We celebrated my birthday at Oku-Niku after a fun day at Theme park, and it was the perfect way to end the day with family! Making a reservation was very easy, and everything went smoothly from start to finish. As soon as we arrived, we were greeted right away and seated promptly. The ambiance was warm and inviting. The restaurant is a bit dimly lit, but it really adds to the cozy and upscale atmosphere. One thing I immediately noticed was how clean all of the grills were. We chose the AYCE option (around $55 per person), and the pricing for kids was very reasonable. Our 5-year-old was charged a reduced rate, while our 3-year-old ate free, which was a nice bonus for families. The selection of meats was excellent, with plenty of options to choose from. They do have a 90-minute dining limit and a surcharge for excessive leftovers, but that wasn't an issue for us because everything was delicious. The appetizer selection was surprisingly large. We enjoyed the beef fried rice, noodles, a sushi roll, crispy tofu, chicken karaage, and shiitake mushrooms. The crispy tofu turned out to be spicier than we expected, so just keep that in mind if ordering for kids. However, spice lovers will probably enjoy it! The chicken karaage was a huge hit with the kids, especially with the spicy mayo on the side. The shiitake mushrooms were also incredibly flavorful and well-seasoned. We also ordered crispy rice spicy tuna, we loved it too! What really stood out was the service. Every server we encountered was kind, attentive, and genuinely friendly. Instead of simply dropping off food and walking away, they took time to check in, ask how we were doing, and connect with us. That personal touch made the experience feel special. We only ordered water since we had already had plenty of drinks earlier in the day, but they offer a variety of beverages as well. For dessert, we tried the mochi ice cream special--two for $5--which was a fantastic deal. In San Diego, it's common to pay around $5 for just one mochi ice cream, so we were pleasantly surprised. Overall, we had a wonderful experience and are so happy we chose Oku-Niku for my birthday celebration. Great food, excellent service, a family-friendly atmosphere, and a memorable dining experience. We'll definitely be back! read more

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This place is good and the quality is consistent. Hot or Not? Great wagyu cuts. Honorable mentions, that aren't obvious. Scallop Carpaccio : 5/5 bites, delicious juicy w/ a kick of that yuzu spice. Hot item Filet: 4/5 bites good Beef belly: 5/5 bites Crispy Rice is good ratio. along with other hot dishes, Truffle Roll: 4/5 bites I am not a "roll" fan but this one melts in your mouth! delicious/ it's Hot! Get the Yuzu Chousu ( def misspelled it) but the spicy wasabi yuzu paste 5/5 Yum Delicious cuts and variety for a nice price. Excellent service, If you're tempted to try but not committing to the din price tags try them for the lunch special. Parking may be tricky as the area is typically busy but we usually find street parking nearby, a nice walk is good after a AYCE. PSA/FYI: for Me -- "HOT" is not literal for spice/temp but for a Like/loveable item! read more

Full disclosure: we have actually been coming to Oku-Niku for a couple of years now, but every single time we leave, we are in such a food coma that I completely forget to post a review! It is long overdue because they nail the food, the drinks, the SERVICE, and the atmosphere completely. ​The food is top-tier. ​They have a fantastic sake selection and great beers on tap. ​What really pulls all of this together, is their staff. THE best service in all of Burbank! Tonight they were playing 90s house music (my absolute jam!), but kept it at the perfect evening vibe level so we could actually enjoy our conversation. We finished the night with the yuzu cheesecake, and it was aaaamazing - the perfect creamy, citrusy end to the meal. ​Massive shout out to Javi and Isa for ALWAYS giving us the best possible service every time we come in. They make you feel like family. Highly recommend! read more

