I've been to many Chubby Group restaurants, and they've always delivered great food and exceptional service. Unfortunately, Chubby Tan fell well below those standards. During a busy lunch rush, there was only one server covering the entire restaurant. I don't blame the server--they were clearly doing their best--but the restaurant appeared to be understaffed. We ordered through a QR code within two minutes of being seated, then waited 45 minutes without a single check-in or update before I had to ask if our soup and salad could be served first. The food itself was enjoyable once it finally arrived, but the long wait and lack of communication overshadowed the meal. Based on my past experiences with other Chubby Group restaurants, I know they're capable of providing outstanding hospitality. I hope this location improves its staffing and service because it currently falls well below the standard I've come to expect from the brand. read more

Chubby TAN - Japanese Near Me - Rowland Heights, California

This spot was straight fireee! From the moment we walked in, everything was a great experience. The food was honestly so good--the quality really stood out, and you can tell they care about what they serve. Everything came out fresh, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. A huge shoutout to Matt and James for providing some of the best service we've had in a while. They were both super friendly, attentive, and always one step ahead. Our drinks and sides were constantly refilled without us even having to ask, and they made sure we had everything we needed throughout the meal. It's the kind of service that makes you want to come back. Another big bonus is being a Chubby Plus member. If you have a membership, there are some really great perks that make the experience even better and add a lot of value. It's definitely worth taking advantage of if you plan on coming here more than once. Overall, it's not often you find a place that delivers both amazing food and exceptional service, but this spot absolutely nailed it. Huge thanks again to Matt and James for making our visit so enjoyable. We'll definitely be back, and I highly recommend checking this place out! read more

Chubby TAN - Thick Cut Gyutan & Shortrib!! - Japanese Near Me - Rowland Heights, California

We walked in this week no reservation, got seated on the side right away. We ordered Ultra Thick Gyutan Set and the set with Japanese A5 short rib. They did not have the Ikura Roe rice today. So my gyutan was a bit cold, but was cooked just right. I have to say, for $50+ and not come with wasabi is a major sin. I know it's just a dollar to order it on the side which I did, but it's like ordering wings and they didn't even give you a side of ranch. What's weird is the Combo E we ordered came with wasabi, but the gyutan was undercooked. I'm guessing they are still soft opening-ing? Our main complaint is the table and the stools. Table was way too small for 2 combo trays, and the stool was really uncomfortable with nowhere to rest your feet. The stools around the bar all had footrest, the window seating had its own footrest, so why the inconsistency for the tables on the side? Overall experience was a slight dip in the negative. Regarding the food, she didn't like it, I thought it was just okay for me, not comparable to what we've had in Tokyo. The service was great but the seating really bothered me. I did change her seat out to another one that had footrest so at least she didn't have to suffer. But hey, all these things can be fixed so maybe next time it'll be better. read more

Chubby TAN - Combo A Ultra Thick Gyutan Set - Japanese Near Me - Rowland Heights, California

If you're a fan of the beef tongue combo at the Japanese market food court in Costa Mesa, you might want to give Chubby Tan a try. It's a bit more affordable now that the market combo has climbed to around $35+ The beef tongue itself was thick, tender, and clearly good quality. However, I was hoping for that smoky charcoal-grilled flavor, and unfortunately it just wasn't there. Mine also wasn't served the way I expected--it was only partially cooked and it's cold quickly instead of arriving hot with a nice rare center. The meat quality was excellent, but it lacked the flame-grilled aroma that makes beef tongue so memorable. The curry was flavorful, but it overpowered the taste of the tongue rather than complementing it. The soup was also a bit too salty for my taste. One thing I found frustrating was the QR code ordering system. Even something as simple as requesting a salad refill has to be done through the QR code. Then I found out side dish refills aren't included unless you're a member, (which kinda over priced 2.99 for tinny bowl ) Overall, it was a pleasant dining experience with good service and quality ingredients. That said, for a bill of over $50 per person, I expected a bit more. I'm glad I tried it, but it's probably not somewhere I'd return to regularly. read more

