I went during the soft opening. Caleb was very good and explained the menu to us thoroughly before letting us decide on what we wanted to order. It's mostly bar seating with Japanese pop playing in the background. It's nice because you get to see the cooks and chef as they're cooking the tongue, but every time I saw an order come out, I also wished it was mine. The portion size isn't too large, but also didn't feel too small either. I left more satisfied than I thought I would. And sides are refillable with Chubby Plus membership if you're still hungry after finishing what you start with. Definitely suggest trying it at least once to see what you think of it. read more

Chubby TAN - Lemon soda - Japanese Near Me - Rowland Heights, California

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Caleb was really great as a server, he was always checking in on us! And the food was really yum! The beef tongue was tender and juicy. And the atmosphere was very chill so I'm looking to coming back! read more

One of the best beef tongue in Rowland heights! Loved their combo E and combo C, where they offer half of the beloved beef tongue and other waygu beef options! Chubby group has the best waygu in the states! Loved their service too! read more

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First, I had Chubby+ membership, so we got the member pricing. Before going, I checked a lot of reviews and saw many people complaining that the beef tongue wasn't tender. But honestly, that wasn't the case for us at all. I even saw them preparing and slicing the beef tongue fresh. That being said, if you don't have a Chubby membership, I do think it's a little pricey for what you get. The service was good overall. One of the male staff members explained the menu and cooking instructions kind of unclearly and mumbled a bit, while the female waitress did a much better job explaining everything. The space is definitely too small and feels cramped. The bar seating was actually more comfortable than the side tables. read more

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The best advice, and in short, I can give is if you like beef tongue, stick with the Combo A. Seating wise, most of their seating is higher barstool seating. Most of it is around a horseshoe shaped table (kind of like sitting at a sushi bar). They have 4 tables for parties of 2 and 1 table for a party of 3 that are regular height tables but the chairs have no backing. So it's not the most comfortable dining experience. We ordered a Combo B, Combo D and a side of kurubi. The Wagyu finger and kurubi were okay. A little bit undercooked and a tad too sweet and it was more chewy and not as tender as I expected. The classic (thin cut) cow tongue was not bad but if you're looking for the equivalent of the thin cow tongue you would find at Gyutan Tsukasa at the Mitsuwa Marketplace in Costa Mesa, you will be a little disappointed. BUT, I have to say the thick cut gyutan here was top notch. I'd come just for that, which is what I started the review with. As for the sides, if you have the Chubby Cattle plus membership, it's all you can eat sides. The curry's not bad but we really liked the cow tongue soup. Service wise, the servers were all very friendly and Caleb, our server, was patient in explaining the menu and responding to our extra orders. Overall, would come back but only for the thick gyutan. read more

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Edit: the thick gyutan is parcooked. we had a reservation right when the restaurant opened. None of the thick gyutan touched the charcoal from the moment we stepped into the restaurant nor was it finished in the charcoal. Cooking the meat fresh from raw and finishing in the oven makes sense, but the tongue here is parcooked. Left in the heater before the restaurant opens and is then cut and served. If it was to be left in the oven for the perfect temp, then there wouldn't be inconsistencies from one piece to the other. ******************************** Grabbed a reservation for their Soft Opening. Service was great from Caleb! The food falls short of the price. The thick cut gyutan is precooked and then before service, is heated on a pan before being cut and served. Parcooking quality beef tongue is a waste of meat and money. The precooked thick gyutan is taken from a heating tray and placed on a pan before being cut and served. Plus members get free sides, but when it is time to pay the check, the "subtotal" of these free sides is added to the percentage of suggested tip. No cash accepted. Interior of the restaurant is cool though. The lamp shades have tissues in them! Only one stall restroom for the entire restaurant. read more

