Pau Hana Patrol: Gyu-Kaku offers yakiniku and more in a convenient, affordable space

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CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM

On the menu is beef sukiyaki bibimbap, a pleasing dish that is served as a happy hour special.

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CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM

Sydney Kinamaka, left, Frank Millan and Seth Holck eat lunch together at the Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ in Mililani.

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I’m not usually a fan of frequenting restaurants where I need to do the cooking. If I wanted to slave in the kitchen, I’d stay at home. But a plethora of reduced priced menu items during its popular happy hour enticed me to give Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ in Mililani a try. I discovered some new favorite tastes, and also encountered some predictable choices.

THE EXPERIENCE

Gyu-Kaku’s Mililani location is one of six on Oahu, with the newest in Kalihi, and others in Kapolei, at Windward Mall, in Waikiki and along the Kapiolani corridor. As the website will tell you, it’s also one of 700-plus locations worldwide, drawing patrons by offering affordable prices and the social fun of cooking around a table-top grill.

The restaurant offers happy hour every day until 6 p.m., all day long on Mondays and Thursdays, and 8 p.m. until closing Tuesdays through Sundays, so there are many opportunities to get deals on food and drink.

The rectangular lines of the seating and decorative wall elements are serene. My friend from Japan said the atmosphere and decor reminded her of home.

GYU-KAKU JAPANESE BBQ
95-1830 Meheula Parkway, 600-5848, gyu-kaku.com/mililani

Happy Hour: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, all day Mondays and Thursdays, 8 p.m. to closing Tuesdays through Sundays

The bar area is roomy and provides a convenient place for locals in the neighborhood to stop by.

The restaurant provides a family-friendly atmosphere, and kids can always tag along during happy hour, especially during weekend hours.

THE FOOD

Gyu-Kaku offers a typical yakiniku experience, where you cook your own food on a grill with hot coals in the center of the table. If you’re really not in the mood to grill, there are items that can be served ready to eat.

A good variety of selected food items are discounted during happy hours. Selections include ready to eat appetizers and sizzling bibimbap, discounted by an average of $1 or $2, and cuts of meat to grill, discounted by $1 to $5.

During happy hour, prices range from $2.25 for edamame to $8.95 for various bibimbap and rice dishes.

My two companions and I really enjoyed the beef sukiyaki bibimbap ($8.95, regularly $9.95). Beef, rice, onions, green onions, sesame seeds, egg and a special house sauce are served in a heated bowl. The raw ingredients cook at the table after the server mixes them together and presses the rice mixture to the sides of the bowl. The longer you leave it, the crispier the rice gets, making it even tastier.

Another favorite was a seasonal item: buttered potatoes with pork served in a sizzling skillet ($5.50, regularly $6.50). Potatoes are not something you normally expect with Japanese cuisine, but they’re popular in Hokkaido, the northernmost main island of Japan. The Sizzlin’ Hokkaido Potatoes was an unexpected dish that kids could enjoy, too.

We also tried the cheese wontons ($4.95, regularly $5.95). They were good, but didn’t have enough cheese in them.

We slapped the ribeye steak ($8.50, regularly $9.75) on the grill. It was pretty basic, but came with a variety of different sauces.

Although not on the happy hour menu, s’mores ($3.25) are offered for dessert.

THE DRINKS

Cocktails, Gyu-Kau’s own brand of Nigori Sake, draft and a bottled beer and even house wine ($3.50 by the glass, regularly $5.95) are discounted during happy hour. This is no doubt a big draw.

We tried a Fuji-san cocktail, made with Jinro, apple schnapps, Amaretto and apple juice ($5, regularly $6.50) and an Ume-tini, a mix of Umeshu, jinru and cranberry juice ($4, regularly $6.50). Both drinks were refreshing. My favorite was the Fuji-san, with its crisp apple flavor.

Other cocktails include a Sake Sangria ($5, regularly $6.95) and a Suntory New Fashioned ($6.95, regularly $7.95).

Happy hour cocktails range in price from $4 to $6.95 — a Pomegranate Mojito is $5, regularly $7.95 — so there are plenty of options.

Kirin and Sapporo drafts are $2.75 for a 12-ounce mug and $11 for a pitcher. An Asahi Super Dry 2-liter can for sharing is $20, regularly $25.

THE VERDICT

Happy hour here provides an affordable option whether dining alone or in a group.

Much to my surprise, there were lots of items to order that I didn’t need to cook. I’m definitely glad I gave Gyu-Kaku a try and plan to return again.