Munchies: Guu Izakaya

Toronto's Guu Izakaya is a rare restaurant for a few reasons. It's the only place we know of where the staff happily shouts at you as soon as you enter the door. It's also one of the few Japanese spots in the city that's actually run by Japanese people. Guu is known for its spicy squid rings, baked oysters, fried chicken, and massive steins of beer. It's Japanese pub food at its finest.
In this episode, we take executive chef Masaru Ogasawara and his crew out to Enoteca Sociale for a decadent Italian dinner. Then we head to the secret Toronto Temperance society for cocktails, and eventually back to Guu at the end of the night for Japanese comfort food.
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[@bvausch1]

Eating at Guu Vancouver right now. Unbelievable. First ones in and sat at the bar. The shouting is amplified in this small restaurant. We finished the kimchi udon, beef tongue, beef tataki, chicken karage, baked oyster. To drink, we shared two calpico guu ramine mixed dink. It's 45 mins past and we are almost done. Awesome food and experience.

[@siddharthshankar1011]

Best minivan entrance and exit sequences of any munchies vid. Just look at 6:37.

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

Fugitive escaped from oppression and torture? I'm sure a jury would agree I was within my rights to do that and find a cure for myself as the cult knew what they did to me and they knew my symptoms years ago

[@PourioLee]

Went to Guu Izakaya about a month ago for a food trip in Toronto and honestly, Guu was the best place I went to that whole week.

[@Electrohead92]

I checked this place out during my last trip to Toronto, it's an amazing little restaurant. I highly recommend it.

[@michie2x2mia]

Can we talk about how cute tht guy at the end looks LOL

[@d15z1sux]

like something out of a jpop mtv lol

[@skidrocc]

NICE ORDER!

[@Meme.Machine]

+Devin Zerr That cracks me up

[@Ramencafe]

Even better with 0.25 speed lmao

[@MsBurntToast]

Omg this cook. Straight to my heart. Love his enthusiasm. Keep at it!

[@hellowaya]

This dude is the closest real version of souma from shokugeki no souma, with his cheerful, goofy/funny characters

[@makusgaming]

Ad N that's a fact 😂

[@trefader32]

If his food makes people's clothes blow off...I'd eat there 24/7.

[@yilmazozkan55]

Ad N yöcüsz ç

[@EgyptianTaz]

love these guys cool as fuck unlike most of the munchies ive seen

[@IamAManNotAMadHobo]

Most of the Japanese Munchies are very good compared to the American versions.

[@partykrew666]

2:09 love this guys style, haha.

[@rapperNikki]

partykrew666 LOL drinking on the job

[@partykrew666]

rapperNikki LIKE A BAWZ

[@brandonberad6690]

partykrew666 i

[@adrianirimescu988]

Preety normal in a Restaurant for the Staff to drink, this is a pub you know...

[@Thenaturalstyles]

I've been on a Munchies marathon, and I like the Guu crew alot. So nice. I'd love walking into their restaurant and having that boisterous welcome.

[@ms_twigs]

The wait time is usually insane for this place but totally worth it! I used to go to Izakaya when I lived in Japan and their dishes are really authentic. I loved their oden.

[@SydsTips]

I just ate here tonight to celebrate my birthday, it was literally the best thing ever. what they dont show you on here is what they do for bdays!! (find out for yourself asap) xx

[@Wo_SH]

I've only been to the Guu on Thurlow, in Vancouver. Great restaurant. Always packed. I've arrived 20 min before the doors open and I won't be the first person in line. They have a hand written specials menu on top of their regular menu, so I never get bored of going to Guu whenever I visit Vancouver

[@mikeroberts7755]

He’s genuine, the food he makes, the atmosphere of the restaraunt, to him saying he’s not a true Torontonian yet.

[@kaguth]

I've been there a few times. Its always fun. After you're drunk you don't even notice the greetings anymore.

[@santiagop1112]

such a feel good vibe. Great episode

[@fuckthisshite]

how can anyone hate there greeting i love that warm welcome that must be a awesome place to work at

[@okinakashi]

The thing that makes Guu great is the fresh sheet. I used to go once a week when I was single and never got tired. Every week was a new taste adventure. I stole the recipe for tuna tataki from there :). Natsu and Yuki will always be my favorite bartenders. Cheers guys.

