I love Gyu Kaku in Hawaii, LA and Okinawa but not the one in Toronto. It's just not the same in terms or quality and authenticity. This location is more Korean influenced and the dipping sauces are subpar. Only 3 dipping sauces to choose from and they r all on the sweet side.
I was so excited to visit this place, we even waited 45 minutes. For 4 people, we ordered the Samurai set dinner plus 4 additional dishes. Beef selections, stone bowl, shrimp and oyster mushroom were good. Steamed asparagus could have used some seasoning and butter. Pork belly was rancid, it was so bad we just left it. The "must try" volcano tuna was a disappointment. No one enjoyed it as it was not visually pleasing nor was it tasty.
Service was friendly, she checked in often but we can tell she was uncomfortable with the wine selections.
I was hoping for better condiments, flavour and refinement like the rest of the gyu Kaku I've visited. Perhaps a variation of salt, more Japanese oriented dishes instead of a heavily Korean influenced menu.
Sadly I don't think I will be visiting the Toronto location again but I will always make time for the other locations.