Oku-Niku Japanese BBQ - Japanese Near Me - Burbank, California

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AYCE Prices? My Wallet Said Absolutely Not. Not gonna lie -- I am not your typical "pay as you go" gal, and sadly my stomach can no longer survive all-you-can-eat the way it used to. Although this spot offers AYCE for $79.50 per person, the seven of us decided to go the smarter route and order à la carte instead. And honestly? We still ordered enough food to probably qualify for AYCE anyway. Totally forgot to snap a picture of the menu because our stomachs were already making decisions before our brains could. We ordered everything from: * sushi rolls * mushrooms appetizer * shishito peppers * seaweed salad * broccoli * soy garlic edamame * dumplings * fried rice bulgogi * chicken karrage * garlic shrimp * beef tongue * chicken breast * and of course the star of the night, the Wagyu ribeye beef which was about $45 a plate for roughly 7-8 slices? Most of the food honestly didn't even make it into photos because the table instantly attacked everything the moment it arrived. I don't know the total bill since it was my birthday dinner, but I'm pretty sure it cost a very pretty penny lol. Overall, we really enjoyed the food and I'd give the experience about an 8/10. The only downside was the service was a bit slow. We had the only reservation at 1 PM, yet it still took a few tries to flag someone down when we needed things, so service overall was just okay. Welcoming ambience with beautiful interior with plenty of tables. I'm assuming reservation would be more recommended on weekends? Still a fun birthday meal with lots of good food and full bellies. Happy eats! read more

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We had our family dinner for party of 6 on a Saturday night at Oku-Niku Japanese BBQ. It was my first time here but not for my brother as he frequents Oku-Niku and have been convincing us to try this place out for a few months now. Oku-Niku Japanese BBQ did not disappoint and provided both delicious Japanese meals and excellent customer service. Our waiter Sergio was excellent. Thank you Sergio! He kept bringing out replenishment for the different types of meat. We ordered the Premium All You Can Eat for $79.50 per person. It was very much worth the price for what they serve you along with the quality of meats. This Premium All You Can Eat for $79.50 per person included A5 Wagyu. I'm sure you know that A5 Wagyu is the highest grade of Japanese beef. It was tender, rich and buttery. Included in the Premium All You Can Eat for $79.50 per person are to name a few, Scallop, Yellow Tail, Truffle Salmon Roll, Brussel Sprout, Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, Soft Shell Crab and Beef Tongue. The cuts and the quality of the meat along with the quality of the seafood is 5 stars. Oku-Niko Japanese BBQ is now added to our list of favorite eateries to frequent with family and friends. Will be back here again next weekend and we're so looking forward to it. read more

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I really wanted to like this place, but honestly, it just didn't live up to the hype. For $79, I expected way more especially when it comes to A5 wagyu. Being limited to just two rounds of pretty skimpy portions with a BMS of 8 was already a letdown, but the bigger issue was the taste and overall quality. It just didn't hit the way true A5 should, and that was disappointing. If I had known that's what I was getting for the price, I would've gone somewhere else where the quality actually matches lwhat you're paying for. It felt like I paid premium for something that came off pretty mid. If you want Jap bbq, take yourselves to Chubby cattle. That said, the service was solid staff was attentive and did their job well, no complaints there at all. I also don't enjoy leaving bad reviews, but I think this place has some things to tweak, especially when it comes to value and consistency with their meat quality. Hopefully they make some improvements, because it has potential. read more

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WOW! I stopped by for dinner and this place is top tier! I got the premium all you can eat $79.50 per person and it's totally worth it. You can get every item with this option. Japanese A5 wagyu is an option but only once per person. The a5 Wagyu literally melts in your mouth and comes seasoned already with just salt. We got all the wagyu options and all the meats were so tender like butter. Fried gyozas were perfect for the appetizer best gyozas I've had. The server kept coming refilling our water and asking if we needed any more meats. So the service was really great as well. Definitely my new go to spot when I want Japanese bbq read more

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We ordered the premium AYCE ($79.95) and all the meat we ordered were quality cuts and delicious. The Hokkaido scallop, yellowtail and salmon carpaccio were great, as well. The spicy eggplant was delicious, but maybe a bit on the salty side. The service was amazing and we came midweek, so we didn't feel rushed. Highly recommend when you're in the mood for some yakiniku! read more

Oku-Niku Japanese BBQ - Hokkaido scallop carpaccio, yellowtail carpaccio and A5 wagyu - Japanese Near Me - Burbank, California

This is a small restaurant off a busy street. We came as 4 adults, 2 infants and a child. The only had one area for large table and it was on a reservation based service. The restaurant opened at 1230 and we got there around 1240 and it was already taken so our group just sat across from each other at different tables. I enjoyed their salmon carpaccio the best. The serving was generous but their serving on all their items were quite generous so I would suggest half servings if you want to try all of their appetizers and sushi. Their Brussels sprouts were also very good! As far as the meat quality, I've had better. It's mediocre at best for the deluxe. We did not try the premium for 75$ pp, it was too hefty a price to pay for some limited items. Service was ok as well. We felt we often had to request to reorder things vs them checking in on us. Since it's a small restaurant , there was only two servers but only one actually taking orders. Would I come back? Probably not, but it was not bad. read more