[@PAFHeather]

God damn, takoyaki, ebimayo, karaage, and korokke IS a nice order.

[@recognizereal8938]

Heather Snow True that

[@c.jarmstrong3111]

Fucking delicious, no doubt

[@flashdanke]

これ見てると居酒屋で一杯やりたくなりますね＾ ＾ カナダのトロントで美味しい居酒屋文化を広めてくれて 日本人としてとても誇らしくそして感謝しています。 店長、そして店員さんありがとう！

[@thegamesource]

The ending was hilarious! I watched it tree times!

[@dean8147]

....

[@acdvfb]

I love how he talks about japanese/italian food haha. I'm sure growing up with it makes it important to him, and I'm glad to see that he respected the classical as well. One of my favorite episodes of Munchies because the guy is respectful, and doesn't bother talking trash on other peoples scenes.

[@phonzzfortheworld]

Best episode of Munchies because they weren't try hard hipster talking about how they add love to their food and are different from other spots around the city.

[@SelviY]

just as i thought kenta has the idol look he starts singing. so funny.

[@ArturoLopez-np9hp]

lol the ending was the best part!!!

[@herewegomez1]

I'v always found the connection between Japanese and Italian cuisine really interesting. Unfourtunatly on TV, you almost always see Italian/American chefs enjoying Japanese food. Its really cool to see that turned around with some real Japanese chefs diggin' some Italian food.

[@rcheung135]

Highly recommended. I got to talk to the manager and the servers and they are so friendly and a pleasure to talk with.

[@stopstalkingmegoogl]

I can't wait to visit @GuuToronto!!!

[@SankofaNYC]

omg!!! I fucking love this crew!!! lmao they are so cool lol... and the restaurant greetings remind me of Japan.. I love this group

[@user-fx2hg7jl5h]

Sankofa NYC ikr ahahaha

[@sajindal1]

man what a night ! they are firing on all four cylinders. First the roman cuisine place and then the secret bar, wow vice struck gold with this guy. Love Him

[@JJSuesanguan]

I've never smiled so much at Vice video, Keep doing what you're doing we love and appreciate it :)

[@owned2easy]

have you noticed how videos with japanese people in them are rarely disliked?

[@imhellag]

Because Japanese people are nice, polite, good looking, cultured, and if not fucking weird, super fucking cool.

[@holysab7]

imhellag other than when they killed millions of Chinese and performed extremely fucked up and almost entirely useless experiments on them hahaha

[@Man-ex8vx]

holysab7 do you know who is mao zedong? he killed more. stfu.

[@holysab7]

***** ya... ironic that Confucianism is one of the biggest "religions"(philosophies or wht u will) in china... yet they still wanna fuck the japanese up real bad :)

[@Man-ex8vx]

holysab7 and you don't care that the americas were founded on brutality. when the spanish came in the 15th century, they forced the natives to convert to christianity. also, they enforced slave labor and brought over smallpox. later, when the latin west came over, they wiped out many natives in america, and nearly wiping out entire tribes also, one word, slavery. PLUS.. slavery. check yourself kid. it's normal for countries to be brutal like that. many other major nations done the same as japan.

[@ElianaLapaz]

he's voice reminds me of cooking with dog lol

[@recognizereal8938]

Eliana Lapaz laughing out loud

[@lewis6590]

YES! I was struggling to place it. It's definitely not a normal Japanese accent.

[@sajindal1]

they do that all the time with vice. So many documentaries that have so much more to translate properly.

[@TwoPlusTwoEqualsFive32]

The world needs more resturant owners like him, with honest prices and proper foods. When restaurants try to cater the food to everyone's tastes they end up bland. I want to try a food and hate it, or try food and love it. That is what makes it enjoyable.

[@ilynnad]

Three words. Deep. Fried. Brie. I woke up drooling dreaming of that...

[@MrSaiLikesPie]

What a happy drunk

[@nde1083]

As someone who was born and raised in this city for almost 40 years, these are the kind of people I want in my city.

[@MelRob48]

Finally a Toronto episode, thx for uploading!

[@garytoi]

i really like japanese!!!

