Goku Korean BBQ & Hot Pot
3085 Meridian Ave, San Jose
(408) 784-3228
Recent Reviews
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We enjoyed ourselves here. Between 3.5 and 4.5 star rating. Most of the food is good but some was just okay. The staff was super friendly to our family and that is always important.
I really can’t complain about the food. I found it all very good. My issue is with the service and child policy. First off, the child pricing policy based on height is absolutely insane and in my opinion, incredibly unfair. I can’t help that my 6 year old is 4 foot 2 in, nearly 3 inches taller than most in her class. She should not have to pay adult pricing. She is very clearly a child but they charged full adult pricing based solely on her height. I will not return until the policy is changed. Also, the staff isn’t helpful at all if it’s your first time or first time trying anything. I asked about cooking times, or how to do the hot pot, etc. and they did not answer me at all. I didn’t even know there was a veggie bar until my 3rd visit there. I’ve been several times now and have a system down but I recommend asking Google what to do if this is your first time at Korean bbq. I won’t return until they change their biased child policy though.
Overall great experience w the bbq. Hard to find a fault. Wish they had a larger fruit selection. Wait times between ordering fluctuates. Good prices, good service.
i honestly think if the persom scheduling these servers done a bit better. Your only server on this one specific time and day wouldn't be this stressed and forgetting other tables. i feel bad for the server and table runners as well as the host/hostess. Service would've been great if they scheduled more servers.
Food was very good, only thing I wouldn't recommend is the steak. It's not good quality steak, it's chewy and you'll be disappointed. Service was good and the place is nice also.
My go to Korean BBQ. Prices are fair at 23 for lunch and 32 for dinner per person. Love everything on the menu for BBQ, especially the sides. Sometimes I want to visit just for the popcorn chicken side.
The go to for kbbq and hotpot. The Taiwanese hot pot is great because it gives you a numbing feeling on your mouth. I like their miso and gokus house soup.
Many fruit selections and they also have a ala carte sauce bar for all you saucy fans.
Ordering is easy , you need to use the iPad to order and they're good about limiting your orders per round so you need to wait a 1 to 2 mins to order more after placing an order.
Finger short ribs
Steak (add butter)
Pork cheek
Beef belly
= fireeeee
The marinated short rib and smoked garlic pork belly were actually pretty good, but everything else was a disappointment. They use tablets for ordering, and while the food comes out quickly, the service is awful. I tried calling the server multiple times through the tablet, but no one ever showed up. I had to get up and look for them myself. They weren’t attentive at all—my grill turned off, and I waited over 10 minutes calling for help with no response.
To make things worse, my grill was completely burnt, and when a server finally walked by, I tried to ask him to change it. Instead of helping, he was so into the loud music blasting through the restaurant that he just shook his hand to the beat and turned off the grill as he passed by—then kept walking. Overall, the service ruined the experience. Not worth it
It was pretty busy, but they brought us the wrong order multiple times. They keep the seats way to close to other tables, you can't get up without backing into someone's seat. Food wasn't great either
Evening Dining Experience at Goku's Korean BBQ
Gathered around a bustling grill at Goku's Korean BBQ, our group of colleagues enjoyed an immersive and lively evening of dining together. The centerpiece of the table was the sizzling grill, where marinated cuts of beef and onions cooked to perfection, filling the air with savory aromas. One of our team members expertly used kitchen shears to cut the meat into bite-sized pieces, ensuring everyone could easily share and enjoy the freshly grilled flavors.
Surrounding the grill was an array of vibrant banchan (side dishes), including kimchi, pickled radish, seasoned bean sprouts, and various dipping sauces. Each person sampled the different textures and tastes, from the tangy crunch of kimchi to the creamy sesame sauce. Steaming bowls of soup, rice, and noodles complement the grilled meats, offering comfort and variety throughout the meal.
Laughter and conversation flowed as we passed plates and chopsticks, sharing stories and toasting with glasses of water and soda. The interactive experience of grilling together fostered a sense of camaraderie and teamwork, making the dinner not just a meal, but a memorable bonding event.
As the evening progressed, the table was filled with empty dishes and satisfied smiles, a testament to the delicious food and great company. Dining at Goku's Korean BBQ was more than just eating-it was a shared experience that brought our team closer together over the warmth of the grill and the joy of good food.
Restaurantji Recommends
First time. Great experience and service. Some food came out late but was still good. The poor part was the ventilation. Really bad. Be prepared to shower when you get home
Needs more desert options and bonch9n
Fastest service I've ever had at kbbq. They were quick with EVERYTHING and it was a great experience. Ordering is done with a tablet at the table so it's very efficient and you ask the waiter for drinks and sides and they're very quick with it. It's a cool spot and they also have a sauce bar which is very convenient. The meat was very good and price per person was about $35. We went for a birthday and it was a great experience. Amazing staff and operations with great food.
I arrived at the location around 11:50 AM on a Sunday, after spending over an hour traveling based on the confirmation I received over the phone that lunch would be served. I called ahead specifically to avoid any confusion, and I was clearly told that lunch is available on Sundays. However, when I arrived, I was told there was no lunch being served—only dinner.
This was incredibly frustrating and disappointing. Not only did I waste valuable time and fuel, but I was also forced to pay dinner prices for a meal I hadn’t budgeted for. This is completely unprofessional and misleading.
To make matters worse, I have tried contacting the team several times since the incident, but I’ve been ignored and met with silence. No one has responded or acknowledged the issue, and I feel completely neglected as a customer. This lack of accountability and basic customer service is unacceptable.
Decent place. A little overpriced but perhaps ok if you can take advantage of the all you can eat.
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