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Location 3.5: In western end of Burbank, California, near Toluca Lake and Warner Bros Studios. Located on Riverside Drive off of N. Pass Avenue. This is a congested and busy area with lots of restaurants. Your only parking option is street parking. We had a very hard time finding a parking spot on a Friday night. Venue 3.5: Nicely appointed and modern, medium sized venue with Indoor tables and booths. They feature Happy Hour, Monday thru Friday, 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM (at the time of my visit). Strangely enough, they only take reservations for parties of 5 or larger, and only by phone! You can however use the Yelp Waitlist if your party size is smaller. We were a party of 4 and waited about 45 minutes on a Friday night. There is not a lot of wait area inside so you'll probably be standing on the sidewalk! I would have rated the venue a 4 if they took reservations for all party sizes. Service 4: Our server Sadie was polite, professional, friendly and attentive. Food 3.5: They are a Yakiniku (a.k.a. Japanese Barbecue) restaurant. The large menu includes Asian-inspired appetizers, some sushi/sashimi/carpaccio and specialty rolls, raw meats and vegetables to prepare at the grille on your table, and noodle and rice sides. You can order ala carte or AYCE (all you can eat). We ordered ala carte. To start, we had the Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice and the Hokkaido Scallop w/ Wasabi Ponzu Sauce. For grilling at the table, we ordered the Garlic Shrimp, Filet Mignon, Prime Ribeye, Black Angus Brisket, Prime Short Rub, Spicy Pork and Seasoned Pork Belly. We also had the Prime Beef Fried Rice. The meat quality and taste was very good. The appetizers were OK but not on par with a good sushi restaurant. The fried rice was also just OK. They had a small but appetizing dessert list but we did not get to try it. Drinks 3.5: Good selection of beer (tap and bottle), sake and wine. Sapporo and Kirin on draft. They also have soft drinks. Pricing is on the high side. The last word 3.5: A good option for Yakiniku when you are in Burbank. I wish they would add Valet Parking and start taking reservations for smaller parties! read more

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We really enjoy going to this place if we're looking for somewhere local. The location and seating is great along with the fact that they have adjustable hoods. We go with the AYCE package and try almost everything from the meats to the sushi. Crispy rice tuna and the eggplant are delish! read more

Oku-Niku Japanese BBQ - Tuna on crispy rice - Japanese Near Me - Burbank, California

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I came to Oku-Niku Japanese BBQ to celebrate my clients for buying a house and this restaurant really made the evening feel special. First of all, the quality of the meat is ridiculously good. The premium cuts were so delicious and flavorful. The marbling alone is a level above other restaurants. You know it's serious when the meat hits the grill and everyone at the table suddenly goes quiet in awe. And the sides? Incredible. Honestly... dare I say it... better variety than other similar type of restaurants. Definitely try the mushrooms! By the end of the meal I had two realizations: 1. My standards for BBQ have been permanently elevated. 2. Kbbq has some competition. If you love high-quality meats and you want to celebrate a special night, Oku-Niku is a must. 10/10. Would absolutely return to enjoy the premium beef again. read more

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Hospitality and service were absolutely on point thanks to our amazing server, Javier. The quality of the food was exceptional -- everything tasted incredibly fresh, especially the A5 Wagyu and the other prime meats. The ambiance was modern, vibrant, and very welcoming, making it the perfect place to enjoy a great meal with a fun group. It was my first time here, and I had a terrific experience. Katie and Javier truly provided outstanding hospitality. I'll definitely be back! read more

Oku-Niku Japanese BBQ - Japanese Near Me - Burbank, California

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Oku-Niku is an upscale Japanese BBQ restaurant with an assortment of meats, appetizers, and sushi rolls to choose from. Our group went with the Premium AYCE, which was $80/person and included the whole menu. Service was great here--waiters are attentive, friendly, and eager to answer questions. In terms of the food, the sushi was good. I particularly enjoyed the truffle salmon rolls. The stir fried mushrooms were also a favorite for our table. Also really enjoyed the flavor and light creaminess of the garlic noodles. Definitely one of the highlights of their menu. The shishito peppers were just OK to me--they were a little bitter and lacked significant flavor. I was a bit disappointed with the meat. Overall, they were quite oily and fatty for my taste. There was one standout, which was either the marinated ribeye or sirloin (unfortunately can't remember which it was), which was super flavorful though a bit rich. I did also like the flavor of the brisket too. Surprisingly, we liked the American Wagyu more than the A5 Wagyu, since the cut for the A5 had too much fat. Usually, I'm able to eat a lot of meat at BBQ but I found myself tapping out much earlier than expected here because the meats were too rich/fatty. So even though my group ate a lot the Premium AYCE was worth not it for me. read more