[@xxzippyxx]

haha fuck. these guys are funny. 10/10 would get wasted with.

[@HangSangitch]

I really like his attitude towards running his business...honest work with a great appreciation towards customers. Some might find it cheesy, but it gives a good impression and vibe for the whole restaurant.

[@TheMrTheDoctor]

Masaru Ogasawara is a awesome dude. I went to Guu for a friends birthday in December and he came out and had a shot with us.

[@Drayken]

Those who say he sounds french, it's just that french and japanese share almost the same pronounciations, except for the R's and L's and exceptions.

[@touni97]

I'm a french canadian who speak english very well, its totaly false, sorry

[@Drayken]

Anthony Lussier Lol, I'm French Canadian aswell bud. Syllab pronounciations are very similar to what french is. I'm not saying they're the same, it's simply that most of them have the same movement of mouth and vocal chords with very little difference to produce the sound of the syllab in both languages.

[@jonathanfredriksson2893]

lol not at all xD

[@UnrecycleRubdish]

Correction: French and japanese share almost the same pronounciations, except for pretty much everything

[@Drayken]

UnrecycleRubdish Not everything.

[@davidrogers192]

Thought I was going to learn something about Japanese cooking. Instead I learned about Japanese drunks. Hah.

[@LetTheMusicFlow1]

I'm sorry but I fucking love this guy. He seems like such a good person. Vice, never stop this segment because it's the fucking best. Thanks for this.

[@Unforgiven11]

I'm loving this Munchies series- It's great to see the down to earth people you choose to promote their own business before delving into their world of personal favorites. SO GOOD!

[@fishtidz]

DAT SAEXY LOOK THO AT 11:21

[@MeanToTheMug]

Vancouvers is waaaay better

[@kinkiebeast]

Which one? I live in Vancouver and I am thinking about going to one of their locations.

[@MeanToTheMug]

I'd say the one at Waterfront. its just at the corner of W Condova St, and water St about 40 steps from the side exit of the Waterfront Station. I go here every time I'm in town (6 times a year) and they always have the best waiters and waitresses. food is defiantly worth it. and when you are seated you get warm towels to clean your hands with.

[@bryaneff]

It's way better why, because it's in Vancouver? Don't be delusional, nothing's better in Vancouver

[@MeanToTheMug]

eazyb123123 I just found that the one in Vancouver is more entertaining to me, maybe because i always get window seat and watch the crack heads fight. .

[@NtrMssion]

eazyb123123 I live in Vancouver, and I'll describe the people that live here as such: - Polished, pretentious version of Toronto - L.A. wannabes It's like Seattle but prettier.

[@BustaFattyCap]

at the end kenta straight up looks like an anime character lol the hair the shirt the bag, all so stereotypical i love it

[@mikasan1975]

Guu and Hapa Izakaya have been landmarks in Vancouver forever. Guu is some of the best food we've ever had and the atmosphere can't be beat.

[@morninglory8988]

I love Asians

[@recognizereal8938]

Dominik N as you should bro

[@user-fx2hg7jl5h]

Sw1tch Blad3 aww thank you i love you too AHAHAHA 😂😉

[@71mrcoco]

Watch and learn people .... that is culture mixing . Beautiful...good on you guys!!! Loved it

[@amarya86]

Beautiful. I been waiting for a Toronto post. Love vice

[@danielaronowitz1]

you guys should definitely look into doing an episode on sushi zo in los angeles. Its this inconspicuous little sushi restaurant but the chefs are world renowned and the food is out of this world. Its omikase style too, which adds an interesting element, your chef decides what you eat, how much you eat, and even tells you the optimal way to eat it.

[@imononex1000]

i love this restaurant , Toronto food game has step up so much in the past 3 years. I love my city

[@funkehouse]

im SO relieved, i just gave a bad review of the LA munchies that was SO horrible, but they have redeemed themselves, THIS is what munchies is all about, love these guys, they know good food !

[@CappuccinoLover101]

When he referred to tentacles as "squid legs" I nearly choked from laughter XD

[@jbbbbbbbb]

what a great video. one of the best munchies episodes, this guy seems like a really genuine and well-meaning man and i wish him the best of luck in the future.

