4. Restaurants

Artisanal Fromagerie Bistro

2 Park Ave, New York, NY, 10016
  • (212) 725-8585
  • Store is closed

Artisanal Fromagerie Bistro Menu

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  • David H.

    2006-11-15 Update: The New York Hot 'n Spicy Meetup ( hotnspicy.meetup.com/42 ) met here last night. Everything was top notch...from the table that had been set for us in advance, to the five entrees we sampled, to the attentive service we recieved. I believe the fact that the staff knew we were seriously interested in spicy food made all the difference. ----- 2006-02 About six months after my last visit, I returned to Cho Dang Gol last night to celebrate my birthday with my gf. We started our meal with the seafood pancake ("pajan"). Though smaller than that served by other restaurants, it was moister and filled with a larger amount of fresh seafood. Quite tasty! The selection of five or six appetizers ("panchan") was adequate, at best. The radish kimchi had a sharp bite that hinted that it was about to turn bad. I felt, as I have at other Korean restaurants, that we were not served the same selection of tidbits as Koreans at nearby tables. I wish that servers would not assume that I don't want something spicy or "different" just because I'm white or my dining partner doesn't speak Korean. Our entrees---the tofu/squash/hot pepper stew ("chigei") and barbecued ribs ("kalbi")---were very good. My only reservation about the stew was that it was almost too salty. Our servers were polite, but not particularly attentive. Though CDG was not in top form during this visit, I still recommend it because it offers tasty traditional Korean food in a setting that is smaller and less frenzied than the 32nd St BBQ palaces.

    (4)

  • Liotta L.

    I love this restaurant. They have THE BEST MACKEREL as part of their banchan. I swear I would go here just to keep asking for more little dishes of mackerel. Also the white bean tofu stew is so so so good. Really, everything here is good, and I love to see they giant bowls of tofu being churned and fermented as I walk past the kitchen to the bathroom. Impressive.

    (5)

  • Helen B.

    It's a little gem on the rim of Ktown. Handmade tofu soup/casseroles that will warm anyone during the winter. It's sooog good! The stone pot bim bim bop is also delicious, but come here for the tofu casserole with seafod! The side dishes are particularly good as well! They are always very friendly and the place is very warm and cozy! It's a great dining experience.

    (4)

  • Alice J.

    Hailing from Los Angeles, I have been thoroughly unimpressed with the state of authentic Korean food in New York City. However, this all came to a screeching halt after discovering Cho Dang Gol off the beaten path of 35th street. Main highlights include the "jung shik" which is a medley of traditional Korean dishes including homemade tofu, blended soybean & pork, as well as a more spicy & flavorful Korean version of miso soup. Definitely a must-try for those unafraid to explore authentic, homemade Korean food.

    (5)

  • Alex W.

    **The Intro** I normally wouldn't go to a Korean place because I much rather prefer Chinese food (Blame it on me being Chinese for my bias.), but I had a friend come in from Germany and after attempting to go to two other places in his guidebook^^, this was the first place that was still in existence, so I obligingly deferred and we went in. ^^Note Guidebooks suck. 80% of the restaurants and bars they review don't exist anymore. **The Wait** It was a Friday and the place was packed. The wait was about 20 min. As an example of Asian efficiency, though, they gave us a menu as we waited and took our orders 10 min before we were seated. As they showed us to our table, they would send the order in. I personally thought this was a great idea. My German friend, not so much. **The Food** The meal started out with the obligatory kimchee plates. Radishes, fish, mini egg and cucumber pancakes, some vegetables and other random things that were tasty but not immediately identifiable by me. We both ordered the Korean BBQ prime rib. Unfortunately I did not have time to look up this place on yelp, or I would have gone with some of the other more vegetable friendly dishes. The BBQ was good, but nothing special. I wouldn't order it again. I must say, though, that while we were waiting, we did see a lot of people ordering the casseroles, which are pans of simmering liquid with all sorts of delicious looking seafood, tofu, and vegetables. The pans are kept warm by small propane stoves at the table. This, I believe, is their specialty and if I ever find myself down there again, I will try that and perhaps change my rating then. I'd say the best part of the meal was the lemon/honey tea they served at the end. That was delicious.

    (2)

  • Joan C.

    Except for the one tofu dish (ground mung bean, tofu, and pork...aka "S7") which sorta looked like it had already been digested (ahem)...everything else here is fantastic. And even that tofu dish had great flavor. We just sorta objected to the, ah, texture. Get the pork specials at the top of the menu!! They're pricey but serve enough for two.

    (4)

  • Rob B.

    Im a regular here given that I live a few blocks away. I love their side dishes. They are tasty and change daily so you never know what you are going to get. The service is decent. Not outstanding. The main courses are well prepared, include home made ingredients, and are not hastily made. The place has a very rustic feel to it. It feels like you are dining in a country wood tavern in Korea. You would never know from the inside that the place is located in New York. I get their seafood or kimchi tofu stew. Get it, its great!

    (4)

  • CE C.

    This place is awful. So I figured a place that prides itself on homemade tofu would be good, not so much. It started off with tofu and little sides that seriously had 2 slices of cucumbers cut into 4 pieces. The panchan were teeny tiny and they were not refilling them, plus they werent even good. Got the soon dubu that tasted like it was tofu with red food coloring to make the dish look spicy. It was so watery and lacked flavored that the homemade tofu did not make up for it at all. Never again will I return

    (1)

  • Vicki Z.

    Went there twice, first time lunch after DMV, second time dinner before concert @MSG. Both good. Very popular place always packed. Convenient location and very fresh ingredients they used. Hand made tofu soup, stone bowl meal and Korean BBQ, all very tasty. Portion is smaller and price a bit higher compare with the Korean restaurants on 32nd Street. But I care about the ingredients and taste more than the portion. BTW, their soju and korean beer is also good. We had a strongest soju called Jinro, it went so smoothly with the BBQ Sirloin we ordered. This restaurant is my most favorite Korean restaurant in Manhattan so far. Who wants to go shopping and eat there with me, please contact me :PP

    (4)

  • Jack S.

    My second favorite Korean place in the city. However, Han-Gawi remains my favorite. Honestly, great food but hard to order if you are a veggiterian.

    (4)

  • Betty H.

    The homemade tofu is good and they will give you some to try as well. The bulgogi stew is really flavorful. Good kalbi as well. Great service too!

    (4)

  • Frenchy B.

    Unimpressive. One downside of living in the paradise called sf bay area is the relatively poor quality of Korean food one must endure. So when visiting NY or LA, my expectations rise. My buddy and I ordered four dishes for dinner. Every single one was bland. They even failed at getting Galbi right - luke warm, and dry. WTF?

    (1)

  • Chloe S.

    i haven't been here for awhile, but it is one of my favorite korean restaurant. the homeade tofu here rocks! it's a smaller restaurant, so it has an intimate feeling. the decor and the dress of the waitstaff is very traditional, and it's one of the few korean restaurants which might be considered a "date" spot.

    (3)

  • David M.

    Very good, very authentic Korean place.

    (4)

  • Jen L.

    I did not like one thing about this place. Although, I do have to admit that I did not try any tofu dishes which is what this place is known for. The service was horrendous, the food was gross (we had bbq, bibimpap and other basic Korean food) and the table was uncomfortable. The place was loud and busy and cramped. I have been told by others that this place is worth another try but I don't care. My first experience was so despicable that I hardly doubt I will go again.

    (1)

  • Vincent T.

    The food was good and the service was not so bad. I really enjoyed my dish, would have helped a little bit has I know what some of the things I was eating were but overall was a great experiance.

    (4)

  • MIN K.

    i love this place~ little busy and crowded but i love BIJI, when u are tired of getting sweet, salty, stimulating food, when it's cold and raining out, when you need hot soup i recommend BIJI, healty, nonfat hot soup, i love this menu!!!

    (4)

  • J K.

    Pricey but very authentic Korean food of great quality

    (4)

  • George B.

    I have been to Cho Dang Gol twice in the past. The most recent visit was very good, but emphasized how infrequent my companion and I eat Korean food. As this restaurant is known for it's homemade tofu, if you or your friends don't care for it, then definitely try another Korean restaurant. That being said, all the specialties on the menu sound very tempting albeit somewhat unusual. It's certainly for people who are a bit more adventurous when it comes to experiencing cuisine. We ordered an app and two main dishes. The app was simple tofu (as I wanted to try it) and found it very flavorful with a wonderful texture. As for the mains, one was a special or cornish hen stuffed with rice, mushrooms and cranberries. It was brought out in a bowl of broth, fully cooked, on a hot plate and allowed to boil in broth for several minutes while we ate the second dish, Jap Chae - pan fried vermicelli with beef and vegetables, which we both enjoyed. The cornish hen came with an accompaniment of Korean side dishes, such as kim chee, green onion pancake, seaweed, and others which is standard for many main dish orders. When we finished the Jap Chae, the hen was taken out of the broth and broken up. We were also served the broth in bowls, which we could season with a special salt spice mixture. The hen was delicious and the meat was very tender, though there wasn't too much flavor to it. I also enjoyed the broth which was very refreshing. For two people, the meal was more than enough, perhaps too much! We could have ordered barbecue and probably had enough food for the both of us. The prices seem expensive when perusing the menu, but you do receive a great amount of food for the price. I definitely recommend the experience for those interested in not-so-mainstream Korean and somewhat adventurous. Also, loving tofu isn't a must, but certainly helps. The wait staff is kind and courteous, though we did have some minor translation problems. This never stops me from trying a new place anyway, so not at all a detraction.

    (3)

  • J. C.

    I've only been there once, but I will definitely go again.

    (5)

  • Maria C.

    Wow, this is probably the only Korean restaurant I actually like in NY. They specialize in tofu soups. We had two different types of very pungent, fermented tofu broth... it came with a side of soft, mushy homemade tofu. Delicious. We also ordered that black/reddish rice with red beans. I felt so healthy after eating here. Loved it!

    (4)

  • Beth H.

    Okay, I've only been here (Cho Dang Gol) once and being on a budget I chose to order a soup dish. I had it yesterday, and since then I have been longing for more! Yum! I chose the vegetable and tofu soup with multigrain rice with a glass of hot tea. I'm glad I asked for some soy sauce for the rice! What a perfect symphony for the taste buds! And I was full too!

    (5)

  • S Y.

    One of my favorite Korean restaurants in New York City. If you love healthy alternative to MSG loaded food, try Cho Dang Gol. I like everything with their home made Tofu (Dubu). I have tried Pajeon (Seafood Scallion Pancake), Biji, and various different kinds of Tofu dishes. I like that their food is more home style and not too salty or spicy.

    (5)

  • AustinSLin ..

    Convenient to a day of perusing shops a block away on W. 34th, Cho Dang Gol was a nice spot to stop for a more traditional Korean menu with regards to fare and selection. If you're expecting the standard array of soondubu (soft tofu soups), the Cho Dang Gol menu won't be exactly what you're looking for. Regardless, take a chance on their other tofu specials. Their tofu is made in-house in giant vats in the traditional style (you can kinda peek in on your way to the back of the restaurant). We went on a Friday evening for an early dinner prior to catching a show at nearby American Globe Theater. We were seated immediately. Our server was actually ultra-attentive and very friendly and convivial. She was helpful with the menu items and suggestions. Unfortunately, other Yelpers had mediocre service---not sure if our stellar service was attributed to the fact that one of us was fluent in Korean (certainly not I). From water refills to extra rice to table service where even our individual soup bowls were refilled, everything seemed step-in-step, hand-in-hand. All we ordered was one of the tofu stews. Even for two people, we had leftovers. The spiciness level was just right (if you're adventurous at this or other Korean restaurants, the spiciest level, "bbebke" is really the only way to go, but hold onto your tongue). The stew was tasty and the in-house made tofu was firm without being rubbery and had excellent "crumbling" texture. Mixed with the beef and the degree of spiciness, it made for a pleasant tasting experience. There was food to spare at the end of it all and we were full and content with a check of around $30.00. A convenient Korean spot for the area, although if you want more to choose from (taking into account other Yelpers' experiences), there's a multitude of choices on E. 32nd in Korea town--but I agree with NYCinephile's review (see below) in that comparatively, Cho Dang Gol is much less of a crowded, frantic dining experience than the 32nd street spots.

    (3)

  • Jennifer L.

    I am by no means an expert on Korean food, but I really really like this place. It's off the main Koreatown drag (32nd St.) so a tad less hectic. Inside is nice and comfy, nothing glam about the interior, but no dive by any means. I've had a few different things here, usually I choose around the tofu-based items, since that is their specialty. Tofu is like comfort food if you grew up eating it, and Cho Dang Gol does it well. The banchan is always really good too. If you get there early, it's nice and quiet, but fills up around 7pm.

    (4)

  • Florence L.

    My favorite restaurant in nyc, for ever!! haha....I have a crush on it, I confess. If you are like me who hearts Tofu, this is the place you want to go-- they have all kinds of Tofu soups prepared in a small clay pot, including spicy ones and non-spicy ones. You may consider other choices though, if you like Korean BBQ more and if you are a meat person. This is pretty much a Korean country-style restaurant, and they even have a few Korean old ladies there to make handmade-Tofu on the spot, authentic and tasty. I have to stop here, otherwise, I will jump into the first cab and go there right away.

    (5)

  • Brian K.

    As others have said, this place distinguishes itself with its tofu dishes and rustic fare, which are not offered at the K-Town restaurants down the street. My mother loves this place, and for obvious reasons, she knows Korean food. So far, this is my favorite Korean restaurant in the area.

    (4)

  • J L.

    Located on where some of us call the North Korea Town, this place don't skim on banchan, and is one of the best k-restaurants in the city. The delightful fruit tea after the meal is anything but classy.

    (5)

  • m k.

    Love this place! I've only really had the tofu dishes-soups, stews etc because well, that's what they specialize in. I like that they have some interesting menu items that you don't see on all the k-town menus. I often get one of the casseroles which is a mix of pork, kimchi, glass noodles, rice cakes & home made tofu. It's pricey, but amazing! The soon doo boo is great too. Also, the kong bi ji with wild sesame was really interesting & a good contrast to the fiery pork kimchi dish mentioned above. They also have a nice pajun (pancake) selection on the menu. The banchan is good & unlimited-you get 5 or 6 different dishes. Their kimchi is of the older, more fermented variety. The service was really warm & attentive. Also, this place never rushes you by throwing the check at you while you are still eating. Even on a Saturday night it never seems packed & there is usually no wait. It seems to be full of locals mostly. They seem to be much more in tune to hospitality than most of the other k-town restaurants.

    (5)

  • camilla c.

    This place doesn't get the credit it deserves... it's one of the few traditional and authentic Korean restaurants around that offer more than the usual kalbi and bibimbop. If you're looking for those two items, you're probably better off at one of the typical Korean restaurants on the main 32nd St strip. Cho Dang Gol is unique in several ways, which is why I appreciate it. They have dishes you won't find at every Korean place (though they do serve some of the usual fare), the service is actually somewhat pleasant and not super rushed like Kunjip (shocking for Korean restaurants!), and the decor has an authentic feel. I actually feel like I'm in Korean at this place. I don't love every dish here (thus 4 stars) but they have some winners: bo ssam (the "health" one), which is steamed pork that you eat with a type of kimchee wrapped in radish slices with a shrimp-y sauce... sounds weird (not doing it much justice with my description) but it's damn good. Their tofu dishes are definitely good, since this is their specialty after all -- homemade tofu. All of the Korean style pancakes (esp the kimchee one) are all great. The BBQ is not bad.. it's been hit or miss though... I prefer the spicy pork BBQ. They also make some great soups and though I haven't had it yet, I hear their cold noodle (dong-chi-mi gook-soo) is very good (it's a summer specialty so not always available). If you're a fan of Korean food beyond just the usual stuff, definitely check it out. I can't guarantee you'll love it, but it'll be good for you to try something beyond kalbi every once in awhile.

    (4)

  • Ann C.

    When I first came here about two years ago, I loved it!!! I still enjoy it, but it is no longer on the top of my list for soondooboo jigae. When I had it this past sunday, it was not as spectacular as I remembered it to be. The tofu was not very soft and I couldn't help but feel that it was leftover from the night before. Too bad... I hadn't been back to nyc in a year and was really looking forward to it. The best Soondooboo jigaeI have had is still the one in San Jose, CA.

    (4)

  • Brenda M.

    This place was recommended by one of the guide books for good korean food. Being from Ktwon in Los Angeles, I have had a LOT of very good korean food. I havent really found comparable restaurants here in NYC but will continue my search. My group came at a great time so we didnt have much of a wait compared to after when a line formed. The decor was very natural from what I remember. From the reviews, this place was suppose to have very good tofu soup which I love and crave with homemade tofu. Hence I ordered tofu soup. Eh!! The tofu texture was very different from what I am used to. It was crumblely which might be the way homemade tofu is suppose to be...Im not sure but its not what I expected and like. I like my tofu with a smoother texture and soft for my tofu soup. Also I normally get mild because in LA it can get very spicey but here I would recommend the regular as the mild was too mild. My search for good korean food continues....

    (3)

  • Thomas L.

    Cho Dang Gol serves rustic Korean food, including their specialty--fresh soybean curd made daily at the restaurant. My favorite dish comes with thin slices of simmered pork, tofu as light as a zephyr, and fresh kimchi, spicy enough to tingle your tongue. Sandwich all three and dip them into a hot sauce, melting the pork and tofu into an earthy mouthful. Even the little appetizers--a concomitant of all Korean restaurants--are prepared with extreme care.

    (4)

  • J S.

    Man, I love this place! Excellent traditional Korean food! They make their own tofu, and the interior feels like old Korea with lots of wood and a big caldron in the back. Their banchan (free side dishes) are all good -- probably the best among the Manhattan Korean restaurants. My favorite entrees are the sizzling pollack and the kimchi beejee chigae (ground soybean and tofu soup). mmmm.... But if you are new to Korean food, this is probably not the place for you. You may either love it, or most likely be scared by it and then scared of Korean food. So try somewhere else first if you are a Korean-food-virgin.

    (5)

  • Jean H.

    just because there's not much competition in manhattan i would give this three stars, but truthfully it would do terribly with more competition. it feels dirty inside, and the food doesn't have that freshness that it should have. the other reviewers are right when they say that it tries to offer some variety compared with the other meat and stew restaurants. if you're interested in what my mom thought, she thought it was terrible:)

    (2)

  • Anna Y.

    i first went here with the boyfriend and his mother and now count it as one of my favorite korean restaurants. the tofu is made on-site and the food reminds me of my grandmother's cooking. their spicy beegee jjigae is my favorite. i love this place.

    (4)

  • Sean C.

    you can't go wrong with this place. my friends and i combined have ordered almost everything on their menu and they are all good. service is consistent whether they are busy or not and they have some of the best banchan.

    (5)

  • Greg O.

    After viewing JG's Kimchee Chronicles and getting ready for my first visit to Korea, I needed a good NY Korean restaurant. I was introduced to ChoDanGol by a Korean friend who was surprised I enjoyed fresh tofu. She had no idea the depths of my tofu journey to Kyoto and my appreciate for the delicate tastes. Came here again with a group of friends from LA and NYC. They were amazed at the freshness, seasoning, and good taste of Makgoli. The tofu starter and Banchans were great. The portions were small but the taste was great. The Ojingobokum and Bulgogi tasted great. The Jap Chae was as advertised: perfectly seasoned and pipping hot too. I also enjoy leaving a Korean Restaurant without smelling like BBQ. I'd recommend a table of 8 as the ninth was on the edge of too many. OB beer and CDG are a lovely match. enjoy

    (5)

  • Ankita S.

    I had such an incredible lunch here yesterday! It's funny, I came here once in August and wasn't blown away. But yesterday, I was in love with every aspect of my meal. The wait to be seated took some time, but I'm willing to let it slide because the restaurant's high ranking ensures that it is always packed. My friends and I waited in nearby Herald Square Park, but the weather was beautiful so we didn't mind. However, the service inside was better than I had expected for such a busy restaurant. Also, I accidentally flagged down the wrong waitress to make a change to my order and miraculously, my food arrived the way I had wanted. The banchan and tea were great! We ordered Seafood Pancakes to start, which were baked to perfection. For my main meal, I ordered the Kimchi Cham Dubu - it was absolutely delicious. I've never been happier with a Kimchi stew at a Korean restaurant considering I'm more of a Bibimbap person. My friends also enjoyed the Bulgogi Stew and Kimchi Jigae. The prices were more or less on par with K-Town for lunch. I came here for dinner over the summer, and found it a little overpriced. However, the lunch prices are more affordable. If you're new to Korean food or a longtime fan, this is the place for you. The wait is a little long, but you'll undoubtedly be satisfied with your meal.

    (4)

  • Rachel Z.

    I was very disappointed by the quality of the food in relation to its price and the waitress who dared roll her eyes on me when I wanted to change my order 1 minute later. In other words, I don't understand why the reviews are so high. I advise you all, there are much better places around than here. Trolls.

    (1)

  • Ren N.

    Unfortunately for this restaurant, I have a few words I like to say and leave for the owners here: Food was excellent, it tasted great but it was over priced. The cheapest item on the menu was soon dubu (tofu) dishes, which after tax is about $15-17.. Everything else was greater than $25. I always get a Kalbi dish but this time I couldn't even get my favorite dish because of the pricing. (Either that or I just could not understand the menu) Service: poor, from one korean guy who, after I told him that my one side dish had hair in it and even showed him the piece of hair, he said he would get me a new dish. Without any apology, he took the dish with the hair and left to never return. No answer no sorries no nothing. Am I not supposed to say anything? Outside of cultural respect and all that jazz, I think I still have some rights to say something when I am a paying customer...... Another lady came by later to check on me and my friend so I asked to see if I could get a new dish replacement and she happily agreed. So not bad to save the dinner :) However I may not return again since there are plenty of korean restaurants around the area that offer supreme customer service. The restaurant is small, had this cramped like feeling and the wait for dinner was about 20 minutes despite them estimating it at 10 min, with people pouring in from outside standing there staring at you eating. If it got any fuller, they would be all over your food breathing down on it... No joke. Try and hope that you get a seat in the back where the bathroom is, as opposed to the front where it's slightly colder and filled with people waiting. (in the winter time it makes a huge difference)

    (2)

  • Justine L.

    This is a very specific 'Southern' S. Korean style restaurant that you should go to if you're looking for authentic flavors and home-made tofu. This is not a Korean BBQ spot. I feel like some of the other reviews are biased because they had certain expectations that were not fulfilled. Do the research first before you set your expectations. Their pancakes are all great...their homemade tofu is SO natural...so if you don't like tofu...go somewhere else on 32nd St and pay for really mediocre Korean food. This is the only Korean restaurant I go to and having been raised in a family that owned the #1 Korean restaurant in LA for 15 years, I know what I'm talking about. Take it or leave it. You just have to know what to order! Don't get the stuffed mushrooms...good but not worth it. Bibimbop is great but it's hard to not get it right in any restaurant. Soups and stews are all good as well. Their Soybean stew and Kimchee stew are pretty on point in terms of authentic flavors. Hit me up if you need suggestions!

    (5)

  • Aimi W.

    This place is cheaper than BCD tofu and less crowded during peak times (waited around 20 minutes on a Saturday evening). I tried the bulgogi stew which was tasty, but a bit salty for me. I liked it better than the seafood soondubu jjigae. While the homemade tofu was good, the soup seemed bland. Maybe its because I make my own soondubu jjigae and nothing (in the U.S. at least) seems to beat homemade :) I enjoyed the banchan (I love banchan, sometimes even more than what I ordered!) which included kimchi, spicy squid, eggplant, japchae, and spinach. Our server refilled the banchan without me even asking which was nice! Overall a good experience.

    (4)

  • Calvin L.

    This place seems really, really authentic - to the point where service is positively differentiated for Korean folks at the expense of others. My brother, girlfriend and I, who ate there on Saturday, are not Korean. The small plates that they brought out were so-so; the one standout was the scallion cakes. They tasted like cakes, but had an eggy taste to them too - they were so good we asked for seconds and thirds and fourths. We ordered a tofu pot (definitely healthier than it was tasty), the trio tofu (I really thought this was mediocre, but my brother and girlfriend thought it was pretty good - with pickled veggies, plain tofu and pork belly), the seafood pancake (very plain), the BBQ chicken and the stone pot chicken. The BBQ chicken was great - served on a hot skillet - flavorful and just the right amount of spicy. I would definitely go back just for this. The stone pot chicken was also really good - the rice was well-seasoned and the chicken was moist. Halfway through lunch, we got a different waitress, and we were very well taken care of. She was attentive and made sure we were happy. Other than the appetizer dishes, I was fairly pleased with Cho Dang Gol. The service was great, and the spicy chicken dishes were great. Overall, we all loved the atmosphere. A bit of sticker shock - the three of us spent $160 including tip, and didn't order any drinks.

    (2)

  • Lucy C.

    Definitely one of the better Korean restaurants in the area. Huge plus: not having to walk through the craziness that is Ktown. Not much to say except that is has great food and great service. A bit on the pricey side but worth it. The galbi (definitely recommend getting it with bone instead of without as it is way more tender) and japchae are really good. Be warned: it gets a bit crowded.

    (4)

  • David L.

    CDG is a personal favorite of mine. Stored away from the mayhem that is 32nd Street Koreatown, the restaurant really has some of the best soft tofu money can buy. Although many recommend CDG for its Spicy Tofu Stew, I think the best dish is the Stir-fried Tofu Trio. The kimchi is of the perfect ripeness, the homemade tofu is of the perfect texture, and the pork belly adds a nice flavor. The slices of rice cake really adds another level of consistency. However, I would not recommend this dish if you are not good at eating spicy foods. The tofu stews are very spicy, so even if you are very good at eating spicy foods, I'd recommend that you ask to make the stew less spicy. Haemul Cham Dubu (seafood tofu stew) is a solid choice. Helpful tip: I strongly recommend making reservations if you don't want to wait as there is an average wait of twenty minutes or more during peak dinner hours, even during weeknights.

    (4)

  • Khloe S.

    This little gem is tucked away a little. You know the food is going to be amazing when you walk in and it's packed and the wait is 40 minutes lol. I would definitely recommend calling ahead to give a name. My husband and I definitely weren't disappointed. The homemade tofu was delicious. Kimchi was so good. The "ban chan" had a great variety. My husband loved the Bulgogi and I really enjoyed my spare ribs. I cannot wait to visit again. You definitely don't get food like this in Ohio.

    (5)

  • Derek S.

    Just dined here this evening with my wife. There are at least three Korean restaurants right next door to each other on this block. However, the others had no line and plenty of empty tables. That wasn't the case here. There was a half hour wait to be seated. The place is TIGHT. Very little isle space but at least ample room behind each diner so as not to be bumping chairs with other diners. A server was prompt in asking us for our drink orders and they arrived pretty quickly. We weren't quite ready to order and this didn't really seem to bother our server. When we were ready, she appeared quickly, took our orders and made sure we ordered what we expected. Nice. The traditional dishes with kim-chi, etc arrived in short order and sooner than we expected, our entrées also arrived. Also nice. I got bulgogi and my wife got something I don't remember the name for. For the price, I'd have liked to have high quantity but the quality and taste were what I'd expect for the one place on the block with the longest line. The beef was nice and tender without being too mushy. The typical Korean tenderizer is pineapple and I could tell this method was used but it wasn't overwhelming. Nice. I hesitate to give 5 stars only because I've had better for a better price but this place will certainly be visited again without hesitation. Enjoy it. It's worth the wait.

    (4)

  • Pilisopa B.

    The food is not bad, not great; somewhat uninspired. Main problem: got the check, left a normal tip though nothing extravagant. Waitress comes to pick up the signed copy, looks at the tip amount, and asks if everything was good. When I answer that it was fine, she pouts and points to the tip line on the receipt, suggesting that I raise the amount. It was one of the most tasteless things I've ever experienced by restaurant staff. Because the food wasn't terrible, I gave it more than one star. But, otherwise, I will not be returning to this place, nor will I recommend it to anyone looking for a Korean food place in NYC. The city has way too many great places to eat for this sort of rude behavior to be tolerated.

    (2)

  • Yi S.

    I always like Korean food. When we travel to NYC. I found this restaurant and gave it a shot. I ordered Sam gae tang. They made it very delicious. Recommend it if you like Korean food.

    (4)

  • Lena T.

    Food was good, but not for the prices. Service was poor, none of the servers even cracked a smile the entire time I was there. Banchan was very small portions and was never refilled (our server was too busy taking better care of the businessmen at the next table to pay attention to us). This restaurant is too expensive for the small portions and bad service.

    (2)

  • Howard C.

    I love to eat Kalbi and I couldn't wait to find some in NYC. Turns out that Cho Dang Gol's spicy kalbi jjim is delicious! I can't wait to go back again next time I am here.

    (5)

  • Daniel S.

    I heard raving positive opinions of this restaurant from friends and family and decided to try it. + The soybean noodle soup noodles are thin, chewy, and absolutely delicious. I wouldn't be surprised if this restaurant hand makes the noodles from scratch which I believe is the case. Best noodles ive munched on in New York. Soup is dense with a milky texture and refreshing. Make sure to add salt for flavor. + Service is fantastic. Hostess are wonderful and also to mention beautiful. Waitresses are quick to serve and refill side dishes and water. + Prices are reasonable for the quality and portions. - The wait was 10mins. Only 2 seats in the waiting area. The rest wait outside.

    (4)

  • Daniel B.

    Bumping my review up a star--Cho Dang Gol is excellent. Not sure what happened the first time I came, but that was for lunch and this follow-up was for dinner, and dinner was the bomb. Before we continue, a glossary: - dubu: tofu - cham: soft - haemul: seafood - soondubu or sundubu: spicy tofu stew, which is one of the things Cho Dang Gol is recommended for. Their menu doesn't call the stews "soondubu" specifically, but if it's called "something something dubu" and it's in the stew section, it's soondubu. Or, in any case, it's what you want if you wanted soondubu. - pajeon: scallion pancake. (Per Jason S., pa = scallion and jeon = pancake. Et voila.) - kimchi: if you don't know this, who are you? Where are you from? Are you a Martian? If so, can I see your ship? If you take me to Mars with you, will I be able to leap great distances like John Carter? On Mars, will there be a beautiful scientist-princess waiting for me, and will she inexplicably speak English with a deep, soulful British accent? Will she maybe know what kimchi is? And if she does, how come you don't?[1] Back to the review: My tablemate and I split: - The kimchi & beef cham dubu and - The vegetable cham dubu. They were terrific! Small stone pots of bubbling, spicy red stew. The kimchi & beef was the more powerfully flavorful of our two bowls, but the veg option was good on its own. Note: I'm told the haemul cham dubu is the best, so if you're a fan of fruits de mer, consider that. Also note: Cho Dang Gol is known for its tofu. They make it on the premises, apparently. I've never liked soft tofu but, here, I relished it. I'm told they make it softer and crumblier than usual, and while I haven't had tofu enough to compare, I'd certainly believe theirs is excellent. For an appetizer: a small haemul pajeon. I've found these pancakes are usually greasy and flat, but here the dish was a thick, chewy cake colorfully striated with long stalks of scallion and full of seafood. It's filling: the small is more than enough for two people, and that combined with the banchan and the two dubus stuffed us. Cho Dang Gol tops off your meal with a serving of spicy, if slightly too sweet, ginger tea. If I had any complaint it's that the ginger tea was spicier than the dubu, which they warned us would be spicy. (It might be spicy for you if you grew up on a 19th century potato farm in the Ukraine but if your tongue has ever so much as tasted a dollop of Cholula and not recoiled in agony, I'm thinking you'll find this stew more flavorful than spicy.) It's not a beautifully designed sort of place but it is cozy and casual, with friends, dates, and families throughout. It's a great place for a cold evening. ---- [1] John Carter reference thought process: Kimchi is red. Mars is red. John Carter was set on Mars. I watched John Carter the other day. QED.

    (4)

  • J L.

    Great stews and tofu, but I do not recommend the bibimbap, which is overpriced and not as good as the bibimbap at other ktown locations. Not a fan of their white wine either. This is a good spot to go to when it's cold outside.

    (3)

  • Nelvin J.

    Place was packed! Even on a Wednesday night. Really great food though. Stews were amazing. I felt like it wasn't enough to fill me up but I guess I could have just ordered more. We came here for a quick dinner and wish we had stayed longer. Very welcoming. Great food, not a bad experience at all, but not an amazing one either.

    (3)

  • S C.

    Wouldnt go back. Food was ehhh...thats a problem. Tofu was salty and had no other flavor

    (2)

  • Zici L.

    If you like tofu, this is a place you definitely do not want to miss. Their Korean food is good and whenever I am in NY, I always try to go there to have their tofu. It meets my expectations and its one of my go to restaurants in NY for Korean food.

    (4)

  • San W.

    3.5 stars! My cousin brought b. and I here for dinner Wednesday night. I was looking forward to it since I'd been craving me some good Korean food. Along with another cousin, we ordered some entrées to share: Kimchi Jigae Vegetable Cham Dubu Kimchi Cham Dubu Spicy Galbi Jjim Known for their homemade tofu, the cham dubus were pretty good. But I am really only writing this review for the galbi jjim, which was sooooo yummy. In the small portion, there were three huge chunks of tender galbi. The sauce was loaded with flavor from the galbi and was made to be drizzled over rice. I would've been a deliriously happy camper if I had this all to myself with two bowls of freshly steamed rice. But alas, I had to share. Sad face. We finished off the meal with some complimentary hot ginger tea, which was good for digestion. Why must everything be so spicy?! I wish I had the spice tolerance to keep up with my Korean food cravings. Overall, service was attentive enough considering the place was packed; people were zipping all over the place. One odd thing: While I was waiting next to the open kitchen for the restroom, a woman who looked to be the owner or manager walked by all of the empty bins meant for dirty dishes and threw a small bowl of water or soup right onto the kitchen floor! She did it so suddenly and so nonchalantly in front of me that I was somewhat taken aback for a moment. I mean, kitchen hazard? Anyways, the place is pretty pricy. But I love me some galbi jjim! Just give me the sauce really. That's all I want.

    (3)

  • Samantha O.

    Good service though they don't really make you feel welcomed (distant) foods great! Especially their noodle dish :) we had the dumplings, egg omelet, noodles and kimchi pancake! Good food, good decore, good atmosphere

    (4)

  • Jennifer M.

    As a korean, I tend not to go to korean restaurants since I eat it all the time at home, BUT I just found my "go to" korean restaurant in the city if I ever want korean food that I didn't make. The side dish selection is great. They have a large variety and everything tastes good. I love that they give samples of their homemade tofu, because it gives me a chance to really taste the tofu without it being cooked or seasoned. It has to be the best tofu I've ever had so far. I shared a large seafood pancake with my friends, and I was pleasantly surprised that they cook it thick and perfectly crispy the way I like it. It was delicious, but nothing special. I want to say that it's not as good as the ones my mom used to make, but that wouldn't be fair to the restaurant, because my mom's cooking would always come on top no matter which korean restaurant I went to. I also had the kimchi soft tofu stew which was also good, but not the best I've had. Overall, I really enjoyed the food here a lot and everything was great, but it's not like they go above and beyond in their flavors. Service is great. The ladies are so friendly, which I feel like is usually not the case in most korean restaurants. And I loved the ginger tea they served at the end.

    (4)

  • John S.

    Next door to my hotel and packed for lunch, but they seem to move folks in and out rapidly. Large portion of diners are Korean so food must be authentic. Lunch special Kimchi Jeon (Classic Kimchi pancake) recommended and tried. Wow, great dish with a little spice and never had this Korean classic (or any other Korean food other than crappy BBQ) before. Complimentary "ban chan" appetizer sides are a variety of tastes. OB Korean beer made a nice compliment to food. There are 3-4 Korean restaurants on this block, if all Korean food is this tasty, I'll try more.

    (4)

  • Juan J.

    Tofu stew was really good. Definitely tasted like it was made in house. Pancake was too doughy, and I definitely don't consider imitation crabmeat is seafood. I wanted to give them a 3.5 but I know I would come back for more tofu stew, so I swallowed my yelp pride and gave them a 4 star!

    (4)

  • Joshua V.

    This place was baller status. Right from the start, from the mushrooms to the kimchi to the seafood pancakes to the bo ssam. Yum... Got reservations two days before. Do it, this place was packed on a Sunday night (maybe everyone was out celebrating Presidents' Day eve??!). Since the restaurant is family style, I trusted fellow Yelper Steph C. with the selection for me and the rest of the dinner party. Either she got lucky with the dish selection, or these guys just do a damn fine job with their Korean cuisine. Everyone says to get the Biji Jigae, so that's definitely what's next up the next time I go!

    (5)

  • Jon M.