Oku-Niku Japanese BBQ - 23) Hokkaido Scallop with Wasabi Ponzu Sauce - Japanese Near Me - Burbank, California

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Hubby wanted to try out this place since he recently heard about it & we so happened to be in the area. Ambiance: place was very clean & seats were comfy. Service: servers were friendly. Food: Meat- We weren't too excited about the meat. Pple took great pics on Yelp, but the meat cuts were lacking the tenderness. Overall all the cuts were just really tough to eat. We didn't come here for the wagyu as there are other better places for wagyu. We just wanted to try the deluxe to get a taste of their meat quality. The pork jowl was sliced way too big, but it's still my favorite. After 1 round of ordering, we just couldn't find ourselves to order more. We eat quite a bit of barbecue in general as hubby is a meat guy. Something about the meat just didn't cut it for us. We ended up liking the salmon carpaccio & the veggie dishes. We were a bit disappointed as the place gave a really nice vibe. read more

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The most amazing food! The cucumbers are the freshest cucumbers I've ever had in my entire life. And the service is top-notch let me tell you. Jacqueline is the best server! She was so attentive and knowledgeable about the menu and helps guide us through our perfect meal read more

Oku Niko Japanse Bbq in Burbank is an AYCE-style spot I came here for dinner with a party of five and had a blast. When we went here around 6:00 PM we had to wait a little bit. I love the variety of choices for cooked vegetables like mushrooms, seaweed, cucumbers, and spinach, and also the rolls plus the tasty meat. The meat was also delicious, I love grilling it with the Japanese-style BBQ. I feel like it makes the meat better. For the dessert though you have to pay extra. But I think it is worth it! If you are ever in the Burbank area this is an awesome spot to enjoy Japanese BBQ. read more

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Oku Niku is an AYCE Japanese BBQ spot. Happy Hour: 4-6pm Discounted appetizers and drinks It's a pretty good deal and I enjoyed the appetizers. Surprisingly, I enjoyed the sushi and carpaccios more than the bbq options. AYCE: $55 Definitely not worth it. All the meats were heavily sauced to the point where I couldn't eat it on its own. There were two options that said "light yakiniku sauce". There was nothing light about it. I had to order plain white rice to dilute the sauces. I did however notice that the meat quality was pretty good for AYCE but it was masked by being overly sauced. I would've been happy to eat plenty on simple salt and pepper or no salt at all and use the sauces at the table. If you do happent to opt for the AYCE, I would recommend asking them for lighter sauce or no sauce at all and use the sauces/seasoning that was provided at the table. Parking: One hour free street parking on Riverside Drive until 6pm. read more

Sometimes you just want to stuff your face with all the meat!!!! And this spot is perfect for that. The meats are fantastic and great quality! Of course, the A5 wagyu is incredible and fatty and rich, but I have to give an honorable mention to the Prime Short Rib, the Premium Beef Belly, the Premium Pork Jowl, and the Filet! So good to mix up the cuts to get varying degrees of richness. I also LOVED their garlic shrimp. My favorite bite, though? Their scallop carpaccio. Holy hell. ADDICTIVE. It's perfect as a palatte cleanser between the richer bites. Their hamachi carpaccio is also fantastic. Can't go wrong with either, but I LOVEEE their yuzu kosho. Get some of that on the side regardless to eat with the meats. Also notable: the spicy tuna crispy rice, the smashed cucumbers, and the stir fried mushrooms. And the kobe beef nigiri!!! I would've liked slightly less rice with it, but I literally just took some of it off and it was perfect. My only problems with this place were that A. the smoke was a little much, despite the nifty adjustable hoods that are at each table. They were very attentive about adjusting them, but the smoke definitely overwhelmed us at times. B. Those hoods obscure the light from shining on the actual grill, which is kind of annoying when you're trying to cook the meat and see how it looks lol. I used my phone flashlight, but still. C. I wish they had a bigger selection of unmarinated meats. The marinades are delicious, but I wanted some more unmarinated options to really taste the flavors of the meat. We were given various sauces on our table, but they were pretty irrelevant with how heavily sauced the meats already were. D. Sort of along those lines - the heavy saucing led to lots of charring on the grill. Normally at other places, they will either switch out the grills or clean them off with something watery like radish ribbons, but this doesn't happen here, which increases the smoke and sticking of the meats. None of those gripes took too much from the experience for me, though; I'm recounting them mostly as feedback for the restaurant. I had a wonderful time, and will definitely be back for a celebratory occasion. read more