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

If you have the membership, then I think this would be really worth it if you bring friends. I got combo D which came with the ultra thick gyutan and the A5 finger meats. The finger meats were really but I think the short ribs were my favorite. We had a membership so we ordered extra sides (free with the membership). Without the membership, I don't think this is worth it. It's just a one time experience. The salad was my favorite side. read more

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

Hello. Kind greetings. My wife and I came on Sunday for lunch. Finally found time to come try. We were greeted nicely. Luckily, there was room and we were seated right away. The atmosphere is cozy(at least for me). I got Combo C and my wife got Combo B. The food came out in a fair amount of time. The soup was one of the best I have ever had(I am a soup person). Full of Umami! The curry was pleasant(I am usually not the fondest of curry). The salad is fresh. All the delicious meat just melts in your mouth! The yam and miso condiments were not even necessary, but great options to have. The kimchi beef tongue was also yummy. The staff always checked on you and were knowledgeable. Amazing experience! I can't wait to bring people here! Highly recommended! Immensely satisfied! Thank you so much! Wishing everyone blessings, happiness, health, laughter, love, joy, prosperity and safety. read more

Tried Chubby Tan Gyutan and it was so good! The gyutan was tender, flavorful, and had a nice char to it. Portions were pretty solid too. Definitely a good spot if you like gyutan. I'd come back for sure! Amazing beef tongue experience! Will def visit again. read more

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

Music is a little loud for those easily sensitive (my mom couldn't stand it for some reason). But the food is amazing and is the closest it gets to being in Japan without BEING in Japan. Awesome service and clean area. read more

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

Amazing vibe! Great ambience! Parking is easy on weekday~ The plaza also has plenty of options

Host was amazing, explained the process thoroughly and very attentive. Open kitchen concept with bar seating where you can cook and face the kitchen staff. It's nice cozy type atmosphere. Food looks good and tasty. Definitely will come back for their late night menu. read more

Definitely a MUST try if you are into gyutan.... The texture, the flavor, and the unlimited sides make this an actual bargain!! Get the membership. You won't regret it!! read more

I visited Tokyo Gyutan de Lemon in Japan last year, and the staff there told me they would be opening a location in Los Angeles soon. Ever since then, I've been looking forward to revisiting what was one of the best meals I had in Tokyo. When I saw on Instagram that they were partnering with the Chubby Group to open a location in Rowland Heights, I was beyond excited. Unfortunately, the experience wasn't even close to what I had in Japan, nor was it on par with the gyutan restaurant in Costa Mesa. We went during weekday lunch. Although the restaurant is small, the turnover was pretty quick, and we were seated after about 30 minutes. The first thing I noticed when I walked in was that I couldn't smell the grilling meat, charcoal, or even the curry. Instead, there was a noticeable sewer odor that overpowered any food aromas. I ordered Combo C with both the classic-cut and thick-cut gyutan. The thick-cut pieces varied in size but were still tender. However, the classic-cut beef was quite chewy. The soup was decent, but the curry was disappointing--I could taste a burnt flavor, and the potatoes were undercooked and still very crunchy. I also think they forgot to bring our salad. The service was fine, but the meal is quite expensive unless you have a Chubby Club membership. Overall, this visit didn't live up to my expectations, especially after such an incredible experience in Tokyo. Sadly, I don't think I'll be coming back. read more

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

Loved the gyutan! The beef tongue was tender, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. They use mono cut. Great service and a cozy atmosphere. Definitely worth a visit if you're looking for something unique and delicious. read more

See all

Combo E Ultra Thick Gyutan & Japan A5 Short Rib 原本仲諗住生日有優惠，點知原來昨天用了，今天便不可以用，原因他們 Chubby Club 改了生日 policy，原本計劃 11 号、12 号、13 号 食盡佢，即刻要改變計劃。 Chubby 集團有兩間餐館（我很喜歡的），突然已不在佢哋名下，我已經好唔高興了 read more

