Chubby Cattle BBQ | Little Tokyo — Restaurant in Los Angeles

This review is LONG overdue, and I feel so bad about that because my experience at Chubby Cattle Little Tokyo last October for my birthday was exceptional! Located in the heart of Little Tokyo, it’s the ultimate destination for meat lovers. Think Japanese A5 Wagyu, Australian Full-Blood Wagyu, and even fresh Wagyu straight from their own ranch. Add in appetizers, sushi, premium seafood, and their Silver, Gold, and Diamond AYCE tiers, and you’re in for a Wagyu-filled adventure.

We arrived on a bustling Sunday evening, and despite Little Tokyo’s usual chaos, getting in was surprisingly smooth. My dad put our names down (even before we showed up—sneaky!) and we only waited about 30 minutes. Once seated, our server, Ben, was incredibly attentive and kind, making the experience even better.

Here’s a fun twist: they have an iPad ordering system that courses everything out for you. It’s different but so efficient for pacing your feast. One heads-up—everyone in your party has to choose the same tier (Silver for $55, Gold for $75, or Diamond for $85). At first, it felt restrictive, but honestly, it made total sense as the night went on.

And oh, the food! The portions were generous, the variety impressive, and everything was insanely good. My favorites were the fried chicken karaage, the wagyu uni caviar, and the wagyu brisket. Honestly, though, everything wagyu was a win. They even have complimentary milk tea (delicious!) along with sodas and water to keep you refreshed.

Since it was my birthday, I got a free frozen meal gift, which was an unexpected but super appreciated treat! And yes, they sang happy birthday. Embarrassing? Sure. Fun? Absolutely.

Now, for a couple of small critiques: the fan on the table was a bit low, so it was hard to see people across from me, and the restaurant was pretty loud. Some soundproofing would help with the noise, but it’s nothing that overshadowed the experience.

Chubby Cattle is perfect for special occasions, date nights, or just when you want to really stuff yourself. Oh, and if you’re into perks, the Chubby Cattle Membership gets you discounts, birthday rewards, and a complimentary A5 Wagyu Striploin for you and a guest at any of their locations.

So go ahead, treat yourself to a truly indulgent dining adventure....

If you're on the hunt for a wonderful Japanese dining experience in the heart of the city, look no further than Chubby Cattle Little Tokyo. This newly opened all-you-can-eat yakiniku restaurant is a gem, offering a perfect blend of authentic flavors, top-notch ingredients, and an exciting atmosphere.

From the moment you step inside, you're greeted warmly from the inviting staff. The sleek design represents the bustling atmosphere well.

The star of the show is, of course, the yakiniku. The quality of the meat here is exceptional—each cut is tender, well-marbled, and bursting with flavor. The variety on offer is impressive, with everything from premium wagyu beef to fresh seafood. Whether you're a meat lover or prefer a lighter fare, the selection ensures that every palate is satisfied.

What sets Chubby Cattle Little Tokyo apart from other AYCE spots is their attention to detail. The sides and sauces are carefully curated to complement the grilled meats, offering a range of tastes from tangy to savory. The pickled vegetables are the perfect contrast to the rich, smoky flavors from the grill.

Service is another highlight. The staff is knowledgeable, attentive, and always ready to offer recommendations or guide you through the best grilling techniques. Their enthusiasm for the cuisine is infectious, adding to the overall enjoyment of the meal.

The all-you-can-eat concept is executed with finesse—plates are delivered quickly, and the portion sizes are just right, allowing you to try a little bit of everything without feeling overwhelmed. And while it's easy to indulge, the quality didn't falter, even as you order your umpteenth plate. They even offer a self-service drink fridge, tea and slushy machine as well!

Chubby Cattle Little Tokyo is a welcome addition to the city's dining scene. Whether you're a yakiniku enthusiast or a newcomer to Japanese barbecue, this restaurant promises a dining experience that is both satisfying and memorable. It’s the perfect place to gather with friends, celebrate special occasions, or simply enjoy a great meal in a vibrant setting.

Highly...

I bookmarked this AYCE Japanese wagyu place on Yelp and decided to give it a try for our dating anniversary. I read about the long wait hours, so make sure you add yourself to Yelp waitlist when you are within 5 miles (Yelp setting). They only accept reservations for party grater than 6 ppl.

The interior of the restaurant is impressive, welcoming, trendy and with a nice Japanese touch. Since we only have 1.5 hours to finish meal. we wasted no time ordering the Silver tier. I’m personally happy without choice because that is already plenty of high quality wagyu to choose from!

Most of the dishes come pre-marinated, so they are already flavorful (and a bit salty) to begin with and in my opinion, no need to dip into extra sauce or salt. Regardless, I’m pleasantly surprised by the Ponzu sauce as it brings a refreshing nose to the fatty meat cuts.

Among all meats, we like Prime Angus top blade the most. It’s not as fatty but super tender and full of beefy flavors! I’m not a wagyu expert and can hardly tell major differences between cuts, other than the marbling and fatness. And to be honest, I think Chubby Cattle can go a little easy on the marination as it can cover the original beefy flavor by a lot. We ended up drinking lots of water after the meal because of the saltiness.

We were also happy with other sushi and side dishes such as Unagi (grilled eel) and avocado hand roll, octopus balls, Wagyu hand roll (raw meat!), yellowtail and salmon hand rolls. The wagyu dumplings are also good and filling, but be careful not to stuff yourself with too much carb, as you don’t want to waste your precious real estate for cheaper stuff.

Lastly, the desserts only come with vanilla/chocolate/swirl self service ice cream (no matcha!) The drink options are soft drink, milk tea and lemonade and mango slushes. Honestly, they need to up their dessert and drinks game a little more.

The price comes up with $55/ person, which is an exceptional deal given the meat quality. Definitely recommend Chubby Cattle over Gyu-Kaku for sure! Staff is super friendly, quick to service and...