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Really good Japanese bbq. I added us to the waitlist and we had it wait quite a bit. The place was packed and the waitlist was full but Ryan was super helpful in getting us our table ready after about 25 minutes of having to wait. The service is very good. Though they didn't bring the garlic noodles til the very and which was a bummer since we were hoping to have her noodles with the food. But overall was a nice experience. read more

Oku-Niku Japanese BBQ - Japanese Near Me - Burbank, California

A splurge for sure. But the food is fantastic. The meat choices and quality are all there and the sides - we love the fried squash, and mushrooms. The truffle salmon roll is also done pretty darn well. You gotta be ready to eat some really rich A-5 cuts if you do the AYCE. Service is attentive and helpful. Fun to cook your meat the way you like at your table while enjoying all the nicely done sides. Maybe go for the a la carte so you can actually take leftovers home. Rich and decadent is hard to eat a lot of. The place is cozy and we like the booth seats. read more

A very underrated place! I eat here as often as possible! The food is fresh and they service is always very fast! Not too smoky like other bbq places! I think the prices are definitely reasonable read more

Overall Experience: Fantastic all you can eat options and fantastic quality! Will definitely come back with my friends, ready to have an awesome AYCE meal! If you are debating between the regular ayce and premium ayce, I know $75 is a lot of money but I think it's definitely worth the splurge and upgrade! Food: Great quality meat AND sushi. It's impressive that they have both good meat and sushi - everything was good! My photos don't do justice because the light was a bit dim. Portion Size: Excellent sliced portions for the meat. Sushi excellent ratio of rice. Sides like the mushroom and asparagus was a little too much. Service: Everyone was very attentive and quick to provide what we need. Really appreciated the staff here because we were celebrating a friends birthday Ambiance: Overall very good inside. Presentation: All the dishes were prepared nicely. Parking Situation: Parking you will have to find street parking around the area so it's not the best. read more

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I shouldn't blow up my spot by leaving a stellar review but.... OMG. The premium AYCE. Get that A5 Wagyu. Get the eggplant. Get the scallops. The crispy rice spicy tuna. The garlic noodle. Get all of it. There isn't a single thing on that menu that won't make you scream for joy. Okay actually, I don't think I liked the one dessert I got, but that's literally a preference thing. I'd go every weekend if I could. YUM. Favorite BBQ ever. Nice staff. Cozy atmosphere. Hard parking though! Only downside and only has to do with location. read more

Oku-Niku Japanese BBQ - I wasn't crazy about it but it's a cool concept. It had the consistency of bean paste. It's a black sesame dessert - Japanese Near Me - Burbank, California

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They had to roll me outta there! The food was so good and I ate all that I possibly could eat! We got the premium AYCE and it was crazy good. They limit the A5 Wagyu to 1 order per person and the American Kobe Nigiri to 1 order per person... WORTH IT! I recommend working your way towards the Wagyu because every other cut of meat just can't compare. I also LOVE that you can do half orders so that you can try as many different menu items you can without being too stuffed. Other than the Wagyu and the Kobe the other big hits for me were the Yellowtail Carpaccio and the beef fried rice. YUM read more

Oku-Niku Japanese BBQ - A5 Wagyu - Japanese Near Me - Burbank, California

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Would definitely go back. Everything we ordered was great. One of my favorite things we tried was the wagyu and the spicy tuna on crispy rice. Service was also great read more

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I really like this place. I have Korean BBQ more so than I do Japanese BBQ so coming here was such a treat. There's street parking available. I opted for the premium menu that way I can have the wagyu. The wagyu is top notch. I love the quality of it and how the meat easily melts in your mouth. read more

