Once you learn how to order and pay with your phone. This place is wonderful! We eat out frequently, and we have dinner at Gotetsu at least as often as any other restaurant, even though it's a bit of a drive from where we live in Santa Paula. We love the food, atmosphere, and the friendly, you're-family attitude of the staff. When the weather allows, we bring our dog and eat on the patio. Yes everything is cooked to order and therefore take a little longer than McDonald's, the quality is excellent and the wait time did not seem excessive. read more

Absolute gem in Ventura! Food was absolutely the best I've had ever had! Bring everyone you know! read more

Very disappointing experience. We placed our order and paid through the restaurant's QR code ordering system. After some time, the owner came to our table and told us that another customer's order had somehow been charged to my credit card. She said she would cancel the transaction and asked us to place the order again. Naturally, I was concerned and asked for an explanation of how another customer's order could be charged to my card. Unfortunately, she repeatedly said she didn't know and offered no explanation or reassurance. Her attitude was dismissive and surprisingly unconcerned about what could have been a serious payment system issue. Because I was uncomfortable with the situation and the lack of transparency, I decided to cancel my order and leave. She simply said "OK" and showed little interest in addressing my concerns. Whether this was a system error or not, customers deserve a clear explanation when their credit card is involved in an unexpected transaction. The poor customer service and lack of concern left a very negative impression. I would be extremely cautious about using a credit card here in the future. read more

I am so happy to have gotten to try this place! We ordered several different beef skewers to try out, as well as fried chicken skin, the garlic edamame and shishito peppers. The filet mignon was probably my favorite, as it was so tender and absolutely melted in my mouth. My second favorite was the garlic edamame, the sauce it came with was the perfect combination of sweet, savory and spicy. I loved it so much that I was dipping some of my meat in it. The ambiance is very casual, with seats at the bar or small tables on the side, and it can get pretty packed in the evenings. It was an interesting ordering experience too, as you scan a QR code and place the order on your phone. There are servers available who will check on you and make sure you have everything you need, which I really appreciated. read more

See all

Food is tasty and very good. But here are some issues: a) staff doesn't anticipate food delivery on toast system, for example brought out cooked foods yet we didn't have plates napkins nor chopsticks in advance. b). Had to ask for soy sauce and no dipping plate. c) staff never asked if questions on menu, didn't ask if all was okay. d)outdoor atmosphere is of poor taste. No shed to hide empty containers. Wall is bright white with sun hitting wall. Overall liked it, but explains why it's been 1.5 yrs since last visit. They could do better read more

We had high hopes for this place but absolutely disappointed to say the least. Honestly I've never in my life had such a bad experience. To start we got the there at 7:30, got our fist skewer at 8:28... one out of 10 items, got our second item at 8:45.... By this time we were over it... we left at 9:38 and had to have them refund us items because we still hadn't gotten them. Not to mention food was not good and items burnt. Would never ever recommend. Spent $90- and now going to fast food because it was so awful. Sincerely really really bad way to run a business and food was not good and burnt of what we got. And price was outrageous for what are experience was. Sad because it was my husband birthday. read more

Gotetsu - Kushiyaki and Sake House - Receipt - Japanese Near Me - Ventura, California

~ SMALL SPACE, BIG FLAVOR, A HIDDEN GEM ~ Gotetsu is one of those blink and you'll miss it spots, but once you're inside, you know you've found something sooo special!! Cozy, intimate, and very much a hole in the wall izakaya, this place is all about authentic Japanese flavors and perfectly grilled skewers. There is NO sushi here (they make that very clear), just kushiyaki, small plates, and goooood vibes. I've never been to Japan (yet), but I would imagine this is what it would be like walking into a small mom and pop shop there. The open kitchen is tiny but fun to watch, and from pretty much any seat you can see your food being made. It's a GREAT date night spot, order a bunch of dishes and share everything so much fun. We came for dinner and with a rotating menu of skewers and specials we were satisfied and it kept things interesting! Lunch is more limited, with preset options, but the quality still hits. The donburi is solid, the chicken curry is comforting (could use a little more protein), and the skewers, especially pork belly, chicken & onion, and meatballs, are seasoned and grilled really well. Veggie skewers like zucchini and brussels sprouts are simple but still tasty. At dinner, my husband and I loved the spicy garlic edamame, chicken thigh with yuzu pepper, ribeye skewer, gyoza, and the yaki onigiri (grilled rice ball with a crispy outside). Pro move: dip the onigiri into the leftover spicy edamame sauce. Trust. Ordering is easy with scan-and-pay, the owner is hands-on, and you can feel the care put into every dish. Take it easy with the ordering (they are typically skewer by skewer because you can easily rack up a hefty bill!) If you're looking for an authentic Japanese izakaya experience in Ventura, focused on flavor, not trends, Gotetsu absolutely delivers. read more

See all

Food was absolutely amazing!! High quality ingredients and meat that is shown in smell and taste. It was quite crowded when we showed up around 7:30pm but they had seating in the back which was perfect for the summer temperatures. Overall good experience read more

Gotetsu - Kushiyaki and Sake House - Cameron w/cheese Shishito pepper Ribeye w/ jalapeno - Japanese Near Me - Ventura, California

Excellent food! Such variety of flavors! Service was also excellent. I'm definitely returning!