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We had to wait ONE HOUR past the yelp waitlist... so a total of THREE HOURS waiting. Honestly was so annoyed and hungry (small portions of meat for $50 didn't help with the hunger). I understand it is soft opening so maybe there could be more changes to minimize wait time. After waiting 2 hours as said on yelp, they asked if we (party of 4) were okay sitting apart from each other but why would we wait 2 hours just to eat at separate spaces?!? Honestly, no party OVER TWO people should come unless you want to wait over 2 hours... Regarding the food, it was great just so expensive for NOT ayce but I do understand it is supposed to be very high quality meats. Service and staff are great I understand that the wait time is out of their control. Overall, I wouldn't come again since the meat wasn't life changing enough to make the 3 hours okay. read more

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Don't let social media fool you. This place is a disaster all around, including the difficult-to-understand and impersonable Host/Manager. It's the defective Temu version of the Gyutan No Lemons in Tokyo and Taipei. The thick cut tongue is grilled in advance and stored in a warming oven. That's why they provide you with a grill to reheat. They sure don't know how to cook the beef tongue, so they may as well let you try. Look at the pictures. Those three were served back-to-back-to-back from the same warming tray. They served us a fourth version by re-grilling but we didn't even bother to take a picture or eat it. We surrendered and left, disappointed and disgusted. read more

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Soft opening visit to Chubby Tan and it was a great experience overall. I ordered Combo A, which came with thick-cut beef tongue cooked to perfection, plus rice, curry, salad, and soup. The soup wasn't really my favorite, but everything else was absolutely delicious and well-prepared. The lemon wedge really completed the beef tongue dish -- my favorite way to enjoy beef tongue. The ambience honestly felt like I was in Japan, just in a bigger American-sized space haha. It had that cozy, authentic feel while still being spacious and comfortable. Service was also excellent. Caleb explained the brand concept thoroughly and guided us through the menu, which made the experience feel welcoming and thoughtful. You can already tell this place is going to blow up once they officially open. Excited to come back and try more items! read more

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Esther explained everything well! Also had the Australian Wagyu which was tasty. Yam sauce was a bit slimy and bland. I avoided it. Gyutan. Yum, didn't expect I'd like it this much! read more

Chubby TAN - Combo E + Ikura/egg bowl - Japanese Near Me - Rowland Heights, California

I am a big fan of beef tongue and was so excited about this new restaurant with good reviews from Yelp so I have to give it a try. Their service is good but the beef tongue does not meet my expectations. I will drive to Costa Mesa for my beef tongue dishes. read more

Had the pleasure of visiting Chubby Tan for the #chubbyclub special tasting event. The restaurant is in the soft opening stages, so there are a few hiccups that we encountered on our trip there but overall still a good time. First thing, the restaurant space is on the smaller side. It definitely reminded me of when I went to a small Sukiya restaurant in japan where you just login and order from your phone on site. It's definitely convenient so you don't have to flag down the waitstaff just to take your order. When we sat down, the place settings were already present and water was ready to go. For food, we ordered Combo A, Combo C, the Ikura Roe, and Finger Meat add-on. My date and I agreed that the classic beef tongue was better than the ultra thick that day. Our Ultra thick was closer to the rare side, which I generally don't mind, but I felt it was a bit under-seasoned. On our table there was Salt/Pepper mix in a shaker and a pot of i'm guessing Shichimi seasoning? So that dealt with the under seasoned tongue. The classic tongue we had was perfect tho. If we return, we're definitely going with Combo B instead. The Finger meat was also excellent here. The combos all come with an accompaniment of Rice, Beef Tongue Soup, Miso Paste, a small portion of Curry, Grated Daikon and a small salad. All in all it was pretty filling A separate note for the Ikura Roe. The server came to us after we ordered and asked if we wanted it over a bed of rice or just on the side. We had opted for it to be on the side, however, when the food was being delivered, they had given it to us on the bed of rice as well. I brought this up and the server (a different one that asked if we wanted it on the side or over rice) apologized and took it away to get it fixed. When they arrived again with the Ikura and Egg only, it seemed like we got a much smaller portion than what we had previously with the rice. Despite the difficulty, the flavor was pretty good, just a little miffed about the quantity we received. All in all, we enjoyed our dinner and we did mention a few notes to the staff on site, and they had mentioned that if we sat at the bar, there was a small grill that we could've further cooked the beef tongue to our desired done-ness so we're kinda looking for that redemption next time we go. #chubbyclub read more

