "Welcome!" and it also means that you are about to enjoy some delicious Japanese BBQ! Only available in black.

Drinks To-Go
Coke Can $1.95
12 oz. Can of Coke
Red Bull Yellow Edition $5.00
Sprite Can $1.95
12 oz. Can of Sprite
Diet Coke Can $1.95
12 oz. Can of Diet Coke
Red Bull Sugar Free $5.00
Red Bull Energy Drink $5.00

Appetizers To-Go
Japanese Fried Chicken $8.45
Our secret-marinated Japanese Fried Chicken Karaage. Served with Japanese Chili Mayo and a wedge of lemon.
Fried Pork Gyoza Dumpling $8.45
Five (5) Fried Pork Gyoza Dumplings with Ponzu citrus soy dipping sauce
Black Pepper Wings $10.45
Dangerously addictive Nagoya-style Tebasaki chicken wings! Five (5) fresh-fried wings tossed in a sweet soy and black pepper sauce.
Vegetable Spring Rolls $8.95
Four (4) Fried Vegetable Spring Rolls with Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce on the side.
Miso Chili Wings $11.00
Five (5) fried chicken wings coated in our sweet & spicy Miso Chili sauce.
Fried Cheese Wontons $7.45
Crispy fried wontons filled with cream cheese and green onions. Served with sweet chili sauce.
Takoyaki $8.95
Fried Octopus Balls! A street food classic straight from Osaka. Six fried octopus fritters drizzled with Takoyaki sauce and Japanese mayo. Topped with crushed bonito flakes and green onions.

Dessert To-Go
S'Mores Milk Chocolate $4.00
Two s'mores pre-softened, wrapped-up, and ready to eat. Graham crackers, marshmallows, and milk chocolate.

Gyu-Ramen To-Go
Spicy Beef Ramen (GAH) $14.00
Gyu-Kaku original recipe: Japanese BBQ meets Ramen! Rich kalbi beef soup and medium thickness ramen noodles topped with thin-sliced beef, boiled egg, green onions, spinach, daikon radish, and sesame seeds. Ramen noodles and hot soup are packaged separately to maintain their maximum deliciousness. Please reheat soup in the microwave (if necessary) and pour over noodles.
Goma Negi Shio Ramen (GAH) $14.00
Beef and shio-based soup with medium-thick ramen noodles and thick braised pork belly Kakuni chashu. Toppings also include boiled egg, green onion, and sesame seeds. Ramen noodles and hot soup are packaged separately to maintain their maximum deliciousness. Please reheat soup in the microwave (if necessary) and pour over noodles.
Tonkotsu Ramen (GAH) $14.00
Our Tonkotsu pork bone ramen comes with chunky, fatty braised pork belly Kakuni chashu and is topped with hard-boiled egg, chopped green onions, diced red bell peppers, and sesame seeds. Ramen noodles and hot soup are packaged separately to maintain their maximum deliciousness. Please reheat soup in the microwave (if necessary) and pour over noodles.

Extra Sauces To-Go
Sweet Soy Sauce Bottle (12 Oz) $7.50
Enjoy our original Sweet Soy Sauce at home! Use it on your delivery/takeout order or bring a Japanese flair to your next backyard BBQ! Soy sauce, pear juice, and ginger are three of the secret ingredient that we can share with you. Only available at Gyu-Kaku. Gluten Free
3 Gyu-Kaku Bottle Bundle (12 Oz Ea) $20.00
Select 3 Bottles.
Takeout Sauces $0.00
Sesame Miso Dressing Bottle (12 Oz) $7.50
Enjoy our original Sesame Miso Dressing at home! Use it on your delivery/takeout order or bring a Japanese flair to your salad and veggies! Only available at Gyu-Kaku. Gluten Free
Hot & Spicy Sauce Bottle (12 Oz) $7.50
Enjoy our original Hot & Spicy Sauce at home! Use it on your delivery/takeout order or bring a Japanese flair to your next backyard BBQ! Our mildly spicy Japanese BBQ dipping sauce. Only available at Gyu-Kaku. Gluten Free

