The Golden Wok Buffet and Lounge in downtown Orillia has added an all-you-can-eat Japanese grill to its repertoire.
Niku Japanese Grill recently opened at 16 Front St. N. under the same roof as the popular Chinese restaurant.
"Japanese grills are now really popular in Toronto," says owner Katty To. "It's a new culture."
After re-opening the buffet at The Golden Wok after COVID-19 shutdowns, customers seemed reluctant to the idea of a buffet-style restaurant.
"We knew that we had to adapt and transition," says assistant Jen Elder. "The Japanese barbecue is really attractive to a lot of the younger people in their 30s and 40s."
Once customers have ordered at Niku, staff bring the marinated meat and vegetables to the table where customers cook it themselves on a table-top barbecue.
"You can try all sorts of things," Elder said. "There's toro, steak, rib-eye, lamb, chicken, sushi, appetizers, and desserts."
Niku has hired Benny Chao from the former Aji Sushi on Front Street to lead the eatery's revamped sushi menu.
"He used to have his own place for about ten years," Elder said. "People come for the sushi just because it was made by Benny."
To says everybody is raving about the new Japanese grill.
"Everybody has been giving us five stars on Google," she said. "Everybody likes it."
Elder says customers like having different options and quality "fresh food."
"People want healthy options," she said. "That's what they get here with all the choices on the menu."
The all-you-can-eat menu costs $45.99 for adults on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. It costs $42.99 Monday through Thursday, and there is a 10 per cent discount for seniors.
"I don't think that's too bad," Elder said. "Especially when you consider what you get for it."
While the new Japanese grill has been a hit, The Golden Wok isn't going anywhere. It is still open and operates alongside the Niku.
"The Chinese food is still really great for takeout," Elder said. "We still have our regular customers that like to come into our dining room."
Elder says it was important for the business to innovate something new.
"You have to adapt, or you are out of this town," she said. "It can be a tough town in the wintertime and with all the construction."
While you can still order from The Golden Wok menu, the buffet has been removed.
"As you can understand, a lot of people don't want to go back to a buffet," she said. "Because of hygiene purposes, it's just not the thing anymore."
To see the full Niku menu, click here.