Gotetsu is easily in my top 3 restaurants in Ventura County. Food is outstanding, fun ambiance, great music and there are so many items to order from on the menu. If you've never been make sure check it out! read more

See all

Gotetsu is one of those spots you almost want to gatekeep but it is too good not to share. Located in midtown Ventura, this is an authentic Japanese izakaya that focuses on kushiyaki grilled skewers, sake, and small shareable plates. They do not offer sushi, so do not ask. They even wear a shirt with sushi crossed off, which makes the point very clear. The space is cozy, intimate, and intentional. It is perfect for a relaxed dinner or a low key date night where the food takes center stage. The menu features rotating nightly specials, which keeps things exciting and encourages repeat visits. The owner is always there and hands on with the food, which really shows in the consistency and quality of each dish. Ordering is simple with scan and order contactless pay, which I appreciate because you can pace your meal exactly how you want. My usual order and highly recommended: * Spicy garlic edamame * Chicken thigh with yuzu citrus pepper * Rib eye skewer * Okra skewer * Gyoza * Yaki onigiri, a grilled rice ball with soy sauce and a crispy exterior * Start with miso soup and a bottle of Asahi Super Dry Pro tip: keep the sauce from the spicy garlic edamame and dip the yaki onigiri into it. The combo is excellent. Everything is expertly seasoned and grilled with care. This place is about honoring traditional Japanese flavors, not trends. If you are looking for an authentic izakaya experience in Ventura, this spot delivers every time. read more

A great find: simple delicious Japanese non-sushi food, casual and fun atmosphere, friendly staff, reasonable prices, easy parking. Across from Ventura High School. Because it's a tiny place and every plate is cooked to order, best for 1-4 people max. And if you're in a huge hurry, save Gotetsu for a not you have more time. This is not mass-produced food, just satisfyingand simple read more

No sushi! That statement is worn proudly on their shirts. The quality of the selection is great and the food comes out super fast. The staff is polite, and food can be ordered through their site ran by Toast. read more

Our friends brought us here as this used to be their goto spot when they lived here a while back. We all just shared a bunch of small plates that came off the grill. Everything tasted great. Very unique Japanese BBQ skewer place. The restaurant is very small so I would recommend reservations. Also I wouldn't come with a big party as seating is very limited. read more

See all

ごちそうさまでした！！串焼きは全部すごかったです！Such a great dinner and treat for myself! Came right at 545 and snagged at a seat at the bar but by 6:30 it's a full house! I was by myself but large parties will struggle unless you reserve ahead of time. Love the convenience of the digital dine in QR menu so the staff can work their magic! They work fast and food comes out at a good pace, but each skewer is worth taking the time to enjoy and savor. A meat lover's dream! 7-8 skewers and a savory pancake later definitely left full and satisfied! If I'm in the area again I know where I'm coming back to! Here's my thoughts on my orders: Chicken breast - pretty good lightly seasoned, perfectly cooked. Good for anyone needing their lean protein Breast w mentaiko - normal breast skewer but better! very much worth adding the kick from the kizami and the slight cool spiciness of the roe, definitely a winner for the chicken skewers Fried Squid - yay 2 skewers! Perfect crunch not too heavily breaded, nothing like typical but similar calamari or tempura and probably one of my faves! squeeze some lemon for acidity Thigh - tender and simple with citrusy ponzu the green onions go great with it Spicy meat ball - lil bit sweet on the outside, great texture, very good! Love the little bit of char on the outside too, easily like 2 chicken meatballs combined onto a skewer Filet mignon - so tender and goooood simple ponzu on it and it's all u need beautiful grill marks Okonomiyaki - warm and comforting if you like takoyaki you'll like this dish. Good balance of the seafood mixed in the batter. Some places just make it straight batter but skimp on seafood and even the cabbage that give this dish its texture. Ribeye w wasabi sauce - loooove the wasabi sauce, meat was tender and good too; similar to the filet mignon skewer, wasabi adds a great punch to the meat but doesn't overpower the meat itself read more