Gyu-Bowls To-Go
Beef Sukiyaki Fried Rice Bowl (GAH) $15.00
Our signature thin-sliced Sukiyaki-marinated beef stir-fried with white rice, egg yolk, mushrooms, and sliced onions. Topped with diced red bell peppers, chopped green onions, and sesame seeds.
Garlic Fried Rice Bowl (GAH) $12.50
Our Garlic Fried Rice features white rice stir-fried with egg yolk, sliced onions, sliced garlic. Seasoned with a combination of our Shio Soy Sauce, butter, sesame oil, and black pepper. Topped with chopped green onions and fried garlic chips.
Crunchy Garlic Shrimp Noodles (GAH) $16.00
Crunchy Garlic Shrimp atop thick Japanese noodles stir-fried with sliced garlic, crunchy chili garlic oil, butter, and soy sauce. Topped with diced red bell peppers, chopped green onions, and sesame seeds. Mildly spicy.
Umakara Beef Rice Bowl (GAH) $15.00
Thin-sliced Yakishabu beef marinated in our sweet & spicy Umakara sauce with sliced onions on a bed of white rice and shredded cabbage. Topped with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
Roast Beef Rice Bowl (GAH) $16.00
Premium roast beef on a bed of mixed greens and steamed rice. Topped with white and green onions, Signature soy-based barbecue sauce, and kuki wasabi.
Fried Chicken Karaage Rice Bowl (GAH) $15.00
Japanese Fried Chicken Karaage on a bed of white rice and shredded cabbage. Topped with Japanese Chili Mayo and chopped green onions.
Garlic Shoyu Chicken Noodles (GAH) $15.00
Thick Japanese noodles stir-fried with chicken, sliced garlic, butter, and soy sauce. Topped with diced red bell peppers, chopped green onions, and sesame seeds.
Beyond Beef Rice Bowl (GAH) $15.00
Our beloved Sukiyaki Bibimbap goes BEYOND. 100% plant-based Beyond Beef is marinated in our secret Sukiyaki sauce and stir fried with mushrooms, diced red bell peppers, and sliced white onions. Served over rice. Topped with chopped green onions and sesame seeds. Also contains butter and sesame oil. Picture for visualization purposes only. Beyond Bibimbap will arrive pre-mixed.
Spicy Beef Rice Bowl (GAH) $15.00
Beef rib meat and rice dowsed in our signature Umakara Sauce and mixed with an assortment of bell pepper, shishito pepper, and corn, then garnished with sesame, green onions, and chili flakes.

Gyu-Combo To-Go
Gyu-Combo 2 $16.00
The closest you can get to the Gyu-Kaku yakiniku experience without grilling the meat yourself. Customize your meal! Select two proteins as single or double portions, two marinades, and rice portion. Includes Miso Soup, White Rice, and a Set Salad.
Gyu-Combo 3 $20.00
The closest you can get to the Gyu-Kaku yakiniku experience without grilling the meat yourself. Customize your meal! Select three proteins as single or double portions, three marinades, and rice portion. Includes Miso Soup, White Rice, and a Set Salad.

Sides To-Go
White Rice - Regular $4.50
8 oz of Japanese short-grain white rice
Miso Soup $4.45
A comforting cup of our classic miso soup with seaweed, tofu, and chopped green onions.
White Rice - Extra Large $7.50
12 oz of Japanese short-grain white rice
Brown Rice $5.00
White Rice - Large $6.00
12 oz of Japanese short-grain white rice

Salads And Veggies To-Go
Edamame $6.00
Steamed Japanese soybeans. Lightly salted.
Spicy Addicting Cucumber $6.95
Fresh cucumbers in Crunchy Garlic Chili Oil with a dash of Shio Tare, sesame oil, and sesame seeds.
Napa Kimchi $7.00
Spicy, pickled Napa cabbage kimchi
Gyu-Kaku Salad $9.95
Mixed greens, sliced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and diced red bell pepper. Topped with a boiled egg (sliced), shredded daikon radish, and shredded cabbage. Served with Gyu-Kaku Dressing on the side.
Yuzu Shishito Peppers $8.95
Fried shishito chili peppers in our Japanese yuzu citrus sauce. Almost always mild.