Oku niku is such a great spot for ayce Japanese bbq. Everything was so tasty and came out really fast. They have great sushi quality as well and the garlic noodles were sooo tasty as well. Our server was Sadie and she was amazing, so sweet and always on top of everything! The restaurant is also nice not too small but not too spacious but when I've usually gone on a Sunday there hasn't been a wait. We will definitely be coming back ! read more

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I was really excited to try this place, my brother has been here before and he was hyping this place up. We were celebrating my dad's 60th birthday, we were a party of 8 with reservations. When we arrived, they gave us the option of cramming into a 6 top with chairs or two booths next to each other. We attempted the 6 top since we had two kids but then they told is that there was a party of 6 that was going to sit next to us, our chair was blocking the aisle between the tables so we decided to do the booths side by side. 3/5 stars Food was okay. I would have rated this place a 2/5 but the beef rice was so good, I added a star for that. Our booth's grill had to be replaced because only half of it was cooking and our food was coming out a bit more charred than what we wanted. The sushi were basic rolls but overly dressed with mayo. The salmon carpaccio was good, so were the crab wontons and the soft shell crab. Here's where my issue begins. As a party of 8, an 18% gratuity is already included. I really dislike this because servers are "guaranteed" 18% and we rarely see them. Tonight, I would say we saw our server a handful of times. We had to stop many other servers for forks, refills, etc. The location itself is not that big, probably about 15-20 tables total. Personally, I would not come back. The overall experience was lacking, the service was not good. For the price, I would choose another spot. read more

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Delicious. Come for the grilled meats and stay for the truffle salmon roll! The raw seafood here on the regular AYCE menu is worth the price of entry alone! Buttery salmon, melt in your mouth scallops, and I truly can't believe how good the truffle roll is! OMG GOOD! I ordered two for just me. I just came here a second time and the quality is super consistent. The ambiance is very nice. It is a low key spot and never seems to get too crowded or loud so you can have nice conversations which is actually rare at some AYCE places. Off the non premium menu - I strongly recommend the filet! Don't skimp on the sides. The Wagyu fried rice and the eggplant are truly great. I don't have a single bad thing to say about the place. The service is very quick and attentive. Come hungry and leave O so happy!! read more

Oku-Niku Japanese BBQ - 22) Salmon Carpaccio with Ponzu Sauce - Japanese Near Me - Burbank, California

We dined at Oku Niku in Burbank/ Toluca Lake, Ca celebrating our son's birthday. He wanted to check out this fine establishment, and I must say I've never been more impressed, especially since I haven't eaten a great deal of sushi/Japanese food. This place was impressive . The meats were so delicious and perfectly cut. At first, we were going to choose à la carte, but then we saw that you could get the Deluxe or the full Premium option where you get everything, so we went ahead and went for that deal, which was very, very good. It's so worth it, especially if you have a party of 6 people. I have to say everything was absolutely delicious just check out the menu on their website. The food as good as it looks. The hostess and the team at Oku Niku were fantastic, bringing out the food. Again, all the meats were cut to perfection and well worth every bite! I especially enjoyed eggplant, savory, the prime beef fried rice and the stir wok garlic noodles The salmon truffle roll was first-rate and the crispy soft shell crab The Deluxe is good, but go with the Premium if you're in a family setting because you get everything, and it's excellent. The place already has a really good reputation for quality food, and I just wanted to echo that, you really have a great time. The food was delicious. Sushi is excellent, really good. The sauces that go with it are really tasty. The meat is superbly cut, delicious, filling, and overall it's just a nice atmosphere. A great place to dine on Friday or Saturday night! read more

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I had a decent experience at first, but that changed when I later discovered my credit card was charged more than what was listed on the receipt. That's highly unethical. Even if there was a valid reason for the additional charge, I should have been informed beforehand. I don't mind paying extra when it's justified--but it's the principle of the situation that's concerning. If you decide to dine here, keep your receipts and watch your credit card statements. read more