See all

After all these years this place is still one of a kind and one of my favorites! I wish I lived closer so I could visit it more often. The food is delicious, the staff is friendly, and the owner remembers her regulars. My advice would be to get there for opening when visiting during weekends for faster service since the place fills up. You can also call for reservations. read more

See all

This is the best restaurant. Period. If you appreciate good food and authentic vibes, stop in here. The service is always great and even if it wasn't.... I'd still come for the food. I don't even want to post this review because I want to keep it to myself but I must share the good news! Gotetsu is the best of the best. Order anything, you can't go wrong. read more

Gotetsu - Kushiyaki and Sake House - Japanese Near Me - Ventura, California

Very cool and delicious, skewers type foods services, fast w some newer additions like Plum Wine Japan style, fermented right there, in house. V tasty! read more

Pretty disappointing to be honest. The restaurant definitely need more staff. They forgot about some of our orders and asked if we would like to cancel some of them after 2 hours of dining. The beef sticks were very flavorful but the onigiri was just grilled rice without anything else. I probably won't go back again. read more

Really fun experience! Kind and cheerful staff. They were very busy but food came out in a timely manner - so happy to have found this place. Note: You order from the menu on your phone (using their qr code) so don't wait around for someone to take your order. They do come by often and take drink orders. read more

What a hidden gem in Ventura! Gotetsu is a small, cozy omakase-style restaurant that specializes in skewers--and it's incredibly reasonably priced for the quality and care they put into each dish. From the moment i walked in, the staff were warm, welcoming, and attentive. The ordering process is unique and convenient--you simply choose what you want from their website, and they prepare everything fresh from scratch. Yes, it takes a little time, but trust me, it's well worth the wait. I started with the shishito peppers as an appetizer, which were perfectly blistered and seasoned. For my entrées, I went all in with the skewers: the filet with red wine sauce, ribeye with garlic soy creamy sauce, and ribeye with chili and roasted garlic. Every single one was cooked to perfection--juicy, tender, and packed with bold, delicious flavors. If you're looking for a relaxed, intimate dining experience with top-notch food and great service, Gotetsu is absolutely worth a visit. I'll definitely be back! read more

See all

Wonderful! We went one evening recently and they had a really difficult time getting orders cooked BUT it was super evident an insanely large delivery order had come in. We had such a great time though that we came back again and we had an EVEN BETTER time! The food is amazing, the atmosphere is amazing and it's just an all round 5* experience. We will be back again and again! read more

Horrific service. Do not recommend. They make excuses that they are too busy yet keep themselves open for take out. Only come here to dine in. Even that is whatever. read more

Easily my favorite dinner spot in Ventura. The food is always sublime and the staff are so friendly. Ordering is a breeze, I'm usually in and out in under an hour. A must try. read more

Quick Summary Pretty cool to have a Yakitori place in Ventura at a central location. Street parking only. Food was decent (although a bit overcooked). Make sure you book a reservation because they are a bit shorthanded (it appeared to be 3 total staff members running the whole restaurant!) Food- 4 stars Ordered the chicken skin, shiitake mushroom, Japanese eggplant, rib eye, chicken thigh with leak, squid and an assortment of specials. I liked the rib eye, chicken skin, and chicken thigh the most. The food was mostly overcooked but salted perfectly (the staff did seem overwhelmed). They had Asahi, Sapporo and Suntory draft available, so it was great to have them along with our yakitori meal Service- 5 stars The staff were attentative as they can be, as they appeared understaffed. Really appreciate all the hard work they put in Bottom Line Book a reservation even during weekdays. It's awesome to have a yakitori spot in Ventura and don't have to drive too far if you have a craving. read more

See all

Everything Yukari the owner is wonderful a great cook and a lovely person who makes you feel at home every time you walk in. GOTETSU is a gem in Ventura read more

Everything is great! Taste, food quality, service. It's a tight squeeze and not a large group dinner but I think that makes it better. More intimate and personal. Check it out! read more

One of the best Japanese spots in the 805! My wife and I visited to celebrate our anniversary, and it was the perfect experience. Every dish was expertly prepared and absolutely delicious. You can't go wrong with skewering and grilling flavorful meats. Just be aware that it can get a bit pricey if you're really hungry. The service was exceptional, and the atmosphere inside truly captured the essence of dining in Japan. If you're a fan of Japanese cuisine and want to try something beyond sushi or teriyaki bowls, I highly recommend giving Gotetsu a try--you won't regret it! read more