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Details

Service options
No-contact delivery
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in

Highlights
Fast service
Great beer selection
Great cocktails
Great dessert
Great tea selection

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Comfort food
Happy hour drinks
Happy hour food
Hard liquor
Late-night food
Small plates
Wine

Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities
Bar onsite
Restroom
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi

Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Trendy

Crowd
College students
Family-friendly
Groups
Tourists

Planning
Lunch reservations recommended
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Usually a wait

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Children
Good for kids
High chairs
Kids' menu

Parking
Free street parking
Paid street parking
Parking

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Photos

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Location

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

New York New York County New York Cooper Square

34 Cooper Sq, New York, NY 10003, USA

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Reviews

An average rating of ★4.5 from 2605 user reviews.

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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

This spot is my all-time favorite for yakiniku! Worth every penny I spent — the quality of the beef is consistently amazing. My favorite part is definitely the beef tongue, tender and full of flavor when grilled just right. The menu has a great variety, and the whole experience of grilling at the table makes it even more enjoyable. Whether it’s a casual dinner or special night out, this place never disappoints. A must-visit if you’re a fan of Japanese BBQ!
June 04 · Mimi Coleman
I reserved tables for 25 the day before and the process wasnt necessarily difficult. We had a semi private space with 5 tables and nice atmosphere. The service was amazing and the food was quick to arrive. My table of 6 ordered the largest combo and it was fulling and worth it. It came with a variety of meat, appetizers, and soup. We were also able to roast out marshmallows at the end and make smores :) would come here again!
July 05 · Vanna Lei
The Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ restaurant is an amazing Japanese restaurant that offers guests incredibly delicious Japanese cuisine, and a delightful dining experience where the guests themselves partake in cooking and preparing premium cooked meats over a smoking grill located at their table.In May of 2025, I brought and treated myself and my wife for dinner at the Gyu Kaku Japanese BBQ, specifically the branch based in the East Village Manhattan, to celebrate our Happy Eleven Year Relationship Anniversary!!!Both my wife and I were graciously welcomed by the restaurant’s staff and were quickly provided with a very comfortable dining table.Our server, Tan was incredible. She was very kind, welcoming and very attentive. She did a great job on explaining the menu options, addressing our inquiries and perfectly documented our meal orders. Tan also made sure to routinely check on us to see if we were enjoying our meals, and making sure our needs were met. We thank Tan for her superb hospitality and would love for Gyu-Kaku to recognize her outstanding professionalism!!!In addition to the great service, both Kat & I thoroughly enjoyed our meals. I ordered the “Meat Lover’s” package for the both of us when dining at Gyu-Kaku. The “Meat Lover’s package is meant for 2 guests and comes with a considerable number of dishes, ranging from starters; salad, miso soup, sushi, chicken karate, and BBQ items; New York steak; Umakara ribeye, toro beef, sirloin steak and an a array of other dishes. In addition you get 2 s’mores for dessert.Both my wife enjoyed steaming our seasoned BBQ items over the grill and found our meal to be very delicious from beginning to end. We found our meat dishes to be perfectly seasoned, very tasty and satisfying, and our grill cooked it perfectly!!!My wife and I thank Gyu-Kaku for helping to celebrate our Happy Relationship Anniversary and recommend for everyone to visit and dine at this wonderful Japanese restaurant!!!
May 24 · Greg Harris
I really liked this place, the food is delicious.. the attention of the girl at the entrance I felt a little rude.. however the rest of the experience was incredible
June 28 · Jennifer Velez
Food is good. Service is okay. We used to go to gyu kaku a lot in San Francisco and first time coming here since we move to ny. Id say the ones in SF feels like a date night, this one feels like a regular lunch. Place is a little run down.Came for weekend lunch
April 05 · HAZEL Daramola