    My wife and I were craving something different so we ate there for dinner. I have never experienced getting the stair down from everyone as we walked in. I guess they arent used to seeing white folks there. LOL. It was full of Koreans. Food wasnt too bad, but service definately was lacking. At least for us.

    (3)

  • Agnes C.

    If you don't think tofu has a flavor, you have to try it here and re-evaluate. They make their own tofu and it has such an impressive flavor that it's delicious getting the appetizer that is literally just plain tofu with sauce on the side. It's delicious. And they know it, so charge plenty for it. Still worth getting though because how often will you eat homemade tofu. The soondubu is off the charts. And what I loved besides the tofu is that the soup isn't salty at all. Often I find myself leaving Ktown restaurants thirsty because it was too salty, but not this place. The BF had the biji which I've never had in my life before so can't say if it was a good version of it, but he said it was delicious. We barely spoke to each other while gobbling it all up except to say how satisfying the dishes were. Oh, and they make each rice to order in stone bowls. Perfection. Still think they charge a bit much for the plain tofu, but will definitely be back plenty of times.

    (4)

  • Tiffany Y.

    You know when you're in Ktown when you smell like your meal afterward. Met a few friends here for dinner. We ordered dumplings (yummy!), this mushroom and egg appetizer, and the kimchi tofu stew. Man, everything was so spicy but reasonably priced. We each paid about $20 for the shared appetizers and stew. I'd suggest making a reservation to come. There were groups of people waiting outside when I arrived and when I left.

    (3)

  • Lucy T.

    The service isn't too great here. Had to wait 20 min even though we had a reservation at 7pm on a weeknight. The waiters took away our dishes right after we were done, almost bordering on rushing, but then took forever to get us our check. Not like they didn't notice us though.

    (3)

  • Terry F.

    Okay food, sweeter than average Korean food probably to accommodate tourist. Subpar service compared to restaurants in Flushing, NY. Overpriced.

    (3)

  • Kristin Y.

    Food was alright. I give them props for making their own tofu, but I thought it really didn't have much flavor. We got the short ribs, and it was probably my favorite thing out of everything. What really bothered me about this place was their service. We had a big party so we had to separate into 2 tables. My table ordered a tofu soup, and by the end of the meal we still didn't receive it. We asked the waitress, and she told us she gave it to the other table?!? Ok, yes they were still part of our party, but what the heck??? 2 stars because I liked their short ribs. That's about it. Won't be coming back next time I'm in NY.

    (2)

  • Catherine L.

    Seriously the best Korean meal I've ever had!!! It's tucked away in a small street but oh my goodness!!! I was in love!! First of all, HOMEMADE TOFU! Like what!!!! I can't believe a restaurant still does that! The tofu was silky, however the texture of the tofu wasn't as smooth as packaged tofu was but tasted definitely better than that stuff you buy at markets. The bibimbap was delish! Becareful though the hot sauce does get pretty spicy! Oh my goodness: we ordered the tofu trio with kimchi tofu and pork belly and all of it as super delish! My favorite part of the whole meal was probably the trio. Soo soo delish

    (5)

  • Lloyd M.

    Went for lunch and was very good. I had the galbi, which was a very nice portion of korean bbq marinated short ribs. Not too fatty and cut separate from the bone (which was also served for those who like to gnaw). Kim chee was perfect for me, not too spicy (though that may disappoint some). I would of liked if they had a lunch menu (at least for BBQ but I didn't see one) but otherwise very good food.

    (4)

  • bonnie l.

    I must say I had semi high hopes for this venue. Heard from a friend it was good and my fellow yelpers offered quite a bit of praise. I'm sorry to say I've been here once and never again. Cost = too much. Taste = not a crowd favorite. Tofu soup was lacking in depth of flavor. Spicy rice cake, although pretty should also been sold as a soup instead. Just an all around disappointed. After two tofu soups and one $30 small rice cake order and a total bill over $60, we were eagerly rushed out the door to allow room for their next unsuspecting client. My suggestion is try another Korean restaurant. There are many in the area.

    (1)

  • Lily Z.

    We've been looking forward to coming here for a while now. So, since we were closeby, we decided to pop in. It was around 4:30pm and it was kinda empty, with only 7 tables occupied. We ordered the kimchi and beef tofu bowl and the squid bibimbap. We thought they were just alright. Kori has better bibimbap and BCD's tofu bowls are better. Although, we were big fans of the soup for the tofu bowl. The soup was really flavorful and it was really good and I normally don't like to drink to soup in anything. I thought that there could be a bit more beef pieces though They had two different kinds of tofu in it. One soft, one old. I prefer the soft one though so I didn't really enjoy the old tofu. However, I would come back if I was craving for the soup taste haha. This place is just alright.

    (4)

  • Harry L.

    Not all great Korean restaurants reside in ktown. I wish I had discovered this place sooner because after 1 visit it instantly became my favorite Korean restaurant in the city. Try to avoid peak dinner hours 6-8 on weekdays as it gets super busy. They do take reservations though so if you come with a res it's like a 5-10 min wait. Otherwise it's like 30. Can't really go wrong with the food options here. The seafood pancake is top notch and prepared well. The soon dubus they serve here is made with home made tofu. The stir fried squid and octopus are my favorite here though.

    (5)

  • Ben C.

    Not a good experience. After the positive reviews, I was prepared to wear the one hour wait, I was prepared for the high price tag (Chicken Galbi was $23 and the tiny kimchi pajeon was $17). I wasn't prepared though, for the generally mediocre food and the non-existent service (considering the high prices). To the restaurant's credit, the soondubu jiggae was excellent, the tofu was great (the stock is better at BCD though). The banchan and galbi were both mediocre though and the kimchi pajeon was meh...and I had to wait an hour...and there was virtually no service...and the meal cost $80 + tips for two people. Seriously unimpressed.

    (2)

  • Lindsey S.

    Pros: BEST KRN FOOD! Plus, the only place where you can get Biji Jjigae and handmade dubu in the city. Cons: Loud and long wait Must-have's: Kimchi Biji Jjigye, and Bossam Tips: Avoid the K-strip on 32nd and come here. Make a reservation! The wait is long. Let's get one thing straight first; I am from Korea. Korean food, that I know and I claim that this is the best Krn restaurant in the city! (I assure you I've been to almost all the restaurants in Ktown.) The wait can be very long. I always had to wait 30 to an hr, so you might wanna pick up the phone and make a rezzie. - Banchan(small side dishes): their banchans always change and all of them are great. :) Also, before the meal, they hand out a small portion of Dubu (Tofu in Korean) in warm and briny soy bean broth, which is a perfect way to start the meal. - Cham Dubu Soups: try one of these. All of them are hot, spicy goodness. My favorite is their KIMCHI BIJI JJIGAE. It's not too spicy, full of good stuff, and prepared and cooked the right way. Legit biji jjigae. Two thumbs up! - Makgoli: they come in a giant bowl and I love it! :) - Seafood Jeon: Lots of seafood and portioned for 8 servings. Goes really well with Makgoli. - Bo Ssam: It comes with kimchi and water poached pork belly. They reheat the pork belly next to you! The portion is not generous, given that it's almost $40, but it's so good! It'd be stupid to order anything outside of dubu dishes, such as Bibimbap. This place is known for making their own dubu in the house, so don't just order Bibimbap here.

    (5)

  • Gregory C.

    This place was definitely a feature of my Korean eats in New York. The look and feel of this place was just right on a cold night outside. We started with a seafood and scallion pancake which had nice chunky bits and was on of the best I've found in New York. I followed up with a Spicy Galbi Jjim, short ribs braised with buttercup squash and rice cake. This was a wonderful dish that really warmed me up. It certainly was quite spicy but not overpowering. You'll still get to enjoy the great fragrance and taste of the slow cooked meat. My partner had a Kimchi Cham Dubu, soft tofu stew with kimchi and beef, and was contempt but unimpressed. She was also surprised that they did not have the equivalent dish with pork rather than beef. The only downside to me was service which was a bit abrupt and for some reason both our starter and mains arrived all at once in rather confused manner. Overall, to me at least, a great meal. Maybe less so for my partner.

    (4)

  • S J.

    Terrible customer service and way overpriced when you can walk over to K-town and find food quality that's barely any different. Case in point: we asked for soy sauce wit our tofu appetizer and the waiter actually told us "you don't eat this dish with soy sauce". Until we told him "as a customer, we WANT soy sauce so is it a problem for you to give it to us?" Then he conceded. You also can't customize your order here because everything is "mixed together already," whatever that means. I wanted them to make my Cham doo boo without beef in it and they said it was impossible.

    (1)

  • Celia J.

    I ordered the spicy Galbi Jjim. It tastes so good! And I also like their homemade tofu.

    (4)

  • Blair S.

    After a less than awesome Korean dining experience at another restaurant the night before, plus another day of cold temperatures, we had to address a growing craving. The photos on Yelp sealed the deal - we had to check this place out. Cho Dang Gol exceeded our lofty expectations. We started with the rice wine, seafood pancake, and spicy pollock. They really hit the spot. I loved the fresh flavor of the vegetables - a different blend from many restaurants - in our seafood pancake and the cool crisp flavor of the rice wine. By the way, some reviewers complain they don't know what to do with things on their table. We found the staff most capable of answering our questions and making recommendations - and they were happy to do so. Next up we enjoyed a seafood stew and dolsot bibimbap. The flavors were robust, the textures fresh and varied. The tofu was amazing and one of the highlights of the meal. Yes, you don't often hear that but fresh soft tofu is a treat. Prices were quite reasonable for the quantity of food and location. The atmosphere is traditional yet bustling.the whole experience package is great.

    (5)

  • Shang S.

    Cho Dang Gol is a great place that is off the main strip of Koreatown. If you want high quality ban chan, bibimbap, and soondubu, you have got to make the trip here. The service for us was attentive - but swift, they do try to turn tables very quickly. We got a chicken bibimbap and kimchi jigae. I actually - surprising myself - ended up liking the chicken bibimbap more. It's a great place to go if you're willing to spend just a couple dollars more for a more authentic place that won't be crammed full of drunken people.

    (4)

  • Kelly W.

    The hour wait outside was a little difficult, considering the neighborhood and the fact that a large number of drunk Oktoberfest revelers were sharing the sidewalk with us. But once we got inside, we had a good time. I've read some negative reviews about the service here, but honestly our server (Tiffany) couldn't have been nicer. She gave her recommendations and was attentive throughout the meal. We started with the potato/squash pancake (really, 3 small pancakes). The taste was similar to the Swedish potato pancakes I grew up with in Minnesota, but with rice flour so it they were smoother and chewier. It was good, but I will stick to my usual seafood pancake order next time. My husband and I both got stews. I had the veggie/tofu option. It was very flavorful and filling for a vegetarian option. My husband got the tofu/beef option. He liked the flavor, but commented that there was very little beef. I thought the prices for the stews were really reasonable- about $13 for a large bowl with a side of rice. But the pancake was expensive for what it was- about $16. Overall, I've yet to find another Korean restaurant I like better, so will be back.

    (4)

  • Sejin J.

    I have to change my review to one star because... Well, the service is absolutely horrible. The past three times I've been here, I've receive extremely rude, entitled, and just plain terrible service. I asked for soy sauce with my tofu and the waiter FLAT OUT said "No, you don't eat it with tofu." We repeated that we the CUSTOMERS want soy sauce but he kept insisting that it won't taste good. My family and I were so taken aback we wanted to leave. We're Korean and have been living in Seoul all our life so we know how we eat our food. The food is also ridiculously expensive for what it is and you can find comparable, if not better, food elsewhere in Korea Town.

    (1)

  • Paul H.

    Decor: 3.5/5 -Lots of seating but expect to wait 30-45 minutes for a party of two Service: 3/5 -I appreciate how you are not rushed so they can seat the next party -We did have to ask for certain sides but overall decent Food: 4/5 -I rounded up the overall rating bc the total came to $17 each incl. tip and I was definitely full! -The selection of side dishes were okay. I liked BCD Tofuhouse's selection better. -Small Haemul Pajeon (seafood & scallion pancake) looked small but I only had enough space for 3 of the 4 pieces and half a dubu. -The spicy tofu soup was fairly spicy, wow! The rice definitely helped alleviate the burn. The pot may look small but it had alot of content and the homemade tofu was delicious. The yumminess of the soup was well worth tackling the spiciness. One thing I liked about the spice was that it didn't linger for long.

    (4)

  • Chuck P.

    Cho Dang Gol is just average to be honest, there was an inadequate amount of staff on hand for so many unexpected guests last night. The service was slow as well, the waitress didn't return to our table ever since she took the orders. The appetizer came out way after our entree. I would give 3 stars for food and 2 stars for service. The seafood and tofu Jon Gol was overpriced, I mean I could get this at other Korean restaurant for less price, besides some seafood wasn't fresh at all. We also had stir-fried squid, not much flavor and not what I expected. Despite there are many Korean restaurants in K-town, in fact, you hardly find one that is particularity above average and impress you.

    (2)

  • Thuy D.

    Really one of the best Korean restaurants in NYC, but its not in prime KTOWN. Their side dishes are good along with their meats. I loved the Galbi and homemade tofu. Everything taste fresh there, you can taste the difference from other restaurants.

    (5)

  • Mi Y.

    This place gets CROWDED in the evening. Many a time I've walked by and not gone in because of this. However, it was a friend's birthday so our party (of 8, no less) all endured a 40-ish minute wait to get a table. I believe they do take reservations, so we will certainly make one next time. Their service is excellent. Our server explained dishes well and was accommodating of small modifications. We were situated in an out-of-the-way location, but she came by frequently to check on us. Food took some time to arrive, and they came in batches of 2-3. I ordered dol sot bibimbap and our table split an order of spare ribs. There's nothing special about the bibimbap but the spare ribs, oh man, the spare ribs. They were savory, juicy, meaty pieces of heaven. If we weren't being modest (see Asian dining etiquette), it would have all been gone the moment it hit the table. This restaurant is open fairly late. Due to its convenient location, it's easy to fit into an itinerary with karaoke and bar hopping. Eat and be merry, right?

    (4)

  • Amy L.

    Gave this a 4 star mainly because they had the best kimchi pancake i ever had, expensive but worth every penny. Korean pancake is a appetizer i frequently get and shared with friends but we would never finish it. However cho dang gol's pancake was consumed right away. Cho Dang Gol's Cham dubu (aka tofu soup) was really good, as told by fellow reviewers their tofu deserve praises. However the soup base leaned more towards the salty side, i personally loved it since i prefer salty food, however it was too salty for my friend. My friend ordered the classic Kimchi Jjigae (kimchi stew) it was horrible. I had always thought of kimchi jigae as a safety food at any korean resturant however it was inedible here, way too salty (even for me) and practically close to no kimchi in the stew. Tip: try not to go there around 3pm. This is lunch hour for them so their service was extremely slow and poor.

    (4)

  • Sara S.

    I've been here with smaller and larger (10) numbers of people, but they've always been able to accommodate us. The tables open up fairly quickly despite the high volume of customers at times. I can't speak for all of their dishes since I haven't tried tried much else than their stews, but this is a Manhattan eatery I will keep coming back again and again.

    (4)

  • Eric R.

    tl;dr: waited for over 50 mins to do more waiting. an unsatisfactory experience with nothing redeeming to report. the only thing quick to come was the bill and we were rudely rushed (the final slap to the face) to pay. i'm not going to talk about the food here, as more qualified people have addressed it. also, admittedly, my bad experience here has probably colored my opinion of it. understandably, it was a busy friday night, but the series of poor service events sums to, well, a lousy experience. judging from some of the reviews here, it happens enough. cho dang gol: i wish you continued success; hope you improve your process & hospitality - for all. maybe someday, i'll give you a try again - once this lousy feeling dissipates. the long: its a friday night, and, reading the reviews, expected the long wait. after waiting for 50 mins to be seated for 3, i noticed newly arrived people getting seated. i talk to the host about this: she says she called me 10 minutes ago. i ask: how can that be, as am right outside the door?! she places my name back on the list. (i do notice that the host seems fairly diligent about contacting *certain* guests. i see her going outside and announcing. at times, she even goes to the hotel next door where ppl are waiting on the patio chairs. however, i must say, there is quite a bias as to who she contacts.) after waiting another 15, we're finally seated to a well pack room. we wait for another long 10 minutes for service. the waiter finally appears and she apologizes. i can see that she's overwhelmed. we order and we wait - another long wait. in the interim, our waiter gives us some of their famous homemade tofu. can't say am wowed - then again, its been over 1.5 hours since this sad saga began. our entrées finally arrive and we finally dine - famished from the protracted delay! as soon as we're finished, the bill lands quickly. not too long after (to add insult to our patience), the host points to the bill insisting that it be paid now. begrudgingly, we pay - unhappy we ever came here. when we stepped out front, i half expected more ppl waiting to be seated - a reason to be the rushed out. but this was not the case. we waited so much that it was nearly closing.

    (1)

  • Lin G.

    New York! Is this your four star Korean restaurant that has people waiting for tables? Pretty fucking pathetic. The space is nothing special. The tofu appetizer thing tasted not so great. The ban chan was sad, barely a chopsticks worth of food in each dish and nothing noteworthy. My friend got a $20 bibimbap and was still hungry afterwards. $20 fucking dollars! What the fuck you put in there? Unicorn gonads? They must have some small nuts because it was not filling. I ordered the galbi for $30. It was a few pieces of grilled meat. The quality was average at best and I have had bigger portions in a $10 lunch bento box. But what really makes this place abysmal, is the truly shitty service. Our server, David (probably not his real name) did not seem to speak any English and could not make a recommendation between the casserole and the barbecue. What the fuck is korean casserole anyway? Not a smile the whole night. Ignored my friend when she asked for a ban chan refill since each dish had barely anything in it. After giving us the check (which we did not ask for and there was no one waiting to be seated now), about 6 staff came over oh, maybe 80 fucking times to look at our receipt tray. One guy rushed over, looked at the tray, turned around, came back 5 seconds later to check again. No, we didn't pay during the five seconds when you turned your stupid fucking head. They stopped giving us tea and when I asked, the Mexican worker was all disgruntled. When asked a question about the food earlier, he had no clue. Then a woman came and asked us to pay because they are closing, though there are still many tables eating. When my friend signed the receipt, this old woman would stand behind her, looking at what tip she is leaving, then grabbed the tray before she even set it down. Not classy Cho Dang. We were seated around 815 and probably left around 1030. This is a good friend I haven't seen in a year, so we wanted to catch up. But the horrible service and bad food made it less than ideal dinner place.

    (2)

  • Eline W.

    I've never met a waitress who grab your pen to change the tip face to face!! I am quite shocked at that. Although we wrote the wrong tip first , but a waitress can never grab you pen and force you change the tip!!! Holly fucking shit

    (1)

  • Alexis D.

    Before I came here, I wasn't a fan of tofu. Seriously. They make their own and it really makes a huge difference. I've had various tofu soups and bibimbaps here and they're all delicious, filling, and hot to the very last bite. A few things about this place also make it stand out: 1. The lighting and decor make it classy while still being casual enough for friends and families. 2. They hook up the nooroongjee (I'm hoping Google is correct on this one) rice soup made from broth/tea and the crispy rice at the bottom of the bowl. 3. I always end up eating almost all the banchan-- it's always really good and they'll refill it for you without being asked. 4. They serve sweetened ginger tea at the end instead of a more mundane tea. Truly delicious. The service is kind but brusque when it's busy (which is always). Try and call ahead.

    (5)

  • Rachelle A.

    Fast service. Great place for korean BBQ. Not the best I've had but definitely really good. The hot stone bibimbap is a must try.

    (4)

  • Paya P.

    Probably one of the more authentic Korean restaurants in K-Town. Lost a star for being a bit pricey, but still a great choice for dinner if you want some legit Korean food. They make their own tofu, so make sure to get something on the menu that includes tofu!

    (4)

  • Pedantic S.

    Good spot for Korean food. Great portions and flavors. I highly recommend this place. The only thing I would say is that it seemed to be a lot more expensive that I expected - an observation noted by other reviewers as well.

    (3)

  • David C.

    Came here on a weekday for dinner with a friend. It satisfied our hunger but didn't wow us. Beef bimbimbap - good presentation with the authentic stone bowl but didn't blow my mind flavor wise. Friendly service and obviously very popular so maybe it was an off day.

    (3)

  • Annie Y.

    We came here to celebrate a friend's birthday on a Sunday morning around 11:30. The place is medium sized and was pretty much full by noontime. We got the vegetable seafood soup, seafood tofu soup, and Jap Chae (stir-fried glass noodles with beef and vegetables). The tofu was very soft but I wish the soup could have been more flavorful. The beef in the Japchae was definitely on the salty side which paired nicely with the soup. The noodles were chewy and ended up being very addicting. Apparently the fresh tofu side dish is only for dinner.

    (3)

  • Jennifer L.

    Teetering between three and four stars. One of the more accommodating, but still tasty Korean restaurants in K-Town for non-native speakers. I am Korean but apparently spoke too much English with my white friend that it warranted us immediately receiving plain, ice water as opposed to the boricha (hot barley tea) that all the Korean-enough-looking patrons received in its place, that I would have received had I gone with my brother or my parents. That is pretty insulting and annoying, but just ask and you shall receive. Next time, jerks, don't presume. Everyone knows only white people ask for plain ice water. Cripes. A little on the slower side with getting the banchan, and the waiter didn't understand what my friend was asking when she asked for clarification on two of the soups, which wasn't surprising, but the fact that he pretended to was kind of funny. She ended up just asking him which was best and then we ordered the haemul pajeon (seafood pancake), doenjang jjigae (vegetable tofu soup), and the kimchi cham dubu. They were all pretty good, although the haemul pajeon can use some work. Giant strips of scallions and fake fishsticks. Still ate the entire thing though so who's really complaining? The dipping sauce was also served in a large bowl with a plastic spoon. That is some low budget shit right there. My first experience here with my brother was hands down better than this last time, and our waiter was a lot nicer and asked if we wanted more banchan after we finished it all - which isn't that common anyway, and we always end up having to ask for more of something. We were also definitely offered some of that boricha from the get go. Had zero wait at 6:30pm on a Tuesday, but the joint was jumping by the time we left around 8:00pm, yet we were not rushed, which is always how it feels at Kunjip. I'd come back. But will definitely get pissed again if I don't get my boricha.

    (4)

  • Jess L.

    This is officially me new go-to Korean restaurant in the city. Not only does it have the blessing of my friend who's from Korea and will travel miles to come to this spot, but the flavors are truly delicious - even down to the little plates they bring out that include kimchi and fish. Check out the pancake and traditional casserole for some authentic flavors, textures, and experiences! This place is pretty packed - and that's a good sign!

    (5)

  • Choua V.

    On a random rainy saturday night, we strolled into Cho Dang Gol thanks to amazing reviews fromYelp. We didn't have a reservation, but decided to do the 30 minute wait, and it was totally worth it! We ordered the kalbi, spicy tofu soup, and jap chae. All three dishes were great, better than over paying at the other Korean BBQs on 32nd street in K-town. If you want good korean food, at a reasonable price, plus nicer service try this place. I love Korean BBQ, so I'll go again and wait 30 mins again if I have to.

    (5)

  • Tracy V.

    Decent. Not mind-blowing but service was good and food was fair. They run a restaurant well. Expertise in business.

    (4)

  • David S.

    Busy, but worth it. Especially if you're young and energetic. Authentic Korean cuisine which will not disappoint you or your tastebuds. It's the little touches, like the cinnamon tea that the friendly waiter shared, which sealed the deal. You know what'd be fun? Take a bunch of friends over. Be adventurous, don't take BiBimBap. Everything else is sharing sized. It'll be exciting, I promise.

    (5)

  • Pam H.

    With a reservation on a Friday night, there was still a slight wait but the place was packed and was filled with delicious aromas... so I didn't mind. Service was to the point, neither bad or good, not tipping the scale. However, the food was solid. Definitely tipped the scale to the quite delicious scale. I go the hot stone bowl bimbimbap, and thoroughly enjoyed it. The sauce was perfectly created such that it wasn't too hot. My stomach left more than satisfied. I came with 2 friends who weren't Korean food fans, but I think they left happy and more willing to eat Korean food again. Thanks Cho Dang Gol!

    (4)

  • Vinh P.

    Pricey for the portion size. Good flavor though but service also was pretty bad. Empty drinks all meal. Two of five with me got food 10min before the rest and finished eating before the food showed up. Not quite up to the 4/5 rating from 500 reviewers.

    (2)

  • Eugene B.

    The food is great. Probably sets the bar for authentic Korean food for the area. However, their menu is extremely hard to navigate. They don't have appetizers listed, and everything is basically bunched and jumbled up into 5 or 6 pages of foods to order. It is also very expensive. A plate of dumplings, two beers, a dish of sauteed beef, and a noodle/vegetable/pork dish came out to $71. If price is not an issue, then by all means treat yourself to some of the most authentic Korean food on this side of Seoul.

    (3)

  • mara g.

    I was greatly looking forward to this meal, and vastly disappointed on almost all fronts. The tofu is fresh and comes in a variety of textures, which was the best aspect of the meal. However, the banchan were sparse and not particularly interesting or good (the Napa and radish kimchi was the best, but the fried tofu was flavorless, the green beans in gochujang were okay but there were about 5 pieces), both our stews were remarkably lacking in flavor besides their being a little spicy, and our server brought a big, shiny bowl of rice, served each of us a small bowl of it, and took the rest back to the kitchen with her. For $63 at lunch, I was shocked. With so many other Korean restaurants to patronize, I cannot imagine I'd ever return.

    (3)

  • Denise K.

    Nice ambiance. The tofu tastes like dirty socks. The small complimentary plates were not that great. The bibimbop is probably the best I've had in Korea town (compared to 2 others) but as usual not enough meat!

    (3)

  • Alexandra Z.

    Homemade soft tofu, I can still smell soybean's flavor. The side dishes are made by the restaurant itself instead purchasing from supermarket. The soup base of jinga is so delicious. I would recommend the seafood jinga

    (4)

  • Erin K.

    Food is great. I am a Korean expat and would eat here every day if I could. I started avoiding the place though, when I realized the poor management/host is hurting my experience more than enriching. Long lines and unclear order of seating was the main issue so I don't go there during rush hours anymore. Also one time they got my order wrong and asked me to just eat it (without any other offer of compensating)... Please don't do that. Also, a pet peeve for me --- they bring out a pot of rice, serve not all of the rice, then take back the rest of the rice (while leaving a lil on the pot for nurungi later) and throw back the residual rice into the rice cooker. I just hate watching that happen and having to think, how many times has my rice been out of the cooker and thrown back? I get that it's for presentation, and I have no problem with the rice being served in the stone pot although it wasn't cooked in the pot. Just hate seeing the rice back in the kitchen after it's been brought out of the kitchen.

    (3)

  • Connie L.

    Pretty good compared to the other korean spots in the area. Went for the jjigae, which did not disappoint because their tofu is amazing. I also tried the bulgogi which was good but overpriced at $30 for not that much meat. The japchae was disappointing, I think it was $21 and it tasted like the noodles you can get at woorijip

    (4)

  • Danielle Elyse L.

    I was not impressed with this place at all. I am not a Korean food aficionado but I have had way better. It wasn't bad but I expected a lot better based on the reviews and how busy the place was. The first thing that turned me off was that the waitress forgot my drink, then when we got the seafood pancake I noticed there was crab stick in it. Yuck. And no other real seafood. I ordered the stone bowl shrimp bibimbap. The shrimp was tiny, unimpressive, and looked like lower quality. Instead of cracking an egg on top there was what looked like scrambled egg mixed in, which totally threw off the presentation. It was extremely busy in there, literally a line out the door, but it took forever to get our waitresses attention to get the check. Then when she finally came around, she rushed us, as if we were the ones holding her up. Also, I feel like what we paid would have been better spent elsewhere. All of the Korean restaurants I have been to have been delicious with great presentation and service, so this place was just disappointing. I definitely will not be back.

    (2)

  • Vicki T.

    I went there Friday night at 8:50p and it was packed. This guy said he's been waiting with another person since 8p. These girls in front of me left so I left too. After a beer at the Keg Room around the corner, I decided it was time to try again at 9:30p. This time there was still a line but less daunting. When they put my name down and requested I order now, another lady came and said the kitchen is closing and will no longer take my bibimbop order! (blast!!!!) the following day at 3p (now saturday), i decide to try a third time... -- the real review starts here -- i ordered the seafood pancake (small) - it was actually a good size. i would say you could eat it as an appetizer with another person if y'all are gonna order other things. if this is your only meal, then, i'd probably go with a large. i liked it and would order it again. it wasn't over fried and it wasn't under cooked. pretty hearty amount of goods. gotta love these things. tofu stew with veggies - the reviewers are right, the tofu is soft and silky. very good. except i forgot to tell them to cut down on the spice and i was sweating a few bites into the stew. veggies included yummy asian mushrooms and some zucchini type squash thing. ban-chan - i would not come here for their ban chan... i love ban chan and i could literally choose my korean restaurants by it but this would not be the place to go for ban chan (or maybe it just wasn't my day) 4 stars because i would def. go there again... at 3p but not 8p or 9p... or probably 7p...

    (4)

  • Jagruta B.

    Love Love Love this place. Tofu is amazing.

    (5)

  • Gingere L.

    except the mopey wedding background music, food was good & we would have stayed longer.

    (4)

  • Tracy C.

    Me and bf found this place on yelp. We ordered stuffed mushrooms, seafood pancake, and galbi. The stuffed mushrooms were tiny but ok! The seafood pancake's batter is very heavy but has a lot of stuffing inside. The galbi is very tender. The handmade tofu is really yummy! I would suggest to make reservations because it's a long wait.

    (3)

  • Desiree D.

    Ive been to quite a few Asian/Korean influenced restaurants, all tho this was great, there just wasnt anything special about it. I came here around 12:30 on a lunch date w/5 other people. This place was way too packed, we had to make reservations. We were crammed at the little table and the waitors could barely reach all of us. It took about 10 mins to get water, then put in our order. Soju was a plus and it came on ice! The choices for me to eat--were very small. Literally maybe 3 options, everything was over priced and contained some form of meat. Usually other Korean restaurants have more options and have realistic prices. The spread of Korean apps were great. Could have used more, especially for 6 people. As usual my soup came out extremely hot and it was barely a seafood soup. Had maybe two clams, one shrimp and bits of little pieces of squid. Pretty fucking cheap if you ask me. The "lunch specials" were $12 and up and really there were 5 choices to choose from and were more expensive for $12. Ive paid less, if not the same and had more choices, more seafood in my fuckin seafood soup than this. The waitors were nice and tried to work with us--it was super fucking packed. NOpe i wouldnt come back, ill stick to places that have reasonablly priced items and more of a choice for me..oh yeah and a seafood soup that has seafood in it!

    (2)

  • Katherine B.

    Authentic restaurant, good appetizers pickled veggies and kimchee. We ordered the tofu seafood hot soup to share... It was enough for two. The tofu was good. Seafood was just ok. Slow service but very nice. Affordable...1 tea and the soup with tip $23. Would consider trying again and ordering a meat dish if I'm ever in the area.

    (3)

  • Winky C.

    This restaurant is crowded all the time. I don't like their food that much, but their sea food soup wasn't bad at all. I like their tea

    (3)

  • Vincent Y.

    Just really, really good Korean food. Kalbi plate, seafood pancake and traditional plate of kimchee, pork, tteok--so good. The traditional plate was a bit too heavy on the kimchi side and not enough pork but for the infinite reorders of banchan they allow you to do and the freshness of the bancham (shiitake mushrooms, kimchi, etc.) this is a fantastic place to eat.

    (5)

  • Tony L.

    The menu here is pretty limited but the food is very tasty. The side dishes are all very good. The kim chi is a little sweet but goes well with the rest of the food. I had a tofu soup with seafood and it was even better than BCD tofu house's. Hot enough to be good but not so much that I couldn't handle it.

    (4)

  • Miki H.

    I love their tofu. I haven't had home made tofu.for quite a while. Kimchee was tasty. I had veggie tofu hotpot. It's like soon do bo (spelled right?). It was lunch special. Soup tasted very rich. One of the best. Service was friendly and quick.

    (5)

  • Yvonne W.

    I really liked this place a lot the first few times I tried it, but as time as gone on, I've realized how overpriced a lot of the dishes area, especially given the costs. The biji jigae and the cham dubus (soon dubus) are all really tasty - the tofu is great and the broths are delicious. I also love all the banchan/little dishes you get at the beginning, plus the small fresh tofu bowls they give you to begin your meal, and the delicious ginger tea at the end, which is very refreshing. But I just can't believe that things like bulgogi or galbi are $27-30 for a single-size portion, or that a bibimbap in a stone bowl could actually be $18-19. The bulgogi wasn't marinated evenly, and the portion being so small given the exorbitant price makes me think I don't want to come back here again. The wait here has also become ridiculous, which makes me want to go to other places to get my soondubu or Korean meat fixes.

    (2)

  • Evan Z.

    Fantastic taste of Korea. We had the bulgogi, seafood pancake and bipmbap. Just like I had in a recent trip to Korea. Highly recommended.

    (5)

  • D O.

    I had a chung guk jang and it was pretty good. My friends loved their biji stews too.

    (3)

  • Diana R.

    Service is prompt and efficient, and there's always a wait for dinner. I usually come on weekdays for the lunch special and don't have to wait. I've had the japchae here, but it's a bit too sweet for my taste. The kimchi chamdubu stew is my favorite dish of all time. The tofu is made fresh, in house twice a day, and it steals the show. The stew is at the perfect level of spiciness, but you can ask them to make it milder if your spice tolerance isn't like that of a Korean's whose veins run with gochujang. The kimchi, soft tofu, fresh tofu, pieces of flavorful beef all come together to make my absolute favorite dish in the whole entire world! If you hate tofu, it's because you've never had this before. Crack in the raw egg while the stew is furiously bubbling away, spoon free the egg yolk from the egg whites, mix the egg whites into the soup, keep the egg yolk in for a few more seconds. Then, while it's still runny, lovingly place it on top of your rice, so it looks just like the corners of your mouth, sunny side up, the result of an involuntary smile. The runny egg yolk is perfect with the rice and the kimchi chamdubu jjigae. You can thank me later. I could live off of this glorious stuff forever. Supersize me.

    (5)

  • Vivian L.

    One of my fave restaurants in K-Town, and it seems like lately they've been getting more popular, so make sure you have a reservation before you come here so you're not stuck waiting forever to be seated, sadly watching everyone else enjoy their delicious food! The highlight here is definitely the tofu! It's so fresh, and has the perfect texture, some of the best tofu I've ever tasted in my life. So of course it's a no-brainer to order one of the tofu stews when you come here! I usually order the seafood one. Their bibimbap is also some of the best in town if that's what you prefer, may I suggest ordering both a bibimbap and a tofu stew and splitting with a friend? Heaven! Also, don't be afraid to ask for more banchan (the small free dishes that come before your entree). They're delicious! (I realize I used a lot of exclamation points throughout this review, that's just how good they are! =P)

    (4)

  • Mark M.

    Coming from the West Coast, and growing up in LA frequenting K-Town, I have to say this was a pleasant surprise. Some of the food is not nearly as authentic as a Korean would like, but it is still damn good food. I liked all of the pan chan (small dishes they give you as part of the meal), being full of fresh veggies and marinades. I really loved the fresh tofu they gave you here. It was refreshing, and added an extra layer of complexity and flavor to everything they put this in (e.g., their stone pots). Really good Korean food for New York, and you will not be disappointed travelers.

    (4)

  • Julia W.

    Yelp says it is family friendly but it really isn't. PlAce is cramped, no kids menus and no good alternates for kids if they don't like BBQ. Service is sporadic, it took a long time for them to get us water or take our order. Yet once they brought us food, they rushed to get us out. It was busy tonight but I imagine this is pretty normal on a Saturday night. Lastly the food was very average yet pricey. 32 for a very small dish of kalbi, not much on the menu is less than 25....disappointing

    (2)

  • Debbie Chiou S.

    So good. Favorites: jap chae, banchan, and spicy chicken stew. Servers are so nice and super efficient. Nice welcoming atmosphere and huge candles in the bathroom to keep it smelling nice.

    (4)

  • Edmund Y.

    Came here by a suggestion from a Korean friend. She says it's her go-to Korean place in Manhattan so I had to try it out. I ordered the pork Bibimbap and it came piping hot in the stone bowl. Being the newb that I am, I started digging in immediately. The waiter kindly told me to pour their special soy sauce (which came in a small sauce plate at the beginning, so I had no idea they were together) and to mix it all up first. All in all, the bowl was delicious! A bit too oily, but perhaps I just poured way too much of that soy sauce, and there was a pool of oil at the bottom of the bowl. It came with some awesome appetizers and their homemade tofu, which looks pretty disgusting but tastes surprisingly good! Portions are a bit small for the price, but I guess that's just Korean food in general.