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Had a great time here tonight! Esther and Caleb was attentive and helpful throughout the night! My partner and I both got Combo A along with an A5 short rib and classic gyutan! Super yummy and we enjoyed our time! Interior wise feels like we are back in Japan! read more

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Had the beef tongue rice bowl with my girly today. First, shoutout to our server, Caleb--his service was absolutely amazing and super friendly! The only minor issue with the restaurant is that the tables are a bit on the small side. Food-wise, the absolute highlight was the iKura roe rice . Wow! It was way better than what we expected and such a delicious surprise. Highly recommend! That being said, both the beef tongue and the roe rice are very rich, so it can get a bit heavy/greasy if you have too much of it. If you are two girls visiting, our best advice is to share one set meal and just add a bowl of roe rice. That is the perfect combo and more than enough! The only letdown today was that the soup and the curry were quite salty. Other than that, everything else was pretty good--especially that roe rice surprise! read more

Chubby TAN - Ikura roe rice - Japanese Near Me - Rowland Heights, California

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Came here at soft opening on Day 1 and it was a great experience! Ambiance: The restaurant is very small and is primarily counter seating with some small tables on the side for 2 people. Definitely not a place to bring a large party. Even with a party of 3+ might be tight. The decor was nice with some nice J-Rock playing in the background to give off Japan vibes. Service: Service was great and prompt and everyone was very polite. Food: I ordered the Combo A with a side order of A5 short ribs, A5 finger meat, and American Wagyu. The combo comes with Ultra thick beef tongue, salad, white rice, Wagyu curry, and beef tongue soup, and Wagyu miso paste. Everything was delicious. I particularly liked the Wagyu miso paste with the meats as it added another layer of umami. The soup and salad was also a favorite of mine. As for the side orders, I was really fond of the A5 finger meat. They also have a nice small grill if you sit at the counter to cook the meats longer if you'd like. I would definitely recommend trying this place out but make a reservation before hand as I can see this place getting super packed and busy. read more

Chubby TAN - Combo A - Japanese Near Me - Rowland Heights, California

Wow, great concept & great execution...parking is good but can be swapped, especially weekends & holiday. Small but cozy & comfy setting. U sharp sitting bar like overlooking the open kitchen that does all the cooking & prepping. Is it perfect? No, but at least you can see how your foods are cook & serve. Nice, friendly & attentive staff that explained how it work, each person scan the code and places the order online individually, then the staff in the middle will do the rest. Small but packed of choices, pricey but not that extreme, but portion of meats is small (my take on it) but with all the other portions, then you will be good to full. I ordered a bowl of rice w/ rose eggs and egg yolk, delish. Love the soup, not crazy about the salad - it's missing something but eatable. We cleaned out our plate or set. Ohh they forgot my drink but reminded them after 15mins but was busy eating the delish foods so I forgave them. Overall, great dinner with delish foods and great service. read more

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New chubby group and serves beef Tounge?! It can't get better than this.. Had such a great experience with this new type of dining experience and top notch service by our server JAMES! I usually don't write reviews but when I do write one it deserves it. JAMES went above and beyond when serving our group as we tend to ask for a lot of things but he always seemed so energetic and made our dining experience S tier! Totally would be back and again thank you James! read more

"Absolutely impressed by this place. The whole restaurant has a very authentic Tokyo-style gyutan vibe, from the interior design to the open grill counter. You can really tell a lot of attention went into the concept and presentation. I ordered Combo A, and the quality of the beef tongue was honestly better than expected. The outside had a perfect char while the inside stayed tender and juicy. The thick-cut gyutan had an amazing texture and flavor, especially with the lemon and sauces. Every side dish was also well prepared and balanced the meal perfectly. The ikura rice bowl was a huge surprise too -- very fresh and packed with flavor. Portions felt generous, presentation was beautiful, and everything came out hot and fresh. Service was friendly and attentive throughout the meal, and the overall experience felt unique compared to most Japanese BBQ spots in LA. Definitely one of the best gyutan spots I've tried recently. Will 100% come back again and bring friends next time." read more