Oku Niku was a solid experience overall, but heads up--parking is a nightmare. They don't have their own lot, and street parking is brutal with all the surrounding businesses. Took me around 25 minutes just to find a spot. Now with that out of the way--service was great. The staff was attentive, always checking in and refilling drinks. Food-wise, quality was definitely there. The carpaccio was a highlight, and a lot of the steaks were really good. That said, some cuts had tendons that made them a bit chewy--not a dealbreaker, but noticeable. It's not cheap. We were a group of four and the bill hit around $450 with no alcohol. So yeah, definitely a special-occasion spot more than a regular dinner run. Worth trying at least once if you're into high-quality Japanese BBQ, just plan ahead for parking and expect a pricey tab. read more

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Came here on a Wednesday night. Service is very friendly. It's definitely a good value for the amount of food you get . The sushi selection wasn't the best, however everything else was super tasty. Would definitely recommend. Make sure you come super hungry read more

Family was in town for work and we decided to give Oku-Niku a try after reading some of the reviews. The ambience is cozy and quaint. The menu is setup for three different types of purchasers, ala cart, deluxe, or premium. Keep in mind that if you are dining with a party and you choose the express or premium option, all people in your party will need to pick the same dining optionto avoid sharing issues. The service we received was mediocre and the meats were bland. We absolutely enjoyed the garlic noodles and spicy garlic wings! Both were delicious and savory! read more

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Overpriced for what the serving size is and the portions. No, I did not try their AYCE option as I was not famished enough to go that route. Compare it to other Japanese BBQ franchises in the area, this is the more expensive option. Their waygu was nothing special. A one and done option for us. read more

I give this place a single star as a cautionary tale for other hungry diners looking to try their lunch special. I was an unsuspecting walk-in customer stepping in to try out a new (to me) restaurant. I wish I had checked the other reviews cuz everyone in the reviews talks about the rip-off that the lunch special is. For $21 (before tip) you get 4 paper thins slices of meat, rice, cucumbers and miso soup. This is not enough meat to satisfy a toddler, let alone an adult spending their hard-earned money on a lunch break. The wait staff was friendly, but I wish they would warn you. She told me it would be a plate of meat, but when I was asking about it she could've suggested that if I didn't already walk into the restaurant full, I'd be better off spending the entire $55 for all-you-can-eat. I figured this meant a single portion for a normal human. I thought it would be several slices of meat folded and layered onto a plate. They stretched that meat out single-layered to make sure it "filled" the plate. I was left wondering how they thought that was $20 worth of meat, cuz it isn't like the sides were costly (white rice, miso soup and cucumbers hahaha). read more

Restaurant was easy to find and in the heart of Toluca Lake. The reason for four stars is because parking can be tough as they don't have a private lot and only offer street parking. Inside is clean and offers plenty of seating. Both times I've visited for dinner there was no wait. Service is average. I've had this place in my bookmarks for some time now and decided to come here for the first time on my birthday a couple weeks ago. We opted for AYCE premium option at $75/ person. We ordered with our stomachs and definitely over ordered. Most of the appetizers were good but we would definitely skip the salmon capriccio. The garlic broccoli and mushrooms were our favorites. The meat quality was amazing and enjoyed pretty much everything we ordered! Personally I wouldn't order the marinated filet mignon again though. Went for a second time a few days ago and decided to do a la carte which was a much safer option since it was just me and my mom. Would definitely keep coming back! read more

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Came by for happy hour! There's some cheap $3 beers and apps. We ended up getting the premium all you can eat ($75 per person) which lets you order unlimited items except for two wagyu (one per person). With AYCE you can also order 1/2 portions if you want to try more without wasting food, which you may not be able to do a la carte. Items came by pretty quick upon submitting the order sheet. We asked for additional lemon pepper seasoning which was great for the meats. There's a good selection of hot and cold appetizers but honestly with AYCE you're better off spending time with the quality meats. We liked the prime beef fried rice but made sure to get a smaller portion to not get too full. The waygu and Kobe cuts were the star. Very creamy and buttery to taste; just make sure you don't over cook them! We parked on the street. 1 hr street parking before 6pm. read more

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I'm not an expert with this cuisine, but I've not been disappointed with my experience out of the last four times I've dined with friends. The staff are excellent & the service is superb. It's a nice location with a comfortable space. As far as the food goes, it's delicious! Seaweed salad, mushrooms, spicy tuna, fried rice, and plates upon plates upon plates of meat (my favorite being the A5 Wagyu)! My problem is not remembering my other favorite meats when starting the order (well, that and I'm clumsy with the tongs). Regardless, I've enjoyed each visit and leave feeling satisfied with a full belly. read more