10 Butchers Korean BBQ (San Francisco)

Overview

From first bite, 10 Butchers lives up to its meaty name. This Sunnyvale BBQ joint is all about pristine wagyu – they literally carved out a concept to serve “10 different types of high quality wagyu beef”. Customers rave about the “A5 Wagyu, boneless short rib, and US Wagyu cuts” cooked to perfection. In fact, 10 Butchers bills itself as an upscale Korean BBQ & wine bar with “high-quality meats, impeccable service, and trendy ambiance”. The vibe is modern-chic (think dim lighting with bright grill lamps) and the staff treats every group like VIPs – they’ll even help bring out the birthday cake for your party.

Address: 595 E El Camino Real, Sunnyvale, CA 94087
Website: https://10butchers.net
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/10butchers

Hours:
Mon–Thu: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Fri: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Sat: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Sun: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Average Cost per Person: Approximately $75–$120, depending on wagyu cuts and drink selection.

Parking: Free street parking and nearby public lots available. Valet not currently offered.

Reservations: Strongly recommended via Yelp or by phone, especially for weekends and large groups.

Atmosphere: Upscale, dimly-lit interior with sleek wood accents and glowing table grills. Modern wine bar vibes meet Korean BBQ.

Perfect For: Special occasions, wagyu connoisseurs, date nights, and anyone looking to impress their inner meat snob.

Menu Highlights

As the name implies, the menu is a butcher’s bible of beef cuts (plus a couple of pork stars). The beef section literally numbers 1–10 for each wagyu cut, from ribeye and cap to tongue and brisket. Highlights include:

• A5 Wagyu Ribeye – The crown jewel. Ultra-marbled, buttery-thick, and seared to a perfect medium-rare. Each bite just melts on your tongue.

• Boneless Short Rib (갈비살) – Rich, fatty, and seriously addictive. The house marinades make it extra savory, but even straight-up it’s a fall-apart dream.

• Black Pork Belly (흑돼지 삼겹) – A crowd-pleaser even among the beef. It’s all three layers of porky goodness, grilled until the fat cracks up like bacon. Wrap it in lettuce with ssamjang and Kwang! – instant happiness.

• Wagyu Brisket & Chuck Flap – Leaner but still wagyu-juicy cuts, giving variety to the feast. The brisket ($34 for 8oz) and chuck flap ($52 for 6oz) balance out the fatty hits with clean, beefy flavor.

Beyond the grills, the a la carte menu has some fun Korean treats too (and yes, they cook your meat for you – no hands in the fire!). Think Japchae glass noodles with bulgogi, crispy nakji pajeon octopus pancake, and even Wagyu galbi mandu (short-rib dumplings) to munch on between grills. All orders come with generous banchan spreads (kimchi, pickles, fresh lettuces, etc.) – and rumor has it you even get a free sample-sized dessert to cap the meal.

Pricing and Value

This is not your cheap all-you-can-eat spot. Wagyu isn’t bargain beef: prime plates run steep ($110 for 6oz A5 ribeye, $93 for Japanese A5 short rib, etc.). In the words of one reviewer, “be prepared to spend quite a bit of money because it is expensive, but it was really worth the experience”. A dinner here (3–4 meat orders plus drinks and sides) can easily hit $80–$100+ per person.

However, you do get what you pay for: top-tier cuts and a hands-off dining experience. Portions are generous for high-end wagyu, and everything from the Black Pork Belly to the Wagyu Brisket has that melt-in-your-mouth fat. Plus, the free banchan (and even a dessert) stretch your dollar further. In Silicon Valley terms, it’s definitely fancier (and pricier) than AYCE K-BBQ joints, but for carnivores seeking premium meat it’s worth the splurge.

Service

Forget flipping your own meat – here the servers are pretty much grill masters. Staff are attentive and knowledgeable, happily manning the grill so you can sit back with a beer or soju. They’ll offer sauce recommendations, flip your cuts at just the right moment, and make sure no steak gets overcooked. In fact, guests note that unlike typical KBBQ “the server cooks and serves the meat for you so none of us had to do any of the work!”. Birthday? They’ll even sneak in your surprise cake while you feast on galbi. Friendly, efficient service is a consistent highlight of the 10 Butchers experience.

Ambiance & Extras

10 Butchers delivers a trendy, wine-bar-meets-KBBQ vibe. The interior is sleek and modern – lots of dark woods, clean lines, and subdued lighting except for each glowing grill. It feels more upscale than your neighborhood barbecue spot (one diner calls it “elevated” and “with flair and style”). A full bar stocks Korean beers, sojus, and even cocktails, making it great for a date night or group celebration.

The crowd here is mixed – techies, foodies, families – but most guests seem to agree it’s the bay-area KBBQ find. (One local raved that even their parents are impressed!) Outdoor seating is available, though indoors is nicely ventilated so you won’t smell like smoke when you leave.

Conclusion

If you’re after an out-of-this-world meat experience, 10 Butchers delivers. From the first sizzle to the last bite, it’s a beef lover’s paradise – and they do all the heavy lifting while you simply chow down. Sure, it’s a splurge, but with wagyu-grade quality and white-glove service, many feel it lives up to the hype. In short: this is Korean BBQ gone premium. Bring your appetite (and maybe your wallet) – you’ll be back for more.