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First time here and food was amazing. Esther was our server and she was friendly and personable. We ordered 2 combo A and kids shared combo E. Short rib was soft and tender read more

Chubby TAN - Japanese Near Me - Rowland Heights, California

Even on a weekday there is a wait. I arrived around 6:30 pm and the wait was already an hour long. I forgot who served me, but everyone there was so friendly. They throughly explained everything. I enjoyed the wagyu miso sauce the most. Would come again! read more

Chubby TAN - Combo C - Ultra Thick Gyutan & Classic Gyutan Set (7-8 oz) - Japanese Near Me - Rowland Heights, California

Food tasted good and ingredients seemed fresh, but the overall value is not great. We ordered two combos and two ikura add-ons, and even with a membership discount, the total was still around $140 for two, which felt expensive for the portion size. My thick gyutan was noticeably smaller than others, although the staff handled it well and quickly brought me an extra serving, which I appreciated. The ikura + egg rice add-on was also a bit misleading, it's just added on top of the combo rice, not a separate bowl. The place is small and the wait was longer than expected (6:15 reservation, seated around 6:35). Overall, decent but a bit overpriced. read more

Chubby TAN - Combo C+D - Japanese Near Me - Rowland Heights, California

Not sure where to even start, but here it goes: Service: Upon entering, my wife and I were sat right at the front entrance. I asked the host nicely if it is possible for us to grab a seat at the bar. I told him I'm willing to wait a bit longer if needed. Condescendingly he replied, " It's for other people." No further elaboration. I then asked if we can be moved to the table that is further inside the restaurant. He replied, "it's for other people" with no further elaboration. Maybe he woke up on the wrong side of the bed today. Our server, Esther, was nice and respectful though. Food: The host poured us some water! The quality was so great, that we got a side of oil slick in the water! As well as some mystery floating particles. (Refer to pictures in this review). We got our food, the quality was mediocre. $15 for an egg and approximately 2 spoons full of fish roe on my rice - it was to die for (not really lol). Food tasted okay in the first few bites and the flavor fatigue just hits you like a train. Ambiance: The place seems nice. we got sat right at the entrance so I don't know jack squat about dining atmosphere. This place cosplays as a Japanese restaurant though, so I guess Thats kinda cool. Very naisu Bonus: Dining here is like playing a game made by EA because youre gonna be slammed with micro-transactions! Dont worry about paying $5 for a side of rice! As long as you pay a membership for $58/year, you can get the rice for free! We were told by staff that sides were free if we have a membership (we had one previously from Chubby Cattle) Per the owner "All Chubby Group members receive unlimited free side dishes" We ended up getting charged for 2 sides of wasabi lol - I guess they're not considered sides TLDR: -Grumpy host woke up on wrong side of the bed -Nice server -oily water with a side of mystery chunks! -Okay food -Misleading/slimy business tactic Give this place a try! Edit: To make it right, they're offering to refund the $2 wasabi! Great service! read more

Chubby TAN - Oil slick and mystery Chunks! - Japanese Near Me - Rowland Heights, California

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Food is excellent, service is also great. Caleb takes very good care of us. Will be back very soon with family. read more

Chubby TAN - Combo C - Japanese Near Me - Rowland Heights, California

Food and service was great. Very tender beef tongue. Anthony was out server and he was great.

Thick cut is a lot softer and tastier but more expensive.. than the classic cut Soup and salad and really tasty too Waitress Esther was really nice and helpful! read more

Chubby TAN - Set C thick cut and classic cut combo - Japanese Near Me - Rowland Heights, California

Service is awesome and provided by Caleb He helped to cook the beef tongue in Japanese style. Definitely will revisit in future. read more

Reporting from the soft opening: Reservations are needed as walk-ins are not permitted from my understanding. Honestly, nothing bad to say other than there's nothing special here. I suppose it's an upscale place to impress a date since it feels intimate (space is very limited). Personally, it's a bit overpriced and parking is terrible, as always. So from the beginning of making reservations to the end of the meal, it's not worth all that effort of spending your time here. Be aware, servers will mention joining the "Club" app several times. If you're already a member maximizing the perks regularly, you'll probably enjoy this new establishment. Otherwise, you may be disappointed from the experience. read more