    (4)

  • Marisa P.

    Maybe I just didn't order the right foods but mine was just... OK. I love the fact that they make their own tofu which I found pretty yummy but the service could have been a bit better. I ordered the beef tofu soup which was fine but I didn't find anything special about it. It had a homey feel to it which I found nice. Would've love some more meat though! My friend ordered the kimichi jjigae and it ended up being way too spicy of her. I know, you order spicy food and you should expect it to be spicy. I just wish our waitress could've handled it better. When I asked her if there was anything that could be done to make it less spicy she just shook her head. We even told her it was ok to just add water. She looks at my friend's dish, started playing with it and then just shrugged it off. I wasn't angry... it just rubbed me the wrong way. Her attitude towards us after that changed. She didn't smile at us anymore and tried to rush us to leave. I did enjoy the hot ginger cinnamon tea she gave us at the end of our meal though. That was very pleasant.

    (3)

  • Stephanie Q.

    Came here for a quick lunch. $10.95 lunch specials. I had the bulbogi stew and the purple rice... both were delicious. As someone who cannot eat spicy food, the bulgogi stew was thankfully not spicy.

    (4)

  • Yin M.

    Very genuine Korean food and the people running it were very Korean. A bit pricey though.

    (4)

  • Brittany H.

    probably the best korean restaurant in k-town for soon dooboo...hands down. their tofu is homemade, and has this gritty weird texture...that's definitely an acquired taste. if you go as often as i do, you will learn to love it too. seafood soon doo boo, all the way!! their dumplings is also extremely good. This is the ONLY thing i allow myself to order whenever i go here. it can't be beat.

    (4)

  • Candice B.

    Despite the staff's amazing efficiency, eating here still feels a little bit like a battle. First, if you have not made a reservation, then you will be waiting for a long time, all cramped near the front door and be forced to be really close to the tables of diners near the door. Maybe it's even worse for these diners. The place looks like it hasn't been scrubbed in about ten years, but really, who has time, if diners keep pouring inside like there is no other Korean restaurant nearby (except for the one next door, and another and another.) We ordered BBQ chicken but as soon as they brought a hot plate to our small table, we objected and requested to have them cooked in the kitchen. At first they seem surprised (we cannot be the only ones being anti-heat after a day in the 90 degree NYC), but they took the hot plate away. We weren't sure what that meant, until a plate of chicken came out. Perfect. The casserole dish was interesting in that it's not spicy. Excuse my ignorance, but frankly I have never had non-spicy Korean food before. It was really refreshing to taste something different! It's savory and full of umami from the broth, the egg, the napa cabbage and fish cakes inside. We also shared their housemade tofu. Unfortunately we didn't get an explanation on why one kind is slightly darker and more purple while the other has a lighter color. And my silly palate won't tell me how they taste different either. Although the food is great, I think I would only want to come back on cold days, where I want to be in a small cozy crowded environment.

    (4)

  • Huo Y.

    Great little restaurant! We had a beef rib stew and it was wonderful(for those who enjoys spicy food like me...) The free appetizers are also good. If was not cheap but definately worth the price. We came in around 6 pm on Sunday without waiting but when we were done at about 7pm there were a whole bunch of people waiting for the table ...

    (5)

  • Patty T.

    Overhyped and overpriced. Nothing close to tofu soup in Koreatown in LA. Will save my $$ for when I am in Koreatown. The mineral rice was kinda blah blah. Soondobu was not bad but not exceptional. The kimchi chi gae was just standard. The best part about the meal was the banchan which was never filled.

    (3)

  • Shelly L.

    Cho Dang Gol is actually on the outskirts K-town, located at 35th and not 32nd Street. Came here because I had a Google Offers, turns out to be just an average place for Korean food in K-town. Had a bit of a wait for 3 people on a Friday night - to be expected I guess. I came in craving the home made tofu, but the consistency was really weird to me, didn't live up to expectations. They did have a good variety of banchan, my fave was the pan fried tilapia with a egg wash batter. Haven't seen that very often as an offering. Soondubu was average - the soup could have had more depth. The Bulgogi served on the sizzling plate came a bit watery, which it had more of a sear on it for more. The Japchae was pretty good, but again, nothing to write home about. Not my first choice for Korean food, wouldn't come back again.

    (3)

  • Emily Z.

    First time eating here today - had a great experience. Sunday at 5pm, zero wait, delicious ban chan (although no tasty fried fish like bcd tofu house) - however, the sundubu was hands down the best that I have had in Ktown thus far, tender and fresh with the right amount of flavor. Also got a bulgogi stew, which was quite tasty. Sweet without the sugar overdone, relatively lean beef (which is how I happen to like it, but if you are a big fatty beef fan this bulgogi might not be for you). Thin on the vermicelli but otherwise solid. Excited to come back and go down the menu...

    (4)

  • Glen B.

    My new favorite Korean. The spicy Galbi Jjim (beef short ribs) are amazing - the large portion is a ton of food. Everybody is very friendly and are helpful with the ordering.

    (5)

  • Yan T.

    Wow, I forgot that I'd been here before. We walked in as a group of 3 and were told it would be 10-15 minutes. After that deadline expired, we started to suspect that we were no longer on the list. (We told them we would wait outside but walked back in after a couple of minutes. Maybe they were confused and thought we left). But as soon as I inquired (coinciding with some party of 2 not replying to the prompt), she said our name as if she were planning to call us all along. Well played. Anyway, it's definitely a step above the average place on 32nd Street, but still substantially overpriced. The banchan was a little tardy, but good. They did give us a little bowl of fresh tofu to whet out appetites, and we were soon engrossed in the soju/sake mix (tasty). The bibimbap was excellent, maybe the best I've had. But no bibimbap should exceed $12 (their was $18). Sorry, but New York price shenanigans should not extend to ANY peasant-style rice dish. The place gets very busy, so food took a while to bring out, but service was generally fine. In conclusion, I would endorse this place for lunch or for a date, but not for midweek casual Korean.

    (4)

  • Sora C.

    Regardless of the quality of the foods here, all the staffs are very rude and disappointed. I've been here with my parents and a baby for early dinner the other day. My parents weren't that hungry so we ordered three soft tofu stew and a buckwheat pancake which is almost 20bucks for just the appetizer it self..that is acceptable. But our waitress said, " Including the baby, you should've order four main dishes because you are four!" She even told me in an angry tone. I really wanted to get out of there at that moment perhaps my son was hungry and teased me so I couldn't.....I was so angry and never been to restaurants in the WORLD with that kind of attitude person.....so sad. Couldn't even remember how it tasted like..

    (1)

  • Azinda M.

    Very great experience here. First off, the food was GREAT. I had the bibimbap (first one on the menu) and it was fantastic. Many fresh veggies in there as well as awesome spicy sauce to go with it. I also had the seafood pancake, which was tasty as well. I really enjoyed how there were a lot of additional dishes that were provided as well. They gave kimchi, spicy cucumbers, eggplants, veggie pancakes, etc. This was really awesome to be able to try a bunch of different things. They also apparently make homemade tofu there, and gave everyone a little sample cup of it, which I loved. The ladies working there are so friendly and mom-like. They come by frequently to check in, but also, miraculously, when you're done eating the appetizer, they come with the next dish, over and over, which is so cool! They also give free tea for everyone both during the meal, as well as a cleansing ginger one at the end. Nothing but great experiences here--just pricy.

    (4)

  • Alexander L.

    I ordered the Spicy Galbi Jjim, co workers ordered the bulgogi, the bulgogi jjigae, and the sam gye tang. Not one person had an issue with their food. It's hard to find places in k-town that make even slightly above average food. being 90 degreees today, delivery was a no-brainer. The flavors seemed to be balanced better than other places and considered it was delivered and not fresh, but still tasted as good as it was--I'm impressed. They have a fan. Before trying the food I was a bit peeved at the price range, but given the banchan, the portion sizes AND the quality of the food. I'd do it again in a heartbeat

    (4)

  • Michelle H.

    After seeing a show on Broadway, we trekked to Cho Dang Gol. We arrived at 9:50 PM and though the closing time is posted as 10:30 PM, we were brusquely told that the kitchen closes at 9:50, the exact moment that we arrived. If the kitchen closes earlier than the time advertised and posted, then the business should post that information somewhere so that potential guests are aware of that information in advance; however, such service and consideration seems to be too much to expect from this business. Fortunately there were other Korean restaurants in close vicinity that were able to garner our business and appetites.

    (1)

  • Justin Y.

    I came here after church around 12:30 with a group of around 6 people to get some lip-smacking-good Korean food because one of the guys said that this place was delish. We arrived JUST before the lunch rush, so after we put our name down, 10 or so more people piled in after us. The decoration and feel of the place is great - it has the traditional Korean restaurant vibe that I like. The hostesses and waitresses were very nice and were attentive throughout the meal. I ordered the Bulgogi (in stew form in a pot) and it was very good. It's not a favorite dish of mine or anything, but I don't like Tofu soups or soups of any kind for that matter, and this was the cheapest least-soup-like option on the menu. My friends' dishes looked appetizing as well and there were no complaints throughout our lunch. The ban chans on the table were good but it was a bit difficult to get the waitress to do refills on those. Now here is the reason I am giving the restaurant 4 stars instead of 3: like any group of young adults, we skimped out on the tip. We should never have done that considering that nothing was wrong with the service. It was an accident. As we began to walk out, a hostess stopped us and showed us our check and asked us VERY POLITELY that they felt the tip was too low for the entire bill. We were all shocked because, obviously, it was completely unintentional. What I loved about that situation was that the hostess did not make the assumption that we were being rude on person, she did not DEMAND more money for the sake of money, and most of all, she did not blatantly embarrass us. Sure, we FELT embarrassed, but it wasn't because she was publicly shaming us. I think all restaurants should learn to conduct business this way and approach customers with best intentions.

    (4)

  • MtPleasantChica ..

    The food (shrimp bip bim bap, small order of tofu and meat dumplings) was totally delicious. But the service left a lot to be desired. First, I saw a live MOUSE scurrying across the floor; when I told the hostess, she shrugged and said it had come inside from the cold. Ummmm...? Next, I was dining alone at lunch and the hostess tried to seat a party of four at the medium-sized table alongside me in the middle of my meal. When I looked disappointed, she sat a couple with me instead. I know lunch can be busy, but a single diner is still a paying customer. Especially at $34 for lunch.

    (2)

  • Melody H.

    This was a perfect meal on a cold winter's night. It's a wonderful place to go with friends and family. However, like other people have said, there can be a long wait, so plan ahead and make reservations to shorten your wait time. Check out their website: they've got a visual menu to help you if you don't know what a certain dish means... Ask for the side dishes (banchan) if they don't bring it to you! At the beginning of the meal, they give you bit of steamed egg, and at the end of the meal, they give you a bit of this cold cinnamon drink. There are six different types of banchan, including kimchi, turnips, and this fried eggplant and yam soaked in a lemony soy sauce that was delicious!! We got the japchae (19.95) and the kimchi biji (12.95), which I both loved! It is a little on the expensive side for K-town. But, we had a good experience.

    (4)

  • Tommy P.

    Heard about this place from the concierge at the hotel I was staying at [in from out of town - work stuff] and they chose... wisely [Indiana Jones joke for you guys :)]. Really enjoyed the ambiance upon first walking in - the tables are split for smaller groups but you can still peek at other people's dishes. It was a huge help as I'm not entirely familiar with this cuisine. Gave the "bibimbap" a try, and I have no regrets about it. The flavors all balanced wonderfully, and it was fun watching them make it in front of me - felt like it was in a savory Cold Stone Creamery [ice cream shop]. Had to leave a really big tip for the staff out of guilt, as I asked them why the government hates their country when the food is so tasty [there's two different Korean countries, for those of you are are not "geography whizzes" - theirs is the good one]. Loved the food so much, I might become a real connoisseur of this stuff going forward!

    (5)

  • Paul L.

    Redefined my thoughts on traditional Korean cuisine. Food is amazing. Order one dish from every category on the menu and share, it's the way to go. Casseroles are a speciality here. Kimchi Pancakes are top notch!

    (5)

  • Francesca H.

    Ran into a cool guy from Korea at another Korean restaurant today that said this place has the best soondubu ... And then when I looked it up I realized I had been there before for some!! Super good soondubu jjigae... Me and the cool guy would recommend it :P

    (5)

  • Lu L.

    I order the $28 beef BBQ during the lunch. The portion was extreme small. The tofu with beef stew, i only found a little bit of one piece of beef ,but they made their own tofu and can serve u big portion of the tofu. I won't go back

    (3)

  • Alex T.

    Walked in on a Tuesday afternoon and got seated promptly (at a six person table with a divider for other patrons). The waitress was quite friendly, helping explain how to eat a lot of the banchan and our dishes. The kimchi tastes fresh, if that makes any sense. Ate a kimchi soup pot with meat. Not overly spicy, but was hot and bubbly. The tofu, the speciality, was fresh. A bit expensive for many of the meat dishes, but it is authentic taste and feel.

    (3)

  • Vince R.

    I'm not a Korean food expert, but from my experience in the k-town area Cho Dang Gol's food is pretty authentic and freshly made. It was good. I had a bibimbap dish that included some of their homemade tofu, which was one of the things that attracted me to Cho Dang Gol in the first place. (Bonus points for making your tofu in-house!) The servers seemed nice, but I was a little taken aback by their prices. My small bibimbap dish was $20, and most other dishes seemed to be $30+ (during lunch hours.)

    (3)

  • GRACE Z.

    One of the better korean restaurant in midtown that is located away from the busy streets of k town. We came in 15 minutes after they opened for service on a Saturday morning and there were already a couple of tables of customers eating their meals. I take that as a good sign. We were quickly seated. I ordered Dulkke Cham Dubu (soft tofu stew with ground perilla seeds) based on a recommendation from serious eats and a small Haemul Dduk Jun Gol (spicy rice cake casserole with assorted seafood, eggs, vegetables & beef) to share. After we ordered, I was expecting some amazing banchan. But no, the server just looked at our empty table serval times and choose to do nothing. We waited at least 15 minutes for her to finally bring us 5 small plates of banchan: napa cabbage, stir fry shiitake mushroom, bell root, spinach, and broccoli. But my god, they were good. The napa kimchi was the best i have tasted. It was just at its peak ripeness, with the right balance of acidity to go with the saltiness and sweetness. The stir fry mushroom in soy sauce and sugar and a touch of white pepper was delicious. You can tell they put a lot of thought and love into these small dishes. The small casserole was perfect for two person to share. But it was something they should have brought to the table sooner because it took a long time to cook. I don't think taking over 20 minutes to assemble a pot of raw vegetable and seafood is reasonable. As it cooked on our table the banchan were gone and the server didn't offer 2nds. When the casserole was finished cooking the, we were already starving. There were fish cakes, octopus, one small egg, hardly any beef, and lots of cabbage. The casserole was on the sweet side which we both didn't mind. I bit down on a piece of rice cake and spit it out immediately. It was undercooked. But the piece my friend eat was cooked. The rice cake were unevenly cut and way too thick. I think if they cut it thinner, it could reduce the cook time as well. The tofu stew arrive just as we were digging into the casserole. The tofu was average, I had better elsewhere. The perilla paste tasted similar to ground sesame seeds, but it was more coarsely round and it complimented the tofu. The stew also went well with the favors of the casserole. Overall, I felt the service was slow, the prices were expensive, the food overhyped, but I still want to return because compare to the other places on 32nd street, this place felt more at home with the rustic dishes. A 3 and a 1/2 star.

    (3)

  • Randy I.

    I was craving Korean food; didn't want chicken wings; so, based on where I was at (Bryant Park); decided on Cho Dang Gol. It was not too busy; got seated right away. It was a little unusual it was a 6 top table; but they put a divider...So, there was 3 guys on one side and me on the other. Now for the food; I ordered the bibimbop with bulgogi, so, I waited order a soda; because no ice tea; only bad thing with my meal. I got a bowl of homemade tofu; which was great!!! The banchan arrived also there was hot sauce; which was a little hot for me; but it did have much flavor; the banchan was great; I could have had an entire meal of banchan and rice with tea; would have been happy!!! The bibimbop came; I have never gotten it before; but decided to try it. I'm now a fan!!! If all bibimbop is as good as Cho Dang Gol; I will be getting this dish all the time!!! I would like to try something else, but I'm only here another week... Maybe I will go again...

    (4)

  • Chrissy S.

    First attempt dining at Korean restaurant with my husband. Ordered the BBQ spare ribs which was a safe choice but delicious. Also had the kong biji (stew) which was ground soybean stew with pork. They make the tofu fresh and it was amazing. They give a appetizer sample of it to try. Then you finish the meal with fresh ginger tea, which was really refreshing. We were lucky and only had to wait about 15 min for a table. It was really busy, every table was taken. We will definitely be back to try out more things on the menu!

    (4)

  • Christine P.

    We (BF and I) were just walking around NYC (in its glorious muggy NYC weather) and we found this place and thought we would check it out. The hostesses were very very welcoming and all smiley (I'm getting the creeped out feeling and asking myself, "What are these gals up to?" but I just brush it off and we followed them in). We sat down and were handed menus and it hits me! Their welcoming smiles slyly hid the fact that this korean eatery is not a $$ but really a $$$ establishment. OH foul deception! Okay okay dramatics aside... here's my review. Side dishes: The kimchi and egg side dishes were pretty darn good (we totally asked for refills on these babies). Chive filled pancake: It was good (I had some super duper yumtastic ones in San Jose and it has set the bar pretty flipping high). Meat stuff: Bulgogi and galbi dishes were average tasting, nothing that would stick out from many other korean bbq places. Summary: We spent a little over $80 for lunch for okay food :-( My BF and I agree with Patty T., this place is "Overhyped and overpriced." I mean the food wasn't bad, I lurve their kimchi, but I think the prices are a tad too high.

    (3)

  • Mike L.

    Yeah, this is one of my favorite Korean restaurants. It's a bit different, in a good way. Buckwheat flour jeons and homemade tofu. I'm not a 100%, but if you had a gluten free friend, this restaurant might be a good place to go to (but I could be wrong, so don't take my word for it). I like their biji jigae a lot. It's made with their homemade tofu opposed to grinded soybeans, but it's still very delicious.

    (5)

  • Leonard F.

    This is our favorite Korean restaurant in Manhattan and judging by the numbers waiting for a table it is others favorite as well. We tend to get the kimchi stew and a bi bim bap in the stone bowl. The last time we had it with spicy pork and I think that's the best way to do it. They also do a version of "army base stew" which I look forward to trying. Our only complaint is that the seafood pancake is done in a way where it's kind of thick and creamy not thin and crisp. The restaurant has a rustic feel along with a noisy energy which makes it fun for groups but not exactly relaxing or intimate.

    (4)

  • Jessica N.

    Excellent. We had the tofu seafood chijae, the seafood pancake and beef stew. The seafood pancake was very authentic with perfect texture. The stew came with some rice cakes and udon noodles in it. Very tasty. Service was fast and they even stirred the hot pot regularly before it was cooked. Tofu was homemade but chijae soup was a little watery than I am used to. Good Sunday option but beware- like all Korean BBQ places, you will smell of grease after.

    (4)

  • Evan J.

    They had some really good bibimbap but of course the sides are what everyone wants when they go to a Korean place and they did not disappoint. A little bit on the expensive side but I suppose you have to expect that when you're in Manhattan. Ambience and service was what I always expect at a Korean restaurant.

    (3)

  • Daniel C.

    Probably the most authentic Korean restaurant in the NYC tri-state area that comes closest to tasting like food you would eat in Korea. The interior design has the feel of a restaurant you might encounter in Seoul's Insadong district. The fact that there is always a line (both Korean and non-Korean customers) is a testament to its reputation as a great Korean restaurant. The banchan (side dishes) always taste fresh and the servers are more than happy to refill upon request. The soondooboo (soft tofu) is fresh and there is no hint of any MSG in the food. Everything I have had has never disappointed and I tell my friends that although this restaurant isn't the typical Korean bbq place with the grill attached to the table, this is really the place with the best tasting and most authentic food. That may mean little to others but it goes a long way with me. I have heard from others that they use ingredients directly imported from Korea but I have no way of corroborating whether there is truth to that. The place is a bit cramped and sitting near the front will mean you are likely to have waiting diners in close proximity (my only complaint about the place). Again that is just the consequence of doing what they do pretty well: providing good food at a decent price.

    (4)

  • Zack T.

    Went for dinner here with a couple friends. It does get rather packed around dinner time so expect to wait. I had some familiarity with Korean food, but never a menu this in depth. Right off the bat, however, I was disappointed to learn that some of the things they had on their menu they didn't actually have. One of the dishes was stir-fried octopus, which I ordered, only to be told they didn't have it. Not that they ran out, but that they simply didn't serve it despite putting it on the menu. I ordered the stir fry beef and noodles, which was good. Plenty of food, flavor, and spice, and served pretty quickly. Despite disappearing for a while at first, the staff redeemed themselves and served us pretty fast. The main complaint I have about this place is the price. I don't think any of the dishes warranted the price they commanded. My dish was $21, while my friend ordered the short ribs, which were not as ample, and it cost $33. Honestly, it's good food, but not worth the money.

    (3)

  • Eileen J.

    I've been meaning to find a new SDB place in the city since BCD i heard is ridiculously priced now so when my friend suggested this place it sounded cool. I like how they really specialize in tofu and that they give you this simple tofu to start your meal. The sdb itself was pretty delicious and reasonable. It was overall a pretty enjoyable place in the outskirts of Ktown. I will say be prepared for a small wait during peak dining hours as it seems pretty popular.

    (4)

  • Joey K.

    We have 6 people coming after reviewing Yelp's. seafood casserole: broth is so-so comparing to their tofu soon Beef bulgogi: portion is small, meaning pricy Seafood pancake: 6" big, imitation crabmeat + green onion + flour, that's it. 2 seafood Tofu soon: the only recommended. Will come back for lunch special. Side dishes is good but they aren't willing to refill. We asked for twice and gave up.

    (2)

  • Ninja M.

    I been here twice. Service is good, but not great. First time I came; the person that answered the phone messed up the reservation time after I confirmed twice. I went yesterday and I felt a little rushed. The staff member took the whole bowl of rice away and I didn't get the side dishes until the food came. The dumpling was flavorless and the tofu stew was good, not great. Side dishes was good.

    (3)

  • Eric Y.

    Alright! To put it bluntly this is the Best Korean Restaurant in Ktown NYC. Yes you heard me its the best. Its on 35th not on 32nd where most of the Korean restaurants are located. When you walk into Cho Dang Gol you immediately get the feeling that you walked into a Korean restaurant that was built in the turn of the 20th century. Its got a nice rustic woody and traditional vibe that is makes this restaurant unique. Oh yeah.... There usually is a line of people waiting to get a seat.... Luckily, the times I been their didn't have to wait long to get a table. The mark of a good Korean restaurant is the "bahnchan" side dishes. The general rule is; If the bahnchan good... than the main dishes are good. Ok I will have to admit the bahnchan didn't blow me away but everything was decent... not too sweet or salty...Trust me; Its hard to find a restaurant in the city that has decent kimchee..... Bet your wondering what to get.... --Bok-Sam (lettuce, spicy and non-spicy veggies with steamed pork)... It is simply amazing... A bit pricy though. Its probably the best in NYC. --SoonDuBu stew is better here than BCD. You can tell there tofu is home made simply divine and there stew is flavored just right. The tofu melts in you mouth.. Oh yeah! you don't get that fired fish you get a BCD.... No problem excellent SoonDuBoo makes up for that. --Pajon (Korean pancake) is good not overly greasy like some of the other places.. This gets 4 stars because it quite frankly a bit pricy... I only regret is not discovering this treasure sooner. Now stop reading and treat yourself to some homemade "Banchan," "SoonDuBoo" and don't forget the "Bok-Sam." Damn! I'm getting hungry again. Time for another run to Cho Dang Gol.

    (4)

  • Sally C.

    This place is known for their tofu. It's good! I like the variety you can get, even though I usually just end up with the beef or seafood. The tofu is different from the typical soon du bu. There's a slightly different texture - less silky and more milky - than the tofu I'm used to. I like the change. I still like BCD better, which is supposed to reopen in K-town at some point. They also have a lot of good sides, which they will of course refill time and time again.

    (3)

  • Andy S.

    Some say tofu is processed junk. If you're into strictly organic diet, skip this review and this gem of K-town. You will find the best house-made tofu you can taste in NYC here. I've been an avid fan of this place and the tofu they serve for a decade. Seafood and scallion pancake is another traditional Korean dish you can't go wrong with here. Servers and maitre d (if you could call him/her that) are not the friendliest of the Koreans. This ain't Per Se. You come here for nutty tofu, crispy yet soft Korean pancake (called jeon) and decent kalbi.

    (4)

  • Dania S.

    This place is my new favorite spot in K-town!! We were looking for something spicy, warm, and comforting to help us deal with yet another snowstorm this past Saturday. I had heard their tofu stews were unparalleled, but MY GOD I was not expecting this massive of a flavor explosion in my mouth!! I can't even adequately put into words how amazing it was. We got the kimchi tofu stew with beef and it could not have been more perfect. Next time I will try the seafood one that was featured on Food Network's Best Thing I Ever Ate. The banchans were also delicious as well as the seafood scallion pancake. Yes it had fake crab meat, but it was still tasty. It's safe to say I will definitely be coming back here sooner rather than later!!

    (4)

  • Tina Y.

    Biji jijae and Jung Sik is a must! This place is very rustic and homestyle! They specialize in tofu, so if you ever want to get away from Korean BBQ and spring for some tofu based dishes this is the place to go. We went there around 8:30pm on a Friday night and they were packed with a perhaps half-hour to forty minute wait for a party of two. We waited it out and got seated around 9-9:15pm. Once seated, we ordered away. At 10, the restaurant was half empty. I checked my trusty Yelp app and found out that they close at 10:30pm. Most likely they stopped taking new walk-ins after a certain time so that they can close early (relative to other korean restaurants). This early closing leads to a backlog of people trying to eat in around 9pm. The price point was a bit higher that the other korean restaurants in the area, but they can demand a premium if they are they only ones who do tofu right? Perhaps the price is about the same, but you don't get as much food so it feels more expensive. Overall, I would go back if I wanted Tofu! I am still sad they closed BCD Tofu House since I haven't found another place that really specializes in Tofu only. This place seems promising even though its not exactly the same style.

    (4)

  • Hyun J.

    Worth the trip, nicely surprised by authenticity and overall taste.

    (4)

  • Eunice B.

    As a Korean American from Southern California, raised on my grandmother's cooking, I pretty much count everything in Ktown NYC subpar and overpriced. THIS place is a breath of fresh air. I just FEEL healthy afterwards. They do a great job with quality considering the location making them quite busy. Price makes sense for high quality food - the flavor stays true to tradition and makes me think of my grandma. Until they open some good Korean restaurants in Brooklyn I'll keep coming here.

    (5)

  • Fiona L.

    Great great great!! We ordered tons of dishes, and they all taste good! The soybean 'culture' of this restaurant made me feel it's healthier than any other restaurants...hah, maybe that's what they want to achieve... Anyway, the squid is a little bit sweet, but I still like it!! I don't know the exactly name of a kind of beef stew. It's awesome, the meat was soft and yum~ Also, the service is good. I'll definitely come back again~~

    (5)

  • Nin A.

    First off, I love Korean food. I've always left Korean restaurants happy and satisfied. The food is always good, always filling, and the service is always fast.. NOT IN THIS RESTAURANT. Cho Dang Gol is just not a fun place at all. The atmosphere is utterly depressing. The entire staff looks miserable. Nobody ever smiles. The service is horrendous. You have to flag them down for every single thing including ordering your food. Ridic. The banchan takes forever to arrive. I came at 4:30 PM right before the busy dinner time but our party had to wait half hour for the banchan and 45 minutes for the main course. The only thing fast about them is giving you your check to kick you out. 4.5 stars for the bulgogi - it was delicious! 1 star for the service The food is not worth the awful service. I have no plan of coming back ever.

    (2)

  • John C.

    Might be good, but I'll never know. I added my name to the waiting list on a Sunday night and was told about 20 minutes. Waited patiently about 50 minutes and when I asked the hostess how much longer she said there were about 5 more groups ahead of us. There were 5 groups ahead of us when we started waiting. So sadly we left. But having watch the service through the window, I'd say there is disorganization when the place gets busy. Hopefully they will work it out.

    (3)

  • Vivienne G.

    It is just way higher than my expectation. I am not a Korean food fan in fact: rather it is usually not my thing. But I need to revise my taste since this night, for they have the most delicious rice cake here!!!!!!!! It is advisable to go there with more friends and save more. Will recommend it to others.

    (5)

  • Mary W.

    best Korean restaurant in Manhattan for me.

    (5)

  • N. L.

    Very good tofu pot. But services were not good. we were forced to order more than we can eat. Ended up with a whole fish wasted as we were traveling. Prices are a bit high except for the hot pots. $20 for bibimbap? Not again for us.

    (2)

  • Hong D.

    We made a reservation so that we didn't have to wait. The homemade tofu which comes with small dishes smells so good and it seems like steamed egg. We all like the Bulgogi Jun Gol which tastes a little sweet, containing sliced sirloin, mushroom, rice cake, buttercup squash, egg, etc. Sam Gae Tang is a kind of soup which has a whole chicken stuffed with ginseng, glutinous rice, etc. It is so delicious and if you can add some salt into it to make it taste strong. The amount of Gam Ja Jeon is too small: just three pieces. It is made of potato, not special. Ginger tea after the meal is good!

    (5)

  • Sarah K.

    After continuously eating Italian and American food while exploring the city, my family decided that they needed their usual Korean food during our last stay. We ordered just 2 dishes: Bo ssam and Budaejjigae. They were both super delicious! I'm Korean and from LA so I've been to all the best Korean restaurants in ktown. This restaurant was on par or even better than some of the restaurants I've been to. The budaejjigae (not sure what it's called in English, but it's sort of like kimchi stew with spam, sausage, and ramen noodles) was not too salty, which we really appreciated because most budaejjigaes you get at restaurants are way too salty. The meat that came with the bo ssam was tender and the kimchi they provided went along perfectly with the meat. I would highly recommend both dishes. I saw a lot of tables with the bulgogi stew, so that must be good too. The price is much higher than I am used to in LA's ktown, but what can you expect? It's Manhattan, where everything is expensive as hell. Our family of 4 were all very full after ordering those 2 dishes (which are meant for sharing anyway) so the price wasn't bad at all. Can't wait to come back and try some other items on the menu!

    (5)

  • Nel A.

    I've been to this place many times. But never in a large group that wanted to share. I love this kind of group. The things we had were delicious. I'm not a huge kimchee fan but a good one always excites me. Yes food excites me! The spicy tofu trio was my favorite. Ooh it's spicy. But YUM!!! The BBQ is tasty. I think their banchan (bbq side dishes) is the best I've had in the ktown area. The bibimbop is great. I love the beef but I'm sure the others are wonderful. We also had the pork belly with kimchee. Pretty good! Overall amazing food. Service is ok. I think they are always overwhelmed.

    (4)

  • Judy L.

    Long long long line Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Make reservations, folks! It'll save you lots of time. The pork belly was so delicious. This was the first time I had something like this where you had to wrap it in daikon with scallion, fish (?) sauce, kimchee, and lettuce. So delicious. This was the priciest thing we ordered. The portion was quite large, about 2 people worth. The soft tofu stew was alright. The rice was great though. Don't know how they did it. Bulgulgi tasted more like sukiyaki. Very delicious and not dried out. I'd recommend. :) It was a bit on the pricey side.

    (4)

  • Diana Y.

    Not quite on the koreatown block but this is probably the ONLY Korean restaurant in NYC that i thoroughly enjoy! The only reason I frequent other Korean restaurants in the area is purely because nothing else is open at such late hours. and no, the korean food in flushing/jersey/philly/boston/dc is still expensive and doesn't compare to LA!! oh LA i miss all your delicious and cheap korean eats! I love that they provide delicious banchan[side dishes]. And they have house-made tofu and biji!! I LOVE IT. you can order anything and it'll taste like its supposed to. If there comes a day when anyone wants to eat this place, I will NEVER say no... I will even go alone because its worth it. :]

    (5)

  • Michelle R.

    Great, authentic Korean food! Compared to most of the other restaurants in Ktown, the food at CDG tastes healthier and has more of a home-made feel. In fact the entire restaurant give off this vibe, from the traditional decor to the hand-bound menus. Their banchan weren't the most varied I've had, but each dish seemed to have a lot of care put into it. Their kimchi was great -- not too sour and very crispy. Definitely one of the better kimchis I've had. Bulgolgi was perfectly marinated and flavorful, but somehow also tasted light and healthy! It seems they use less oil than other places. I also really enjoyed the seafood cham du bu or tofu stew. The soft tofu had a wonderful nutty flavor and a great texture. Something interesting about CDG is that they mix two textures of tofu. In addition to the soft tofu typical of sundubu, there was a rougher tofu that tasted like frozen tofu. It was still tasty, though I probably would've preferred just the soft tofu. The amount of spice was perfect, though there could've been more seafood. The rice accompanying the tofu stew was just amazing! Perfectly steamed with a texture neither too hard nor too mushy.... went along great with the stew. Lastly we had the seafood and rice cake casserole (the first item on the page with special casseroles). This was a typical Korean stew with beef, rice cakes, seafood, and cabbage. The stew was spicy but had a sweet flavor, which I found interesting. Overall not bad, but probably my least favorite item. They finish you off with a cup of hot ginger tea, which is a nice touch. Officially found my new go-to spot for healthy, authentic Korean dishes.

    (5)

  • Steve K.

    The food is 5-star worthy, without a doubt. I lived in Korea for a year and this place still ranks among the best Korean food I've eaten. I've been here 5+ times and have always enjoyed it. I'm reviewing here because of a recent customer service experience I had at Cho Dang Gol. My parents and I arrived at the restaurant with no reservations (a faux pas, I know), and our name was taken down. Multiple guests arrived after we did, also without reservations, and they were seated before us. We were told the wait would be 10-15 minutes, but waited over 25 minutes before inquiring why we hadn't yet been seated. The hostess was apologetic, and offered to seat us at the next available table. By this point it was too late, as we had 8 p.m. concert tickets and were crunched for time. So, we were forced to leave to go somewhere else for a quicker meal. We left feeling awful. Of course this may have been an honest mistake, but we three were standing within feet of the hostess and staffmembers for the entire duration, and were never once approached or offered assistance. A negative experience all around and, unfortunately, I doubt my parents will ever return. It was their first foray into Korean food, and I hope it wasn't their last.

    (3)

  • Kevin C.

    This is probably the best Korean tofu place in NYC. Way better than BCD. Soon Doo Boo (or Cham Doo Boo, as they call it) is perfectly beany with a soft, velvety texture. Bijee (the bean curd leftover from making tofu) tastes incredibly fresh, probably because they make their own tofu their and as a result, bijee. I haven't tried their Chung Gook Jang, but I did get a whiff of it from a diner next to me and it did smell pretty authentic - pungent, floral and almost like rotting feet. Yes, I know it sounds gross, but similar to some stinky cheeses, it is quite delicious once you get past the smell.

    (4)

  • Parry B.

    STONE BOWL BIBIMBAP and KIMCHI STEW (Pork)! This place is very friendly for Korean people or people who have been here previously. For first timers like me, its a bit difficult. DECOR: It's a very small restaurant located in the Korean neighborhood. The interior is simple and I found this place very cramp with barely too much space to move around during peak hours (we went there at 1 pm on a weekday). FOOD: Despite the description under each item on the menu, I understood nothing. I took help from Yelp and ordered a Chicken Bibimbap and kimchi stew (from the luncheon special menu). To begin with: 1) The waitress served us a small bowl of homemade grated tofu something and soya sauce. We didn't know what to do with it and decided to mix both of them and eat it. 2) Then the waitress served us small bowls of various items/sides (kimchi, pickled fish, seaweed, sauteed mushrooms, raddish, garnished soya sauce and some other fired stuff). Again, we didn't know what to do with that. 3) The kimchi stew was pretty straight forward and is served with white sticky rice. 4) Bibimbap on the other hand is a bowl full of rice, chicken, scrambled eggs, kimchi, pickled fish, seaweed, sauteed mushrooms, raddish, garnished soya sauce and some other fired stuff. You gotto mix it all and eat. It tastes somewhat like a chicken fried rice. It was very low on salt. So I had to add extra salt. Though the dish is marked as 'spicy' in the menu, I did not find it spicy at all. I later figured out that all the other small bowls are extra garnishing for the Bibimbap. In case you want extra flavor of something in your Bibimbap, you can add it. SERVICE: The waiting was for 10-15 minutes. The waitress was very polite. Though she didn't understand English nor could speak it. But she was very helpful. Despite the crowded restaurant and demanding customers, she was able to attend us well.