See all

I am willing to give Chubby Tan another shot, but my first visit on opening day left a lot to be desired. I want to be fair since opening days are notoriously rough, but there are some things here that go beyond first day jitters. Chubby Tan is supposed to be a direct homage to Lemon Tongue in Japan, but the execution feels like it misses the mark in a few key areas. For starters, the price point is noticeably higher than what you would pay in Japan, which would be fine if the quality matched up. Unfortunately it does not quite get there yet. The beef tongue was overcooked, which I later realized is because it is precooked and then left sitting in a steamer, so by the time it hits your plate it has lost that tenderness that makes the dish special. That is a process issue that needs to be addressed. There were also some other things that caught me off guard. There were egg whites on the rice which felt out of place, and when we got refills of the curry and soup there was no wagyu in them, only the initial serving had it. Small details but they add up. The seating was also surprisingly cramped, somehow even smaller than what I experienced at the original location in Japan. I genuinely do not know how that is possible but here we are. On the membership side, I have both the NFT and Chubby Plus and ran into a confusing situation. The NFT gets you 10% off while Chubby Plus gives you a flat 8 dollar discount. Since nothing on the menu exceeds 80 dollars, the Chubby Plus discount is almost always going to be the better deal, which makes the NFT perk feel pretty pointless. I do not think they fully thought through the membership structure and it needs a rework. Like I said, I am willing to come back and see if things improve. But right now there is a noticeable gap between what this place is supposed to be and what it currently is. read more

arrived at 12 PM and the place gets busy quite quickly. Very limited seating. Had such a great time there. The staff were very attentive and friendly. The food was served fairly quick. I must say the short ribs were delicious but I didn't like the ultra thick beef tongue as much as I thought I would. It was thiiick and even after I cut it into smaller pieces the meat was a bit tougher than I expected. I prefer to eat the regular beef tongue and will probably go with that in the future. If you have membership, you can get unlimited refills on salad, soup, rice, curry, and two of the sauces. The soup was really good and the wasabi tasted fresh. However, the wasabi will cost $1 extra if you want to add on as a side. Initially, when I saw the portion of meat, I was a bit worried that it won't be enough. But I was so full I had to pack some to go. i was impressed with the quality and service there. I will definitely come back again! read more

Chubby TAN - combo E Ultra Thick Gyutan & Japan A5 Short Rib - Japanese Near Me - Rowland Heights, California

See all

Great dinning atmosphere! Excellent quality of beef tongue and short ribs! Must try!! read more

Chubby TAN - Open kitchen, smell awesome! - Japanese Near Me - Rowland Heights, California

I was looking forward to dine at Chubby TAN as it serves thick cut gyutan beef tongue. I was somewhat disappointed. The gyutan was only okay. Both the gyutan and the soup were not hot. Given its price point, both items need to be better prepared. I suspect many items on the combo set were pre-made. Each seats there is a small heat pan for customers to grill (or to warm up their entrees). The reason given a three stars was the service. Each staff were helpful and patience. read more

See all

Came here on a Wednesday night but the wait was almost an hour. This place is very small with not enough seating. The food and services were great. We ordered the thick tongue set and an additional order of Waygu beef. Liked both. The beef broth was really good and ended up getting an additional order. read more

Chubby TAN - Japanese Near Me - Rowland Heights, California

I seen this establishment advertised on Instagram for quite some time, and since we weren't sure what to eat, we decided to give it a try when we happened to see Chubby Tan right in front of us. We asked the server for their most popular item, and he recommended Combo D (a5 finger meat and beef tongue). The service was good, and the staff were attentive throughout our visit. However, they were very persistent about getting us to download their app and sign up for a membership. We were asked multiple times, and even after declining, the server continued to push it by saying things like, "You don't want to save money?" While I understand they are promoting their rewards program, the repeated pressure became uncomfortable and took away from the dining experience. The staff was probably instructed by management to push customers to download it. I also didn't like that they required a phone number to place an order. We ended up requesting to order without providing our number. As for the food, the beef was overly sweet for my taste, and the beef tongue was just okay, not really a wow factor. It tasted cold and we needed to grill it again? The curry tasted like packaged curry from the market. Overall, the experience was decent, but the aggressive promotion of the app and membership, combined with the average food, made it difficult to fully enjoy the visit. read more

