Gyuzo Japanese BBQ - Wagyu / Sushi / Ramen - All You Can Eat — Restaurant in Rockville

Oct 2021 Decided to give this place another try, with an actual reservation this time. They have very good food, good presentation, and ok service. I admit I'm still annoyed at their (unsaid) reservation only policy, so I kept a star off for that. All of the staff wear masks.

This is definitely a more upscale bbq place, compared to the AYCE bbq at Iron Age. The place is dimly lit and mainly has booth seats, with a bar and a separate room for large groups. Some of the booths have high backs so they're more secluded while the rest are shoulder high (when sitting). Each person gets their own plate, tongs, and 3 sauces: cilantro, teriyaki, and red miso. The cilantro sauce has lots of MSG (I personally hate the taste) and the red miso is pretty good if a bit spicy. Meats are served on special plates, and they have fancy tiered racks to serve multiple meats at once. I also saw someone who ordered wagyu; it comes served on dry ice. Note you cook your own meat.

We were a large group, so we got the 6-person course plus some extras. Note the soup and white rice are served individually while the salad is shared. The approximate order our food was served in: soup, appetizers, salad, rice, bbq meats, dessert. Our BBQ items were broken up into 2 sets. It seemed like they served dishes as they became ready. It was kinda chaotic. They change the grill between the 2 meat sets and for the dessert. Note you have to grill the yaki-mochi first. And keep turning it on the grill to prevent it from sticking. Note the Gyuzo Beef soup does not have actual beef; it's beef-flavored soup (disappointing, I know).

All the food tasted good, and the quality and presentation were good too. The portion sizes were mostly decent, but I didn't feel it was very filling. In case you're wondering, the portion sizes for the courses are the same as if you were ordering a la carte.

The service was friendly, but not very attentive. Our server mainly came by only to deliver food or take away dishes and we didn't see her for the rest of the time. Based on what I saw with the other large group, their server was the same. This led to a few switching of water glasses as my sister went through a few cups while waiting for a refill.

Overall, a decent place, but I think I'll stick to Iron Age for everyday bbq and keep this place for special occasions.

Sept 2021 I should state that we did not actually eat here. We impulsively decided to go here for dinner since we had heard good things. But when we got there, we discovered it was reservation only, no tables available (it was a Friday night).

I find this annoying because it doesn't say anywhere on the website or the storefront that they reserve ALL of their tables. Usually restaurants that offer reservations either say up front somewhere that they are reservation only or they only reserve some/most of their tables, allowing for walk-ins and mix ups.

In fact, as we were waiting to speak to the hostess, the group in front of us had a reservation mix up. It sounded like their reservation had gotten lost in the system and hadn't been accounted for. The group had to be content with a "we'll try to fit you in".

I'm giving two stars because I'm still willing to come back and try again, but we'll see what happens...

We celebrated my son’s 11th birthday at Gyuzo Japanese BBQ, and it was a great choice.

Service: Nathan (Nate) and his assistant David were excellent—pleasant, helpful, and attentive throughout the evening.evening. Nathan, in particular, stood out with his professional demeanor and deep knowledge of Yakiniku. Both of them made us feel comfortable with the grilling process, easing us into it so that we felt like pros in no time.

Food: My son ordered the Teppan Wagyu Fried Rice, and I gave it a try. The mellow beef fat infused into the rice gave it an amazing richness, while the beef bits added extra flavor.

My wife tried the Sakeberry cocktail, which was so good she ordered a second. The Monday-night mixologist deserves special praise; honestly, I’d return just for the drinks-on

Now, on to the main attraction—the meat. I skipped the AYCE options and went with a la carte selections: Hanger Steak, Beef Tongue (thick-sliced), Outside Skirt (Harami), and Karubi/Kalbi (short rib).

Hanger Steak: Tender, juicy, and the clear winner of the night. Perfectly suited for Yakiniku. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Outside Skirt: Disappointing. It ate more like inside skirt—chewy, lean, and lacking the marbling and richer flavor that usually makes outside skirt stand out. ⭐⭐☆☆☆

Beef Tongue: Excellent. The thick slices were scored, which gave the Gyutan Yaki a great texture. The marinade was balanced—neither acidic nor salty—which is exactly my preference. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Karubi (short rib): A solid finish, though the marbling was lighter than expected. I may have received a leaner cut. Still enjoyable, but not standout. ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

Dipping Sauces: Gyuzo offers three dipping sauces, and the standout was their signature Wasabi Churri. I was skeptical at first, since most wasabi I’ve had has been overly horseradish-heavy. But this sauce was a pleasant surprise—complex and especially well-suited for fattier cuts, where it blended beautifully with the melted fat. The other sauces were also less salty than what’s typical, which I appreciated, since it kept the spotlight on the meat itself.

Final Notes: Gyuzo’s menu also features Miyazakigyu (A5) cuts. I chose not to order them this time—not because of the price, but because I personally wouldn’t want to “cremate” a delicate thin slice of A5 on an uneven grill. If I were to go back for A5, I’d order their 10oz strip loin and ask the chef to grill and slice it on the flat grill instead.

Recommendation: If you’re planning a visit, I highly recommend the Hanger Steak, paired with a fattier cut for variety in texture and flavor. Between the excellent service, the standout meat, and the inventive cocktails, Gyuzo made my son’s birthday a memorable...

A Dining Experience That Delights All Senses!

From the moment you step through the door, it’s clear that this place is something special. The atmosphere at Gyuzo Japanese BBQ, in Rockville, is a perfect blend of warmth, energy, and liveliness. Soft lighting, cozy seating, and a fun and an upbeat, but not overpowering, soundtrack set the stage for a truly enjoyable meal. Whether you’re out for a casual dinner with friends or a special evening with someone, the vibe here is just right.

But what truly stands out is the food. Every dish we tried was a burst of flavor. The chef clearly knows how to balance ingredients, and each bite felt like a small celebration. From the delicate appetizers to the main dish, it was clear that quality and freshness were top priorities. The yaki-udon was a highlight—rich, perfectly cooked, and full of complex, yet harmonious flavors that left me wanting more.

Equally as impressive as the food is the staff. From the moment we were greeted at the door to the last goodbye, the service was impeccable. The staff at the bar, Jane and Ethan, were friendly, attentive, and genuinely seemed to care about making our experience unforgettable. From the moment we arrived, Jane greeted us with a warm smile and made us feel welcome. She was thoughtful and made sure we had everything we needed. I also noticed her attention to detail to ensure the physical appearance of each speciality drink was executed correctly.

Ethan was equally great—friendly, fun, and genuinely passionate about sharing an experience with the customers. Both of them made our meal even more enjoyable by chatting with everyone around us and Ethan offering his assistance. I watched as he went out of his way to teach another patron how to use the scissors to properly cut their steak after removing it from the heated stone.

You can tell they take pride in their work and enjoy what they do, which makes all the difference. Aside from the food, which I’m still thinking about many hours later, I look forward to visiting again due to Jane and Ethan’s infectious smiles, kind demeanors, and sincere approach on how to enjoy in the experience of celebration and make people feel welcomed.

If you’re looking for a restaurant where both the food and the atmosphere come together in perfect harmony, this is the place. It’s an experience that’s about more than just a meal—it’s about feeling like a guest in a space that’s been carefully crafted to ensure you enjoy every minute of your visit. I can’t wait...