    (3)

  • Lisa D.

    I came here on a recent Tuesday night and was surprised to see the entire front area filled with people waiting for tables. We were quoted a wait time of ten-fifteen minutes but actually waited for thirty. When the hostess announced that our table was ready, she asked if we were ready to order. I was taken aback at how explicit the staff was making its intended rush-job, especially in light of the prices, which are not at a grab-and-go level. They also forgot to serve us banchan and only brought it when we asked, at which point we were getting to full to enjoy it.

    (3)

  • Jane R.

    Came here for dinner on a Friday with my mom and sister. We ordered: dumplings - we started off with these which are meat and tofu, they're thinner and smaller than chinese dumplings bibimbap - rice, veggies and meat and an egg, all thrown together in a hot stone bowl which they threw together in front of us at the table Korean BBQ - bulgogi- this came with rice and the beef was cut up into smaller pieces with the onions and mushrooms Overall, everything was good and fast. It's a nice restaurant, nicer than I had expected. They also serve beer and wine plus sodas.

    (4)

  • Amy M.

    This is my favorite Korean restaurant in NYC! When I am craving Korean food, this is my go-to spot. I love their Kimchi Biji Jjigae and Spicy Galbi Jim. I highly recommend this place!!

    (5)

  • V L.

    Their regular and beef soondubu is really good! However, their seafood tofu soup was a bit off. Tasted like it wasn't seasoned right. Also, I wouldn't order their tofu/kimchi dish as the tofu comes out burnt. I would definitely return for their regular tofu soup or for their two person meat thing (bossam) but I am not so sure about the other dishes. Also note- like any other place with decent food, this place can be quite a wait during dinner. Either go early like at 5PM or make reservations.

    (4)

  • Rosalina H.

    The best bulgogi I have ever had. Kimchi is so tasty. The line wasn't really bad for saturday night. My son loves the bulgogi very very much.

    (5)

  • Ro N.

    I picked this place and D has never had Korean BBQ. Everything is weird for D, D will not try a lot of things. This is someone that I definitely can't just pick a restaurant and expect D to be okay with the food. I have to make sure the place is not weird or for the adventurous eater. D approved the Korean BBQ and was willing to give it a whirl. I wish they offered more and better banchans. Their kimchee was good, but we didn't get that many variety of banchans. The Galbi here, I really love - marinated perfectly. However, I didn't care for their seafood pancakes here. They put the imitation crab sticks in their version. I hardly got any real seafood. Sigh. This was definitely a disappointment. The other downside is they don't take reservations and they don't even call you if your table is ready. I would come back here with another friend that is more open minded to food.

    (4)

  • David L.

    Best Korean restaurant in NYC. This place can get really busy during lunch and dinner hours, so try to come a little early! I love the side dishes. There are lots of vegetables. Don't be afraid to ask for more. I love their Kimchi Biji. It has excellent texture, probably because they grind the beans themselves! The same thing can be said about their hand-made tofu. They make their own tofu in the back kitchen, so it tastes fresh! It's nothing like store-bought tofu. Dak Kalbi was alright. I felt like my dish was a little too sweet, though. Anyway, if you want to try real Korean food, you should definitely come here. I know I'm definitely coming back.

    (5)

  • Buddy M.

    I wouldn't come here for Korean BBQ; its not really outfitted for that. I mean, they have portable grills. For BBQ I'd stick to the restaurant next door. But when it comes to TOFU. Super nutty flavor you can't find in most places. This place is quite impressive. And they also make a mean Korean rice with all sorts of grains and goodness in it.

    (4)

  • Somin Y.

    -home-made tofu specialty stews (called jjigae) are maybe the best out of the K town. Kimchi+beef tofu is SO GOOD. I had it for saturday lunch while struggling from friday night hangover, and it actually saved me haha.. -pretty good side dishes (called ba

    (4)

  • David N.

    Of the many Korean restaurants my Korean friend has taken me to, this one is probably has been my favorite so far and the reason why? Yes, Korean food is still overpriced but here it seemed reasonable for the portion. It was not on 32nd main street and most importantly, we can enjoy eating it without being scurried out even before the meal was finished. I actually had time to chew and converse! Imagine that ... a novelty for most Korean restaurants. The service was typical for most establishments friendly but curt. The banchan here is better than some of its neighbors as was the kimchi(but I'm no kim chi expert). The Gam ja Jeon came out as little mini pancakes rather than the large one. It was moist and quite good. We shared the Bo-Ssam which came out in a big wok full of goodness. There was a nice selection of leafy greens for wrapping the delicious pork belly. Overall, I enjoyed my time eating here. Even during the dinner rush we ate, talked and enjoyed the meal , lingering for a while as the food digested all awhile never once did the bill come before we asked and the keep refilling our drink. I will certainly be coming back here again. Now if they just served Al Jjigae I'd be in Heaven.

    (4)

  • Jo K.

    Cho Dan Gol is awesome. The food is very traditional/country Korean, so I wouldn't recommend it for people who want standard/generic K-bbq. Their specialty is tofu and anything tofu/soy bean related. Also their tofu is house made and delicious, and the soondooboo is one of my favorites. They're banchans change almost weekly, and they always surprise me with something different that I've never had before. Everything feels very homemade. They also have very different dishes from all the other Korean restaurants like raw soy crab and cold bean noodles. It's Korean comfort food at it's best, and I recommend it more for people who have tried all the generics and want something different. But be warned, prices are a bit higher here compared to the other restaurants around it.

    (5)

  • Grace W.

    It was just okay. Food tasted only okay. Surprised review's rating is so high. Also kind of pricey.

    (1)

  • Amulya R.

    It's definitely Korean ppl who are handling the place! Bibimbap and dakpokki, bulgogi and kimchi hot pot and you will see heaven ! :D love it! Service is great!

    (5)

  • Kris B.

    Skip the crowds in the heart of K-town and head here. Reasonably priced fare, with some interesting dishes I haven't tried before. Go for the kimchi biji and the menu item with pork, kimchi and rice cakes. Have some kalbi and a seafood pancake on the side and you have yourself a meal. Tofu is made in-house which adds more points. Attentive service and a nice ginger based drink at the end came with our check.

    (4)

  • Peter M.

    make no mistake, this is good rustic food, eg, makgeolli and home style dishes. this is food that regular people eat in Korea, but the prices here are a little high, which is ironic for such a type of food. for example, the handmade tofu is $40! yikes. heck, it's probably not even organic. it is good , but nothing special about it. this place has to charge more reasonable prices for home style food. the seafood pancake is not very greasy which is good. banchan is good and fresh looking. they serve a nice ginger tea at the end.

    (3)

  • Kat D.

    Delicious! Excellent spicy kimchi (my favorite) and the bibimbap was really tasty. Would definitely suggest the chicken or pork, the spicy is great. The beef is good but not as flavorful since it isn't spicy. The service is a tad abrupt but they don't rush you and the food comes quickly. Really loved the food itself, would definitely return.

    (4)

  • Jen C.

    I tried their sundubu, dumplings, kimchijeon & bijie soup. Kimchijeon was ok. I don't like their dumplings, the stuffing smells beef/pork fat I really like their bijie soup but their sundubu is just average.

    (3)

  • Daniel L.

    The only place I goto for kimchi tofu soup! You can taste the quality in the tofu since its all organic

    (5)

  • Joey X.

    Cho Dang Gol is known for their tofu, as other reviewers have noted: all the tofu is in made in-house with organic non-GMO soybeans. Two friends and I came here on a Saturday evening around 6:30pm, as they don't take reservations for small parties and there's generally a long line after 6:30. Even so, we waited for about 20-25 minutes before we were seated. Right off the bat, our server gave us samples of warm tofu to start, free or charge. It tasted like solidified soymilk - really good, un-spiced, just plain ol' home-made tofu. It tasted great. We ordered: - kimchee pancake: meh - Tofu tri-plage: pretty good - Vegetable japchae, spicy - dulke cham dubu At the end, they gave us a delicious cup of ginger dates tea, also complementary. Overall, this place is clearly popular based on the line to get a table as well as the well-reviewed tofu. It's more authentic than a few of the other Korean places on 32nd, and overall I would recommend for a delicious authentic Korean meal.

    (4)

  • Derek B.

    Ate here a few years back. The food was pretty decent (we didn't do BBQ for some crazy reason) but a little overpriced for the quantity and quality. Tofu and Bibimbap were both pretty good. Atmosphere was nice, seems like it would be a good date style kBBQ place. I'd give them another shot, but I wasn't super impressed on my fist visit.

    (3)

  • Amy S.

    UGH. WHY DID BCD HAVE TO CLOSE? ): My friend told me there was another tofu place so I came here with him. So yeah, it's definitely not a BCD. It's not as good :/ The tofu wasn't bad, but it just wasn't as good as BCD. The food is not as bad and it's a bit more pricey than BCD, but that's not as bad as the experience I had. 1. The waitresses scoop you rice from the stone pot when your soondoobu comes out, but she barely filled my bowl while she overflowed my friend's bowl. I know I'm being petty, but come on. Shouldn't you be giving us similar portions? -___- And I understand if she gives one of us a bit more, but it was CLEARLY a lot more to him. Like, hello, you should see this. I am hungry too, I want food. After she left he was like "... why did she give you like no rice?" so it wasn't just me. AH all I ask for is that I pay you for this food, give me adequate amounts. 2. The waitresses were kind of snippy with us. They didn't really look us in the eye and while they were at the table, they were inattentive and kept staring off at other tables. They hurriedly gave us the bill and took it away. I don't know, I felt really rushed and unwanted. Sigh.

    (2)

  • Barbara J.

    This is probably one of my favorite places to eat in NYC. I go here one or two times a week. I would highly recommend this place for anyone from someone who never had korean food to those who are korean and love korean food like me. If you go during the peak hours, you might have to wait up to 30 minutes or more. Even if the hostess says 10-15, don't trust her. It will take double the amount. This is the only korean place where I can say the kimchi is pretty good. Other places just serve disgusting kimchi or put in vinegar to mimic the sour taste. The other side dishes are always solid too. It changes everyday so you know that you are always getting something fresh. This is also one of the few places that make the mandoo by hand. One time I came in right when it opened and there were staff still making mandoo in the back. You know that you are not getting cheap ingredients and fillers when you eat here. I literally have tried almost everything on the meny except the bibimbaps because I personally think they are over priced. I love spicy food, but I think the best thing on the menu is the Dulkke Cham dubu. Even if the portion is smaller, it is very solid and filling. Throughout the years, they put in less dulkke, but overall it is still my favorite. Try to skip the appetizers. They are good, but nothing spectacular in my opinion. Also, the dwengjang jjigae and kimchi jjigae are not that special either. They are better than most, but this is a tofu house, so the tofu is a better choice. Unlike other places, the tofu is also make in house too with organic non-GMO soybeans.

    (4)

  • Diana M.

    Make a reservation and avoid the wait time... or come before 6:30pm. The hosts always promise a quick wait, but it is usually not the case. Perhaps their watches are slow, or they're on Korean time but they always say "15 minute" when the wait is usually over 30. You're here for the food, not for the service -- which is efficient enough at best. On to the food... I'd say this is one of the best Korean BBQ restaurants in K-town, though I've been to several and each have their strengths. Cho Dang Gol's (CDG) strength is TOFU. Make sure to ask for it when you order. Sometimes, a small bowl with a sampling of their tofu just comes at the start of the meal but other times they don't offer it up. Ask. Their side dishes are great and other than kimchi is different every time I come in. Their tofu stews are tasty and have great texture. The one with seafood is a particular favorite. And while the BBQ here is very good, I find it comparable to other restaurants in the area. I'll say it again: tofu.

    (4)

  • Mike C.

    Fresh tofu made daily. Best tofu soup and Kalbi Jim in K-Town, but please don't go here. It's already too crowded. The rustic interior is pretty funny, and the service is sporadic, but who cares..... the food is amazing. It's all about the tofu soup. Don't come here for Bibim bop, or any other Korean staple. Just get the tofu, one of the casserole soups, or the Kalbi Jim which is spicy, and you'll go away happy. It is expensive compared to other K-Town places, but it's worth it.

    (5)

  • Su S.

    Maybe because I'm used to Ham Ji Bap in Flushing, I was not that impressed.... My friend got Bul Gogi and I got spicy pollock. She said that bul gogi wasn't very tender..... It wasn't bad, but I've just had better.

    (3)

  • Yongjin K.

    Me and my girlfriend were big fan of cho dang gol. As a Korean couple, we agreed it is genuine Korean dish with good ingredients, low sodium and great side dishes. However, we had crazily bad service last month. We ordered some galbi and bibimbap and my girlfriend found one crawling insect in the rice. We freaked out but we gently asked them about this issue. However, one girl just took that rice and ignored us. She didn't apologize or take any action. We called manager and asked about this issue. However, manager's attitutde was way worse. He just gave me new rice without any word and ignored us again. We called him and asked them to at least explain something to us to understand this situation, but he seemed didn't understand what we are talking and just blamed us we were weird customer and we shouldn't make any argument in the middle of weekend busy time. WHY WE HAVE TO CARE IT IS BUSY TIME OR NOT? We just wanted one simple apology but they even blame us that we are making noise here. Eventually he told us 'ok, ok we are sorry, now you good? Just eat, I don't really know anything here because i'm the weekend manager'. Who cares you are weekend manager or not? Just EAT? We screwed up our good dinner so much and we never been to Cho Dang Gol ever after this. I know it tastes good, but they need to learn how to respect customers before training skill of cook.

    (1)

  • Thi T.

    I love this place but the wait is crazy sometimes. It doesn't matter what time I go there's always a line! After eating the jigae here you won't want to eat anywhere else. They also have the best seafood pancake anywhere. They used to have small and large bit now they only have one size (I think it's the small) but they charge more for it! I've had almost everything on the menu and you cannot go wrong here.

    (4)

  • Amy S.

    Last winter I went to Cho Dang Gol frequently for their seafood soondubu jjigae, so as soon as the weather started to get cold this year, I decided it was time to make a trip to Cho Dang Gol. Too bad their seafood soondubu jjigae isn't as good as I remember it to be. It was a little on the watery side and there just wasn't enough seafood, though the tofu was silky and good. yelp.com/biz_photos/lSQA… Cho Dang Gol is known for their tofu. Even though the soondubu was disappointing, I still love their complimentary homemade tofu. It has a great texture and for homemade tofu, it isn't too crumbly. It also has a great natural flavor that doesn't need any additional seasoning. yelp.com/biz_photos/lSQA… Their banchan is decent and their haemul pajeon it pretty good too, but despite all that I think I need to find a new go-to place for soondubu jjigae.

    (3)

  • Janet B.

    This is one of the two Korean restaurants in Ktown that I've tried and was genuinely satisfied with the food. The seafood jungol is absolutely delicious, so flavorful. It comes with slices of rice cakes and you can add noodles. The portion size was kind of on the small side- there were only like 3 shrimps in the entire thing. We had to ask for rice, and they gave us like one scoop each. The side dishes were varied and pretty good. It was PACKED during lunch hour on a Saturday. The stream of people would not stop! I suggest getting there early.

    (4)

  • Rebecca J.

    Venture away from W32nd to come eat some delicious traditional style Korean food. The menu circulates around a tofu theme, and I don't know much about the different types that are served at the restaurant, but they are all really superb. I absolutely love this place and whenever friends are visiting New York and want some Korean grub, I tell them to stay away from 32nd and come to Cho Dang Gol. It is always full of people and even though you are stuffed after you eat, you don't feel gross. I highly, highly recommend the Stir-Fried Tofu Trio, I forgot what it is called in Korean, but it is the dish that comes with pork belly, pieces of dduk (rice cake), clear noodles, and kimchi all together. Then there are three slices of tofu placed on the edges. It is in similar vein to a Jae Yook Bok Eum dish, but this one is better because of all the extra stuff! I order it every time I come. My one problem was after eating there during lunch time yesterday. I don't know if our waitress was having a bad day, but she was incredibly rude right from the get go. She tossed all the banchan dishes onto the table and would leave the bowls and plate with a clatter as she would run back into the kitchen. I understand that lunch time is a busy time, but unlike other times I have been at Cho Dang Gol, there was no line, and I didn't hear other people calling her over whenever she was doing this. So I don't get why she kept running. She also decided after looking at me and my family that we weren't Korean, even though we were and proceeded to scream at us in English, and wouldn't dare look at us in the eye. It was so weird. I hope this is not how the restaurant treats non-Korean customers because it was very rude and if this had been my first time eating at Cho Dang Gol, I would never come back. Once she realized we were Korean she was a bit nicer, but it wasn't that much of a difference. She would also ask us from time to time if we needed anything, but would move quickly from the table as we were responding. She even made some rather snide remarks when my family ate a lot of the banchan, but we were hungry! None of us had had breakfast! I don't know what the woman's problem with us was because I don't think we did anything. This is why I can't give Cho Dang Gol 5 stars because I really would like to. The food is great.

    (4)

  • Brandon S.

    For our first meal while in the city for business and pleasure we decided on Korean food at Cho Dang Gol after reading very complimentary things about it in Lonely Planet. My wife is a sucker for any place that brings you little bowls of goodies before the meal and we were only a couple blocks away so it was an easy choice to make for us tourists. We weren't disappointed. First of all, we expected more of a dive but instead Cho Dang Gol is very warm and inviting. I can see how it would get packed and frustrating during a busy lunch but for dinner it was very comfortable. We had a very solid and satisfying meal starting with the aforementioned little bowls of kimchee and the like followed by an appetizer that was essentially a fancy spinach omelet (I can't for the life of me remember what it was called and don't see it on their menu). For our entree we had the Boo Dae Jun Gol - a "special casserole" consisting of corn beef, Vienna sausages, Spam, bacon, veggies and noodles in a spicy beef broth. I know it sounds like a weird mix of meats but it was so, so good. My only small complaint is that our waiter treated us like a couple of rubes. He was nice to us, but in a condescending, you look like you are from Nebraska and have never eaten anything spicy, kind of way. Sure it was obvious that we weren't locals and we definitely stood out in the crowd but we knew what we were in for.

    (4)

  • Elise K.

    This is a great restaurant for soondubu (chamdubu as they call it on their menu)! The nakji bokkum (octopus stir fry) is quite tasty. I tried the bibimbap here and it was not so great. I wouldn't try the grilled meats because this place is known for their tofu. If you're looking for grilled meats, try mandangsui a few doors down or go to 32nd St. Try the traditional raspberry wine (bokbunja) with your meal. The service is relatively good - can get a little slow when the restaurant is packed. Weekend dinners there is always a wait. They do take reservations for large parties.

    (4)

  • E G.

    It was pretty crazy how packed it was on a Friday night. Apparently, I'm not used to dining in NYC. The wait was 45 mins for 2, so my BF and I walked next door to our hotel lounge for a drink. When we were done with our drinks, our table was ready! The tofu is made organic so we tried a dish with that along with a seafood pancake. I really liked the food and would love to visit next time (IF my hotel is right next door).

    (4)

  • Claire Y.

    I was rather surprised at the unexpectedly great quality of food here when I took two of my Korean food-virgin friends. We had the galbi and several different soondooboo's (their specialty). As a huuuuge fan of soondooboo (really soft, melt-in-your-mouth tofu), I was ecstatic to have found a place in NEW YORK CITY that specializes in them. Not quite as good as my grandmother's... but still good enough for me to revisit. : ) A bit on the pricey side, I must note. But it's worth every penny.

    (4)

  • Jess P.

    Cho Dang Gol is one of my favorite spots in this stretch of Koreatown in Manhattan (the other is Han Bat). Even though the place was bustling with the lunch crowd (there was a bit of a wait), it manages to feel very cozy and intimate inside. They give you a piece of their custardy, fresh housemade tofu to start and a cup of soothing warm barley tea. The banchan were delicious: tiny salty sautéed anchovies, creamy acorn jelly (dotorimuk) with nori, daikon and cabbage kimchee, string beans with red pepper paste, fritters with root vegetables, and sautéed spinach with a pleasant sesame flavor. I was torn between the cham dubu (soft tofu stew) with beef or seafood, but my Korean colleague pointed out that the seafood is generally better, so I went with that. The soup itself was delicious: hunks of silky and almost curdled tofu, clams, shrimp, egg, and a soothing and mildly spicy red pepper broth. The sticky rice was perfect, and they add barley water to the rest of the rice in the pot for a different, earthy taste at the end. The service was swift and friendly.

    (4)

  • Christopher C.

    Homemade Korean tofu joint. Very busy even on a Tuesday night! You'll see a lot of younger Asian females here who are looking to diet and to eat healthy. Got the traditional seafood pancake. I loved the way this was made, they put the original scallions straight (not chopped) into it. As a huge fan of green onions, I was very impressed. Wasn't packed with flour, making the dish very flavorful. We ate it so fast I didn't get a chance to take a picture. Our entree was a tofu for two. Not sure what they put in it but it tastes healthy. The tofu definitely tasted different than the ones from bcd or other Korean restaurants, a good way. They also provide rice for you to mix the tofu broth with. This was just a bit expensive, scallion seafood pancake and tofu for two came out to about $80 total..

    (4)

  • Vampz L.

    this is one of the local gem places to be at. Whenever I am in NYC ktown I mostly hit this spot! Great place for a hangout with buddies or just a lovely but not fancy meal with your partner...it is crowded and with a half open kitchen where u see them prepare some appetizers. -environment is noisy and a bit oily due to they have hot pots, sizzling plates, and open kitchen -food is great and their homemade tofu is tasty! -very busy environment but the staffs are nice and services really fast Definitely will keep going back to finish the whole menu!

    (4)

  • Gail Q.

    When your friends from Korea tell you they like a specific Korean restaurant for some of its obscure, legit home-style dishes, YOU HAVE WON THE KOREAN RESTAURANT LOTTO! Congrats. Two of my friends brought me here specifically for the tofu (which was crazy good), the side dishes (because they apparently serve a few that are hard to find unless you're at your Grandma's house - in Korea), and some kind of amazing stew that is named something I have both forgotten and likely could not have properly written anyway. All of these things were fantastic. Furthermore! I happen to have the world's dumbest and most irritating food allergy, which is an allium allergy, which means onions and garlic and all that fun stuff MAKE ME DIE INSIDE. So imagine my incredible joy when I learned that the dishes I wanted to try could be made without onions/garlic/shallot/whatever other oniony bastards want to kill me. OMG SO HAPPY. It's embarrassing enough to have a food allergy in a world where so many ***LANGUAGE ALERT!**** entitled cunts feign allergies because it's fashionable and/or they are entitled cunts, but when you have to make your poor server figure out if you CAN eat anything other than the gum from your purse, it's an incredible relief to be met with such nonchalant, accommodating friendliness. I'd even come back here without my awesome Korean friends to unlock the menu secrets for me because this spot is that good. THE END.

    (4)

  • M N.

    I'm going to take off two stars for service. I have been here about 5 times in the last 3 months and I noticed that when I'm not here with my Korean friend, the service suddenly becomes lackluster. Without someone who looks like they're "in the know" we don't get the complimentary homemade tofu, we don't get the barley water to go with our rice when we order Jigae. It's as if they think that they can give us less because they think we don't know better. It actually seems a little racist.

    (3)

  • Edmund M.

    The place has gone downhill. Service was not good and food was very average. The portiion of galbi ($32.95) was barely enough for one person. The JAP CHAE ($20.95) was bland with barely any meat. Spent $300 for dinner and left hungry. We asked that the food not come out all at once and the server said she could not control that....nonsense. I will never go back. There are so many better places. STAY AWAY.

    (1)

  • Yachi C.

    I live the food here! This is the real Korean food! This is a must-visiting place if u are a big fan of Korean food.

    (5)

  • Matthew M.

    A little off from k-town, but it's honestly the best Korean food you can get around here. The tofu is made in house and tastes amazing. The bulgogi stew is a really solid choice-- the broth is sweet, salty, and delicious. The kamjatang is also really good and filling, the meat slides right off the bone and complements the broth well. Seafood pancake was ok, I would've liked it to be seasoned a bit more. In terms of the ban chan, nothing really stands out but nothing was bad. Just make sure to get the tofu. Also, the orange tea at the conclusion of the meal is nice and refreshing.

    (4)

  • Jenny Y.

    Cho Dang Gol has its shining stars though we had some misses on the 2nd visit. Soondubu is made with silky soft housemade tofu and very flavorful. The Japchae was also well-done. Seafood pancakes and their Short Ribs Soup special were unimpressive. Pancakes were overly thick and not crispy. Soup had a simple beef broth (almost pho-like). There were only two slices of meat with a lot of radish. Waitress was lovely and did her best to help us identify the side dishes, so when it may be a good idea to probe when venturing into new dishes.

    (4)

  • Deborah C.

    The food wasn't that good. Personally, I think BCD has way better soft tofu than this place. I didn't really like their house made tofu. I thought it was kinda gross. Their side dishes weren't that great either. The customer service sucks. It wasn't that busy and the food took FOREVER to come out. It was really hard to get the waiters attention. They had a decent amount of workers but it took forever. I asked the waitress for one specific thing but she never even bothered to come back with it. They weren't really accommodating and never bother to check up on us during the meal. Overall. I'm not a fan of this place and won't be returning for sure.

    (1)

  • Elaine H.

    Found out this place by random search, yet it turned out to be a wise choice afterwards. Very typical Korean food with high quality. Ordered the kimchi dudu, which is their homemade tofu, very fresh and soft with Kimchi flavor perfectly absorbed inside. Also got the beef nonspicy cassole, which was good as well. One minor thing about this place is that the waitress seemed not to understand my English, so be prepared to explain what you want in plain sentence.

    (4)

  • Ted C.

    If it weren't for the fact that we were nearby I don't think I would have found this place since it's a little off the beaten path from K-town proper. We were hungry, it looked okay and didn't feel like walking any further. We had to wait for a bit since it was a Saturday night but we got to take a look at the menu and notice their specialty-tofu which wasn't a turn off for me. I ended up getting their regular jigae and I have to say, it's as good if not better than BCD up the street and I think cheaper. The lady got the biji which is ground soybean, something I've never really ever developed a palate for but she loved it and enjoyed eating every bite of it. The banchan is pretty good too and if you go HAM on it they'll be more than happy to give you as much as you want, which I've found to be pretty rare sometimes around NY. Honestly, probably going back this weekend.

    (4)

  • Mary A.

    Lunch today at Cho Dang Gol. Kimchi and beef, and seafood jjigae. Both very rich and delicious. Piping hot, remember to break up the submerged egg as soon as it arrives to keep the yolk liquid. Excellent banchan, especially the sweet/salty squid, very thinly sliced. Right next door to HanBat. We will return again soon!

    (5)

  • Shelley C.

    Really cute place, long wait. Staff and service was very slow though. The food was alright, but I am not the biggest fan of Korean food as it begins. I had the bibimbap and the bulgogi soup. The bulgogi soup was actually pretty delicious, a bit sweet. My bibimbap was kind of only alright to me. This place is super popular so if you like Korean food I'd recommend!

    (3)

  • Ben L.

    I've heard of this place from my faux Korean friend and she swears this place is legit. I am very skeptical regarding the food in ktown since I think it gets lost in translation and there are better options in Queens and Jersey. The restaurant itself seats a lot of people, but there is usually a wait so get there early. I was pretty shocked how small the kitchen was, it's minuscule but they were able to bang out dish after dish, impressive. They also start you off with homemade tofu, which I give them a lot of credit for, but I wasn't the biggest fan. The food: Dak Galbi- marinated boneless chicken with cabbage. I fell in love with this dish when I had it in Korea and I have tried getting it in the states a couple of times since. I like that they use chicken thighs here but I think the pieces were cut a little too thin. In terms of flavor, it does come off on the sweet side, as expected for the city, but the flavor was solid. I also, like the chiffonade of shiso leaf. yelp.com/user_local_phot…

    (4)

  • Alyssa C.

    I came here with my Korean friend, so I did none of the ordering. The food is good and fast. Easy atmosphere, I felt a bit rushed as its a busy place, but some of the best Korean I've had in the city. WE ended up getting: - The Seafood Pancake: I was seriously surprised how good this was and it's really huge. There were chunks of seafood and crab stick, lots of scallions. It was really taste with the scallion sauce they give you. I would definately come back for this. - Beef Bibimbap: I'm not a huge bibimbap fan, so this one was ok for me. Traditional bap, nothing terribly exciting. - Seafood Cham Dubu: Excellent. This dish was perfectly spicy. Awesome tofu- really creamy and smooth. I was very happy with this dish.

    (4)

  • George M.

    LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! I've been here three times, and every time I fall in love again. From the rice wine served in old fashioned wooden cups, to the delicious Pajun dishes, not to mention the best soondubu I have ever had. The wait staff are on point and accommodating. I can't recall much more of what I have eaten, but safe to say this is one of my favorite restaurants in Manhattan, PERIOD!

    (5)

  • Hyeonji L.

    Love this place! They make homemade soybean refuse and it tastes so authentic and reminds me of the one my mom made for me back in Korea! I never tried anything else except their signature dish Kong Biji with kimchi so I cannot tell you about other menus but try that one and have some Makgeolli! It's justa perfect combination :D

    (4)

  • Kevin J.

    Food: 3.75 Stars Service: 3 Stars I came here with a couple of friends for dinner. I wasn't expecting service to be great in the first place, so it wasn't surprising that it was pretty difficult to get any waiter or waitress's attention. I do think this is authentic Korean cuisine but not as tasty as places I've dined at in the Bay Area in California. The biggest reason for the 3 stars I have here is really the pricing. It was basically $20 for a seafood pancake which was quite small, bugolgi for $30 and a tofu soup for about $15. Severely overpriced in my opinion. After glancing at some of the other restaurants in K-town, I can see where the prices are somewhat comparable but to me I'd rather eat other cuisine in face of these exorbitant prices. In terms of the quality of the food, I thought the tofu soup was decent. The Pancake was too thick and not very crisp. Split between four people it was really not even an appetizer. The menu is made out of some really cool paper mache but I wouldn't come here again for the food or service.

    (3)

  • Amy C.

    Any time I'm in ktown, I've brought friends here because the tofu is amazingly fresh and made inhouse. They always start the meal with a sample of fresh tofu. I've tried a lot of the menu and my favorites are usually the seafood dubu and the big pots of stew. Rice with spicy seafood is perfection. And at the end, they serve a tea to help wth digestion. I always leave happy :) Warning: during rush hour, it gets super busy. I've had to make reservations for the weekend busy hours and even then, wasn't seated right away.

    (4)

  • Jocelyn K.

    I hate reducing a star only a week after my first visit, but my second time here wasn't as stellar. My second visit would probably be a 3.5 stars, which I think is still a pretty good rating. Probably depends on what person you get to serve you. The second time around, it was so hard to flag down our waitress. She was courteous but brusque when she interacted with us. It also took forever to bring our banchan. She was conveniently always missing or busy when we wanted to ask for more. We also didn't get the rice soaked in tea. Not sure if this only comes with the biji dishes. Spicy Stir-fried Squid - Not worth getting for the price. This is the smallest portion for $23 I have ever seen. There was hardly any squid, just mostly onions. That being said, the taste was great. I love their sweet and spicy gochujang sauces. Kimchi Jigae - Their tofu is smoother and bouncier than BCD's. It has a somewhat strange texture, but all the jjigae and dubu dishes are always delicious and worth getting. And it's cheaper. This came with three bowls of rice. I think I enjoyed the Kimchi biji more though. Gungjung Dduk Jun Gol - I am not sure if this is worth the $31 price tag for the small, but it really is a delicious dish. It is very warming and savory. Perfect for a cold winter day. The dish consists of rice cakes, fish cakes, cabbage, a hard boiled egg, enoki mushrooms, scallions, onions, and a really tiny amount of fish. We added Korean noodles for $3.95. The Korean noodles are my favorite QQ kind. They cook it on a portable stove for you and then serve it for you. Nice thing though is that they take reservations, unlike BCD Tofu House. On Sunday, I made a Monday reservation for 10 people and they were accommodating. I would try to make a reservation though because this place is packed. You might have to share a table with some strangers, but they put up a screen for you if that is the case.

    (3)

  • Yevheniia G.

    I was here first time today, and I already know that next week I will be also here!!because I really love threat place! Great food, good prices, and really big portions!

    (5)

  • Ro C.

    La H., E, and I effed up and went to this location on a very busy Friday evening during prime dinner rush. They won't seat you if your party is not complete so tell all your usually tardy friends to get there early lest you want to wait an hour after your reserved time. Four stars solely for the food as service left a lot to be desired. They forgot to give us tea and it was long after we were seated that our orders were taken. Food came out fast though but we were rushed out after the last bite was had- probably due to the high volume of customers still waiting for a table. Nevertheless, the food was on point so I'm coming back to try the seafood pancakes, ssam, and galbi preferably on a less busy time of the day.

    (4)

  • Mei4eng ..

    First time trying this restaurant and it is out of this world. Slightly pricey but worth the money. Food - thumbs up, Service - thumbs up! We were a table of 4 so 3 of us got the seafood casserole and the other person got the beef bimbibop. We then ordered, to share, the seafood pancake (a must have) and the potato stir fried noodles (a must have too). Absolutely delicious, we kept eating while putting up our thumbs on each and every dish. Tab came out to $40. bucks a person but we did eat a lot of food. You need to try it to believe it. I loved it and will go back, no doubt.

    (5)

  • Jenny C.

    crowded. loud. good lighting. good food choices. bad menu condition. poor cleaning job. long wait. okay service.

    (3)

  • Yimei M.

    There lies Off-K-town- a mini neighborhood with traditional Korean restaurants of its own. Here, you don't have to wait X amount of minutes for your table at K-town. Service is also fast and efficient just like many of these spots. Better yet, the waiters would never throw you your bill before you're done eating, but only give it to you at your request. Cho Dang Gol is well known for their tofu. Definitely try that if you like the natural taste of soybeans. We ordered a seafood soondubu and kimchi chigae, which were both equally good. The seafood soondubu is worth trying because the broth actually had seafood flavor unlike at other restaurants.

    (4)

  • Haena Y.

    Kimchi Biji Jjigae: tastes homemade and served in large portion in a steaming hot bowl. It definitely satisfied my korean food craving! Cold Soybean Noodle (Kong Gooksu): I had a bite of my friend's and it was just mediocre. Sidedishes (banchan): They were decent, but not the best I've had in K-Town

    (3)

  • Parul G.

    I cannot comment on the authenticity of the food as I am woefully ignorant about "authentic" Korean food.....all I know is that the food was yum yum yummy! I had reservations for a large group and we were seated within 10 minutes of our reservation time. Our waitress (Tiffany) was wonderful! She definitely took care of us and put up with all our chaotic comments and ordering. The hostess on the other hand....well...let's say is scary, rude and felt the need to yell at us when we told her we had another person joining us....poor Tiffany (our waitress) had to calm her down and tell her it wasn't a big deal...they had the room :-O Yea for Tiffany! For drinks I had the plum wine, which was delicate and a little sweet (which I like), however I definitely like the plum wine at Hangawi better. The little side plates that they served with the food were great, we loved all of them except for the beans....they were kind of bland and droopy. :( Here is a run down on some of the dishes we had: - Stuffed mushrooms- good flavor, not too "mushroomy" in flavor....kinda forgettable actually - Chicken (Korean BBQ)- OMG! So good!! This dish was spicy, tangy and just bursting with flavor! Everybody in the group loved it! We liked it so much we ordered it again, it was that good. If you have to order one dish at this restaurant...this one is it! - Kimchi Stone bowl- excellent! This was the best stonebowl that we ordered and we ordered 3 different kinds. The kimchi flavor in this gives it that spicy flavor that I really enjoyed but it wasn't overpowering in any sense. Out of the rice/stone bowls this is the winner! - Chicken Stone bowl- good but not as good as the kimchi one. This had the flavor of the kimchi bowl but I felt that the chicken actually took away from the dish. I wonder if its because the chicken might have been dark meat (which I don't enjoy as much) but overall a good dish. My friends though loved this dish! - Vegetable/Tofu Sone bowl- this was lacking in flavor and nobody really wanted to finish it....not even the vegetarians at the table. So my advice...skip this one. - Mushroom and Tofu Casserole- surprisingly....lacking in flavor! The broth had no taste and the dish overall felt like someone had put vegetables in broth and forgotten to add any spices...including salt! Don't order this, this was the only dish on the table that went unfinished. Overall the food here is great, is it the best Korean food I have had....no....but it is very flavorful. The food is a bit overpriced, which makes me want to go to Hangawi or Kori instead. If you like Korean food or are looking to try Korean food, I would definitely come here.