Chubby TAN - Japanese Near Me - Rowland Heights, California

The wait was about 1.5 hours, which seems pretty typical for Chubby locations. The layout is unique and pretty cool. I'm a big fan of beef tongue, so when I heard about this place, it was a definite yes for me. The combo plates run about $40+ definitely on the pricier side, but worth it. Our waitress, Ester, was super friendly, and so was the rest of the staff. They took the time to explain the best way to enjoy the food, which made the experience even more enjoyable. read more

Caleb was our server and he was super informative about the menu. Our dinner was really good and the beef tongue quality was premium. Thick, rare and juicy. The beef tongue soup was really light but savory. The salad was refreshing. The curry and rice was really good. Rice texture was great. Also loved the curry and rice topped with tororo sauce. Definitely coming back! Everything was really fresh and tasty. The restaurant feels like you're in Japan. read more

This was my first visit as a Clubby Club One member, and the $8 discount on Combo C was a nice bonus. The set came with thick-cut and classic beef tongue, plus a generous side of rice, savory curry beef, rich soup, miso paste, and fresh yam--it was incredibly filling. The thick-cut tongue was the highlight: beautifully marbled, soft, and melt-in-your-mouth tender. Unfortunately, the classic cut was noticeably chewy, and a few pieces were so tough I couldn't even pull them apart. On the plus side, the service was great--attentive and friendly throughout. Overall, it's a decent meal, but if I return, I'll definitely spring for a higher-grade meat to avoid the inconsistency. read more

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

See all

Bar seating + BBQ grill = perfect combo Keeping the beef tongue warm and cooking a little more whenever we want. The beef tongue was so tender! It was even cheaper with my friend's membership, plus unlimited side refills. We also met a chef can speak our hometown language. The waiter was nice and friendly read more

Chubby TAN - Come A - Thick cut beef tongue - Japanese Near Me - Rowland Heights, California

Amazing food, simple choices from 6-7 combo and great services. Don't I wish for bigger place since this pace seems to cater quick lunch set menu and their sitting are minimal. Let's talk about food, we had combo A, D and E with side order of Ikura rice and 12 pieces extra tongue. I can't find anything wrong with their dishes even my family love them all. Perk being a member is you can get discounted combo and free side dishes, which is extra rice, extra soup and curry. Keep it up guys special commentary for Esther who help us when the yelp reservations screw up (we live over an hour away) so she fixed it and she help explain all perfectly. And Caleb out serves also guide us in the ordering process and explain which cut and give recommendations to fit our preferences. Keep it up guys and tell the boss, to open bigger and more of this Guy Tan spots. Maybe in San Fernando Valley area since they opened one at Topanga Mall already. I knew 1st floor of their spot is available read more

See all

Very disappointed. The food was ok, customer service was not professional. Customer service is not professional. We were served by a asian male server at first and were told that another server would come to explain everything to us. We waited around 15 minutes and nobody came. We finally decided to place an order of combo C. When we tried the rice, it was uncooked. So we asked the server to replace it, the second Rice was much better, but still not very well-cooked. The thick cut was very chewy. It is very hard to eat. Curry tasted like the curry block that you can get from a Japanese market. Somehow our salad sauce was different even though we ordered the same menu. read more

Chubby TAN - Japanese Near Me - Rowland Heights, California

See all

Cara is such a sweet server Did great recommendations for our first time here. As members you get unlimited side dishes that was included in the combo, the house salad is very very fresh and crispy! They do a lot of accommodations too, a nice place for a date! read more

Chubby TAN - Combo A & E, beef tongue is soooo good! - Japanese Near Me - Rowland Heights, California

See all

Quality food and friendly service restaurant very clean and they really check up on customers read more

