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RYUU Asian BBQ & Sushi
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
RYUU Asian BBQ & Sushi
8.5
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Girls Night Out Approved
Trendy Table Hotspots
RYUU is a Logan Square all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ and sushi house where tabletop grills, combo platters, and long maki menus keep groups busy for hours. The draw is value and variety more than delicacy, with steady crowds using it for birthdays, gatherings, and casual celebrations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kalbi short ribs for the grill, Pork belly BBQ, Korean fried chicken wings
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 6.8
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: An AYCE Korean BBQ hub mixing grill-your-own meats with big sushi spreads.
Who should go: Large groups prioritizing variety, value, and interactive grilling.
When to visit: Earlier evening seatings before peak waits and the loudest crowds.
What to order: AYCE dinner with kalbi, pork belly, and a few signature rolls.
Insider tip: Pace your orders in smaller waves so the grill space stays manageable.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in the area can be competitive during peak dinner hours; expect to circle or use nearby paid lots when it’s busy.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — most guests come dressed for group celebrations but jeans and sneakers are common.
Noise level: Loud during peak dinner service — conversation is possible, but expect energetic, party-style volume.
Weekend wait: Often a wait during peak hours if you walk in — plan for 45–75 minutes without a reservation or during large-group rushes.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or short waits when service is lighter.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Some options, mainly sushi rolls and sides — Korean BBQ selections are largely meat-focused.
Vegan options: Limited — most offerings include meat, seafood, egg, or sauces with animal products.
Gluten-free options: Some items may be workable (certain meats and simple rolls), but marinades and sauces often contain soy or wheat — ask staff to guide selections.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for fun, high-energy dates than quiet conversation — the interactive grills and AYCE pacing suit playful, social dates more than intimate ones.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, walk-ins are common, but waits build quickly at prime dinner hours — arriving early or with a smaller group improves your chances.
Is it kid-friendly? Suitable for older kids and teens who enjoy group dining; tabletop grills run hot and the room can be loud, so it’s less ideal for very young children.
Best For
Better for: Large groups that want variety, interactive grilling, and AYCE value in a lively, celebratory setting.
Skip if: You prefer quiet dining, high-end sushi precision, or à-la-carte Korean BBQ with a slower, more refined pacing.
RYUU Asian BBQ & Sushi
8.2
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Girls Night Out Approved
Trendy Table Hotspots
RYUU Asian BBQ & Sushi is an all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ and sushi house in Logan Square where tabletop grills, combo platters, and long roll lists anchor big-group dinners. Alongside the grills and maki, a Vietnamese-style beef pho gives guests a comforting, brothy counterpoint to the heavier AYCE spread.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef Pho Noodle Soup, Kalbi (Marinated Short Rib), Spicy Tuna Roll
Scores:
Value: 6.7
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: High-energy AYCE Korean BBQ and sushi restaurant where a surprisingly solid beef pho shares space with tabletop grilling.
Who should go: Large, hungry groups chasing interactive grilling and big spread dinners.
When to visit: Earlier evening seatings before peak-party noise and longest waits.
What to order: AYCE combo with kalbi and pork belly plus a bowl of beef pho.
Insider tip: Pace your AYCE rounds and save space for a full bowl of pho instead of loading up on filler sides.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Primarily street parking in the surrounding Logan Square blocks; metered spots on main corridors and residential parking can be competitive after 6–7pm — plan a few extra minutes to circle.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — jeans and sneakers are common, but many groups lean slightly dressy for celebrations.
Noise level: Loud during peak AYCE dinner rush — conversation is possible but may require raised voices at larger tables.
Weekend wait: 30–60+ minutes without a reservation; large groups may wait longer during peak hours.
Weekday lunch: Typically minimal wait or seated quickly, depending on group size.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Some options (vegetable rolls, sides, a few grilled or fried items), but menus skew meat-forward and the pho is beef-based.
Vegan options: Limited — a small number of sides and basic rolls; most core offerings involve meat, seafood, or sauces containing animal products.
Gluten-free options: Possible with select sashimi, plain grilled meats, and items without sauces, but cross-contact is likely — confirm with staff before ordering.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for energetic, activity-focused dates than intimate conversation — the AYCE pacing, shared grills, and lively room make it fun but not quiet.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, but expect to wait during peak evenings; smaller parties are seated faster, while large groups should arrive early or book ahead.
Is it kid-friendly? Kid-tolerant for older children and teens who enjoy group meals; the noise, heat from grills, and long AYCE pacing may be challenging for very young kids.
Best For
Better for: Large, celebratory groups that value variety, interactive grilling, and the option to break up heavier AYCE plates with a comforting bowl of pho.
Skip if: You want a quiet or romantic meal, highly traditional or specialty pho or sushi, or dislike time-limited AYCE formats and big-room noise.
RYUU Asian BBQ & Sushi
8.2
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Girls Night Out Approved
Trendy Table Hotspots
RYUU Asian BBQ & Sushi is an all-you-can-eat Korean-focused grill house where tabletop burners turn out kalbi short ribs, pork belly, and skewers alongside a long list of rolls and small plates. It’s louder and more chaotic than refined, but the ribs land well when you pace the grill and avoid over-ordering.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kalbi (Marinated Beef Short Ribs), Pork Belly BBQ, AYCE Dinner Combo
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: AYCE Korean-style grill where well-marinated short ribs and a big menu keep the table busy.
Who should go: Groups who want interactive grilling and lots of meat for one price.
When to visit: Earlier weekend seatings to dodge the longest waits and peak noise.
What to order: Kalbi short ribs, pork belly, and the fuller dinner-level AYCE set.
Insider tip: Order ribs and richer cuts in small waves so the grill stays hot and meat doesn’t overcook while you juggle too many plates.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on nearby residential blocks; metered spots on main avenues can be competitive during peak dinner hours
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual; jeans and comfortable clothes are fine given the grills and smoky tables
Noise level: Loud during peak dinner service — conversation requires raised voices at full tables
Weekend wait: 45–90 minutes without a reservation during prime hours
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; lighter flow and faster seating
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Some sides and rolls available, but the format is meat-forward
Vegan options: Very limited — most sauces and marinades include animal products
Gluten-free options: Select grilled meats can work if you avoid marinades and sauces, but cross-contact is likely
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for fun, social dates than quiet conversation — the interactive grills and loud room make it lively but not intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, but expect a wait on weekends; arriving early or with a smaller party improves your chances of being seated faster.
Is it kid-friendly? Suitable for older kids and teens who can sit safely near hot grills; not ideal for toddlers or stroller-age children.
Best For
Better for: Large groups who value variety, AYCE pricing, and interactive grilling with crowd energy
Skip if: You want quiet dining, refined Korean BBQ, or strict dietary control with minimal cross-contact