Chubby TAN - $50 - Japanese Near Me - Rowland Heights, California

First time here at Chubby TAN! Finally able to make it in and very happy with the service and food! We got the combo A and E which were both so good and with the chubby plus membership all the sides were free and unlimited so that was a nice bonus. Caleb was our server and he was so attentive and fast! Surprisingly, the desserts were ALSO really good! The yuzu sorbet was so refreshing and raspberry matcha is rich and delicious. I always loved the beef tongue at Chubby Cattle but this was a really good experience and we'll be coming back! read more

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We checked in at 5:48 PM and weren't seated until 8:20 PM--a nearly two-and-a-half-hour wait. We were a party of four adults and two kids. We even told them we were willing to split up, but we were never offered separate tables. Because the wait was so grueling, we actually had to eat a "first dinner" beforehand. The only reason we stayed was because my sister was visiting from the Bay Area and really wanted to try this place. A 2.5-hour wait is unacceptable, especially with kids. Once seated, the food came quickly, but I was already full and couldn't finish my meal. To my surprise, a restaurant with such a hefty price tag does not provide actual to-go boxes. Is it because management assumes the portions are too small for leftovers? I had to awkwardly carry my curry sauce home in a cup and two pieces of beef tongue wrapped in foil. I couldn't save the soup or rice, so I forced down the soup and had to abandon the rice. On a positive note, the service was great. Our server tried her absolute best to help me pack up what she could. I wouldn't come back until they offer proper takeout containers and given the high prices, I won't be back often anyways. read more

我们点了两个套餐c和d 我比较喜欢D搭配牛肋条那款 厚切牛舌真的不一样 好满足 一口下去很扎实 另一个的口感是甜的，需要搭配配菜比较适合 We ordered two set meals c and d. I prefer D with beef ribs. Thick-cut beef tongue is really different. It's very satisfying. It's very firm in one bite. The other one tastes sweet, which is more suitable with side dishes. read more

Chubby TAN - Japanese Near Me - Rowland Heights, California

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I really wanted to like Chubby Tan, but I left pretty disappointed. The concept is a direct copy of Gyutan no Lemon in Japan, which unfortunately makes the shortcomings even more obvious. I had just come back from Japan less than two weeks before visiting, so the comparison was fresh in my mind. More importantly, I was dining with family members who had never eaten thick-cut Gyutan before, and they weren't impressed either. The biggest issue was the gyutan itself. The texture and flavor were both off the mark. Instead of being tender with a slight bite, it was tough, stringy, and difficult to chew. It felt like the tongue was simply sliced, lightly seasoned, and cooked without going through the curing and aging process that many Japanese gyutan specialists use to tenderize the meat and develop flavor. I was also watching the cooking process pretty closely and wasn't impressed. The meat was flipped continuously, which prevented the exterior from developing the proper sear and texture I'd expect from a premium gyutan restaurant. The sides were fine. The curry was a bit salty, and while the ikura tasted okay, the texture suggested a lower-grade product. What really hurts this place is the price. Chubby Group's AYCE concepts can get away with a few quality misses because the value proposition is different. But if you're going to charge $50-60 for a premium à la carte gyutan set that costs roughly half that in Japan, the food needs to be on point. Service was perfectly fine, but the food simply didn't justify the price. I wouldn't return read more

The Chubby Group has done it again with their newest concept. Chubby Tan is bringing ultra thiccc 100% WAGYU beef tongue. It's grilled over Japanese charcoal right in front of you which locks in the meat juices, giving it a smoky aroma, slightly crispy outside, and tender and buttery on the inside. And apparently, not all beef tongue is created equal. Chubby Tan only serves the rarest part of the beef tongue, which is less than 20% of the entire cut. All their sets automatically come with wagyu curry that you can pour over the rice, and an absolutely delectable wagyu beef tongue soup. I highly recommend also adding on the ikura rice with the pasteurized egg, which helps cut through the rich meat juices perfectly. I believe they're taking reservations on the Chubby app starting May 17th, and walk-ins starting May 23rd. Thanks for reading! ^-^ read more

