Binchoyaki, Sacramento CA

I put my name down for a 9 pm dining experience for 2 people with the hostess and waited for an 1 hour and half waiting for her phone call to come back but never decided a message or phone call. I came back to the restaurant with empty tables in sight and asked to be seated for my party by the hostess but she said that she tried to call me however, I never received a phone call or a heads up received anything regarding my reservation. She said she that the cook was no longer taking parties however I explained that I never received a call or text. I drove 40 minutes to this restaurant expecting an amazing experience but left without being accommodated and wasted my time waiting for basic customer service. I really wanted to enjoy this experience but because of this I feel that they completely ignored us. I give this establishment a 1 out 10 due to poor customer service and really hope they take this into consideration.

My husband and I stopped in here for lunch. We had several skewers, I got the chirashi bowl, and my husband had the donburi. We also had the crispy rice balls. So good!

It was far too much food but it was all delicious and our waitress was so helpful and knowledgeable about the menu.

Incredibly helpful navigating so I didn't accidentally eat glutenous items! Thank you!

Really disappointing experience at Binchoyaki this week.

This part of town has been historically Japanese since the 1960's or before, when the West End of Sacramento was eminent domained by the city to build Capital Mall. There are a few Japanese-owned restaurants still in Southside Park.

Binchoyaki has had a really good reputation but I struggled to see why during our experience. Aside from the high-traffic loud intersection the restaurant is located on, there is not much ambience aside from the billows of smoke that waft outside when the door opens.

When seated you have to sort through 4 different menus - two on paper, one under standing plastic, and one online. The standard QR code takes you to the single organized menu - the other two are haphazardly arranged (meat, seafood, vegetable, seafood, meat, for example) and the server has to assure you it's not that complicated. She then explains the menu in no discernible order.

Portions are a big ¯_ (ツ) _/¯. The server explains that "everything is just a few bites.except for the stuff that isn't".

We order sashimi (Chef's choice) which is literally 6 pieces of fish for $24. Two are mushy and two are tough. We order sweet potatoes - they come out black and taste like charcoal briquettes. We order Tofu - it tastes raw in the middle.

By far the best dish we had was a tempura eggplant (two small eggplants "squidified") with a mustard miso dip but it was waaaay overpriced for the amount.

The bill came to $100 for two people (we were also both still hungry at the end) until we noticed we were charged for a bottle of wine instead of a glass - then it was $80+.

I would avoid this place like the plague.

Biggest complaint - 20% gratuity required on all bills even for table size of 3. Food prices were already high too. There should be large signs posted everywhere if you're charging a mandatory tip - not just small fonts on an online menu.

All other aspects of dining was good from the food to the service. Only possible concern is outdoor seating should always include mist coolers if you have them but they didn't turn them on until more people arrived. Had myself a table for 3.

I've been searching for a place like this is the Sacramento area for years! Food is always great and service is too.

Andrew, was great and food is good. I’m not sure what people from California are used to, but these prices are actually very reasonable. I’m used to paying closer to 200$ for what I got w/o tip. Love their drink selections for a super reasonable price! If we ever travel back through here we will stop again.

Massively overpriced and when you eat inside wear a gas mask because the smoke is overwhelming! Will never go back again.

If you get Andrew you'll feel like you're being served at a michelin rated restaurant.wonderful food and great service.

Binchoyaki’s flavors are impeccable. I love that everything is small plates so you can try many things and eat as much or as little as you want. The relaxed atmosphere is perfect.

Binchoyaki meaning (charcoal grill) is a modern Japanese style focused on small plates. They have a skewer menu, main dish & special menu to choose from. All which is very delish! We loved all the items we ordered. A reservation is a must as there isn't a lot of tables. But there is outdoor dining. We went when the weather was blazing hot and they did not provide air-conditioning. Therefore, it was kinda unbearable to enjoy dinner.

The food was absolutely delicious and our waitress was both knowledgeable of the menu, but was very friendly and helpful. Sat at the bar. First time visiting this place and definitely not the last.

Food was average at best. Too long of a wait for the food to come out. Tip was automatically added to bill despite no special requests or service additions. Will not return.

Really cute restaurant and good service. All of the skewers we ordered were either bland or over cooked. I suggest you go here for drinks and appetizers.

It's not worth the money, big time. Food is nothing worth writing about. Definitely not worth what they charge. Also, they have their servers advise not to tip since the tip is included " to help give the employees a livable wage. " Hello? What that actually means is that the employers don't want to pay livable wages and pass along that responsibility to their customers.
All in all, not worth the money.

I came here recently for the first time on a date night. The salad and fish tacos were delightful so we were quite excited for the rest of our meal. However it quickly went downhill from there. Everything we ordered off the grill menu was flavorless and lackluster. I would go as far to say the grilled vegetables were actually inedible. I’m sorry but for thirty dollars those grilled vegetables should have been the best vegetables I’d ever had. We were seated outside, and the table was positioned at an awkward slant which made the dining experience feel a bit awkward as well. My boyfriend’s card was charged twice for dinner, and management was not helpful in reversing the duplicate charge. I highly doubt that I’ll be dining at Binchoyaki again.