I walked in knowing it would be an expensive dinner, and possibly not very filling. I started with a snack(toast) before going and ended up paying $ 80, for about 8 dishes and 2 beers and left feeling pleasantly full. Not Uncle Willies waddling full, but very pleasantly full. We started with a liver sashimi — its not on the menu and runs out quickly, and I was hesitant at first. But it was not what I expected and really good. Crisp with a bite and went down easy, with the sesame oil and salt sauce. Its the sauces that make this place. I was wondering how a restaurant could get away with charging $ 9 for a plate of 10 thinly sliced pieces of meat, but my god, those sauces are to die for. Beef tongue. Cooked for a moment on the grill. A drop of lemon juice. Fantastic. We went through pork cheeks, grilled vegetables, kalbi and extra spicy curry chicken. They weren’t kidding about extra spicy — I could take szechuan and huinan food as well as the next guy, but that chicken brought tears to my eyes. But one of the best parts of the restaurants were these hot girls that came in near when I left. Tall, slim, elegant. Carried her oversized LV bag with authority. Made extended eye contact as I came back from the washroom on a scoping mission. I felt bad that they would stink of bbq after dinner.
Kenneth W.
Place rating: 4 Vancouver, Canada
Shhh, I don’t want to tell anybody about this place, fearing the small restaurant will get too busy in the future for its own good. This is a Japanese BBQ restaurant, and so their specialty is BBQ. Stick with the meat items, and you won’t go wrong. We started with the beef tongue. [Our Japanese food connoisseur friend suggested that we started with the«lighter items»(eg tongue), and end with«heavier» meats toward the end(eg kalbi)]. With a squeeze of fresh lemon juice on top, the tangy juicy tender beef tongue just opens up your palate, making you wanting more. So we had more, and more, and more. Every plate was just perfect, but I do have my favorites — the harami beef had just enough fat, just thin enough, and oh so tender! This place is suitable for smaller gatherings. The grill draws everybody together nicely.
Joy H.
Place rating: 3 Bellevue, WA
This lil’ place is hard to find! It’s part of a shopping mall complex, but the only way to get here is by walking along the perimeter of the mall since it’s on the side of the building! Anyways, it’s a very cozy restaurant and we were excited to try Japanese BBQ because we have never had anything like it! We asked the waitress how it’s different from Korean BBQ and she’s like, I’ve never had it so I don’t know. Riiiiight, and you serve bibimbop here?. .. anyways, per her suggestions, we got the green onion salted kalbi, the marinated kalbi, and the spiced pork belly. We also got the raw beef bibimbop. I think the main difference between Japanese and Korean BBQ that I can gather is that Japanese uses more salting techniques while Koreans uses more marinades. The salted beef and spiced pork belly were both very tasty while the marinated kalbi was similar to traditional Korean style. There’s also no kimchi type dishes as this is a Japanese BBQ. The portions were very small — each grill meat plate was ~$ 10 – 15 and consists of 6 – 8 small pieces of meat(big bite sized). The bibimbop was okay, but nothing to write home about. They also have a dinner special — $ 35/person for a variety of grill meats(7 – 8 dishes) or if you have 4+ people, it’s $ 25/person. We just didn’t want to spend that much and so we just picked and choose our meats. Our total came to be about $ 45 and we weren’t even full yet! We actually went to get sushi afterwards! I think it’s very tasty but be prepared to spend money! It’s a much better deal if you’re going with friends and getting the $ 25/person combo. I don’t know about the portion size though, so hopefully it’ll be enough to satisfy!
Ming C.
Place rating: 4 Markham, Canada
Came here because of the good reviews and hopes that I have delicious Japanese BBQ… been having some strange cravings these days… but that is besides the point. We all ordered the set menu on special for $ 25. At first when the first few dishes came out I was already planning on where we would head next to fill me up… I thought we were going to be short of food… boy was I wrong. Dish after dish was coming out… by the eighth or ninth dish… I was stuffed… and believe you me… I am not a light eater… lol After we were done the waitress/owner asked if we wanted dessert… I was maxed but couldn’t resist going for the condensed milk ice cream… brought me back to when I was a little girl stealing condensed milk by the spoonfuls… well honestly… it was a huge disappointment. Tasted somewhat old and hardly could tell it was condensed milk :(IMO. Well…besides dessert and them obviously not being a dessert house… it was good eats. Bottom line: Good service, not the cleanest looking place but delicious food… and great portions. Will return again one day.
Simon K.
Place rating: 5 Vancouver, Canada
A recommendation from my brother one night to come to this place to eat. I did not even know this place existed, but I have to say that this place ranks high on my plate of places to venture and eat. I would not say this place is hidden, but it is one where I have never noticed it due to the location, which you may have driven by countless number of times. The décor inside is simple, it is a small place with tables set with the BBQ rack right in the centre of the table. It is comfortable and in some sense ‘homey’ in its nature. The people here are really Japanese, not some Chinese establishment, especially knowing where this location is, the epicentre of Chinese-Richmond. We went for the set menu tonite, an assortment of thinly sliced meats and vegetables, with a starter of soup, and some cold dish appetizers. When you see what you are served, you question the food first, before your stomach, as we are made to believe the price of what we pay should quantify to volume and mass. As in previous reviews this place does deserve the two $$, but just the amount of food, or lack of, and after your done, for me was very filling. The grill on the table is a spectacle itself, and the meats are beautifully cut, with a great mixture of vegetables to cook along with your meat. Next time I will try their regular menu, but from a first experience, excellent.
Ken T.
Place rating: 5 Vancouver, Canada
Larry’s review of Maruchu is right on the money(except I don’t think they serve ramen anymore). Go in a group of four people so you can try lots of different meats to grill and try to leave room for an authentic Japanese-style dessert.
Lauren L.
Place rating: 5 Vancouver, Canada
Maruchu has been around for a few years now. It’s a small restaurant that serves Japanese BBQ style food. Similar to Korean BBQ but with a Japanese twist. Good quality flavourful meats. The Pork Belly with Sancho pepper is a favourite. Soups that are simple and yet complex and very Japanese. And for me, the salads…:) All goes down good with a pint of Japanese beer. Funny, 80% of this stuff I shouldn’t really eat, but I do! It’s all so good! Prepare to pay $$ for this. $ 100 can easily be used up, if you’re a big eater. 4 ¾ stars and fairly consistent. PSSSssssst… I hear they are now open for lunch and serving… Ramen… Yes! Ramen…