[@dobekhil]

I have watched only watched some 30 sec of the video and pause to say...."this guy is so cool and alive"...love munchies, so unique people.

[@invx]

Guu seems so down to Earth. I would love to just chill and drink with this guy.

[@rynomacamillion]

By far the best vice since fresh off the BOAT!!

[@ThePrincessMeowMeow]

I love the greeting-style. Super sweet episode!

[@dylancohen3273]

I could watch him enjoy food forever! Just makes me want to smile!

[@Deadmemedream]

Went to the bloor location for my buddy's birthday, the energy at Guu is like no other

[@Nanoc.]

I went to another branch of Guu in Richmond BC, it's probably one of the best Japanese restaurants with the best staff you ever be hosted for!

[@mary0560]

this is so much better than the last episode!!! I want to go to every single place in this one... the last episode I just could not watch.... anyone can go to dairy queen....

[@keithcleghorn5102]

To do what this young man has done is one in a million. I wish I could enjoy his food and company. He has such positive energy. If you think about it, this guy removed himself from all that was familiar and landed in a foreign land to create something different in the food scene. Guu Izakaya you my brother are a Rock Star in the restaurant industry, may all your ventures be successful.

[@KhelderB]

munchies is such a great series, vice is the boss

[@el_chino778]

Guu in Vancouver is awesome too. Love the spirit of the Japanese people.

[@dolph131]

A follow up on these four would be so great!!

[@MrSheepMoose]

I need to go here. It's embarrassing the amount of times I've said "arigato gozaimasu!" only to have the person turn and go "No, I'm Chinese". Hard to find a genuine Japanese restaurant these days. Thanks Vice!

[@indigolove8360]

Ooh, the Italian place -- I love the concept of minimalism in food! I love it in music, I imagine it sure would have a place in cuisine.

[@minchkybutbut]

The 'Nice order!' and finger point and cute smile had me on the floor. I love my people.

[@ShroomyShow]

What a absolutely fantastic restaurant! Such a good atmosphere

[@CoolZone419]

This is the kind of episode I like to see.

[@frankiechow9716]

Been to Izakaya Guu a few times and it was a BLAST! Looking forward to trying out the Sakebar next.

[@TheConspiracyMan8]

been to this place GUU. and it's by far one of two of the best japanese restaurants in toronto.

[@Henkan79]

I love this guy and his friends and his restaurant. I would love to eat there, it seems so relaxt and nice

[@marc-andrelaterreur1919]

Favourite restaurant in Toronto. Fantastic

[@lajia0]

seriously, this guys is awesome. who wouldn't want him as a friend?

[@musicmaniac960]

What a great singer

[@adribaby101]

I was at this restaurant the other night. Such a fun experience and the food was really delicious. I am going back soon! Warning! don't go in there expecting a private, quiet dinner and do expect to wait to get in if you are going on the weekend. It is well worth it though.

[@skyde32]

these ppl are awesome so humble

[@tommygibs]

this was awesome. this guy is so refreshing compared to some of the recent guests.

[@lynguini]

i used to come here every week when i was in university. one of my favorite places to drink and the food is fantastic. their greetings are awesome. Only down side is that the music in the place is always blasting where you can't have an audible conversation...

[@trevormartin5436]

he seems so chill

[@Soda1922]

This is why i love vice!

[@multiwordpass]

wow, food on display looked epic. and they looked like they had a great time.

[@qstur]

one of my favourite restaurants in Toronto

[@TheErfan1001]

LOVE THIS! the one last week with the girls was soo bad I lost hope in vice but this one was amazing Toronto

[@fatboy2800]

One of the best restaurants I've eaten at, by far. Absolutely delicious!

[@ZachWish]

Best episode yet!

[@NVHUM]

this is the type of energy that every restaurant in the world needs

[@Indoreefable]

after watching this video, i realised that i work to much.. from now on, less work and more fun. Work, eat, beer, work, eat, beer, work ,eat, beer great video!!

[@tekwin7396]

Great episode. I can't wait to check this place out the next time I'm in Tdot.

[@GTOAviator]

These guys are awesome - WE are going to visit your restaurants when we visit Toronto!!

[@ernestotv2966]

They should bring this group back!!!

[@KenChiwo]

i love their vibe!