    (4)

  • Mizuki T.

    I am the Korean food freak and I'm pretty fussy about food, especially Asian food but I think this place has great Korean food. I've been here couple times but my favourite is their Galbi-jjim and Bossam. Short ribs in Gabli-jjim are very tender and succulent, and the sauce is irresistible! I definitely recommend to try Galbi-jjim for at least once. Also Bossam here distinguishes from other places. Usually the bossam I know comes in one big plate with all side dishes together but this place has its own unique style. The pork belly comes in a pot and side dishes come separately so that the meat keeps itself warm while you eat. The pork belly is very tender and juicy with this good herb flavor. The lady working there was nice and friendly and she was very kind to bring more banchan(korean side dishes) when we asked. I would give 5 stars for the taste but the price is a little bit high I think so giving 4 stars!

    (4)

  • Lizi C.

    Excellent tofu although the seafood soondubu was a bit of a let down, they were however quite generous with the seafood in it. Also I did not care for the seafood pancake although the kimchi pancake was quite tasty. We tried a variety of other dishes, too many to remember but they were all decent. Not the best Korean food I've ever had, but overall decent. Summary: Decent Korean food. You certainly could do worst in Ktown.

    (4)

  • Rebecca G.

    I met my friend here for dinner last night and in spite of the Friday rush, were seated in less than 10 minutes! We started out our meal with a small share of the stuffed mushrooms. Filled with tofu and vegetables and served hot, they were delicious. We then continued with shares of the seafood and tofu stew and the sauteed squid, both of which were tasty. The squid wasn't spicy enough for me, though. The sides were good too, especially the tofu. We washed it all down with a bottle of soju. In spite of the agreeable ambiance and higher prices, the service tried to be too fast and too pushy, which made the beginning of the meal a bit stressful; however, I'm glad that we tried somewhere new. That said, we probably will generally stick to BCD Tofu House going forward; after all, it is our go-to place for a reason!

    (4)

  • Claudia C.

    Cho Dang Gol seems to have mixed yelp reviews, and mine falls into the camp of the less favorable. We were looking for an alternative to BCD Tofu House for soondubu and stumbled upon Cho Dang Gol. We arrived at 3pm on a Saturday, so we didn't have to wait. The restaurant itself felt very authentic (everyone was native Korean and was very hospitable) and it had a very cozy ambiance. We decided to order the Bulgogi Stew and Seafood Soondubu, but unfortunately I was quite underwhelmed by both. Both were overly salty and lacked depth in flavor. The Bulgogi stew had an underwhelming amount of meat for $15 (half full in a small stone pot) and as I mentioned, overly salty. I kept reaching for my tea every time I ate some. The Seafood Soondubu was better than the Bulgogi stew, but it was a very basic soondubu that you could probably get in any other Korean restaurant. The banchan (complimentary side dishes) were also just average... Overall, my experience here was not terrible but I would not come here again. There are plenty of tastier (and cheaper) options in the area.

    (3)

  • Renee K.

    CDG is the best Korean restaurant! You can have the ultimate Korean style tofu soup and bibimbob. I highly recommend the kimchi biji and sea food pancake If you are looking for a nice Korean restaurant with kind servers, CDG is for you!

    (5)

  • Lucy B.

    Amazing Korean food! They make their tofu in house so its fresh and sweet...make sure to sample it!

    (5)

  • Angel L.

    Ordered a bulgogi and figured the reason for the $30 price tag was because we were either getting lots and lots of side dishes, or the portion was massive. Nope and nope again. Just your average plate of bulgogi and a small bowl of rice, about 5 small side dishes. And I paid $34 for this??? Is there gold in here I accidently ate???? Maybe I'm spoiled on decent Korean food at $12 or less, but at this price and these kind of reviews, I'd better see SOMETHING more than your basic Beef with sauce with rice, however decent it may taste! Not impressed.

    (2)

  • June K.

    Solid soon du bu! Honestly if you took about 8 dollars off of their price, it is pretty close to the standard special tofu place I used to eat lunch at in Korea. I recently switched my job close to this restaurant and I was so shocked to find so many of non-korean coworkers doing delivery from here. It is a big enough portion (and i eat a lot, not one of those people who can eat like a bird) to share with one person or eat for two days! I have been there for dinner for couple of times and i am not a huge fan of a long line...its good, not mind-blowing... for me at least.

    (4)

  • Brenda L.

    More like 3.5 stars but I round up for the delicious side dishes and the best kimchi I've had yet. I'm guessing this place is known for their fresh in house made tofu as most of the stews contain some form of soybean/ tofu. One of the first things I noticed was that the menu had (I'm assuming) more traditional dishes in addition to the more popularized ones like bibimbap, soondubu's, and japchae. I wanted to try something I've never had or heard of before - so I went with the Kimchi Biji ($13) which was a soybean based stew with kimchi and pork. I'm not sure why I thought it would be more like a miso based stew but it turned out to be along the lines of a tofu mash with a consistency similar to grits. It was still good but I think the porridge like texture wasn't what I was expecting. My friend got the Kong Biji which was exactly the same as Kimchi Biji but without kimchi - it was a bit bland but adding the soy sauce mix to it helped. My other friend got an order of the Kalbi which was delicious - a bit pricey though at $30 in comparison with other similar ktown spots. The kimchi and side dishes were amazing. Honestly best kimchi I've had - perfect amount of seasoning and sauce - not too salty, not too hot, perfect hint of sweet, not too fishy, and to top it off they combine it with daikon radishes to give it a great balance. The mini fried vegetable pancakes were delicious - fresh off the grill. The acorn starch was silky, light, and had just the right amount of sauce. The sauteed hot peppers were full flavor and the tofu appetizer was nice intro taste to what they're known for best. I saw a number of tables get the casserole pots which I'm guessing is a popular item here. The casseroles seemed quite large so it's best to come with a few others and share family style. Overall - not too keen on the Kimchi Biji stew mainly because of the gritty texture and my preference for soup. But the side dishes are great and the other items on the menu look promising.

    (4)

  • Jenny Z.

    This place is known for it's tofu, but it's just about the same as BCD tofu house, hence the 4 stars. But what we loved was their Spicy galbi jjim (beef short ribs)! It was so delicious! the meat was so tender and the sauce was so amazing!!! Oh another thing is their purple rice was not as good as a few other places (like Kunjip). WOuld def be back for more Spicy galbi jjim!

    (4)

  • Adam G.

    I've never been to Korea, but Cho Dang Gol feels like an authentic Korean experience. The atmosphere is fast paced and the wait staff will let you know if you are using the wrong sauce with the wrong dish. The Bibimbap are all excellent and the side dishes are tasty as well. The Bulgogi dishes are also tender and have a great kick to them. Overall, if you are looking for no frills, high quality Korean food, this is a great option.

    (4)

  • Sean A.

    Tofu here is amazing. Several vegan options. Food is fresh and delicious. Second best Korean restaurant in Manhattan. Very good, fresh side dishes.

    (4)

  • Kris L.

    The place was packed early on a Sunday night. (Tip: call ahead and put your name in!) Alright so the hype for this place is that they make their own tofu. We ordered several tofu dishes and the seafood jun appetizer. The seafood jun was perfectly light crispy oily and SOOO thick and tall! Def one of the best I have ever had. The tofu dishes were all fabulous (especially the squid one, very spicy) but to be honest the tofu itself was pretty normal. The flavors bathing to the tofu were wonderful though! One of the best Korean places I've been to in NYC and I'll def be back!

    (4)

  • Canny F.

    Tofu Trio - It sounds like it would be 3 different types of tofu right? NOPE. It's four thinly sliced tofu with a heck lot of kimchee and 6 slices of pork belly. There were many sauces for our meal so I tried all of them with my tofu slice. Mushroom Stone Bowl - I love the various mushrooms. It's been a while since I had this so I enjoyed it. Is it the best I've ever had? No. But I like that they have a mushroom stone bowl. It's quite rare. They have a lot of mushroom options! Vegetable Cham dubu - Loving the amount of tofu they have in here. It wasn't potato-y either so that's a plus. Stuffed mushroom - I think this is stuffed with egg.. Potato, sweet potato, squash pancake - Not as oily as I expected it to be. It was very colorful and appealing to the eye but not so much the mouth. There was a soft, bland, slightly salty tofu dish in the beginning that wanted to be the soft tofu with sweetened sauce that the Chinese serve. I enjoyed it though. It was soft and light. Barely any banchan! This is one of the factors that bought the stars..This is important!! Our waitress seemed stressed out. She was quite rude. She even drew on my partner with her pen! I'm pretty sure it was by accident though since it wasn't art. THE strangest thing happened! She came with a bowl of rice and put it in our bowls..handed it out and took one away! A full bowl of rice away! WHAT?!? Where is she going with that bowl full of rice? Overall, the food wasn't that bad, the service could have been better, I'm still searching for the best Korean joint near Ktown. I wouldn't do a repeat here. Their menu wasn't so juicy either.

    (3)

  • Sandy C.

    They have chung guk jang. That is all. It is THE most aromatic stinkiness -nasty and you know it- strangely delicious stew on the menu! This is the sort of thing only Koreans would eat, and even then, only some Koreans. This is authentic stuff. It's like natto to the 10th power. I do not make this at home for fear that my neighbors will call the police to find the dead body.

    (4)

  • Christina V.

    Once I find something I like, I stick with it. I went to have lunch here with 2 fellow doctoral student friends/colleagues of mine. On this cold winter day, I craved a squid bimbimbap. Pricy for lunch? Very....more so than most other korean places in the general area. But worth every penny..... a perfect marriage of flavors. Awesome spread of Korean bites during lunch - fabulous kimchi, the fresh tofu is delicious if that's your thing (has the texture of and looks like the egg white of a properly poached egg). My friend got a chopped chicken dish that came sizzling and bubbling, which she enjoyed but said was too greasy to take home with her. My other friend got a vegetarian/tofu heavy bimbimbap with a traditional egg on top. She seemed to enjoy it a lot... The only thing I find consistently weird about this place is how they serve hot tea in cheap plastic cups. You have to wait until your hot tea is lukewarm to enjoy it. Also, the lack of a big lunch menu is also perturbing, but I know I'll be back again for the squid bimbimbap.

    (4)

  • Mike H.

    I was staying at the hotel right beside this restaurant in Korea Town NYC and decided to give it a try. It seemed to be busy and the yelp reviews seemed relatively high so my GF and I gave it a shot. We are used to very well priced Korean food in Toronto (usually $8 for a Bibimbap and $11 for a bulgogi meal is the norm) that is always delicious and well made. I suppose the Bloor/Christie area had us spoiled after trying this place out. First of all we were rushed to our seat and we sat beside all the chefs and waiters who were eating and very loud. The server came buy about 3-5 times before we were ready to take our order and we felt a bit rushed. The menu is EXTREMELY expensive for what you get as a Bibimbap can get up to $30US and a Bulgogi meal for one person is about $30US as well. You get a small selection of side dishes, but they won't come by to refill them unless you ask them. That is if you can find a waiter that is paying attention. When we received our order of Bulgogi, it was tiny and about less than 10 thinly sliced pieces of meat. Even the bowl of rice which we shared was only about 1/10th the size of the bowls that the chefs and waiters were eating beside us. Korean rice bowls are small enough and to only have the rice go about half way is fairly cheap in my opinion. As soon as we finished out last bite of paper thin meat, we were rushed with the bill as they wanted to get us out of there. I paid the bill and proceeded to leave, still waiting for my refill of water which never came. Overall the meal cost us about as much as it would have to eat at a fine dining establishment in NYC. For this type of meal in Toronto, we would probably be paying around $20 for two people, but in NYC it cost about 4-5 times as much. Needless to say we won't be coming back.

    (1)

  • Elle L.

    One of the most authentic, healthy, well-run restaurants in Manhattan Korea town! I recommend everyone to try this place at least once! Believe me, I'm a Korean foodie, and this is my go-to spot in ktown! :) Cho dang gol is name of an old Korean neighborhood in Korea that's known for its superior tofu making. Saying that, this place has really authentic and strong tofu dishes. They taste really healthy and clean on top of being delicious! If you are into Korean food, healthy life style, try so,e tofu-related dished from here!

    (5)

  • Victoria W.

    Stumbled into Cho Dang Gol with one of our members who is a celiac but was fairly sure Korean food would be a safe bet. At first it was painful asking whether a certain dish has gluten in it. The servers' English was not great and didn't understand what my friend was asking. Because I've been exposed to Korean accents, I could make out what they were saying to her, but it was amusing interpreting for them, who were all speaking English, but just couldn't understand each other. Anyway after a bit of digging around, our server was really diligent about telling her there's only one thing on their menu that is completely gluten free, which the honesty was greatly appreciated. I ordered the Kimchi Cham Dubu, which was fantastic! Their homemade tofu was excellent and such a treat if you like the soybean taste. Our servers were pretty attentive and we didn't experience the poor service other reviews mentioned. Guess we got lucky with the server and getting there right before it got really busy. (We arrived around 7:15pm). I had a great time all around! The missing star is for the price, but I'm comparing to Korean food in Vancouver, Canada and perhaps it's standard fare here in NY. There were a large number of entrees on the menu above $20, which isn't awful in itself, I've just typically had cheaper Korean menus back home!

    (4)

  • Melissa K.

    Great place for tofu. It's not cheap but pretty authentic. Every great experience I've had was with someone who spoke Korean. I'm not sure if it's made a different for other people. There's usually a wait so I come for lunch. The tofu is so incredible.

    (4)

  • J W.

    We decided to this place for lunch, since we were staying at the Hilton Garden nearby. They have a few vegetarian options on the menu, which intrigued our interest, so it became a nice dining experience for both of us. The food and service was good, and the portions were just the right size, so this place made for a very satisfying lunch. The lighting and the menu text made it hard for me to decide what I wanted to eat, but I just asked for help from our server. All-in-all, I would eat here again if staying in the area.

    (4)

  • Patricia M.

    Not sure why this place has such high ratings...I wasn't very fond of the food or service. Pros: -I was hungry so I guess the food satisfied my hunger Cons: -service was very rushed (made me stressed just watching our server run around!) -food was ok. Nothing special. You can get it at any other Korean restaurant -food portions are small compared to other places (namely the kimchi pancake and jap chae) I was not happy.... -their small dishes were not good -there's usually a wait during dinner times -overpriced! Eh. Nothing special here. Pass.

    (2)

  • Aria C.

    I pretty much grew up eating bibimbap. The sauce really makes all the difference. But since I developed an allergic reaction to it, I always tell the waitstaff to avoid hot sauce like I did this time. However, the waitress put hot sauce in it regardless, saying it won't taste good without it. And another male staff was checking me out when he walked past by and made me uncomfortable. I did not enjoy the experience and wouldn't come back again or recommend this place when they have a one star customer service quality.

    (1)

  • Michelle O.

    Overall, pleasurable experience. I made a reservation for two on a Tuesday evening for 6:15pm and we were seated by 6:10pm which was great. They have attentive and friendly staff which is always helpful too. Regarding the food, I have to give a special shout out to one of the banchan dishes which tasted like a fried delicious vegetable pancake. So, so good! I moaned with satisfaction! :) I ordered the soft tofu and seafood stew which I would really give 3 stars. Tasty enough, especially the soft tofu, but I felt like the seafood was a bit overcooked. Nice decor too-- simple and rustic.

    (4)

  • Lu H.

    Probably my favorite korean restaurant in Manhattan! Not your traditional BBQ house, so if that's what you're looking for, I would go somewhere else. But my recommendation is to get the Spicy Gal Bi Jim - which is a braised, stewed beef that is hands-down better than any BBQ in my opinion. They also serve a good banchan selection with a tofu dish to start that is their specialty (they make in house tofu). Other solid dishes include soon dubu and the kimchi pajeon (pancake) is well-done.

    (5)

  • Sylvia C.

    We branched out of 32nd street restaurants to give this place a shot especially since they make their tofu in house. We came right before the dinner rush so didn't have to wait for a table. Host seated us right away. The server quickly greeted us. I ordered a beer (originally wanted red wine but the server couldn't tell me what type of red wine it was). The server came back with our drinks but did not take off the beer bottle cap or bring a glass with it. Luckily it was a twist off. I had to ask the server for a glass. Between the two of us - we ended up ordering 3 entrees - seafood food soup, beef bulgogi and spicy squid with noodles. The ban chan (side dishes) came after the meal. Service was spotty. The food wasn't all that great - the seafood tofu soup was rather bland and watery (missing the anchovish thickness and flavor), the beef bulgogi was nothing spectacular and the spicy squid was more noodles than squid but had a good spicy kick. Definitely, we made the wrong turn onto 35th street for our Korean food pit stop.

    (3)

  • Leila L.

    Not really sure why this place has such a huge following and high ratings, I've definitely had better food in the area for much cheaper. We waited 45 minutes on a Friday evening for a party of 2, that's not too bad in this area. We ordered a mixed meat casserole and an omelette. The casserole (Budae Jungol) was more than double the price of other locations in K Town, perhaps the restaurant is overcharging to offset the cost of the small plates. We were highly disappointed in the casserole, the broth was bland, the meats were hot dogs and spam, few meats, and even less noodles. The omelette was way overpriced and the service was slow. Unfortunately, we did not enjoy this spot. Restaurant was very busy and very loud.

    (2)

  • Constance A.

    I came here last night with a Korean friend. I'm not sure if my experience was great because I was with a Korean person (you know, the extra food and attention waiters give to their own kind. haha). But the non-koreans who were there seems to be getting the same attention as my friend and I were getting. Hahaha So let me say this right off the bat, the place is pricey but at the same time standard Korean prices. So be prepared to spend $35 to $45 for two people (you know, when you bring your hot date here to impress her, don't bring just $20. This is not 2 Bros Pizza type of place. Haha). About our visit. There was a wait when we arrived. Even a girl who made reservation had to wait about 10 minutes before getting seated. Strangly, my friend and I did not wait at all. We were seated right away after writing his name down (forgot white privilege, it's all about Korean privilege!) At the start of our meal, we got some type of warm tofu appetizer. We didn't order it, so yay for us! I ordered beef soondubu ($13.95 and the cheapest entree on the menu) and my friend got beef bulgogi stew ($14.95). Both food were delicious. First time eating bulgogi stew and I was impressed. Very flavorful! It makes me question the amount of calories in that dish. The side dishes are quick different from BCD but at the same time as delicious as BCD's side dishes. At the end of our meal, they give us a warm cinnamon drink. It was really strong that I wasn't able to drink it. I thought the decor was really nice. Very similar to the Korean traditional restaurants in Korea. The staffs were friendly and attentive and the food was pretty good. Oh they don't give you regular water, but rather rice water. Very delicious!!

    (5)

  • Kaitlyn L.

    I encountered the worst server ever when I was here. Seriously, the waitress asked me for a bigger tip when they didn't work for it? It's against the rules and they are not supposed to do that. Felt like being robbed when she leaned in so many times to see how big of a tip I was going to put on the bill. From some of the other reviews, I see that I was not the only victim of this restaurant's servers' terrible act. Guys if you are reading this before you go, I suggest you try leaving a small tip first and see how they react lol

    (1)

  • Sarah K.

    I came here on a Sunday afternoon craving budaejjigae. This is a really old-school style type of Korean restaurant - where there are limited individual dishes, and more family-sharing style entrees. Be prepared to be of one mind while ordering! Luckily, the people I went with were happy to share the budaejjigae with me - which was plenty enough for 3 people. I was surprised that it didn't come with their home-made tofu, but that disappointment was quickly dismissed when I realized there was bacon in it. Service is great - they do everything for you. Pour your water, ladle your soup, serve your rice, refill your side dishes (without you asking!) make your 'rice porridge' thing, etc. I didn't get the usual, condescending, Korean server that I get at other places. I will return, and hopefully try their home made tofu.

    (5)

  • Valerie C.

    Prefacing this by saying I'm not the most seasoned in NYC Korean bbq so I am sure there are better, but I thought the food here was great! Stuck with can't-go- wrong bibimbap which was great. Accompanied by the seafood and scallion pancake (HIGHLY RECOMMEND- it's huge too). Was extremely satisfied after the meal! Decor and size of restaurant is nice. Service was a bit pushy but whatever. Try it out!

    (4)

  • Yuh-Line N.

    The fresh tofu is indeed amazing. They give you a little ball of it at the beginning of your meal. You can taste the soy beans in all their glory in that tofu. I wish that I could just order a bowl of that... We went with a group of five. The atmosphere in the restaurant was family oriented and the space felt clean and welcoming from the cold. The reservations were easy to make and adjust and they seated us almost immediately even without our party being fully there. They took our order after everyone was seated and we ordered almost completely family style. We shared the mushroom and tofu stew, the kalbi, the bulgogi and we ordered a couple more stews and bibimbaps to round out our meals. The food was seriously on point. The Kalbi was tender and marinated well, the bulgolgi, although the portion was a little smaller than I would have liked for the price, was tasty and well seared. The mushroom and tofu stew was my ultimate favorite. I would have wanted more mushrooms...but I also can't get enough mushrooms in my life! The side dishes (pan chan) weren't the highlight as they are in many of my other favorite korean spots. (Sansoogapsan in Flushing gives whole smelt and a broiled egg dish with their pan chan!) I can't say they are their strong point, except for the opening fresh tofu. I enjoyed the tastes of their kim chi's and a couple of their other sweeter dishes or fried dishes (they had a really nice pan chan of three pieces of tempura...we asked for a couple more rounds of that one), but the rest were almost like space/dish fillers. I will definitely be going back. In Manhattan, this Korean restaurant really stands out for their simple and satisfying menu.

    (4)

  • Naiyi C.

    Heard about their REAL tofu. Went with few friends and tofu did taste... sincere? Anyway food is good. But not that special comparing to other Korean spots nearby. It would have be 4 stars if not the waiters were kinda slow and careless. Guys who were bussing and watering our table were quick and polite though.

    (3)

  • Marie T.

    I love Korean Food. We came here for my Husband's birthday. They were so accommodating of our 16 people party! We did have to split up into two tables. So, I wouldn't recommend having a party any larger than 16. It's a popular spot so it is quite busy during dinner/lunch times. Just expect it coming in. Food overall is good for me! I love their Spicy Tofu Soup!

    (4)

  • Valerie K.

    I would say 3 for food and 4 for service. I've had better dol sot bibimbap but it also wasn't "not" good. Shut up. Eloquent writing got lost between lazy and well, lazy. Take it for what it is please. :) My Little had an order of kalbi which wasn't bad either. Kalbi, however, can't be beat cooking it over a grill vs being brought out pre-cooked. Solely my opinion but she ate every last bite so she may disagree. My friend also ordered a spicy meat dish and while the flavor was good, it almost felt as though the meat was shredded and you couldn't tell what you were eating off the platter. Our server was very accommodating and even while they had to change our tables to accommodate a larger group, they did so politely and apologetically even though the restaurant was bustling with customers eating and also waiting inside and out to be seated. While I work in the area I don't venture much around the neighborhood for restaurants. It was a good reminder to walk an extra block or two for new places to try.

    (4)

  • Leonard L.

    Service and staff are A+ here. In terms of food, it was lacking. The Kimchi Jjigae was watery even with the egg. Plus the broth seemed severely under seasoned . Gabli came out on a hot plate with a few strips of meat plus 2 huge bones. Not much of an issue except that it wasn't flavorful. Maybe it was an off day? I'll have to make a return trip to make sure this wasn't a fluke.

    (2)

  • Light Seeker E.

    Something was on top of me today to go to this place,(the last time was 3 years ago, due to some experience back then, I have forgotten about this place) Today's lunch soup - Short rib, spices, radish Tang - was a pure Hell and ordeal. That was confused fusion. Why did they use that much MSG or artificial flavor? One spoon in my mouth, my tongue was trembling from shock and pain. I couldn't go on, Literally I only ate rice and a couple side dishes. The owner was there. No one asked me how the food is, why I don't touch. I wonder if the owner will eat this. My poor stomach got nauseous and I got sharp pain on my head. Kimchi also has lots of MSG, the only thing causes my headache is from artificial chemical and MSG. I am MSG detector and sensor means i can tolerate to certain degree, most of restaurants use some but not like this place, It was HIGHLY CONCENTRATED MSG SOUP. It will take a couple of days to detox. I am suffering. Don't play games with food. people are eating.. I made donation to get sick today. The servers never look at you. Very Rude and aloof. Eat, pay and Get out! And please throw chipped bowl away. I am not your dog. even dogs deserve better bowl.

    (1)

  • Daisy F.

    Way overpriced food with tiny portion. Not even sold by their infamous hand made tofu. Many restaurants on 32street do better than them. Only nice part is they take reservations.

    (2)

  • Baek H.

    Giving three stars because the waitress who seated us was nice enough to offer recommendations and even make a joke. Would have rounded down if this was not the case. The thing is, I wasn't hungry when I walked in but the wait was so long that I was by the time they began to serve the food. Many tables who ordered after us got their food, but we just sat there forever while the staff kept looking at us as if wondering why we were sitting there. Makes me wonder if they forgot about our order until someone went to check... Anyways, they could have at least given us the banchan first. Instead, all of the food came all at once. It was pretty bad too - so much that, despite being hungry, nobody at the table wanted to finish the food. (Perhaps I ordered the wrong things? In any case the kimchi jigae and bulgogi stew(?) were extremely salty, and while the haemul pajeon was fine it was way too expensive for the portion. Bulgogi bibimbap is okay, though again pretty expensive.) Waiting for the bathroom was also a super uncomfortable experience because the restaurant was already small, but the little hallway they give you to wait in is right between the kitchen and the tables. So you basically had to move out of the way every few seconds... Also didn't particularly like the fact that we had to flag down a waiter for refills every time, and yet they were apparently free enough to inform us that tip wasn't included in the bill (and then enforce that idea by repeating it when I told him I already know...) I don't know, maybe I have a particularly bad memory of this place because I hate when restaurants flag you down for tips. Or maybe you'd have better luck ordering other things. Or maybe it simply doesn't suit my taste. But yeah, next time I'll stop being lazy and walk a few more minutes over to Koreatown.

    (3)

  • Elvi W.

    Authentic korean restaurant.majory of customers are koreans. We ordered the spicy trio with pork which was very tasty and spicy. Bibimbap with pork was average.

    (4)

  • Jason H.

    Really a 4.5. A really good Korean restaurant, somewhat hidden away and a bit apart from Koreantown. The homemade tofu is really nice, it has a great flavor and texture. The traditional complimentary appetizers were all very good - in particular, we liked the pickle kimchi, the pickled kimchi fish, and the fried egg. And they give you more without asking! We had the scallion omelette appetizer from the menu, which was good, but nothing phenomenal. We also had the vegetable tofu stew, which was very good - tofu and vegetables thrown together in a spicy stew. Would be perfect for a winter day. Probably my favorite Korean restaurant right now - I'll come back soon to try other dishes.

    (4)

  • Wendy G.

    My Japanese and Korean coworkers kept mentioning this place, telling me if you want authentic home-cooked Korean food, go check this place out. Finally 6 of us gathered together at the place, doing family style! Seafood casserole (more on the spicy side), beef casserole (soup was a bit sweeter), seafood pancake (you HAVE TO GET THIS!!)... a lot of food and side dishes. At the end of the day, everybody were very satisfied. Cho Dang Gol is great to go with a group and share the casseroles, aka equivalent to Chinese hotpots, and Japanese nabes.

    (4)

  • Dominique D.

    You know how touristy this area can be. We decided to take a chance on this place before heading to a concert. The decor was simple and cozy..it's a pretty small location but the hostess was a pro at splitting up larger tables with a table top partition. Smart. I really can't speak to the authenticity of this place. I've had Korean BBQ several times before (even in Paris) and I just know what tastes good to me. We decided to forgo the appetizers and get straight to our main dishes. Two dishes plus the great spread of banchan beforehand plus a sample of the delicious house made tofu was plenty for two people. Jap Chae - Love those glass noodles and the beef was very flavorful. This was my favorite of the two dishes. Bibimbap with chicken - Great combination of flavors but I would have liked more chicken. Instead of water you get cups of their hot tea. We had no trouble flagging down servers (we were sitting close to the kitchen) to bring refills and they would have brought us water if we needed it. After our meal we received a cold, sweet cinnamon tea which I enjoyed. This place is a bit pricey but that most likely has everything to do with the location. We weren't in the mood for imbibing last night so our bill came to around $44 for two people. If you find yourself looking for a meal in this part of the city this is a great option.

    (4)

  • John W.

    We loved Cho Dang Gol. The atmosphere was cozy, warm and animated. The food was outstanding. Bo Ssam (steamed pork belly with veg wraps) and a small order of the Galbi Jjim-- delicious and flavorful short ribs. Plenty for two. Yum.

    (4)

  • Kevin C.

    This is one of my favorite K-town eateries! The food has a very fresh feeling to it and it's all very tasting. I especially love their homemade tofu - any of their dishes with tofu are great. I had the Kimchi Jigae the other day and it was awesome! They specialize in Korean stews which are the perfect comfort food. The banchan here is fresh and delicious. The scallion pancake banchan is particularly good and not overly oily. They will gladly refill your banchan's upon request, so don't be afraid to ask if you run out. Along with the banchan they also give you a small sample of their homemade tofu. This is one of the best things - it's sweet, soft and tasty. All in all Cho Dang Gol is worth the extra three blocks walk from K-town. The food is seemingly fresher here and everything just seems slightly cleaner. I'm a fan.

    (4)

  • Alex C.

    this place gets packed with local Koreans come dinner time. from what i tell its real korean food but also real korean service. asked multiple times for a straw which never came, but they are very focused to get your food quickly... i was not a huge fan of their stuffed mushroom and thought beef stone bowl was authentic. over all solid experience

    (3)

  • Ina L.

    I'm always complaining about how awful Manhattan's K-Town food is. Well, I found a Korean food alternative, just 3 streets away from K-Town!!! The restaurant isn't a fast grab-n-go, although the waitresses do seem to get a little pushy with the check. The restaurant is as traditionally Korean as it can get- from the décor, to the ajumma waitresses, to the food, so take your time to enjoy your dining experience! It's very rare to find such an establishment in Manhattan. You'd have to trek out to Queens or Fort Lee to enjoy this type of authenticity. They do not take reservations, but you should be seated in 10-15 minutes even during peak dinner time. If you're going during colder months, I'd highly recommend bundling up because you'll most likely be waiting out in the cold due to their lack of a decently-sized waiting area. As for the food, they're decently priced- comparable to that of Keun Jib and Geum Gang San but not as extravagant/expensive as Kristalbelli or Gaonnuri. But the food is more delicious than at any of the four Korean restaurants aforementioned. They apparently make their tofu on premises, so it's super fresh, super soft, and super delicious. If you're a fan of Soon Dobu, I highly recommend ditching BCD for a night and trying Cho Dang Gol. I'd also highly recommend their Kkong Biji. It's a hearty stew consisting primarily of ground up soybean (the same bean used to make toju) and braised oxtail or bone-in beef. They also have a Kimchi Kkong Biji, for those of you who want the little spice. It's a great Korean dish, that not a lot of restaurants have because it is time-consuming to make. This has to be my favorite Korean dish, apart from Kalbi jjim, which they also have at Cho Dang Gol! For you Korean barbecue lovers, they also have Korean barbecue.

    (5)

  • La H.

    This place has really good food. The service is fast and friendly. Expect to wait more than 20 minutes during dinner time though. Also, you must have your entire party with you otherwise they will not seat you.

    (4)

  • Barry T.

    Authentic complete with Korean Speaking staff, and not to mention one of the best Kimchi Jigae in New York City.

    (4)

  • Alexis K.

    I love this place and go every time in am in the area. The food is delicious and plentiful and service is quick, though sometimes a little prickly. I definitely recommend this place for lunch or an informal dinner.

    (4)

  • Fermina C.

    Korean food is one of my favorite Asian cuisine, this place was rated high but I think it's average. I had the Dak bulgogi and bulgogi stew, the stew broth was a bit sweet, both was ok. I had better Korean BBQ (if you're ever in Hawaii go to Sorabol) the best part of my dinner was the service.

    (3)

  • C.C C.

    Fair. The tofu is good, but soodoobu is fresh but a little bit plain. Stir fry octopus, has some flavor but still missing something, ban chan, fresh. Kimchi is fresh and has a decent flavor. Fair, this is all I can say. Will I come back? Maybe, I still want to try the boo Sam, ginseng hen soup, pancake, and pan fried pollack fish. But other than that, not really.

    (3)

  • Andrew E.

    We went two weekends ago as a party of three on a Friday night, and waited about half an hour - worth it. None of us are Korean and are hardly authorities on this kind of food (and we are practically starved of amazing Korean food in Chicago) so take from this review what you want. We were really impressed by the flavors of the banchan (side dishes) and all of our entrees - two orders of seafood sundubu with the house-made tofu, and an order of japchae. We destroyed everything that was edible. The food came out nice and hot, portions were good, and the prices were reasonable. I think I was so preoccupied with the food that all of my communication with the servers there were satisfied grunts. Would definitely come back if we wanted Korean food in NYC.

    (5)

  • Jessica H.

    Trust me, i'm an Annyoung. Just kidding, but really the food here is the most authentic you'll find in ktown. I know they're famous for their homemade tofu but the quality of side dishes served shows that they don't aim to be just homemade. They go for authentic and regional as well. You'll find dishes here that I've only ever seen in less-populous areas of Korea like their Mountain Vegetable BiBimBap (clean eating, anyone?) and Perilla Seed Tofu Stew (SO savory, nutty, delicioussss). This is where I go when i'm really feeling nostalgic for food that I've had in my trips to Korea and a place I leave feeling good about my body. My friends have made the point that you don't feel bloated and sleepy when you eat here- it's a respect for food that keeps them from using MSG. And this is after I've devoured some amazingly marinated short ribs, made spicy with peppers and slices of ginger (made even more awesome with chunks of squash, jujube, and rice cake). Not to mention, this is the only place in ktown respectable enough for korean ajjushis to bring their business partners here for drinks and dinner... Overall definitely expensive...I probably spend $20-30 every time, but it's worth it!

    (5)

  • Alice K.

    Food is expensive, but good Waiters, and especially the hostess, are the worst (that's a nice way of putting it). They won't give a rats ass about you. They seat you, makes you order within 5 minutes and leave (even when there are no other cusomters waiting to be seated) Avoid this place cause service sucks!

    (1)

  • Laura L.

    The tofu here is GREAT. I don't just mean it's cooked well; more than that, the tofu actually has a lovely, subtle flavor on its own (as well as a nice, semi-firm texture). I loved the tofu trio appetizer (though it's kind of expensive at $17.95), which comes with the three parts of the dish separated (and not mixed together like I expected): four big slabs of semi-warm tofu, a mound of kimchi with some oysters mixed in (random!), and four tender slices of pork. Even my date, who was skeptical about the potential deliciousness of tofu, was won over. I also got the vegetable cham dubu, medium spicy ($13.95). Comes piping hot in a stone bowl but isn't as fiery as the soon dubu I'm used to. Still, the broth had great flavor and was packed with lots of tofu and zucchini. Perfect for a chilly evening.

    (4)

  • Ken S.

    KenScale: 8.0/10 Despite being born and raised in Korea, I don't particularly like the Korean dining scene in Manhattan (New Jersey and Flushing in Queens have way better food thanks to the huge population of Korean American immigrants). I feel like restaurants near Korea Town don't have to offer high-quality food since they will inevitably be filled with lots of Korean students, tourists and professionals, as well as curious foreigners who are in love with Korean BBQ. Usually the food that I get in the neighborhood is so overwhelming with MSG instead of offering fresh food with charming subtlety that only Korean cuisine can display. The only exception, however, is Cho Dang Gol, a restaurant known for specializing in fresh tofu. Whenever I have an occasional craving for authentic Korean food in Manhattan, it is my go-to place that consistently delivers a satisying meal. My go-to dish at Cho Dang Gol is Kimchi biji, a traditional Korean dish with thick tofu paste. It is absolutely delicious, with the texture of the tofu paste and flavor that is rich without being overly salty or sweet. You get a bowl of rice from a large hot pot, as well as another bowl of leftover rice crust from the hot pot in hot water. When I visit, I order other dishes to share such as buckwheat pancakes (jeon). On my recent visit, I tried the spicy galbi jjim (spicy ribs in thick stew), and the meat was very tender and juicy. Cho Dang Gol is always packed with people. While reservations are accepted, people usually seem to go there on a walk-in basis, so be prepared for a long wait if you're doing the same. The restaurant has beer, soju (Korean vodka) and makkolli (Korean rice liquor). For Korean culinary experience in Manhattan that is closest to being authentic, Cho Dang Gol is a great option that stands out among other mediocre Korean restaurants in the Korea Town area.

