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Good Taste: Fire up DIY grilled meat at Gyu-Kaku

Since the dawn of time, the sizzle of meat on fire has been magnetic. That elemental fact is the draw at Gyu-Kaku, the Japanese yakiniku BBQ chain (600 in Japan, 30 in America).

Overhead view of the “premium party set” lunch deal for two at Gyu-Kaku on Callowhill Street behind the Free Library. (Photo by Craig LaBan)
Overhead view of the “premium party set” lunch deal for two at Gyu-Kaku on Callowhill Street behind the Free Library. (Photo by Craig LaBan)Read more
    Inquirer
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Since the dawn of time, the sizzle of meat on fire has been magnetic.

That elemental fact is the draw at Gyu-Kaku, the Japanese yakiniku BBQ chain (600 in Japan, 30 in America) that has fired up 23 grill-top tables in the Granary building on Callowhill Street.

I don't prefer the experience to the spicier prospect of Korean BBQ done over charcoal fires. But for tabletop grill beginners in Center City (where charcoal grills aren't allowed), Gyu-Kaku is a fun interactive meal, with a variety of mild Japanese marinades (sweet miso, tangy ponzu, light soy) for cuts of kobe-style beef (flat steak, hanger, and fat-streaked tare beef bacon) that are a solid quality step-up from what's typical in the ubiquitous hibachi houses.

We got the "premium party set" lunch special for two, which brought four kinds of beef, basil chicken, veggies, miso soup, and bibimbap rice in a hot stone bowl for $38. To finish: S'mores on the grill.

- Craig LaBan


Premium party set, $38, Gyu-Kaku, 1901 Callowhill St., 267-603-9482; gyu-kaku.com.

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