See all

This place is eliteee!! My boyfriend took me here for our 6 months and we were impressed! We came on a Thursday night & there wasn't really a wait to get in. They communicated with us that the kitchen was pretty backed up and prefaced with that before seating us in case we weren't okay with it. First nice touch! When we got sat, James served us and he was an incredible server!! He was so nice and told us how to order, recommended how to eat it, and checked in on us often. He did say the food would take about 20 minutes to come out since the kitchen was backed up, which was totally fine! We were just really appreciative they were super communicative the whole time. They felt so bad, they gave us kimchi beef tongue on the house to make up for the wait . The food was so delicious! I thought it wouldn't be enough meat but I ended up getting full before I even knew it LOL. Beef tongue is quite heavy. The curry and miso were soo good. Probably the best miso I've ever had! The sides are all unlimited refills which were so cool. The beef tongue was so tender too. After we finished our meal, they gave us mochi ice cream for free too because they felt so bad for wait Genuinely some of the best service I've received in a long time and it is honestly so refreshing. Also had a pretty worker come over just to compliment my hair This place reallyyy goes above & beyond. I can't wait to come back. read more

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

YUM! Dinner set A is where it's at. If you love beef tongue, you'll definitely love chubby tan. Never in my life did I think I can stuff a mouthful of beef tongue in one bite until today. Quality of meat is truly A+ here. Also loved the grated yam - such a nice touch and very reminiscent of Japan. The rice is chewy and fluffy and the salad was delicious and fresh. The miso soup was very beefy and the curry also had chunks of wagyu beef too. The yuzu sorbet was a delicious way to end the meal - we liked it a lot more than the matcha. Service is super fast and friendly. The ambiance is a very fun, open kitchen concept. There is one gender neutral restroom. I will definitely be back if I want to treat myself or my boyfriend to another delicious beef tongue experience read more

The food quality was very good and the server was very attentive. The thick cut beef tongue was cooked to perfection (medium rare) to maintain the tenderness. I love all the sauce pairing suggestions: lemon, miso, fresh yam, and curry. read more

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

The food was so delicious at ChubbyTan!! I got combo A. I highly recommend you asking the server to grill the meat more for some extra crispiness but the medium rare with the lemon juice is also chef's kiss!! The miso paste was my favorite pairing with the meat. The servers were also so nice and sweet. Matt was the best Also so perfect for date night Go try ChubbyTan!!!! read more

See all

Came in on a Saturday night around 7pm and there was no wait! Got the combo C and it was delicious!! I recommend asking for their yakinuku sauce bc that really helped elevate the meal! I love how there are unlimited sides if you are a Chubby member. Overall, great service, delicious food, and reasonably priced considering the sides are unlimited. read more

Chubby TAN - Braised Gyutan & Japanese Style Gyutan Combo - Japanese Near Me - Rowland Heights, California

Matt gives really good service and the food is delicious. the place has good atmosphere and is cool read more

Chubby TAN - Japanese Near Me - Rowland Heights, California

Stopped by Chubby Tan during their soft opening. I am pretty satisfied with the service and quality of food at the resturant. The overall setting of the resturant is pretty chill where I like the grill pan that you can reheat the meat or cook it a bit more to fit your own tasting preference. The meal set portion is pretty large. Overall; I would recommend to give Chubby Tan a try if you are in the area. read more

Chubby TAN - Japanese Near Me - Rowland Heights, California

See all

Reservations only to dine in and must be made thru yelp, while the Chubby App has no reservation link available like they suggest on the banner and website. You dont find out until you show up. The restaurant is half empty. No chubby membership benefits other than slightly lower price. Until they accept walk-ins and stop being pretentious with all the available seats at the bar, the review remains a hell no-go. Especially at $40+ price points. read more

Chubby TAN - Japanese Near Me - Rowland Heights, California

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

See all

This is my first time buying out this place and I already signed up for membership. Great service & high quality gyutan

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

See all

COMBO A is a good deal Just make sure to order the meat cooked the way you prefer. Otherwise, it'll come prepared the way they normally serve it read more