    (4)

  • Michelle P.

    Another great find thanks to all the other yelp reviews! After visiting the big fat man at Macy's Santaland, the family and I found ourselves hungry and looking for a close restaurant that could handle my party of 6. Fortunately for us, we were out of the depths of hell...er, Macy's, by 4:45pm. So across the street, into K-town we ventured until we came across this delicious gem. Probably because of our early dining time, we were able to beat the rush, get seated immediately, have plenty of room for our gigantic stroller (...Hey, don't judge - I have three kids), and even our own coat rack in the corner for all our enormous winter garb. Our food came out to us as quickly as we had placed our orders. I had the bulgogi bibimbap which came out in it's own sizzling hot bowl, as it should. I made the mistake of forgetting to add egg to it, which I highly recommend for bibimbap. It's simply a game changer. My kids shared an order of short ribs which were dee-vine! Grandma had a veggie tofu soup (can't recall the exact name) but it wasn't really spectacular anyway. And finally, the hubby - always in search of the hottest, spiciest item in the menu - he asked the waitress but she couldn't really direct him properly. She told him anything could be made spicy but when he ordered a bulgogi dish, she told him it wouldn't be "that" spicy. Rather than playing a guessing game with the rest of the menu, he stuck to it and said it was ok but I could tell he was disappointed in not being told of their spiciest dish. We would def go back, seeing as it was family friendly. And next time, we'll do a little research in advance to find hubby something spicy enough to send him running for the hills. ;)

    (4)

  • Serena J.

    This place may be my go-to for soft tofu stew. It's so yummy! I always get the seafood soft tofu (I ask for them to make it milder...). It is important that you get there earlier for dinner if you don't plan on waiting for an hour, especially on a freezing evening. The stews are reasonably priced and I am always left full and satisfied!

    (4)

  • Jing X.

    This place gets busy! Our party of 4 came in a little before 6pm when there were a few tables available by the entrance. By the time we left at 7:30pm, there was a crowd forming outside! I left with very mixed feelings about the food and the service. Our waitress was very quick in handing us our menu's, taking our orders, and handing us the check. (The speed of getting our water and food unfortunately, was not as fast.) She explained to us which sauces were for which dish but that was about the only welcoming vibe we got from her. She seemed very irritated and distressed but not with us (hopefully). She also almost forgot about our water and ban chan. Food-wise, it seems like this might be one of those places where only their spicy dishes stand out. I have pretty low tolerance for spicy food so I always order non-spicy food at Korean restaurants. I had the bulgogi bibimbap which was okay if not a bit bland. Also tried the stuffed mushrooms, tofu trio (tofu/kimchi/pork belly), and the buckwheat pancake. They too were alright but needed some flavor. Their cinnamon post-dinner drink though was amazing! Slightly sweet when you sip with a kicking aftertaste. The bathrooms (though clean) were confusing -- there were multiple signs in both Korean and English requesting that we do not flush toilet paper down the toilet. Paper towels, yes I understand, but toilet paper?!

    (2)

  • Basshector J.

    Our waitress was rude to me. It was like she wanted to laugh in my face because I asked her for ssam jang. Was it because she didn't expect me to know what that is? I had asked another waiter for it before but it seemed like he may have -after some time- forgot, so I asked her to bring it with our next round of ban chan (ban chan is complementary small Korean dishes of different pickled things, etc). She kind of threw her hands up in the air and acted like I was rushing her. Attitude. OK, cool. I guess. I got the stir fried pork belly with kimchi. It came with tofu as well on a hot black plate. It was pretty good, a bit muddy in its flavors. It was more kimchi than pork. My guests enjoyed it as well and loved their bibimbap hot pots. One of them had never had Korean food and didn't know what to expect. He likes it a lot and enjoyed every single dish in the ban chan, which was a surprise to me. Even the spicy cuddle fish. Ban chan was the best part of the meal. Will I come back? Probably not.

    (3)

  • Wei V.

    Took my parents there for my mom's birthday. They loved this place and the silky tofu. ::Ambiance:: A very traditional Korean looking place. ::Food:: Love the food! We ordered the Kimchi Pancake (Kimchi Jeon), CDG Dumplings, Bulgogi Jun Gol (casserole), and Haemul Cham Dubu Jigae (seafood tofu stew) for four of us. We were stuffed. Tofu was very silky. Bulgogi Jun Gol was cooked on the table, like hotpot with a very nice broth. Great for a winter day. Love the banchan too. ::Service:: The waitress was very nice. She gave us extra banchan. I would like to go back again to try out the other items.

    (5)

  • Jenny S.

    SOLID korean restaurant a block or two away from K-town! if there wasn't always a wait, i'd probably make this a GO-TO spot for korean food the first time i attempted to eat here the wait was 45 minutes, BUT luckily on a Monday night we were able to get a table in 10 minutes ---complimentary steamed egg: not bad, most places give you a whole bowl but i guess they just give you a scoop here ---6 varieties of banchan: kind of mediocre compared to other restaurants but lots of vegetarian options ---Beef & Kimchi soon dubu: the beef was so tender & the stew was very good! ---complimenary barley tea ---complimentary ginger dessert tea! i want to come back to try their casseroles which are meant to be shared among more people! NOTE: they have lunch specials!

    (4)

  • Maly A.

    Out of all the Asian cuisines I've never really been a big fan of Korean food, which is probably why I have eaten in K-town only twice in all these years. I did however have the bibimbop at an Asian fusion place & liked it so I knew what my 'go-to' dish would be. Recently a friend was visiting from overseas and wanted to try Korean food so a few of us came here for dinner. We picked this place from Yelp based on reviews. The good sign....the place was mobbed (mostly by young Asian-Americans) on a Wednesday night & had a wait. We had made a reservations but still had about a 25 minute wait. We all got beef or shrimp bibimbop. Wasn't too crazy about the kimchi stuff they bring to the table......I'm sure it's perfectly fine, I just don't have much of a taste for it I guess, just my preference. The bibimbop was good though. Very reasonably priced too. So while I won't eat Korean food more than once in a few years (maybe 8), I would come back here when I have that craving for bibimbop.

    (3)

  • Jerry Y.

    A great Korean Restaurant. It was delicious for sure, but not the best K-food I've had but a great choice in case one needs some Korean tofu in-town. I went there several times and spent ~$25 as what I had was tofu all the time. May need to spend more for other stuff.

    (4)

  • Christine H.

    Paid $42 for the seafood and tofu Hun gol, and the seafoods are not fresh at all. Came with one crab and the crab was the super nasty. YIke!! The food was horrible +expensive and the service was bad too! Do not recommended!!

    (1)

  • Mia K.

    This is where my boyfriend and I go for our anniversary. Service is always great-our waitress is always helpful in explaining the menu. The customers are almost all Korean because this place has the most authentic Korean food. Small and cozy with a family feel. Very casual and good pricing for a midtown meal. They always serve tofu as an appetizer and it is the best tofu I have ever had. The texture is crumbly and moist and has a decadent taste. I ordered kimchi beef Sundubu and my boyfriend ordered chicken bibimbap which was pretty pricey. The cinnamon tea served in the end was kind of odd and too sweet but everything else was fantastic.

    (5)

  • Ines K.

    Yes, to this place!!!! Cho Dang Gol is my go to place when I need my Korean food fix. This place is small and always packed. Their food is flavorful and plentiful for the most part, you will find a variety of different dishes to satisfy your stomach on a considerably low budget. I have visited this restaurant a number of times and it never disappoints! from their casseroles to their bibimbap, give them a try if you like authentic korean food!

    (4)

  • William H.

    CDG is a refreshing getaway from the Korea Way monotony. The ambiance is culturally old school, and the cooking is authentically delicious - you almost feel immersed in an ancient Asian household. Most dishes come in huge portions (hence the $30+/dish cost). What makes CDG dishes so great is their home-cooked, "comfort food" orientation. A party of two and I shared: Mushroom Stew - very cleansing and hearty mix of mushrooms, veggies, and mashed tofu (humongous portions) Braised short ribs - definitely an alternative from your sizzling galbi bbq; these ribs are slow cooked, masterfully marinated (the type you want to down with bowls and bowls of rice), and the veggies/rice cake hidden in the pot's bottom are delightful too. Just those two dishes alone were about $80 but fully fed three people. It was absolutely worth it. though. Highly recommened. ps - super cool appetizer (sliced tofu) and after-meal tea (spiced ginger). Gotta love the full-on throwback experience

    (4)

  • Soy C.

    this place used to be one of my favorite Korean restaurants in ktown but they changed owner/chef or something?????! recently having very disappointing experiences. ? I had seafood pancake with some other dishes last night. wouldn't have pancake again here...=_= (I'm korean btw)

    (2)

  • Kristina K.

    Cho Dang Gol left me unimpressed: our food was good but the service sucked on several levels. Even though we were seated at a prime spot in terms of visibility (right in front of the hostess' stand), we had to make multiple requests for everything from getting more tea and a refill on water to having our full order be completed (e.g., 3 bowls of rice for 4 people--the last was never brought despite several requests). We also had to wait quite a bit to order and, on more than one occasion, I practically choked on my chopsticks or risked dropping an albeit lovely bite on a friend when a member of the waitstaff would suddenly reach across at an inopportune time. This isn't a high-stakes game: a 3-second delay or an 'excuse me' would have gone a long way.

    (1)

  • Chris L.

    My college friend wanted to treat me dinner for my bday. I picked this place based on Iron Chef England's segment on 'Best Thing I ever ate'. We skipped out on this place months before because it was too busy. We were lucky that we did not have to wait for a table this time. I told her how the tofu is organic and that the restaurant make it themselves. We both ordered the seafood tofu soup and shared the seafood pancakes. The panchan and the pancake was a ok. I didn't like that it had the fake crab meat and it wasn't crispy. Our soondubu needed more salt or msg. But, It was a good cleaning taste. I'd come back to try the other entrees they offer.

    (3)

  • Alexandra C.

    Thanks Yelpers for leading me to pick this place out of all the rest in Ktown. All of the small plates they serve before the meal were very tasty! Favorite: the veggie pancakes...soo small though.. Wanted to order extra order. Prices at this place though (if not the lunch special) are quite high for the portion size. The mushroom rice in stone pot was absolutely delicious. Pricey at about 19 bucks but worth it to try once. Pork kimchi stew- we thought this would be a lot better than it was -- though tasty it had the tiniest and fewest pieces of pork I have ever seen in a dish! That was a shame..could have been much better. Had to ask for the barley tea..It was very good. No ginger tea was given to us at end of meal even though we asked. :( Service was very nice though. Left feeling hungry still, so wish portions were bigger. Tried as hard as I could to pass by the $1 slice place!

    (4)

  • Simone L.

    I'm waffling on this, because our server and the food were both really, really good. But the wait and the lies from the host team were infuriating and incredibly unprofessional. Breakdown: I went with a group of 7 for my brother in-laws birthday. We had stone bowls, the stew, a slew of fresh tofu and pancakes (the kimchi pancake and stone bowl were incredible, if the second needed salt). The food and Jenny, our server, were phenomenal. I haven't had much experience with korean food, but like, damn, everything was so flavorful. Really stellar food experience. HOWEVER. Our reservation was for 7:30, and being dutiful diners we showed up 5 minutes early to sign in and to get an eta on our table. I was told 5 minutes, they were just finishing resetting the table. 10 minutes later I ask again and I'm told that it will be 2 minutes. Okay, whatever, I've been a host for 4 years and I know how unpredictable it can be, but it seems strange that the table they were clearing off 10 minutes ago is now seated with a group of girls. 15 minutes later and I ask again, and I'm told that the group ahead of us is paying. At this point I'm just sort of lost for words and let my MIL deal with it, but come on. Pro-tip, just be on point with your guests. Be straight forward and honest, tell me it's going to be a half-hour wait because the table before us is taking longer than expected. Don't lie because it's easy enough to catch. Regardless, I will definitely go back, but probably earlier and with a smaller group so we don't get screwed around for 40 minutes.

    (3)

  • Diana L.

    Were it possible, I would give this place ten stars. This is the best Korean food I have had in New England and I live in Seoul now and I still can't wait for the day I return here. The tofu was just remarkable and life affirming. I wish I could get a tofu iv and have this stuff drip into my bloodstream at all times (yes I too have a tough time picturing this but just suspend your imagination). The ban chan was fantastic. The kimchi wonderful, my 2 younger brothers and I had dolsot bibimbap and loved it (best dolsot bibimbap...EVER.) and my boyfriend had the kimchi jjigae with soft tofu- his dish was the best, order that one, remember my remark about the tofu - IT'S SO GOOD AND YOU NEED IT IN YOUR LIFE! They refilled banchan, the makkgoli was DELIGHTFUL and FRESH! Not enough superlatives to describe this place's awesome. Wait outside for a half hour, an hour, whatever it takes. You will not forget it. If you do, you can come to Seoul and yell at me.

    (5)

  • Victoria L.

    I usually have different standards when it comes to eating at old school Korean establishments, they're lower for service but higher for food, and I do this for one reason: I've come to understand, and accept the fact, that there's a key elemental difference in mindset and priorities between them and other more service oriented non-OS Korean places. On their end, it's ALL about turnover. They want you to eat quickly and get out of that chair ASAP to make room for the next person in line, and believe me; they'll let you know when it's time to go. I'm not saying they're deliberately mean by any means, but there is a certain degree of questionable customer service involved in this game of musical chairs. In exchange, on my end, it's ALL about the food. So when they abruptly drop that check on my table as I'm literally taking my last bite, I'll take a hint (and a hike) but you bes' believe it's not for anything less than the best K-food (aside from momma's cooking, of course) money can buy in while "slumming" in K-town. My visit to Cho Dang Gol a few weeks ago was no different in expectation and experience. We got here early during the dinner service, so luckily no waiting was involved but it did get busy fast, and the line that was steadily forming by the entrance was a constant reminder that our clock was ticking down. I appreciated the little lettuce pictures next to the vegetarian options on their menus, although I was a little surprised at their limited selection considering it's a restaurant known for their handmade tofu. We got their Mountain Bibimbab, a vegetarian rendition of a signature Korean dish, which literally means "mixed rice," with seasoned vegetables over a bed of rice, topped with a fried egg, accompanied by a side of gochujang (chili pepper paste) for you to temper to your own heat-tolerance/preference. CDG offers theirs two ways: either on a hot stone or cold (if you must know, we got ours cold). We also split the Buchu Jeon, a pancake like dish, with green onions fried into the batter and served with a side of seasoned soy sauce. It was crispy, not overly oily, and flavorful; and as expected, our meal was both good and hearty. The service was as expected too. My friend prefers ice water but as a default, they serve barley tea instead. It took a while but after several attempts, we managed to track someone down who brought us two glasses of pure, iced H2O. Never mind refills though, that was clearly not happening, and I didn't think it worth the endeavor to pursue it so I drank the tea and reserved my glass of water for my friend in case he finished his and wanted a refill. And of course, without fail, our check was dropped as soon as I was about to finish off the BBB too.

    (4)

  • Laura H.

    Went here with my Mom and her colleagues. Absolutely amazing! I felt like I was back in Korea. Very busy even for people with reservations. Food completly worth it. The bimbimbap is out of this world and it has a real raw egg! Worth it just for that. Would highly recomend for a group of people who like Korean food.

    (5)

  • Kevin L.

    Cho Dang Gol is my favorite go to Korean restaurant for non-KBBQ dishes. The restaurant claims itself to offer hand-made bean curd. 1) Spicy Galbi Jjim This is a highly recommend dish. The dish was flavorful and was savory and sweet with a hint of spiciness. The short rib was extremely tender and easily fell off the bone.The restaurant definitely did a great job braising it till the meat was soft - plus it was not filled with huge chunks of fat. The stew is also filled with rice cakes and slices of squash. 2) Haemul Cham Dubu This seafood tofu stew was extremely filling. The restaurant is very generous with the seafood. You will definitely find much more seafood in this tofu stew than the famous BCD Tofu. The broth is much more stronger and flavorful than BCD. The tofu was soft and silky. They only take reservations for weekdays. Therefore come early during the weekends or be prepared to wait in line as the lines start to build up around 630PM. The service could be better. It was spotty and the waiter was rushing us to order because there was a long waiting line for a table.

    (4)

  • Hannee H.

    For the flavor, I will give 4 stars. But it's way to pricey depending on what you've got. Me and my friend ordered 1 budae jun gol, 1 tofu stuffed mushroom appetizer and traditional rice wine and I spent almost 90 bucks including tip. 90 is acceptable price for korean bbq for 2 people (one woman and one man) but definitely not for a casserole with spam, sausage and grounded beef, ramen and kimchi. Hey, they are all cheap stuff I know it cause I cook Korean food. My friend was surprised at the price because it was on my treat. Back to the food. The casserole is overall good, at least standard flavor that I had when I was in Korea. The mushroom appetizer is really delicious, but also expensive 8 dollars for 5 pieces. The side dishes are very well made and way better than those of other k-town restaurants. Rice wine, I suppose it's brewed by the restaurant, was great, served in a traditional wooden jar(?). The service was very attentive at first, however, the waitress who was responsible for our table was completely missing when we need her to serve us rice soup, refill the side dishes and get the check. I think I will go there again to try something cheaper and something with tofu. I know their specialty is hand-made tofu.

    (3)

  • Pecky P.

    The worst customer service ever! The waitress doesn't smile and doesn't ask if our food is good. She even stand behind checking how much tips we are giving her. The worst part was that she grab our cheque to see if we are tipping her enough before we hAve time to put the cheque back onto the tray. How rude! Definitely not going back.

    (1)

  • Jo C.

    I wasn't that impressed with the food overall. We order the juk suk chamm dubu, haemul chamm dubu, jun ju hae jang guk, and the bulgogi dukkbaegi. On the plus side, they don't seem to use MSG. On the other hand, it was not as flavorful as I had expected after hearing other people recommend this place. It was also difficult to get the attention of the waiters since they were busy, even at 6:30 pm. Overall, I wasn't that impressed with the food and its prestige.

    (4)

  • Aaron L.

    I'm a man. A REAL MAN. The kind that doesn't eat tofu. But I have to admit, this is the best tasting tofu I've eaten, and the only tofu I will ever (willingly) eat again! My dining partner recommended Cho Dang Gol. Unfortunately, the first time we attempted to grab dinner here on a Saturday night, there was a line out the door, so we left due to the half-hour wait. On our second attempt (it was a weeknight, but I don't recall the exact day), we were seated promptly. Our table was equipped with a call button! My dinner partner proclaimed these are available at some restaurants in California. Ironically, we didn't use it when we tried to get another round of banchan (side dishes). Instead, we waved our arms like schoolchildren, eagerly jumping in our chairs as we tried to our teacher's attention. We both ordered Dolsot Bibimbap (my partner-in-crime got the chicken version) which was to our liking. We also ordered a heaping plate of Japchae to share. OMG, it was amazing; the noodles, spices, beef and mushrooms were perfectly balanced to give you that mouthgasm you've been craving.

    (4)

  • Michael M.

    Everything are coming are very slow, even half of table are empty. Serves are poor. Food are average

    (2)

  • Rich S.

    Ok the place is good....but I think for rice in hot stone bowl with meat (beef bimbibop), it's a bit expensive. I mean 20 bucks???? So I'm giving it 2 stars for the quality of food as per the price. I mean for 20 bucks a plate I can go to a really nice Italian restaurant, like Osteria Morini and order a pasta dish for a buck or 2 more. And that pasta will be awesome!!!

    (2)

  • Crystine W.

    Intrigued by the many positive reviews on Yelp, we schlepped on over to Cho Dang Gol, and stayed put in line despite the quote of us needing to endure a wait of 40 minutes. Pros: a. GREAT food (we ordered the Kimchi Pajeon and the veggie soondubu) b. Cozy restaurant atmosphere Cons: a. Long wait b. Service There was something our server did that really threw me off, because I have never seen it done anywhere else. He brought out the soondubu and the white rice that comes in a large stone pot, asked us how much rice I wanted, and I said to him, one for me, one for my cousin who I was dining with, and I asked him to leave the rest. Instead of leaving the rest for us to dabble into later, he instead came back with an empty bowl, scooped the remaining rice into a bowl, and then took it away to another table. We were both VERY confused at this action, so we asked our server about it. He said he took that extra rice away because the order only comes with one rice, and he had already given us an extra bowl. I informed him that I would've gladly paid for the extra rice ... this led us to some awkward silence as he realized that he should've consulted us a little further before getting weird and taking the extra food away. PS - we never got our rice back. We did however, ask for some extra kimchi towards the end of our meal, and he completely forgot about our request. Not sure I'd return based on the service and long wait, but the food is definitely better than the other K-town restaurants.

    (3)

  • Lori L.

    Always on the lookout for a solid Korean soup or stew, I stumbled across Cho Dang Gol. It's a little farther removed from the main conglomeration of restaurants and bars along Ktown's 32nd Street, but a solid backing of reviews and enticing photographs were all I needed to make my way over for a late weekend lunch. The space itself is one of the more pleasant venues I've encountered in the area; the decor is very wood-based and rustic, well-spaced, and with a few eye-catching ornaments strewn across the walls. We had arrived at a semi-awkward hour right in-between lunch and dinner, and although it was fairly quiet, there were still a few other diners that seemed to be on the same schedule. Once seated, we were given some of the bulkiest menus I have yet to find (with paper glued onto plastic meant to resemble slabs of wood), but after a skim of the options, we were quickly able to make our decisions. As at most Korean restaurants, we started off our meal with an array of banchan, which included cabbage kimchi, namul, and oijangajji (pickled cucumbers) - a nice variety of sour and slightly spicy bites to whet our appetites before our main dishes came out. I had eventually decided on the Kimchi Jigae, a fiery red stew that's served in a stone pot. Cho Dang Gol's comes with plenty of kimchi, soft tofu, and beef, all enveloped in a spicy, rich, and bubbling broth; scoop in several spoonfuls of rice, mix, and you're in for one of the best remedies for a cold and rainy day. My friend opted for the Dolsot Bibimbap, a plethora of vegetables and meats served a top a generous portion of white rice in a hot stone pot. She was happy with the quality and taste of her bowl, and immensely enjoyed the "rice cracklings" - the slightly burnt, crunchy kernels of rice that were stuck to the edges of the bowl. All the servers seemed to be smiling ahjummas, friendly and hard-working Korean women that made sure our glasses were refilled and that our food arrived promptly to the table. They didn't bat an eye when we asked for refills on several of our banchan and an extra small bowl of rice. And while English may not be their first language, we had no issues with communicating our orders or any questions that we had about the menu. While I can't speak to what the restaurant is like during peak hours, it's probably a better bet than some of the more popular places given its location on 35th Street. And you'll want to make the trek of just a few additional blocks, especially if you're craving a comforting bowl on a winter day.

    (4)

  • Joel L.

    I went on a Tuesday night and it was about 75% full. The service was nice and quick. The decorations were great. I liked the worn feel of the place because it gave it an authentic vibe. I had the bulgogi and it was really good. It came out quickly but was well cooked. The meat tasted great and was tender. The rice was noticeably good too. Overall, the restaurant is a great find but not extremely memorable. Still worth a visit though.

    (4)

  • Audrey T.

    This restaurant is a solid choice in K-town. Busy, but so is every other restaurant. The moment you step inside, you are engulfed in the warm, wonderful scent of Korean bbq or hot pot. Pick your poison! We came with a group of 5 people, and surprisingly we got a table within 10 minutes. We had the spicy tofu soup, and MAN, it was spicy! I can't handle my spiciness, but even I managed to eat quite a bit. Others who loved spicy food just vacuumed the stuff up. Would we come back? Possibly! The food and atmosphere was homey and tasted legitimate, for pretty reasonable prices.

    (3)

  • Jeanne L.

    Busy on a Saturday night, though not as busy as BCD Tofu House. # Banchan selection: Just 6 items: shiitake mushroom, napa cabbage kimchi, seafood cake, japchae, and spinach. Skimpy compared to other places, but good quality. There were supposed to be refills, but nobody came by to do this. :( # Seafood sundubu jiggae - The broth was initially very spicy. Almost too spicy for me. It got to be less spicy towards the end of the bowl, but then it didn't seem to have as much depth aside from the spice. The tofu itself was very good, with a nice firm and silky texture. Mm there is something special about hand-made tofu. I also loved the generosity of the diced squid. # Bulgolgi stew - I didn't really enjoy this. The bulgolgi itself was good, but the broth left a lot to be desired. It tasted just like the bulgolgi, but more lackluster. Overall there was a lot of promise here, but I wasn't impressed enough for this first visit. I think I'd rather go back to BCD Tofu House for subdubu and their selection of banchan.

    (3)

  • Trang N.

    I guess I still don't really understand why Korean food is so much more expensive than other Asian cuisines. While the bulgogi was good, it wasn't worth almost $30!!! I've had better for cheaper. The dumplings were only average. The decor is cute and it looks like they stay very busy. I'll probably try a different Korean restaurant the next time I'm in Manhattan.

    (3)

  • Sara W.

    Like other reviewers have said, this place is authentically Korean which means the food is good, the ambiance isn't frou frou (cramped, yes), and you aren't going to get too much guidance or explanation from the servers. My boyfriend and I came here on a Friday night with reservations--definitely make reservations! We had the vegetarian leek pancakes which were not greasy and the perfect appetizer, the chicken bi bim bop which had a nice not overly salty or spicy flavor (it didn't have any veggies or the egg on top which we were a little surprised and bummed about--maybe chicken bi bim bop doesn't come with either normally and we're just out of touch), and one of the tofu stews. All were amazing! The tofu is silky and the broth light but packs a punch with spice. The meal ends with a complimentary hot ginger tea which was sweet and the perfect sip/flavor to end the experience.

    (4)

  • David W.

    The food is not bad, but the price are expensive. The service is also very high pressure---the waitress will stand beside you waiting for you to order or pay the bill.. I understand it is a busy night, but don't rush your guests for that extra 1 minute or 30 seconds..

    (3)

  • Wesley D.

    There is a thing called "going back to the basics", which is hard to do nowadays. CDG has done it perfectly!

    (4)

  • David W.

    Looking to fulfill my Korean meat cravings, I ended up here with all of their accolades posted on the window. Unfortunately I think they fall a little short of their 2 stars (okay, very short of that) from the NYT. Got the "large" seafood pancake which for $19, was a high, that thing was maybe a medium at most Korean spots I've been to here (where it's cheaper too). After that we got some Korean barbecue and it was good, but nothing to set it above other places. Also a bowl of bibimbap, good but not great once again. So where does this leave us, a solid three star rating I think. If you're in the area and want a safe choice, this place does the job for Korean. Though I probably wouldn't come back just because the value wasn't there...

    (3)

  • Nichole Y.

    Great spot! My husband and I shared the tofu trio and we're completely satisfied. The side dishes were tasty. The atmosphere was cozy and the staff was friendly. Great place!

    (4)

  • Danielle C.

    Authentic Korean food is done perfectly here - it's one of those places you wish other people don't find about. Get the spicy tofu stew and braised short rib (galbi jjim).

    (5)

  • Ash K.

    While food was okay and their tofu was handmade, they seemed to rush things up and pushed pretty hard for us to leave as early as possible. When I pay 15 dollars for a bowl of soft tofu soup, I believe this should not be the way customers are treated. We ended up leaving the restaurant in 40 minutes and were not happy about it.

    (3)

  • Cristina I.

    This is a review for lunch on a weekday. The place was packed at 1 but we were seated within a few minutes. Overall the food was pretty good- it could have been a 4 star review but the service was very poor. I'm not sure if it's because they were busy, or because we got lunch specials which are in the 12-15 price range rather than the +$20 dishes. After ordering we got 5-6 ban chans (side dishes), we finished it well before our food came out. The ban chan were tasty but the portions were very tiny, and once our food came no one ever stopped by our table except to drop off the check. We never got refills on the ban chan even though the plates were clearly empty and stacked on the side of the table. In addition to no one stopping by, the lady that took our order was across the restaurant the entire time and everyone else working there was running back and forth so we couldn't even get their attention. Our cups were empty even before we got our food and were only filled (we were almost done) after we asked the bus boy cleaning the table next to us. Considering how great service usually is in Korean restaurants and that so many people working there were running back and forth the service was pretty inattentive. But the food is good- so I might give them another try and hope the service is better next time. They make their tofu in house which is nice but the quality of service definitely took away from the meal.

    (3)

  • Suwei L.

    Sen gae tang (chicken soup) is gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!! Kimchi jigae is also good for someone loves spicy food! I really recommend this restaurant.

    (5)

  • Matt C.

    Fantastic bulgogi, great bibimbop and an assortment of excellent sides

    (4)

  • Felix C.

    Definitely Try their BOSSAM! Its good price for the good quality. Other K-Town Restaurants can't match the quality that Cho Dang Gol provides. There is a long line for sure, the person who stands in front and takes down name (tall gentleman with glasses), he has no manners at all. He messed up our order and he just decided to blame everything on us. Apart from the mess up, their food is pretty good for the price.

    (3)

  • C C.

    The food, while on the pricey side, is absolutely delicious. I am not Korean, but Chinese, and I love all types of Asian food. When a Korean friend brought me here, I absolutely fell in love with it. I am a big tofu fan. The waitstaff was very pleasant and courteous.

    (4)

  • Song K.

    Very very satisfied! And believe me, I've visited a number of Korean restaurants in the NY/NJ/Flushing area (yes, the latter of which deserves a distinguished mention). And when I say I'd gladly bring my foodie Korean dad here to try the vegetarian stews, it's a good indicator of its authenticity. ChoDangGol, unlike its peers three blocks down in the bustling block called K-Town, features all of its offering in a single-page menu. If you're looking for Korean barbecue, then head down there. If you're looking for healthy and yet flavorful Korean dishes, then look no further. Like BCD Tofu house, the menu has a number of different tofu stews. But psh, I can find plenty of tofu stews in 90% of Korean restaurants in the city! Determined I'd order something I can't find elsewhere, upon a lengthy q&a session with the waiter about our options, I knew immediately what I wanted - the vegetarian tofu casserole. Sounds like a bland dish? No. This is unlike the tofu stews served steaming in the stone pot. The soup base is thickened with a vegan ingredient called deulggae garu - powdered perilla seeds - which has been showing up everywhere in my mother's kitchen. This really makes the flavor!! There's great heap of mushrooms, vegetables soaking in the yummy soup, tofu, topped with a boiled egg. Attentive, well-informed service. A good selection of Ban-Chan. A calm ambiance (perhaps owing to the fact that it's away from the hustle and bustle of K-town). Decor finished with polished wood from the table to the wall that affords a home-y feeling without losing its authenticity. There needs to be more Korean restaurants in Manhattan that specialize in a few, perfected dishes. Often, lesser is more!

    (5)

  • Suzanne D.

    Got the potatoes pancakes, Korean bbq chicken, and bimbimbop....seasoned well with korean spices, all the sides were worth trying, and the hot tea has a smokey rice and honey taste. My fave of all the sides was the crunchy fish...I had extras :) Only reason I didn't give a 5 is bcuz my friends suggest they had korean food in Maryland that is a lil better. Overall, this was a great first time Korean experience. I lived in ATL for a while and had yet to try it.

    (4)

  • Haruka H.

    Love the kalbijim. So good. I went with my Korean friend and she approved. I wait like half hour even if I have a reservation there. Super packed.

    (4)

  • Dennis J.

    Stopped by with two friends on a week day around noon for lunch and did not have to wait long. We ordered the lunch tofu stew special, and it was quite good and flavorful for a decent price. I had the kimchi and beef one, and it was quite spicy and had tofu that was soft yet firm enough to be transferred to the bowl of rice for eating. We didn't order anything else, but I would definitely come back to have more of the stew or try some of the other food.

    (4)

  • Joy Y.

    My favorite Korean restaurant in the city hands down! I always leave feeling satisfied, not to full, no matter what I ate. The dishes are very hearty and healthy. They use fresh, quality ingredients, and the banchan is always very good! Its my go to place when I'm feeling a little homesick for LA.

    (5)

  • Zenas A.

    Got a reservation for a family at this restaurant. And I have to say, I was surprised by the bulk of food that one order brought along. Although it is VERY pricey (around $40 a casserole and $25 for bulgogi), the food was excellent. If you are to go to this restaurant, I definitely recommend making a reservation first. There will be at least an hour wait if you do not make a reservation and go during peak hours. We ordered 3 casseroles - Classic Kimchi Jun Gol, Budae Jun Gol, and Seafood and Tofu Jun Gol, and of the three, Budae Jun Gol was definitely the most satisfying. It was so satisfying that we took the broth home! The bulgogi was delicious, though I don't think they gave us as much as the price entails. If you are willing to spend a lot of money on good korean food, I'd definitely recommend this place.

    (4)

  • Julia C.

    I usually get the veggie soondooboo without mushrooms. One of my go-to places in K-town.

    (4)

  • Emily C.

    Expect a wait during prime times - no longer than 15-20 minutes. This place is known for their tofu but you MUST get their spicy kalbi jjim, which is an amazing braised short-rib stew with rice cakes, squash and dates - the small is good for 2-3 people to share. You can thank me later.

    (5)

  • David K.

    So delicious! More expensive than LA Korean restaurants, but just as good in the heart of the Big Apple. Their lunch special soups are decently priced. Unlimited small plate appetizers always make the experience.

    (5)

  • Irene P.

    By far my favorite Korean restaurant in the city (referring to Manhattan proper only). I would say that Cho Dang Gol is probably the most "authentic" (if there even really is such a thing with Korean cuisine in the U.S.) of the Korean eateries in the area. I like that they're less obsessed with the most stereotypical of Korean fare (note that I don't necessarily say they don't fall into that trap), pushing alternative options like dakgalbi and bijijjigae rather than your usual bulgogi, galbi, japchae, etc. etc... Alas, I've never found legit dakgalbi anywhere in the U.S. (Cho Dang Gol being no exception), but I do think Cho Dang Gol does some dishes really, really well. LOVE their banchan - there's really never a side dish I dislike here, and their kimchi is PHENOMS, perfectly seasoned and with just enough acidic tang. Their spicy galbijjim is also on-target, as is their bijijjigae. Their kimchi jjigae was just a bit too beefy and rich for me (I generally prefer my kimchi jjigae to be lighter and more acidic), but boyfriend (who's Chinese) liked it. Also amazing was the, I think it was called, health bossam jungshik, with steamed pork, another type of kimchi, and shrimp and down hang sauces with which to season each lettuce- and daikon- wrapped bite. I am subtracting half a star for the dishes not quite on the mark (dakgalbi, another bossam jungshik involving seasoned pork and squid -- didn't contain nearly enough protein) and the SUPER-hurried older waitresses. Give me 30 seconds before you ask for my order! (That said, lady did also card me on my 29th birthday, so I can't hate her too much.)

    (4)

  • C N.

    Perfection, as long as you go early. My friends and I try to have lunch as soon as they open, because this place is so good it is almost always crowded after that! This place made me truly appreciate bean curd, which is wonderful in their bibimbap. Most of the staff is great, especially the older lady we had most recently who was more of a mom than a waitress.

    (5)

  • Melissa H.

    After reading all the wonderful reviews, I decided to stop by here and give it a try with my friend. Comparing to the other busy korean restaurants, cho dang gol has better service where waiters won't rush you to order things and the servers were very polite. However, the food wasn't as good as I expected. I ordered the tofu with beef stew expecting that there would be beef in there and not spicy at all, but when the dish came out, there was no beef at all and it was EXTREMELY spicy. I ate it with rice to calm the spicy taste down, but my tongue was on fire! However, the tofu tasted very good and fresh. On top of the tofu with beef stew, I ordered a small seafood pancake, and i didn't really like it because it tasted kind of bland, and I thought the seafood pancake I got from kunjip was way better with the seasoning and flavors. Overall, the experience was okay and I was a little disappointed with the food despite all the positive reviews.

    (3)

  • Kala P.

    I came here today around 1pm and didn't have to wait. Side dishes and homemade tofu are superb. Bi Bim Bab is delicious but overpriced and not enough to make me full. Soon Du Bu is better than other places in K-town; however, I like BCD's better.

    (4)

  • Joselyn Y.

    Amazing amazing amazing! It's a go-to place for us now when we visit New York. Its that good. And what's more we found on-street parking (WHAT?!) on the same street as the restaurant. I'm no pro at Korean food but damn, this place to me, is delicious! So far everything I ordered from there has been AMAZING (and all had chicken-- since I don't eat red meat). Get ready to wait though, and get ready for a loud sit down. All the times I have been there there has been some waiting time and has been quite loud.