See all

Arrived at 7:30 pm and was seated promptly. Left the restaurant at 9:20 pm. Food was great- that's what sucks about this review. We really enjoyed our food WHEN it actually came to us. Kinda weird to have our plates spaced 10-15 minutes apart. Seeing multiple parties arrive 30+ minutes after us and be served almost immediately. Huge bummer because the food IS great. Waitress was not rude either. We just felt forgotten. The almost 2 hour long dinner experience could have been better if our food came closer together. We ended our dinner by asking them to remove an item (we ordered at the beginning) they totally forgot about- no apologies - just removed it from our bill. Huge potential wasted by the lack of customer awareness. read more

Gotetsu - Kushiyaki and Sake House - Japanese Near Me - Ventura, California

Love this place, it's definitely one of Ventura's hidden gems. Great food, fast service and cute atmosphere. read more

See all

Can't gate keep this restaurant any longer. I've been spoiled by Kokekokko in DTLA of days past. Moved to Ventura and now Gotetsu has filled the skewer-shaped hole in my stomach. THE most interesting food in Ventura. Always fresh, flavorful, and deliciously balanced. Get the lamb, squid legs, and shiitake beef. The owner also plays the best music... Brit pop 90's alt-rock grunge dream playlist. read more

The food was good. Service, they kept losing our tickets. And didn't get a couple of dishes. The ambiance, is cute but small without much decor. read more

I had been wanting to try this place for a while. Japanese food is one of my most favorites of cuisine, and I had heard this place specialized in yakitori. Everything I had was perfection. The filet, the chicken thigh, and the pork belly...all simple yet tender and flavorful. I completed my meal with blistered shishito peppers and a tasty little onigiri that I had to defend from my husband before he could steal it and eat it all. The inside is standard. Looks like a typical small sushi bar (but they DO NOT serve sushi, which makes this place all the more special). Service was efficient, and I found it fascinating watching how they work their magic to stay organized with orders and getting them out in a timely manner. read more

Gotetsu - Kushiyaki and Sake House - The resident griller doing his best version of Salt Bae - Japanese Near Me - Ventura, California

See all

Can't wait to come back to this Ventura County gem! Such a unique experience with authentic yakitori style cuisine made fresh to order. We ordered about 5 plates at first and they came out one at a time which was perfect. There were a few periods of down time in between plates but I definitely did not mind. Some of our favs were the short rib and rib eye. The gyoza were also amazing. Ambiance is casual and you can expect to wait a bit for your food, but it's worth it! Also FYI: you order from your phone since the staff function as both the grill masters and food runners--there was no server when we went at least. read more

Gotetsu - Kushiyaki and Sake House - Short Rib - Japanese Near Me - Ventura, California

A small staff with big heart full of service and attentiveness. The space is small, yet intimate. Scan a QR Code and place your order accordingly. What I especially enjoyed about this place was the small plates. Order to your heart's content. Small plates add up! It didn't take long to become full. read more

Gotetsu - Kushiyaki and Sake House - Asahi draft - Japanese Near Me - Ventura, California

See all

I was able to find this place after looking for some good eats in town. I saw that there was a lot of reviews so I had to try and see what all the fuss was about with Gotetsu. I was here in town for work and I couldn't wait to try some of the skewers that they have on the menu. Luckily I was able to get a couple of items and it was surprisingly filling. I saw that they opened for dinner at 5:30 I was able to place my order as they opened because I didn't have any lunch and I was pretty hungry. I ordered the spicy garlic edamame, the spicy meatball, chicken thigh with citrus pepper, and I got the ribeye. I got my food to go but it looked like it was a fun environment to be in the restaurant. It looked pretty popular since there are people inside already and it wasn't even prime and dinnertime yet. The spicy meatball was probably my least favorite out of the bunch but it was still decent. The ribeye and the chicken thigh were my favorites. I'm glad I ordered multiple skewers for those items. Parking was a little bit tricky. When I went there was a lot of street construction. But I did find a spot on one of the side streets and I was able to pick up my food and leave. The team here is very nice and accommodating. I will definitely be back in the future for sure. read more

See all

Only authentic Japanese food in all of Ventura! I would eat here every day if I could. Check their Instagram for specials. The vibe is great and the service is quick. read more

Great local Japanese restaurant in Ventura. We were in a weekend getaway and decided to stop by for dinner. It's off the grid in the local neighborhood but don't be fooled. The food is good and service is great. The sushi bar takes up most of the restaurant space but it feels like one of your typical small sushi bars in Tokyo. Great local sushi bar! read more

See all

Amazing! Super intimate experience with incredible food. The draft beer is great and I highly recommend the Ribeye with chili and roasted garlic and Ribeye with citrus miso. The service is just one very sweet woman making it all by herself but she is super fast and gives you enough time between each dish to get too full too quick. read more

See all

Best hidden gem In Ventura. Incredible food. The fillet skewers are to die for. Everything I've had is fresh and amazing. There's nothing else like it In Ventura. read more