 "Photo: Rachel Elias | Daily Trojan")
"Welcome!" Japanese servers and staff cordially say in Japanese upon entrance to Gyu-Kaku, a cozy yet stylish restaurant that brings food, drinks and desserts from "the land of the rising sun."
With more than 800 locations in Japan, Gyu-Kaku's popularity has extended its chain of restaurants across the Pacific to Hawaii, and more importantly, three hot spots in Los Angeles.
Now, Beverly Hills, West Los Angeles and Torrance welcome the restaurant where customers savor charcoal Japanese barbecue.
With its origins in Korean barbecue, commonly known as kalbi and bulkogi, and common foods such as kimchi or cabbage, the restaurant sets up its "state-of-the-art charcoal roaster systems" to warm most of the main courses for the evening.
To start off lunch or dinner, customers can begin their dining experience with traditional tea, or depending on the time of day, they can benefit from happy-hour specials.
As an appetizer, edamame, soybeans topped with salt, is something to munch on. Upon request, friendly servers bring the already-cooked common Japanese miso soup, consisting of seaweed and tofu, over for a taste. Depending on an individual's liking of tofu, miso soup can be a hit or miss. Its bitter taste might put off some, but its warmth might be satisfying on a chilly autumn days.
The simple, yet satisfying Gyu-Kaku house salad with its boiled egg topping and mustard soy dressing is a must-have.
As a side dish, buttered asparagus and sweet potatoes only add to the richly flavored meal, but stay away from the mushrooms. If the dishes go wrong in anyway, it is due to a similar bitter taste found among those unappetizing dishes.
If seafood is a preference, buttered salmon and albacore are light meats with plenty of flavor for the taste buds. And for those willing to take a risk and try something a little exotic, go for one of their hot-stone pots of rice. Unagi bibimba is freshwater eel and mizuna served in the already-sizzling stone pot.
In relation to the dining experience, there is a Japanese saying that says, "People who eat together from the same pot of rice develop and enjoy stronger, meaningful and long lasting relationships."
Besides the food, the restaurant's vibrant environment is one of the reasons behind its public appeal. Aesthetically pleasing Japanese décor in dim lighting and the background sounds of modern music - not to mention great service - help provide the intimacy and comfort appropriate for a family outing or a weekend date.
Adam Bobrow, a USC alumnus who currently works as a server, said that despite the restaurant's limited publicity, weekends seem to attract large crowds.
"You don't see big signs promoting it. It's a well-kept secret, but there is literally a line going around the corner on weekends and that seems to attract even more people."
If the budget of a college student is a concern when deciding where to eat off-campus, there is no need to worry. USC students get 15 percent discount on weekdays if they bring their student IDs.
And for those waiting for a Gyu-Kaku restaurant in other areas, there won't be a need to wait for very long. Gyu-Kaku is expanding throughout the Los Angeles area to places such as Sherman Oaks and Pasadena.