    (5)

  • Mike S.

    When you are the only white boy in the place, you KNOW you are in the right spot! I got so excited when I smelled the food! After living in Seoul for 2 years it isn't always easy finding that special "something" that a good authentic place should have. Cho Dang nailed it! We had the Bulgoki dinner. Tender amazing pieces of beef. You have to ask for lettuce if you want to make your own little bulgoki lettuce wraps(I highly recommend! But a little of each dish and then stuff your face). Can't remember the name, but the milky/creamy sake was really good too. Only thing that could make this place better is if they had floor tables that you could take your shoes off and do it straight traditional styleee. But having that, they'd have about 3 tables in the whole joint. So, no worries. Can't wait to come back!

    (5)

  • Amy Z.

    First we were told the wait would be 30 minutes, but it turned out to be more than an hour. Then a waiter didn't even come over to take our order for 10 minutes. When the food did come, they forgot to bring an order of bibimbop (we waited 45 minutes for it and eventually just cancelled it!). And they had to be reminded twice to bring us the hot sake we ordered. This place should be shut down for their ineptness and their mediocre food.

    (1)

  • Susan D.

    This was probably the best Korean I have ever had. Mind you, I was partially raised by a very traditional Korean family, and went to many a Korean restaurant growing up. Sooo good. The flavors are vibrant and deep. Along with all of the ban chan (side dishes) were great. The kimchi was fresh and perfectly seasoned. The marinated fish was bliss. How do they get the flavor so perfectly balanced and robust?!? The pancake thing (not sure name) was delicious(!!!) I had the mushroom bibimbap. It was wonderfully flavored. I wish I had a little something spicy to add to it. But I didn't even ask, even though I knew they would accommodate me because it tasted so good just as it was. Plenty of food. Quick service. If there is any amount of wait they have you put n your order t insure quick service. Complimentary boli cha. Note that you have to write down your name and the number in the party stay close, she has a soft voice.

    (5)

  • Shirley G.

    Food tastes awesome!! Tofu is pretty good too. Great customer service. The tofu TRIO was pretty cool. LOL I love the side dishes, they just kept coming!!!

    (5)

  • Matthew L.

    Just grabbed lunch here for the first time with my coworker. This place is pretty amazing. We sat down ad were looking at the menu and were a bit scared of the prices, however, the server pointed us to the lunch specials. He recommended that we try the bulgogi and mushroom stew. It was pretty delicious. The place was packed during lunch, however, the servers were attentive. Would definitely recommend, it came out to roughly 13 a person (including tip and tax). We each had one entree and they came with rice, tofu, and the usual Korean small dishes.

    (4)

  • Lyn Q.

    I give this place two starts because the customer service is really bad. They don't know how to serve customer . All of thing they do is just walking around. The food is not that great . I don't know why other people give this place 4 and 5 starts. Horrible customer service !

    (2)

  • Manzana Z.

    wow, The spicy Galbi Jjim is amazing! The best in the menu! Beef is juicy and rice cake is al dente.!But their seafood rice in a hot stone bowl is not as good as expected.

    (4)

  • Maggie W.

    Their tofu is really great! Tried their beef stew, and recommend it!

    (5)

  • Frank C.

    The service sucks!!! I was waiting for side dishes for twenty minutes, and the Koreans next to my table came ten minutes later than me got the side dishes five minutes than me!! And the Korean waiters has refilled their side dishes few times but didn't do the same for me even I asked them at the first time. Until second time I asked, they answered me they forgot! However, they refilled the next table during first time I asked and secondly. By the way, it was in rush time... The food is good, but I won't be there anyway.

    (1)

  • R Y.

    Went back to this restaurant this past weekend because my friends wanted to eat some warm tofu soup, I'm giving them 4 stars, 1 star higher than my previous 3 star review because their ban chan- korean side dishes you eat with rice- was WAAYY better this time. The kimchi boo chim gae- kinchi pancake- was sooo good! and when we asked them for refill, the waiter did so very quickly, The other banchans were very delicious as well, such as fish, kimchi etc.. Tofu soup was pretty much same. I still like my tofu softer and silkier, but today's batch was a bit softer than the previous time I went to this place. I had sesame seed tofu soup and it's smaller than others, but there is a good reason for it! It fills you up quick!! It also tastes SUPER healthy. If it's a bit blend for you, the waiter gives you soysauce to eat with it. My friends get kimchi tofu soup and vegetable tofu soup. They both thoroughly enjoyed their dishes and tried to protect it from me stealing some of their soup. I had much better experience when I went this past weekend. Service was efficient and the food just tasted better. However, still not 5 star worth because I'm still paying $13 bucks for tofu in broth and some of the other stuff on their menu are unreasonably expensive. Overall, I'd go back to see if this past weekend was delicious by chance and to munch on some more banchan when I'm craving them.

    (4)

  • Chef Vlad H.

    My favorite place for Korean lunch/branch! I eat here and bring friends at least once a week. Try soft tofu seafood soup and you will agree it is the best in town. There is one problem though, sometimes you have to wait in line but is not that a mark of a good place? :-))

    (5)

  • Alexandra K.

    I've only ever had Korean food in the most American of settings (The Smith), so this was an exciting meal. I had some sort of stuffed mushroom appetizer, a cold tofu (house specialty), many of the accompaniments that came out with the bibimbop (loved the seaweed), as well as a tofu soup of sorts. It was definitely a departure from my culinary comfort zone as it relates to Asian cuisine, but I'm happy I tried it, and would definitely eat it again. Packed on Christmas Eve, but well worth it.

    (4)

  • Art L.

    Cho Dang Gol is my second review and Korean Restaurant on a 35th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues. Cho Dan Gol is right next to Han Bat and with many similar menu items. However, Cho Dan Gol's menu includes many tofu soup dishes. It's menu is a real eye-catcher as it is priinted on paper that looked highly weathered and falling apart, resembling the Dead Sea Scrolls. Inside you'll find a two-page menu grouped simply as appetizers, stone-rice bowls, pancakes and tofu soups and a few others. As a non-Korean, I really appreciate this as from my experience most Korean restaurant menus are not that clear as to a category. We had the bonchon, which was a step below Han Bat's, next door. 4 out of the 6 dishes were very salty. On the upside, the kimchi was excellent. By comparison, I believe we got 8 dishes at Han Bat. For entrees, we had the seafood tofu soup, plus the "Classic Stone Bowl Bibimbap." The tofu soup was really sweet (not sugary, just a rich tasty broth). There actually was much soup, but the excellent, home-style tofu was superb. There were all these tiny little holes in the tofu. The bibimbap as with Han Bat, next door, was really pasty and wet. On the plus side, there was a huge egg and the stone bowl wasn't so hot, so that it burns the bottom of the rice. I prefer a nice sear. I give the bibimbap a B minus. My three-star rating is also accounted for through my observations of what guests around us were having. It all look good and looked like every thing was in decent portions. Service is excellent and attentive. Our teacups were filled without asking. Prices on the other hand were a bit high with the exception of the tofu soups. I liked the atmosphere as traditional Christmas tunes were playing in my head long after the dinner!

    (3)

  • Alison C.

    I know it's zagat-rated and its interior design is nice. I've only been here once and have zero motivation to go back. This place is way much overrated! It's too pricey and the mediocre bibimbap I ordered came as a very small size.The pancake is too greasy. Later the waitress came and bitched about we weren't tipping enough. Every time I am amazed by the number of people who are waiting in line though.

    (2)

  • Zhi Man H.

    Came her with my girlfriend Friday night for some Korean food. If you look at their menu, you'll see that they only have three Korean bbq dishes so this isn't your normal Korean bbq place. There is no grill on the table. All dishes are brought from the kitchen. We got there at around 6pm so we got a table right away, which is good because people had to wait for tables 20 minutes later. We only got five dishes of banchan (small free side dishes such as kimchi) so don't expect Flushing portions. We ordered the vegetarian grill pancake, bulgogi bibimbop, galbi bbq, and bulgogi bbq. Service was a little slow and it took a while for our food to come out. All the dishes were pretty good. My girlfriend especially liked the galbi bbq. My bibimbop was great. Total bill came to $90 for four dishes ($115 after tax and tips) so it's pricey. Overall, it was a good experience with good food. Service was a little slow but the food was good.

    (4)

  • Athena C.

    This has turned into my favorite Korean restaurant in town. I came here with coworkers, including 1 Korean. While we were seated, we were still waiting for my husband. I was worried they would rush us or wouldn't let us sit down unless the whole party has arrived. To my surprise, they were very patient and let us sit and wait while serving us side dishes. So we ended up ordering first anyway because they told us not to worry about waiting around. We ordered the tofu pots, bibimbop,seafood pancake and stir-fried octopus. The sides first of all, were very fresh and the refills keep coming without being asked. The kimchi tofu pot was amazing! It is even better than BCD in my opinion. The tofu tastes really natural and the broth isn't overly salty. I don't feel so bloated afterwards. The seafood pancake is a little soggy but the ingredients are again fresh and not greasy. The bibimbop on the other hand, is probably one of the best I have had too. It is a little pricy but it is so worth it! The only dish I didn't like as much is the spicy octopus. It felt like it was not cooked through completely. We had to send it back to get cooked again. But it came out much better the second time around. Overall, it was a great experience and surprisingly relaxing. I would definitely come here again.

    (4)

  • Lily T.

    Came here to on NYE with a group of friends. They were very nice accommodating such a large group of us with reservation (10). And all of us arrived at different times, and they did not throw the everyone needs to show up in order to be seated crap They started us with this salty tofu soup that tasted kind of weird. The little dishes were pretty decent. I liked the little marinated fish they gave us We got the seafood pancake, and I can say, it's probably the worst seafood pancake I have had. It didn't have any seafood in it that we could actually see and it tasted very starchy and bland... For the main dishes, we had the spicy pork belly with tofu, soondubu, galbi and this beef stew Everything was just ok. Not great. The soondubu was definitely a disappointment after I hear everyone here raving about how great it is...it's not as good as BCD...too bad BCD is closing down The staffs were nice enough not rushing us out of the place, cuz we were there for quiet a long time. But I thought the food was just ok Don't mind returning here again if friends want to

    (3)

  • Kandi K.

    Authentic Korean food . Delivered to table steaming hot , so many choices . Looked around and I wanted what everyone else ordered . Attentive staff , great choice on a cold, rainy day.

    (4)

  • Eva G.

    Our dishes (the "kimchi tofu stew" ($11.95) and the "rice bowl made with mineral water" ($23.95) took extra time to get to our table, but you have to bear in mind: there's not many restaurants that will make your tofu in-house, fresh. Now THIS is fresh soybean curd. You can see them make it when you pass by the kitchen. Its texture is buttery and silken, unlike any kitchen sponges served at low-key tofu restaurants. Yes, BCD is good, but for a little premium, you can take pleasure in a heartily homespun delight here at Cho Dang Gol.

    (5)

  • Harley Q.

    Tofu lover paradise. As a tofu fanatic, I thought I was in heaven. After you order, they serve you a bowl of homemade fresh tofu. Not a lot of places can make tofu well, but here, you can certainly taste the soy. My friends and I ordered the seafood pancake, a soup, and spicy squid. The pancake: too much flour. I think you can do a much better job blending in the squid, scallops, and peppers. How? By improving on the knifework. If you slice the peppers thinner and use less flour, the pancake might come out more tasteful and the squid might be less chewy due to over-cooking. Please, stop over-cooking the squid. I thought I was chewing rubber. Were you trying to test my jaw strength because I had the tofu earlier? But you know what? Squids are tricky. It's really a hit or miss depending how busy your night was. Just watch the stove for them. Nonetheless, I still love your tofu. The soup, I can't remember. That's not good. You wowed me with the free tofu and then splat, I can't remember anything else that came afterwards. Like taking a wonderdrug. Kids, don't do drugs though! Do the tofu here instead.

    (3)

  • Cate F.

    This place was recommended to us by a Korean friend who just moved to the U.S. a couple of years ago and she did not steer us wrong - everything was absolutely delicious. The homemade tofu they bring out first is really good and while all the banchan were also all very good, we all agreed the kimchee was amazing. Soybean stew was very hearty and they were extremely accommodating of our vegan friend who was with us. Lots of vegetarians items on the menu as well. Decor was cozy and staff was friendly and helpful despite it being crazy busy. Will definitely go again next time we're in NYC. (Reservation recommended - we waited about 25 minutes for a table and we got there right before the dinner rush.)

    (5)

  • Bubble T.

    yeah yeah the tofu is fresh and made daily but the flavors of the dishes are lacking something there's a missing ingredient that makes the dish (maybe it's MSG, i dont know) I've been there a couple of times just to test it out once again but again i just wasnt convinced there's something missing in their dishes it's not bland all dishes have its flavors but it's just not elevated

    (3)

  • Oscar W.

    Crowded on a Saturday night, bit still only had 5 minutes wait. Obviously a local korean hang out place - packed with koreans in groups and families. We had the beef bimbimbon and balgogi don - not impressed with bimbimbon but the balgogi was really juicy and tasty. The traditional korean plum wine and the warm waitress were a plus.

    (3)

  • Elizabeth B.

    Every Survivor fan knows the crispy rice burnt on the bottom of the bowl is the best part. The Kimchi Lava Bowls at Cho Dang Gol are a treasure trove of the golden crunchy bits. The bowl also comes filled with good stuff like Kimchi of course, and your choice of meat, and bits of onion and mushroom and a bunch of other stuff that Korean people can probably identify but I can't. The menu comes in a charming book and the decor transports you to a little Korean village.

    (4)

  • Starr C.

    First, non-food aspects. The decor was really nice. I loved little touches like the menu and the little jars of pickled ginseng or whatever (real or not) on the walls. The staff was very friendly and attentive, especially given that it was New Year's Eve during the dinner rush and, I'll admit, my party was there for an extremely long time. AND the bathroom was adorable, I just have to throw that out there. Not sure why, but I liked it. I always get scared going to the bathroom when I'm in the city, but this is a place you can go, although it's a single-person facility (one for each sex). Now on to the food. The food was really really tasty. I was scared that we wouldn't get banchan at first, but we got a few small dishes. The kimchi is spicier than the places I've been before, but otherwise I was a bit disappointed. We didn't get refills (in fact, they took our banchan away when our food came), but maybe that's a Manhattan thing? I don't remember how the banchan was done the last time I ate on 35th. I realize that this is a place known for its tofu, so I'm a bit disappointed I didn't get to try any. That being said, I'm very used to being offered a lot of barbecue options, and there were only 3 - bulgogi, galbi, and spicy chicken galbi. We ordered bulgogi and galbi and the portions were rather small. The barbecue was delicious, although I was surprised that we were given a small dish of slaw to eat it with? I thought the menu stated that we would be given lettuce to wrap it with, and I always expect lettuce and ssamjjang with Korean barbecue. We ordered the "Taste of Korea", which was listed as being a sample of appetizers and pancakes. I was kind of disappointed that, for $24, we only got 6 small pancakes. A bit oily, but they were all quite tasty, so I ordered an additional haemul pajun (seafood pancake) afterwards. (Since I was... really hungry after my small portions.) We got the spicy seafood casserole, which they doled out in bowls for us. I don't know about everyone else's serving, but mine seemed quite hearty. I had a nice-sized piece of crab in mine. It was very tasty, too. Also also, we ordered the kimchi stone bowl, which tasted fine. I liked it and there was a good amount of other ingredients in there. At the end of the meal, we got lemon tea for dessert. (No dessert menu, unfortunately.) It was quite sweet (as opposed to just hot lemon water as I may have been worried about) and pretty nice, but I was a bit confused by the idea of lemon tea as dessert. I realize that my review sounds kind of negative, if anything, but this is a nice restaurant. I enjoyed my meal there. It was just a bit different from my usual experiences at Korean restaurants. Again, I can't really say if this is just how things go in Manhattan because it's been a while since I've eaten Korean food here. In short, I wouldn't mind coming here again, but considering prices, portions, and my general expectations for Korean food, I would consider other options, also.

    (3)

  • Jerry L.

    I went there last week and had really good time with good food. Since it was winter, our food went cold fast, they should keep those 2 doors closed, not just one.

    (4)

  • Jerrica J.

    Biggest mistake I've made in a long time. Not researching on Yelp before coming here, I wanted to take a chance and find a Korean spot for a friend to try. The service was the slowest I ever experienced. I feel like our hostess was taking the place of our non existent server! Everything on the menu was overpriced. We tried to order the least expensive thing! $16 dollars for LEEK PANCAKES. They came out super soggy and almost unable to consume because they were chewy We wanted to get out of there as soon as possible, but the elevator music and the slow service was keeping us from leaving. I asked for a water three times, and the first time, the server only brought one, the second and third time I asked the hostess. What is going on here?!

    (1)

  • Andrew J.

    Friend took me out here last night, whose friend is a manager there. They have already ordered bunch of things for me chef's-choice, and I ate them as they came like a good boy. This review is gathered by following up on their menu and prices online accordingly. This is sort of a Korean place that offer truly authentic traditional fare. They make their tofu from scratch and grind their own soybean. The price is also higher with bibimbaps at $19~ and hot pot/casseroles at $35~ Everything is a notch above. Banchan (sidedishe) is more than usual with little kimchi pancake-lings, mackerel, and other dishes. We got the Dduk Galbi (literally means rice cake short ribs). It's called rice cake because galbi has been ground into a meat patty to make it chewier. But I thought this was a step backwards. Would you grind a ribeye steak and pay more for it? Tofu Hot casserole/hotpot was alright. You could taste the homemade texture of the tofu topped with clams & blue crabs. It was good, but rather underwhelming. At $35, I kept comparing it to Sik Gaek restaurant where their hot pot is the size of a small country topped with lobster, razor clams, all other seafood and feed four people full. I guess it's about 3.5-3.75 stars. The restaurant has a distinct identity in what they do, and it's great. But it just wasn't impressed enough for the higher price. I was also reminded of Kun Jip on 32nd that does it just as well and cheaper. Cho Dang Gol is also next to Madangsui that I had just reviewed. This place is clearly is class above.

    (4)

  • Michael L.

    Came here on a cold rainy day, what better way to battle the weather then to eat some korean soup. I order my usual, the kimchi jigae. Which is a kimchi tofu soup with ground pork. Usually the pork is not ground up, and i wish they had not done this, but it was still good. They also honored the lunch price of $9.95 at around 3-330 pm, this price is 1 dollar cheaper than the dinner price. They also serve you a home made organic tofu that was excellent. It was a soft mushy tofu with a heavy soy flavor. The bonchan (side dishes) were all good and went well with the soup. They gave about 6 or more side offerings. The bathroom was clean and the decor was decent. Service was good as well. They also offer other korean items like pancakes, bbq, rice bowls, but i cant comment on how good they are since ive never had them. I shall return on another gloomy day to battle off the weather.

    (4)

  • Matthew G.

    bibimbop is very good

    (5)

  • Eunice Y.

    If you're in Manhattan lookin for some LEGIT korean food this is where it's at. Coming from LA, you cannot compare korean food in NY with LA. I haven't found any NY korean restaurants except KunJip that does it right. But I found this little jewel a couple blocks away from Ktown that is delicious! They specialize in making their own tofu so their tofu soups are bombdiggity. The side dishes that come out in the beginning taste super clean and fresh. The waiters are super friendly. This place does tend to get crowded during lunch and dinner but I think it's worth the wait. Never had to wait more than 10 mins! I tried a lot of stuff on their menu but the best for me was their Bossam. MMMMMM. Usually it comes out on a plate, but this place makes it all warm in a steamer so your pork stays warm the whole time! The portions are generous, the prices are steep, but if you're lookin for some bombass korean food this place is LEGIT! (A lot of people from Korea love this place because it tastes like jeeb bab, which means house food.) ;)

    (4)

  • Trevor P.

    I really enjoyed this place. Came here after heading a lot of positive reviews and was really impressed. The complimentary tofu to start the meal will change your whole perception of tofu. This isn't the blocky gel stuff you see in the stores... it's fresh, creamy, with lots of flavor. I couldn't get enough. After you order your main course, they'll bring out an array of small plates for the table to split, which was a nice touch. Delicious kimchi and pickled veggies, but one fish dish was hard to eat as there were a lot of bones still in it. My entree was the "mountain bibimbap," which was delicious. Perfectly seasoned, fresh, crisp veggies and great rice. Served in a hot stone bowl so it stayed warm throughout the meal. The crispy rice at the bottom of the bowl at the end was so good. This has become my favorite k-town spot, and I'll be back as often as I'm in the area. Love it.

    (4)

  • Alice T.

    The place that makes their own tofu! It's yummy, flavorful and pretty healthy. I don't feel like taking a nap coming out of this place. I ordered the kimchi stew (jigae) like I always do when I go to a Korean restaurant because I really love kimchi. The portion was really good not too big and not too small and they were generous with the kimchi and pork. They served it with purple rice which you don't normally see much at Korean places. Our overall experience is pretty good. We walked in and was seated right away. We ordered and our food came a few minutes later. Great lunch spot.

    (4)

  • Taj T.

    Dropped by for quick lunch on a Saturday with my girlfriend. Tried an appetizer, two main dishes. Food was good, nothing to go out of your way for but if nearby could be worth checking out. The menu was surprisingly pricey I thought for the $$ category yelp has this place under. Had the same dishes at plenty of other korean bbq places for almost half the price (though it was in cali... maybe these are nyc standard prices). Overall an ok experience.

    (3)

  • Jay E.

    This was an excellent Korean restaurant experience. Seafood pancake needed more flavor. Seafood casserole was excellent. Overall a good experience. Great service even though English was limited. Sake was excellent and ginger tea at end was a nice touch!

    (5)

  • Annette S.

    I went here on a Friday night and we were told the wait was 20 minutes. One hour later, we were still not seated. It was just two of us, so I'm just surprised how they could have misjudged their seating estimate by 40 minutes or more. It was slightly chilly out, so no one wanted to stand outside and began crowding their "waiting area" (note the loose usage of the words "waiting area" which consisted of 3 dentist office style waiting chairs by the main register). This is fine, but it perplexed me that the restaurant allowed the waiting people to create a barricade between the waiters/cash register area and the guests eating behind us! It was like a wall of people and none of the waiters could get to the tables. At one point it seemed like a few of the tables hadn't seen a waiter for about 20 minutes or more, when they were done eating and sipping every last drop of whatever water/alcohol they had. At that point they were probably all just waiting for the check. So it irks me that while I am waiting for 1 hours to be seated, at least 2-3 tables behind me were ready to leave but couldn't. They were just staring at empty plates and glasses! I still give it 4 stars because the food was good. The fresh tofu is definitely a treat, although the texture is a bit different because it is more like a cottage cheese, since it is freshly made. I've had other Korean tofu soups where the tofu is in very soft cubes, which creates a much different experience (but is probably not homemade). I am no expert at Korean food, so maybe this is just different styles on purpose, but I'm just making a note of it. They didn't offer us the bottom of the rice bowl with green tea (I think they gave it to the table next to us???) which I was actually looking forward to. But they were so busy that I didn't get a chance to ask where it went. You don't crack your own egg into the soup either, they do it in the kitchen. I ordered the seafood soup, and I was pleasantly surprised to pull out a small prawn and some clams. Lots of flavor, although they didn't ask us how spicy we wanted it! I realized that only when we got our food and I remembered how spicy they can get. I'd go back, but definitely not during dinner rush hour on a Friday.

    (4)

  • Jazzy M.

    Very authentic Korean food. Good for the winter. Inattentive service.

    (4)

  • Melanie C.

    I was there the other day for the first time and honestly it was one of the best korean food i had in a while and it is not too pricey. Definitely go there again for lunch.

    (5)

  • Becky L.

    I'm a big fan of korean food and their food was fantastic! Meat was heavenly, rice was perfectly cooked, and noodles were delicious. The sushi platter was pricey but tasted good. I was so full!! I would come here again for a special occasion.

    (4)

  • Cynthia F.

    I went to this place with the best expectations based on yelp reviews and assuming that if it was in K Town this was the real deal. eek, no it is not! I went during lunch time; the place was empty, however, it took the hostess a few minutes to come and greet us, ok things happen...like I said before, the place was empty so I thought our food would be ready quick...Big, big mistake. They took around 45 mins to finally come with the food as we watched in shock how all the staff was enjoying a Popsicle and having a blast while we were waiting! well, we were hungry and in a hurry to go and didn't want to wait again somewhere else so we waited thinking the good food was gonna pay for all this...big MISTAKE AGAIN! with all respect, this is the worst Korean food I'd had in my life! the tofu soup, one of my favorite Korean dishes tasted like pure tomato paste ewww, the bbq was dry and the stir fry octopus was more noodles than anything else. Big disappointment, next time I'm in NY I would definitely avoid this place.

    (1)

  • Daphne H.

    MMM...I'm preparing of a trip to Seoul this Dec and I'm told this place is pretty authentic. They make their own tofu (organic, mind you...) My gf Grace C. brought me here for the Soon Doo Bu and the hot stone bowls. We had the kimchi soon doo bu & the octopus hot stone bowl bi bim bap and it was soo good!!! :D Of course, this was after some insane sample sale shopping so we were VERY hungry too. Nevertheless I love the atmosphere and ambience of this place. Its got the small, neighbourhood bar kind of feel and there were tons of korean people there = good place for korean food. Looking forward to Seoul next month!! :D

    (5)

  • Taylor J.

    Came here on the strength of their 10+ year New York Times review and seems like they haven't strayed far from their strengths. For 3, we tried to share a stir fried squid, tofu trio and bulgogi bibimbap. The only problem was that the tofu trio looked suspiciously like the stir fried squid (stir fried with some of the same ingredients, albeit with pork instead of squid). When we asked our server what it was, she hesitatingly said spicy pork, and then reversed herself when we said we had ordered the tofu trio. It quite obviously was not the tofu trio, but everything was delicious and I don't think anybody was of mind to complain. One of my favorite Korean places so far, even with the ordering snafu!

    (4)

  • Jim A.

    Fantastic tofu stew.

    (4)

  • Sisi Z.

    I do think the soondobu here is better than BCD; the tofu's firmer but definitely more flavorful. Also the free bowl of homemade tofu they give to you before your meal was deeeeelish. I just wish there was more of it, rather than a shot-glass amount. Also had the mushroom bibimbap and bulgogi; both were tasty but pricey. Instead of the usual red pepper paste for the bibimbap it was a soy-based sauce if I remember correctly. Not entirely sure I preferred it to the regular paste, but I do remember scraping the bottom of the stone bowl to get the crispy burnt rice bits which were fantastic.

    (3)

  • Jiho S.

    Surprisingly decent Korean restaurant not on the main drag on 32nd Street (35th St between 5 and 6). The decor is cute, with generous usage of wood, somewhat like a country style setting (not sure how else to describe it). We came to redeem our google offers coupon ($15 for $30). We ordered spicy galbi jjim and budae-jungol. I found both to be very good. The spicty galbi jjim was thoroughly tender and wasn't overly spicy or over seasoned which I worry when I get spicy versions of classic korean dishes that normally don't come spicy. The budae jungol was good and they seemed to add a few unique ingredients that I haven't seen in other restaurants. They added a bit more of the greens (leafy vegetables) and some pate like meat which I actually couldn't identify. Only con was the stew was a jungol which is a large stew to feed multiple people but after the waitress scooped it out into 3 small bowls it appeared to be all gone so I found it a bit pricey ($40) given the smallish portion. Banchan I immediately liked (seemed better quality) and I liked the small touches like the rice served out of a stone pot (served with hot water similar to how they did it at BCD) and a cup of sweet rice drink after dinner. I'd give it four stars but the only reason I penalize it one star is what would have been a enjoyable experience was lack of attention/service at the end of our meal. I gave the host our $30 coupon after he printed the bill so I asked them to apply it to the bill however he said just take $30 off the bill ourselves. My friend just complained that technically we'd be paying tax then on the full meal price, and tax should only be on the discounted amount. It was such a small issue (I mean we're talking about $2 here, but my friend argued on the principle of it all) but what bothered me is that our host didn't seem to give a crap. He told just said "ok ok I'll check google" but he just went back to the front counter and stood there doing nothing and kept peering over at our table to see if we had left or not. After 5 minutes of waiting we look over and see him just standing minding his own business and we realize this guy really didn't give a crap and wasn't going to even make any attempt to address our minor complaint. Yeah its a small amount, but the small things like this annoy me. It really wouldn't have been that hard to come to a simple resolution. Ignoring customers is not cool!

    (3)

  • K T.

    Very traditional Korean cuisine, awesome food! No wonder the place is also busy pack with people. There is always a wait, but it is worth!

    (4)

  • P V.

    My favorite restaurant in KTown. I have eaten here probably 50 times over the years, and had lunch here today with my family members visiting from out of town. My parents always want to go to Cho Dang Gol. Everything here is a little bit different from all of the other KTown restaurants. The white rice is prepared and served in a hot stone bowl, and at the end of the bowl, barley tea is poured on the remaining crisp rice and served. Favorite dish is the boo-guh-goo-eee. It's a grilled pollack fish. Tofu dishes are their specialty - I like the kkong bi-ji. Why this restaurant has only 3.5 stars is confusing to me. If this isn't 5 stars, I'm not sure what else is.

    (5)

  • Kitty A.

    The food was fabulous but I felt like the service was lacking at best.

    (4)

  • i. p.

    Coincidentally, I ate here twice in one week, so I've tried a number of things on the menu. First, the vibe -- the place is all about trying to be natural and earthy, in keeping with the whole healthy soondubu thing. The first time I went, it was with a korean friend who adores the place. We got the Spicy Pork Meal and the spicy pollock. The pork dish was fine but it's not my favorite sort of dish, in general. I'd never had the pollock before, and it was delightful; apparently it's hard to get this semi-dried pollock here in the states. We also got a few other things, including an order of the handmade tofu slices. This is a tofu place, and I have to say, their tofu is the best I've ever had. If you're inclined, it's worth going here just to experience this fantastic tofu. I think because we got a big meal for the table, we got a hot stone pot for the rice and were able to have the porridge at the end of the meal -- delicious. (We didn't get the porridge the second time we were there.) The rice they give you has something extra in it to make it seem/be more healthy -- maybe it's red beans in it? It almost seems like brown rice. It was yummy, in any case. The prices for these dishes are awfully steep, though -- I don't know whether I'd go back for them unless someone else was paying. The tofu side dish was like $13 alone. I know it's really good and homemade and everything, but ... not cheap. The next time I went, we had the dolsot bibimbap with spicy chicken, which was surprisingly delicious. We also got the kimchee & pork soondubu, which was also very good (in part because of that fantastic tofu). These dishes were more reasonably priced. I really liked the option of the spicy chicken in the bibimbap, and I'd go back there for that. For soondubu, I still feel loyal to BCD and it will always be my comfort place to go, but I have to admit that the tofu here is better than at BCD. We also got boricha this time (had to ask for it, but it's summer after all) -- they were generous with the refills. Both times they gave us little pajuns as one of the banchans. Cute, and delicious. After each meal we got that sweet dessert tea (sujeonggwa I think it's called) was the best I'd ever had -- it wasn't as sweet and cloying as it often is, and it had a good gingery kick. All in all, I'll definitely go back to this place, especially in the winter when I need to be warmed up by that spicy chicken dolsot bibimbap. But when I go, I'll wish that I had more money to buy some of the more expensive items on the menu -- and expensive items really do seem to dominate this menu when you first look at it. But it's a nice alternative, and it may be that people are willing to pay a bit extra for the slightly nicer ambiance that this place has.

    (4)

  • Huy T.

    Used to be my favorite restaurant till they started skimping out on the portion sizes and service :(. My large pajeon was smaller than the large size although billed for that amount. Might have been the night we went on, but I am no longer impressed. Or did they change chefs? Who knows. 3-4 stars still good though.

    (3)

  • Patrick L.

    It has been 3yrs since I last visited NY, during which time I ate here. The "fresh" homemade tofu really sets them apart. I've had Korean food all over WA, in Cali, and even Vancouver B.C. so I'm confident when I say their soon doo boo here is damn good. I'll have to go back someday and try their other dishes, but on the day I visited, that hot soup totally cured my hangover from the night before!

    (4)

  • Gino M.

    Not 5 stars because the BROADCAST for their TOFU and their TOFU is nothing to write home about...It's good tofu. Now I'm not a Tofu Guru (that would be a great band name), but then again who is??? Vegetarians??? It's Tofu...it has it's place and by Korean standards, Tofu is usually good. IT'S TOFU! DOES IT HAVE TO MAKE YOU ORGASM? CAN IT? --------------------------------- Cho Dang Gol is a great Korean Restaurant. Don't listen to what others have said about it's lack of quality. Let's start with the Banchan, which is the best I've had in New York: -Kim Chi: The Freshest...strong pickled taste...that good crunch -Spicy Raw Squid in a spicy red chili sauce...lovely and spicy! -Dried Marinated Seaweed with Sesame...strong sesame flavor -Marinated Broiled Mackerel...salty thick hunk of mackerel...so good! -There were two other Greens...one was a mild pickled kim chi type, and the other had sardines mixed in -They also provide a Triple serving of 3 different types of pancakes...Kim Chi Jun...Poo Choo Jun and a Tofu Pancake...all had a lovely dipping sauce this Banchan had variety and was fresh and pleasing. Only an inexperienced Korean eater would dismiss this banchan. ------------------------ We ordered Dol Sot Bap off the "Smaller", "Special" menu. This was probably the way to go here. You can order this with either Fish or Meatcake. I recommend the FISH! What do you get with this? -A Rice Bowl with Vegetables, Dates, Chestnut, Ginseng, Jujube Fruit, Pumpkin...Very GOOD! -Two WHOLE ATLANTIC CROAKER FISH! Very Tender and Dense White Meat Fish -A Hot Pot of Hot and Spicy Vegetable Tofu Soup A Lovely, out of the ordinary and very healthy Korean meal here. We also ordered the Chi Gae Sampler which put their Tofu on display...It had: -the same Hot & Spicy Vegetable Tofu Soup as the other dish we had -Soy Bean Curd -Ground Soy Beans This was good...especially when you mix the Ground Soy Bean one in with rice. An extremely solid Korean Restaurant...that maybe won't blow too many people away because it's not a MEAT BASED restaurant. We stayed away from the Meat and were satisfied. I saw another reviewer hate on the Bulgolgi. I can say that the BBQ section on the menu was tiny. Come here. Venture out. Tofu has it's place. If you're vegetarian or not. If you enjoy tofu or not. Because if you don't, you should. Everyone should enjoy everything in my opinion. It's like saying All Country music SUCKS! That's just ignorance. There's plenty of good Country music, people just say this because they either think all Country music is contained within the contemporary circles of radio and TV or they simply Don't care enough to think at all. Either way, they don't truly know. Same can be said with types of food. Everything has it's place and food types are usually possessing of much more depth and variation that you might know at any given point in your life. When you add in the factor of textures and tastes as a conditional response from a person's experience with food, you have to conclude people just don't know.

    (4)

  • Chanjoo M.

    Super Soon-dubu jji-gae! This place touts itself as traditional and healthy, and it lives up to it. Food portions are generous and quite delicious.

    (4)

  • Tristan J.

    Once upon a time, Cho Dang Gol was my favorite Korean restaurant. Those were the days before they opened three hotels on the same street. Since then, the prices have risen significantly, the portions have dropped to abysmal sizes, and the banchan offerings are pitiful, to say the least. Consider that the "tour of Korea" was comprised of six tiny (read: bite sized) pajeon -- and cost $21.00. Seriously? The only thing on the menu reasonably priced now is the soondubu and those, I'd say, are relatively top-notch if a little skimpy on portion size. I would absolutely avoid this restaurant at all costs. It saddens me to think that once I could dine here and have mountains of banchan piled on, buy an appetizer and a main course and tea, and still have my bill come to less than $20; since the hotels have opened they simply don't cater to the same audience. Avoid, avoid, avoid. The only reason I think this restaurant deserves more than one star is because the quality of the food is high. I admit that much.

    (2)

  • Pamela S.

    Cho Dang Gol served up everything I look forward to at a Korean restaurant: 1) good kimchi -- I especially like the big pieces of radish 2) that spicy/sweet cinnamon drink they bring at the end of the meal 3) the hot and wholesome barley tea 4) a sizzling hot dolsot bibimbap with spicy squid 5) a good variety of panchan. The good service and cozy yet rustic atmosphere are just icing on the cake.

    (4)

  • Hank C.