Esther was attentive and helpful. Food came out fast and was delicious. Need beer asap read more

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Amazing experience! Where do I begin. It's like you're transported to Japan. There are authentic charcoal grills with an organized and attentive staff. Because I'm a chubby group member I got selected through a raffle to attend the soft opening. Highly recommend this spot for your next date spot! The beef tongue is unlike anything I've tasted. read more

Chubby TAN - Japanese Near Me - Rowland Heights, California

There's this very cute server that helped my wife and I today. They showed us the ropes to everything and explained the menu thoroughly. Allowing my mouth to be stuffed with luscious juicy meats. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be haunted in my dreams for finishing my meal too fast and stealing my wife's portion. I can't wait to come back and be serviced by Mathew, so he stuff my mouth with a lot of meat yum yum. Special shout out to Tracy! She was super excellent over the counter and assisted us whenever possible whenever Mathew wasn't around or busy. She was super helpful and knowledgeable to give us awesome suggestions and pairings. read more

Chubby TAN - Japanese Near Me - Rowland Heights, California

Very yummy food and loved the thick beef tongue. With the Chubby Plus membership, we got unlimited side dishes and $8 off from the set. The salad was refreshing, and the beef tongue soup was yummy. Our server Caleb was great and made really good recommendations. The only negative thing I can say is that the restaurant is small, so it's not a comfortable dining experience in such a small space. But definitely would go back for the thick cut beef tongue. read more

Chubby TAN - Japanese Near Me - Rowland Heights, California

The food was Disappointing for the price I paid. I didn't like the Taste of the meat, I gave half of it away to my friend. Soup is too salt, curry is thick and salty, didn't have the fresh taste. The side dishes are from chubby cattle. Service was slow too. I wouldn't come back again! read more

Let me caveat, this place is still in soft opening so things may change. First lets talk about the bad from worst to meh. The rice is bad. They say Japanese rice, but it's dry and they cooked it long grain Chinese style. Please get a good Japanese or Korean rice cooker and stop wasting the "good Japanese rice." The soup is pretty bland but you can add in some Yakiniku salt or the Gyutan Miso to flavor it. Lastly this is just personal preference but I think the regular tongue overall was better than the thick cut. The thick cut has good parts that are soft and tender but parts of it are tough. So the thick cut has really high, highs but lots of mediocre parts of it too. Now the good. The service was really good but for a new place I think it's pretty standard to be good at the beginning so I hope it continues. The Gyutan Miso is amazing. If they sold it in a jar I'd buy some. The yam dip is really authentic and well made. The curry is salty but tasty. Think Coco Ichibanya levels. Gyutan is very meaty and good quality, but like I said above, the thick cut is a little chewy in places. For those pieces, use the hot plate if you're at the bar. Medium done-ness makes it much more palatable. Lastly the price. GET THE MEMBERSHIP. It's the only way this place is affordable. The discounts plus the unlimited sides make the price worth it. They do give you a decent amount of food overall but alot of it is the sides. Overall a B+ restaurant from Chubby Group. read more

Do yourself a favor and get a flight to japan and get wayyy more in quantity and quality. Imagine piping hot rice + curry, bone broth soup paired with perfectly cooked thick beef tongue. That's the meal I got at Gyutan no Lemon in Tokyo and I cannot say the same for chubby lemon. Everything was room temperature. Rice was dry and old and not hot. Bone broth tasted like packaged bone broth with tiny pathetic pieces of beef tongue. Like come on, do better. The ikura roe and egg was extra $14 and tasted bitter and repulsive. Salad was not fresh with no dressing. I got combo C (ultra thick cut + smaller pieces) for $48 and it was not worth the price. Ultra thick beef was better if you re cooked it yourself on the hot stove. Seasoning didn't really hit. Smaller pieces of beef tongue were better. Honestly such a bummer bc I was hoping they would at least match 25% of the OG gyutan no lemon. I won't come back, saving money for japan trip. read more

Great attentive service , high quality food. Came a bit after regular lunch hour so barely wait.