    Homemade tofu, just like dad used to make. Well, not quite, but it is still quite good. If you want BBQ, you should go somewhere else, but this place serves some great tofu dishes. Almost all the casseroles and rice dishes and soups have it - and it's worth the price. Admittedly, the menu is small, as is the location, but it's good for those looking for a calmer, quieter Korean restaurant in the area. The dish I tried was the bibimbob with the galbi - not a fan of spicy, but the side dishes were adequately split between what I expected, and what was normal (kimchee, plus five others). Overall, hot and sizzling, which was good, but will have to try this place again to really get the feel for other dishes.

    (3)

  • Tae Hun K.

    The 4 star is only for the various tofu dishes. I have to say other dishes are just average. They do offer other Korean staples but many of their menu are tofu based or uses tofu in some way. The most standard item on the menu is the soft tofu casserole or soon-doobu. They offer a few variety of this. You can order one with beef or seafood (I think vegetarian option is available) and ask the spiciness be toned down or made stronger, depending on the preference. Service, the chief complaint when visiting a Korean restaurant in the area, wasn't half bad. But I hear it gets pretty annoying when you eat there during peak time. Ambiance is so so, but I go there for the food not for how it looks.

    (4)

  • Derek L.

    Came highly recommend and was worth the time. Excellent braised short ribs. Good, fast and friendly service. I wasn't even disappointed when the young couple next to me argued with each other the whole time.

    (4)

  • Fanghua L.

    Solid selections. Busy and crowded. Friendly and attentive service!

    (4)

  • Diane P.

    i love eating at cho dang gol and usually get cravings for their food at least once a week! there are a lot of just decent korean restaurants in nyc, but cho dang gol stands out among them. this place has some amazing kimchi biji jjigae (stew) and i would go so far as to say that they make the best kimchi biji jjjigae in all of nyc. and that's coming from a korean.... so GO TRY IT! so not only is all their tofu homemade, they have some really great side dishes. everything tastes really fresh and has just the right amount of flavor - not too salty, sweet, or sour. and they're really good about replenishing them without giving you dirty looks. even though they're known more for the stews, their meat and fish entrees are actually quite good as well. all their tofu or soybean based food has a really good texture - not too silky and not too chunky/dry. on a side note, i really wish that the people who don't know korean food would refrain from making any kind of negative comments about this place. it's really annoying and highly inaccurate.

    (4)

  • Jonathan J.

    spicy. authentic. best nyc korean. be back.

    (5)

  • Food E.

    I've been here three times and have never been disappointed. I've only tried the tofu dishes here, usually the seafood tofu stew. Actually come to think of it, I was just here and for the first time, it did not have a whole shrimp with head attached in it. It was still good though. Also enjoy the small bowl of homemade tofu they give you as a starter for free. The banchan were yummy too. No complaints here. I like it better than BCD (been there twice too).

    (5)

  • P C.

    Amazing! I came here on a busy Friday night and was super thankful I had made reservations for my party. The waiters were very friendly and I personally did not feel rushed (although some people in my party did). The food was delicious. I got the bulgogi jigae--definitely recommend. My friend got the bulgogi bibimbop and that was quite good as well. We loved the little plates of food they gave at the beginning, as well as the delicious barley tea and ginger tea to end the meal with. LOVE. And my favorite part was that when we didn't know what something was and asked a waiter, she was extremely nice and informative, instead of making us feel stupid and ignorant for not knowing. I loved this place and will definitely go back.

    (5)

  • Bernie S.

    Cho Dang Gol is a wonderful place. I was looking for a mid-to-upper-level Korean restaurant with a nice atmosphere and lighting but not too expensive. This restaurant is the perfect combination of price point, atmosphere, decor, and service.

    (5)

  • Kristi C.

    I was really disapointed... I love good Korean food, and Cho Dang Gol had been given a good review in the Insider's Guide to Vegetarian New York City... but it just wasn't that great. The food was ok-ish, though I had difficulty understanding which of the side dishes were vego. Vego tip: you can always get vegetarian Dolsot Bipim bap (rice and veggies in a heated stone bowl)

    (3)

  • Dana K.

    I wanted to try a place located off the beaten path of 32nd Street. After reading Yelp reviews, I choose Cho Dan Gol and visited before a game at Madison Square Garden. It definitely has more atmosphere than some of the other Korean restaurants in the area - very rustic, wooden menus, murals of the countryside on the walls. Hot barley tea welcomes you as soon as you sit down. But, I still had a hot dog at the game after - what does that mean? I had to order something with tofu, since I read that it is made on premises. I settled for the kimchee with tofu since I was told the kimchee stew didn't have tofu. It was definitely tasty, a little spicy, though not vinegary. The ground pork was almost imperceptible. I found the banchan good - some fish, tofu, kimchee, watercress and jap chae - but not great, missing my favorite spinach or beansprouts. We also ordered the kalbi, which they prepare in the kitchen. No smelling like BBQ when you leave this place! The kalbi was tender, and I thought the kochijan sauce was particularly good. Rustic at Cho Dan Gol equals red beans in the rice. I think the pancakes are the thing to try here (they have 4 different types) - I saw them at other tables and was envious. At the end of the dinner they give you something that tastes like warm lemonade. Guess it would be good if you had a cold. So my experience was okay - but obviously left me wanting more. I may be a glutton, but I have to say, the hot dog after hit the spot.

    (3)

  • Cindy C.

    If I remember correctly, this is the Korean restaurant that had the delicious pork + rice cake dish and also the squid + rice cake dish. They also have a pretty yummy crunchy seafood pancake. I loved Korean town in NYC... I can't wait until the next time I am there so I can visit it all again.

    (4)

  • suin k.

    I just came back from Korea a week ago for visit my family. As I live in New York, what I miss the most about Korea is food because the Korean restaurants in NY are pretty bad comparing to the ones in Korea. But I finally!!!!!! found the great Korean Restaurant today.!!! I'm so happy!! Kim chi Bizzy soup was so great!! I didn't feel any chemical seasoning inside which is almost impossible in other restaurants. It tastes like my mom or my home made food!! The quiet& nice vibe and great service also amazing which is difficult to find in other Korean restaurants.

    (5)

  • Em C.

    BCD was my go-to in NYC for soondubu. When I learned that it closed down, I needed to find a new place. Cho Dang Gol is pretty good, but it didn't leave me satisfied. The tofu here is made on the premises, and tastes milky and special and all that good stuff. But the soondubu and bulgogi and other menu items are overpriced and don't stand out as being utterly delicious. Bear in mind I have no problem paying for high quality food, but this just didn't do it for me.

    (3)

  • Orku V.

    the side dishes were good. the main entrees were underwhelming. Kalbi was especially disappointing, and very little meat. I seriously left hungry and that has never happened before at a Korean restaurant. Go to Madangsui next door, much better food and awesomely priced.

    (2)

  • Ella C.

    I've been to Cho Dang Gol many many times over the years and I have never been disappointed with the food or service. They serve more of the "traditional" Korean dishes compared to other places in K-town and what they do, they do very well. I love all their tofu dishes and yes it is more "crumbly" and "mushy" but that is because soon-doo-bu is meant to be like that. Their soon-du-bu chi-gae (tofu stew) is excellent and I love their bi-ji-chi-gae (almost like a pureed tofu with pork and spices added - it doesn't look appetizing but I love it). Their nak-ji bok-guem (spicy octopus stir fry) is very good. I also love their pa jun (korean pancake). My boyfriend had the bul-go-gi (marinated beef) stew and loved it. When my mum visited NYC and I took her here she had some sort of whole cooked fish that was spicy and she said it was excellent. I also love their rice and what they give you at the end (noo-roong-ji which basically means they mix in hot water to the left over rice in the stone bowl and it makes this tasty crunchy rice soup thingy). I love coming here, it has simple decor, their ban chan is good and their food reminds me of home-cooking more than the other K-town joints.

    (4)

  • Remington S.

    Had the Galbi... Too expensive... $25. Not much food. Meat was a little fatty. Waiter was supposed to bring sauce. Never did. Waitress was basically nonexistent. Never checked on us. Never refilled our waters. Wife had a shrimp bowl. That was decent. Nothing spectacular. Average at best. And overpriced. There are 2 other Korean BBQ place within 30 feet. I'd try those first.

    (2)

  • Kathy W.

    I want to like this place. I really do. After BCD closed, I had high hopes for finding another go-to soondubu spot. I've been here twice and both times, the food has been pretty good. The pancake is a mediocre starter, so I would skip it. The soondubu is definitely one of the best I've had in K-town. I normally go to Seoul Garden down the street, but the soup here is richer and the tofu is fresher. However, I do have one complaint that is critical to this review and the general impression that I get of restaurants: the wait. The second time, I arrived around 7pm on a friday and had to wait 45 minutes. Now, I understand that good restaurants have waits... in fact, sometimes I feel like I'm even more of a diehard new yorker if I end up waiting in line. What really angered us is that the host kept seating people before us even though we were clearly next on his list. He ended up giving us a Korean omelette on the house, but I don't understand why you would mistreat your customers in such a way as to necessitate comping food. I guess it just shows that even the restaurant realized its mistakes. Anyway, I liked how the manager ultimately tried to make peace with us and the food was great, but the way we were treated was insufferably and I will, unfortunately, not return.

    (3)

  • GG V.

    This place is awesome. I love me some Korean food and have tried a few places in the city and in queens, and I have to say--this has become my new favorite. I'd been going to the next door restaurant for a while (Han-Bat), when we decided to give this one a try, and it's much cuter as far as atmosphere (and the coolest menu), with slightly tastier and more yummy food. SO this wins. The banchan starters were good, with the Kim Chi being fresh, strong & spicy. Their cucumber/eggs pancake was also very good, as was the tofu. I ordered the bulgogi stone bowl and man was that a dish! Rice, bulgogi, eggs, peas, veggies--everything you could think of served in a still-steaming stone bowl that sizzled. Awesome dish. Price was a little higher than average. Still have to try their BBq dishes

    (4)

  • Christina C.

    This restaurant is located in/near Korean town with proliferation of korean restaurants, so to find one that is good and authentic can be a daunting task for non-koreans. Fortunately, we are introduced to this restaurant by a korean friend. It is certainly a good recommendation. We never look back after our first visit (Dec 2008) and we actually fall in love with korean food. We kept coming back to this place and have tried many dishes. They are very unique and appeal to my other sets of taste buds. A truly unforgettable korean dining experience.

    (4)

  • Miri L.

    I wasn't sure what to get but based on the Yelp reviews, I tried the bul-go-gi bibimbap and kimchi tofu soup. I liked the bibimbap a lot. Kimchi tofu soup was a little bit on the bland side, but definitely supreme in its tofu quality. I think it was made a little bland so that you can taste the flavor of the natural tofu more.. Cho dang gol stands out because I think they have good side dishes. It was different from other places I've been to, they had some tofu and vegetable pancakes that were delicious! I would like to go back to try some of their other barbeque dishes and of course, their sides!

    (4)

  • kahee y.

    their tofu soup is decent and it's a nice change from bcd. service is slow and scattered try their rice wine, it's quite refreshing

    (3)

  • JiaJia T.

    Came here for their tofu, and it didn't disappoint to comfort me on a cold winter day. The broth was rich, spicy and flavorful. The tofu was tender but the quantity of seafood was lacking. Overall, it was pretty good, but there are better tofu places in queens.

    (4)

  • Mike L.

    Mister Chodangles is an oasis of value, atmosphere, and good food in the wasteland that is K-Town. I've only tried their Soon Doo Boo and Chun Guk Jang but hey three thumbs up for tastiness. And with their usually fantastic banchan, I give it another thumb up. So that's 4 thumbs up plus another for the interior. 5 Thumbs up! Is that even possible??

    (5)

  • Mehdi M.

    We had a very good dinner experience here. Relative to most Korea town restaurants, CDG has much better decor and service. If you are entertaining guests, this place probably has the best balance of good food with decor and service in the area for ethnic Korean food. However, if you only are about the best food, I prefer Shiila or Kum Gang San a few blocks down.

    (3)

  • K P.

    I love tofu, I'm an oxymoron, I love red meat and also love tofu - I had told my mom about this place and her comment was, "if they really make the tofu there by hand, which is very hard to do, but will probably be delicious." 'nuff said, I'm there. The place is cute, dark wood - nice aesthetics.. So I ordered the flight of pancake appetizers - pretty good I have to say...but pin da dook is one of my favorites. The spicy chicken gop dol (or dolsot) bi bim bap was disappointing, not very many vegetables and rather flavorless...which is bad b/c Koreans are proud of their spicy, salty, hot (temperature) food. The kimchee soon dubu was also just ok, I've had much better elsewhere in k-town...now I know I'm probably tough on my peep's food b/c I've lived there and even street carts in Seoul can make some banging items... I'm also not sure if I ordered wrong - there were some pricey traditional dishes - which I think I'll go back & try with my folks b/c I don't want to force a friend to eat something I'm not entirely familiar with - but tofu and pork belly sounds pretty amazing, etc. but for now, for kimchee soon dubu & bi bim bap, I would not recommend going there... However, the pan chan was really good - I'm surprised the kimchee soon dubu wasn't better b/c the kimchee they served was delicious and they had mook one of my favorite sides...

    (2)

  • Sumit D.

    I am a sucker for K-town cuisine!

    (4)

  • Tom I.

    For being the first legit Korean restaurant I've ever been to, this was a really exceptional place. The food was plenty, and it was served hot and yummy! I went here because it was next to my hotel, and I hope to come back or at least try some Korean food at this caliber!

    (4)

  • Jenn S.

    waiti was horribly long to be seated and also for food to come out. but food was great! tofu is definitely to die for. their ddlekkae tofu stew is also unique and authentic. slightly on the heavier side, but a great comfort food.

    (4)

  • phong-lan h.

    Points for K-Town! As soon as you sit down You're served hot tea (roasted rice tea) 7 or so banchan (Korean condiments) strategically placed on a two-top as if he was going for the win in checkers. We ordered: Seafood Tofu -bubbling hot homemade tofu (resembled tofu scramble), rich flavored broth, pcs of squid, shrimp surfaced in each spoon full - very comforting on a cold night. Mushroom & Crab Bibimbop -Succulent mushrooms, crab, enoki, assort. veggies. Dose it w/sesame soy and chili paste -sure to please. *So good, that the true asian came out in full force as I fought BFF for the crunchy burnt part down the bottom of the stone bowl. Best one by far. (Used to frequent Sura on 9th) Liked: Efficient waiter and staff Cute ceramics, pictures Lanterns, wooden beams Just the right amount of Christmas decor Portions were perfect Moderately priced Disliked: Kim Chi (preferred Sura)

    (4)

  • Anna L.

    Their tofu soup is probably the best I've had. It just tastes natural and fresh. Granted I will always be a loyal seoul garden patron (probably due to my addiction to MSGs), but I feel like this place is better quality. I question why I rarely come here.

    (4)

  • Deborah H.

    My friend and I had to wait a LONG time to eat here on a Friday evening. We were underquoted, hungry, sad, and had nowhere to stand. After finally sitting, service was sketchy: I had to ask for the banchan (when they brought it over immediately to the Korean party next to us), stuff took a long time, and we didn't get water/tea refills. I didn't even think the soondubu was all that great. It was "curdier" (if that's a description) than silken; maybe that's how it's supposed to be, but I didn't like it all that much. The veggie-stuffed pockets of tofu appetizer was, admittedly, unique and delicious, but rather overpriced at almost 20$. Yeach. There are lots of interesting things on the menu I would like to come back and try, but the service was so blechy that I'll probably just go back to Seoul Garden for my tofu fix. What a shame, because the banchan really was superb.

    (3)

  • Sooj O.

    September 2007 update: My love for Cho Dang Gol is so grand that I must give it extra attention by forcing it to the top of my review list again. I hadn't been for a couple of years...too many restaurants in NY that I must revisit and 10 days is never enough. But, it lived up to all my memories and more. The seafood soon dooboo is really wonderful with a flavorful broth and plenty of seafood. Plus, their pajun is even better than before. Their rice is always a different healthy variety and comes in one of those hot stone bowls. Their extra touch of pouring barley tea into the bowl after serving the rice is so special. If you have room after your meal, you eat the rice soup as well. Their banchan included a different jun and their radish kimchee was crisp, just right. At the end, they always serve you a small seasonal drink. I love this place! ____________ Hmmmm....soon dooboo heaven. There are other soon dooboo (silken tofu; but when used in the context of Korean restaurants, it means silken tofu casserole dishes) places in Queens that will serve you really good soon dooboo for cheaper (and with the raw egg cracked in the boiling casserole which is more traditional). However, I give Cho Dang Gol top ratings for their meat dishes, ambiance and courteous service. I've had several meat dishes here, but the one I keep ordering is their spicy pork dish with tofu. Perfect with some seafood pachan and seafood soon dooboo. By the way, for anyone who is not used to Korean seafood dishes, take note that the shrimp in the casserole is an intact shrimp with its head on. I bought a friend here for dinner and: She: There's a head on the shrimp. Me: Hm. (Not thinking anything of it). She: There's a head on the shrimp. Me: ....... She: THERE'S A HEAD ON THE SHRIMP! Eventually, she moved on to the other dishes. At the end of the meal, they will bring you a seasonal drink (sicchae -- sweet rice drink-- in the summer and a warm persimmon drink during the colder weather) to cleanse your palate. However, don't regard that as a dessert. Instead, walk a few blocks to Koreatown and get a potbingsoo (crushed ice topped with mochi and sweet red beans) at a Korean sweets cafe.

    (5)

  • Koko H.

    This place is supposed to specialize in soondoobu. What I got was not soondoobu. wtf?? The tofu is supposed to ultra smooth--"silken"--not crumbly like mushed up firm tofu. And the soup was WHITE. Not red. WHITE. It wasn't spicy at all. It tasted alright for a random vegetable-tofu soup, but it was not soondoobu. ugh.

    (2)

  • Jen D.

    It's getting hot in here, so take off all you clothes... Ok, don't really take them off, but this place is so hot and the food so deliciously spicy, you'll want to strip them off! Came here last night with one of my favorite oppas. Oppa - Nak Ji So Myun (Octopus with stir fried spicy veggies and a noodle similar to Udon) Me - Gop Dol Bi Bim Bap (stoned cooked rice bowl with chopped veggies, egg, ground beef and spicy sauce) Both dishes were VERY VERY VERY yummy. I'd have to say that this is probably my favorite non-bbq restaurant in NYC. Even better than Keun Jip in my opinion. But if you are craving something spicy in the summer time and you come here, be prepared to sweat you ass off. I am sure they have AC but it doesn't seem to work very well. Oppa and I were dabbing our heads with napkins the whole time but the food was so good, we couldn't stop eating. :)

    (4)

  • Taylor M.

    Was taken here by a group of Koreans so I let them choose everything. The meal started with a homemade warm tofu in it's juices. It was good in a subtle tofu way. This place is well known for tofu but there are many non-veggie dishes. I enjoyed the raw blue crabs marinated in a soy vinaigrette. I didn't know what to expect but it was delicious. The other memorable dish was the pork belly with seafood melange. Our table was full of little dishes so I couldn't figure out what we ordered and what was the accoutrement. Overall, it was well executed.

    (4)

  • Arthur O.

    Despite the mixed reviews, I had to check it out for myself. I always learn the hard way - it's okay; I like it that way: it gives me writing material. I feel a bit guilty about giving it two-stars, but I'm just being honest. I'd give it three-stars if I were to return and/or the restaurant has good value: the definition of average (maybe with some perks). Four stars for a place that I would return to often. The two-stars for Cho Dang Gol is a combination of the mediocrity of their food and the utter lack of desire to put any effort into the service-aspect of, well, serving people. The below is a quick summary of why Cho Dang Gol gets only two stars: - The seeming disinterest, as mentioned, almost rudeness of our waitress (my friends kept joking that my "mother" was mad at me - one of my friends were late, so my "mother" came by twice to ask if we were ready to order; later she commented on how I wasn't drinking my barley tea even though I'd asked for it; gave a slight look when I asked her to break a $20 bill for me) - The slowness of the service (took her forever to give us some banchan - she may have timed it purposefully to bring it out with our pajun; but then, banchan should come out as soon as you order, so I had no choice but to classify her as being lazy) - The general mundanity of the food despite the prices being on the high-side We tried their specialty, one of their "hand-made tofu" dishes (seafood), and it was definitely unexceptional. But I do have to admit that I am not a hardcore fan of this type of Korean food (biji, cham doo boo - I thought cham was same thing as soon [as in soon doo boo]; my mistake - porridge, etc): what I may classify, endearingly, as old-folk food. I mean, it's good to have it once in a while if I run into it, but I've never sought it out. But I think I can tell the difference between a mediocre tofu/biji from a really spanktastic one, and their cham doo boo failed to impress. The nakji bokem (octopus) was pretty good. I've definitely had better. My friends wanted the squid version, but I pushed for the octopus, and they relented - since I'm Korean and they are not; their mistake (or one of their parents) - but in the end, I think it may have been better to order the squid. There's only been just a handful of restaurants that did nakji bokem really really well, and I've yet to have a great one in New York (more on this later). As for the seafood pajun, it could have been one of the best, if they'd cooked it a bit more. I like the inside of my pajun to have some chewiness to it, like rice-cake chewy (not not as heavy and thick), but this was kind of mushy. But they were generous with the seafood and it was nice and thick. The best of the three. I don't know. It makes me slightly regretful to say it (because I was really excited about it when I first moved to New York from Chicago), but I have to just blurt it out: Midtown KTown food just isn't all that spectacular. Fort Lee, NJ? Annandale, VA? Haha: Korea? Those places offer some real, extra-good Korea food - no, yes, I still haven't been up to Flushing to check out what they have to offer, but man, that's far from Midtown, not to mention Fort Greene/Clinton Hill. One thing I was impressed with though - perhaps because I wasn't expecting it, and was starting to think my "mother" wasn't even going to give it to us - was their selection of banchan. No mayo-fruit-veg-salad and other boring stuff. I was particularly impressed with this fish bokem thing and something that resembled a kimchi pajun. Hmmm, but let's not get too positive. This is an overall negative review, so let's be true to it: Another issue I had with Cho Dang Gol was that they only had one type of kimchi. In 90+ degree weather, how does a Korean restaurant not serve up some white/cold kimchi? Some parting shots: One of our OB beers was not very cold. They don't frost their mugs. I had to ask for barley tea. And when my "mother" only brought it, she only brought one, even though there were three of us. Okay, I'll stop, now. But you get the idea.

    (2)

  • Sarah C.

    You only come here because you want to know what home made doobu tastes like. I assure you CDG does it well. I love their jigaes and its a nice alternative when you want to step off 32nd and to a less crowded area. I will say the trade off for home made doobu is the price.

    (4)

  • James P.

    Hmmm I liked the soondooboo here. it was unique! Try this place!

    (4)

  • charlene c.

    This is a place where only one dish, the sesame tofu mushroom casserole, is enough to warrant a 5 star review. One of a kind and very satisfying home cooking style dish. Even though the dish is expensive like $40 (huge sharing portions) but it is A must try!

    (5)

  • Diana N.

    I'm a big fan of the food here, although it's a little on the pricey side. My stone pot bi bim bap was delish. And I really liked the kim chi. Location is convenient (it's a little off the Ktown path, so not as crowded) and the tables are roomy - good for groups.

    (4)

  • C S.

    I dont eat meat anymore - life without bulgogi=misery...So i was happy to find this restaurant and try some new things. Its about the tofu. my friend and i split a potato/vegetable pancake (t5 on menu) and some kind of tofu/soybean sampler entree (a combo of T2, T6 and T8) and got to try an array of dishes-a tofu porridge, perhaps bland but i have a feeling its supposed to be that way. a hot spicy tofu soup and another tofu dish. i dont know what it was but im not complaining. Im not gonna say that this is the best korean food ive ever had, but the offerings were different and i liked that. two entrees and 2 beers cost $56 with the tip. perhaps a lot, but to try something new, it was worth it.

    (4)

  • Julie K.

    perfect!!! as soon as we got there, we sat down... 2 mins later, since it was lunch time, the line was getting long and loooooooooooong... @.@ hooray~~ I forced my friend to get Haemul (seafood) Soondooboo jji-gae, and I got Yookgaejang... dooboo(tofu) was soooo fresh! banchan - side dishes were all about dooboo except kimchee and small sized pancakes (kimchee jeon, hobak jeon - green pumpkin)... I think... we asked a waiter 5~6 times to get more and more... eventually, he didn't come back... T___T it didn't look like yummy at first time (check my pics), but the soup, either one, made my drunken stomach in peace... it was the best of the best hangover soup...

    (4)

  • Kevin L.

    Some of my teammates came here to meet up with some other friends for dinner. We arrived around 2000 hours and the place was still hopping - our table of seven or eight ended up having to wait another half hour or so before even being seated. I did note that most of the clientele looked Asian and took that to be a good sign about the standard of quality for the restaurant. The place has a chic-traditional feel. There's a lot of wood (paneling, chairs, tables, floor) and it's got a dark, cozy feel without being cramped. There was a pretty solid mix of blue-collar types, yuppie post-workday button-down-shirt groupies, and traditional nuclear families. Service was kind of meh. It was enough to keep me satisfied, but just. The waitress serving our table looked like she was busy covering a number of others, and the only times that she stopped by were to ask us for our drink orders, dinner orders, and when we flagged her down thereafter. I don't think she made a single pass by our table to check on us (or refill beverages) once of her own volition. Possibly due to workload, possibly due to negligence. I'll give her the benefit of a doubt. Similar to the service, the food was nothing to write home about. We could have readily walked a few streets down to have dinner at a restaurant in K-town for much better fare at a similar price point. The hae mul pajun we shared was pretty decent: it was the chunky, rustic style that I'm a big fan of, with tons of chopped up octopus, shrimp, and giant strips of green onion. Pretty solid, enough of an appetizer to temporarily sate a half dozen folks. My bibimbap with bulgogi was decent, but nothing special for the $18 it was priced at. Similarly, one coworker's soondubu jigae was only so-so, and another's kal bi (at ~$30?) was really tough and stringy, even if the flavor was spot on. The portion size was pretty reasonable, and would have been great to share among 2-3 diners. If I'm going to shell out this kind of money for Korean food, I expect it to be significantly higher quality than Cho Dang Gol delivers. I'm no K-food expert, but I know when my foodie palate is offended by sub-value fare.

    (2)

  • Peter l.

    Food is awesome and their tofu is the best, not to mention healthy. Make a reservation as wait can be long.

    (4)

  • C L.

    Reservations for 4 only allowed...get there before the crowd, otherwise, it's just crazy wait and thye crouch all over you....which can be annoying. With the yelpers recommendation, I got the Kimchi biji jigae - delish, not too spicy (i"ll have to get something much more spicier next time). Homemade tofu is different than you think, it's not in a bloack, it's pretty all mushed up which I love but can understand why others would not like it. Also, must have is the Bo ssam....pork belly heaven....we were a party of 2 and it was a bit too much but we survived, only like 2 pieces left. The galbi was okay, next time, I'd just order more jigaes and must try their pancake. I'll have to come with a bigger group to get reservations and eat more variety. Great spot if you don't mind the wait. It's worth it....Korean food is always worth it. Warning - like almost ALL, well ALL korean places, you, your clothes, your bags, pretty much anything you bring will smell like Korean food when you walk out....still worth it!!!

    (4)

  • Rick P.

    Two of had dinner last week; neither of us had really had authentic Korean before, but after walking by this restaurant and seeing how busy it always was (and after reading the good yelp reviews), we had to give it a try. We had an amazingly friendly and helpful server who steered us to some great dishes and even warned us when we were about to order too much food. Loved the homemade tofu, the bbq chicken, the squid and the banchan. Looking forward to trying it again!

    (4)

  • Andy N.

    I love Korean food and I love this place. Cho Dang Gol is hands down my favorite Korean restaurant. It's simple, to the point and inexpensive. I get seafood tofu soup, my fav, almost everytime, even in the summer. When I don't, it's Bi Bim Bop, which is equally as good. The service is prompt and never bad. It's not a valentines day type of place, but if you're looking for consistently good Korean food and service at a reasonable price, try this place.

    (5)

  • j s.

    this restaurant is as authentic as you can get for korean food. not the typical americanized korean food, you'll find samgyetang, real ban-chan, bossam ect with a interior resembling a traditional hanok. I feel like the food is made by some neighborhood mom in the kitchen, serving the very best, every day. This place is truly an oasis for those craving real korean food. As close as I can get to home cooked food for me. Forget 32nd st fare, cho dang gol is the real deal.

    (5)

  • Nuntiya K.

    Excellent tofu stews and overall delicious Korean food. Also, wonderful, kind service that doesn't rush you in and out (like at many K-town restaurants). Yummy, rustic rice and that hot barley tea is awesome. If you want a quieter, less hectic alternative in K-town, but with no compromise on the quality of the food, this is the place. A tad bit pricier than some other places.

    (4)

  • Simon L.

    I don't think I have ever had below average Korean food before but this may have been it. Considering we are talking about a restaurant in KTown, this is a pretty harsh review but I think I am just being honest. The service and ambiance are both good. You walk in and it looks very crowded. One of my friends remarked that they felt like they were in Korea. You don't cook the food yourself here and so the waitstaff do a very good job of taking care of everything. Everything else was pretty much downhill. The vegetarian pancake was okay but lacked flavor. Tasteless? Then we had a spicy squid dish that was not very spicy, nor tasty, nor was the squid tender. I am used to Korean food being very flavorful and this was the opposite of that. Then we had a Kimchi stew that tasted sort of okay but somewhat sour. Again, it really didn't stand out. Then the thing that really broke the camel's back was how awful the galbi was. It wasn't seared correctly and the color was bad and more importantly, it tasted blegh. The flavoring was okay but I think because of the way the meat was cooked, it really tasted more like a stewed beef rather than a bbq. The saving grace is that we ordered some sort of traditional korean alcohol that tasted a lot like unfiltered sake. That was pretty good and interesting. If you go, you should order that. To sum it up, the food here was just...not good. I think you can do a lot better in Ktown.

    (2)

  • Kate M.

    Was NOT a fan of their homemade tofu. It has a texture like cottage cheese, which I did not find appealing at all! We also ordered a bulgogi bibimbop and they didn't bring me any spicy sauce. When I asked the waiter, he told me to use the sauce (mildly spicy soy sauce-like) served with the tofu appetizer. What the fuck? It's nowhere near spicy enough. I had to bug them at least three times to get me some spicy sauce, and even then it was a small amount. Spicy squid, the other entree, was pretty mediocre as well. I won't be going back.

    (1)

  • David K.

    My pregnant wife approves of this place...and that means I like it too...truly. No MSG and lots of authentic dishes to choose from.

    (4)

  • Justine H.

    the tofu dishes here are very good. if you're a fan of biji, which is really hard to find in ktown, get the kimchi biji. yum. the spicy pork meal is pretty good/average. the haemool pajun above average. and the appa is a huge fan of the booguh gui (i dont really like that fried spicy fish thing). it's traditional style also adds to the feeling of heartiness. i think for the most part, you'll leave satisfied if not down-right happy.

    (4)

  • Paul L.

    The panchan here is great. I haven't eaten so much panchan in a long time. Luckily, we went at a good time because it wasn't busy enough to form a line. I got the Kimchi Jung Gol with my friends. It also came with an omelette which I loved. The meal was great. The place was good too. I don't give out 5 stars usually, but I can't help myself. The service was excellent. The price was worth it. There was nothing wrong with it, and hopefully I'm not jinxing myself for the next time I go. Hopefully everyone else will be as lucky as I was when they go there.

    (5)

  • Paul W.

    I've been to Cho Dang Gol a few times and have been very happy with my experiences here. Usually I come round with a friend who does all the ordering while I chime in with a well-timed 'kamsahamnida' (mostly to up his cred with the staff for bringing such a well-trained food monkey). I like the: little serve of plain tofu at the start of the meal + kongbiji (spicy stew with ground soybeans) which has a nice bright flavour and ever-so-slight chewiness + haemul soondubu, or is it soondubu jigae, or is it sodoyouwantsometofustew -- you know, the spicy stew with seafood and soft tofu + sam gae tang (cornish hen stuffed with rice, ginseng, dates, chestnut and gingko nuts, simmered in a light broth) which you season with the provided salt, and which gets better as the flavours of the stuffing mingle with the broth + rotating selection of panchan (which is replenished on request, so stop your crying) + the haemul pajun (seafood pancake) I don't like that: I never had Korean food in California, which means I'll never know what Korean food is supposed to taste like + I never had Mexican food in California, which means I'll never know what Mexican food is supposed to taste like + I've been to California and never had Korean or Mexican food, which means I'll never know what food is supposed to taste like + I lied and have actually had good Mexican food in California but couldn't help being a glib food monkey + I sometimes burn my tongue on the hot stews but never figured out how to blame the establishment for this The service is usually decent to excellent. In fact, on our most recent visit my friend wondered why the waitress was being so friendly. What can I say, I've got the kavorka. The kavorka jigae, to be exact.

    (4)

  • Delia Z.

    stomach ache after a one hour wait for a table is not my kind of place! food was good but I'm not that experienced in traditional korean cuisine and pricey, too

    (2)

  • Alex R.

    Came in for lunch and the place was noticeably full. I waited patiently for about 10 minutes, which gave me enough time to study the menu. The lunch specials are $10+ and come with good and fresh selection of panchan/side dishes, which is better than most other Ktown places ive been to in the area. I had the spicy kimchi and bulgogi stew, which was piping hot and came with rice. With panchan, I was full and total with tax and tip was $14. Not a bargain, but average for lunch in Manhattan. Service can be a bit slow, though that's directly proportional to number of tables seated. Recommend coming in early or later in the afternoon.

    (4)

  • Gary H.

    For Korean food in NYC, this is the bomb. We just happened to see this place since it was right next to our hotel. it's not a large place and it was very busy so we had to wait a few minutes which gave us a chance to review the menu and look at the clientelle who was mostly Korean so we were confident that it was good. We were very impressed. Their seafood soup was excellent and we had a kal bi dish which was prepared kind of unusually. it was ground up like a hamburger and cooked in the kal bi sauce. it was very good We also had an appetizer which was warm ground tofu in a salty tofu sauce. I am not sure if i am describing it properly but it was very good. The vegetable dishes Korean restaurants serve with the main courses was also excellent. Anyway, if you want authentic Korean food in NYC, this is the place to go!!

    (4)

  • Coty S.

    Out of all of the Korean restaurants on 35th Street, this one is the worst in my opinion. I have made an effort to try all of the places on 35th Street, and this was the doozy. Since they specialize in making their own tofu, I made sure to order the tofu stew. I even asked for extra spicy and it was the blandest tofu stew that I have ever eaten. I was not asked if I wanted healthy rice or white rice with my meal. But, at least rice was served, otherwise I would have gone even more hungry since the portions are so small. The panchan served here was also the worst and most limited that I have ever eaten, with only four items served for two people dining. We were not offered refills on the panchan either. At Hanbat next door, you will receive 6-8 edible panchan and delicious stew for half the price. And, actually leave feeling full and not ripped off. Many people eating here were ordering two entrees each, since the portions were so tiny, and were also super expensive to boot. I have NEVER left a Korean restaurant hungry, but here I did. Even after ordering a pancake $16 appetizer and the mediocre Pork and Kimchi Stew. My cousin ordered the Kalbi, which was $21 for about 4 ounces of meat that was pan fried and most of it was bone. Peasant food is great all, and I guess you pay extra to be served as one here- then leave feeling hungry and angry.

    (2)

  • Anita C.

    people who give 5 stars to this place should come to la and get their minds blown by the korean food in la. onto my review, cho dang gol serves up a decent seafood pancake - crispy on the outside, mealy on the inside. their banchan was ok but but their kimchi jigae was super meh. it was simply spicy yet bland and didn't taste much like anything i've had in la. service was rushed. ok, i get that we got in before closing but the waitress told us we had 2 minutes to order. then my friend walked in a few minutes later and then the same waitress said (and I'm not kidding): you have 30 seconds to order. seriously, we didn't need someone to hover over us and stare at us while we looked over the menu. then my friend complained that they screwed up her order and wanted to change her order. when a different waitress came over, she did not seem to comprehend that there was a screw up. another waiter came over to talk to her and he looked at her blankly. in other words, it was at closing and it was pretty evident that they didn't care about what my friend thought. they just gawked at us until we said forget it. big F for service.

    (2)

  • Cara H.

    When you get tired of all the French and Italian restaurants in NYC and are in the mood for yummy Korean food, this is the place! We had the Jap Jae, Kalbi, Seafood Pancake, Tofu Stew, and Mandoo... everything was great! The only thing I didn't like about this place was the waiter was not friendly, he almost looked annoyed that we were not Korean and in the restaurant. Rude people, but tasty eats!

    (4)

  • Yuling r.

    One of the worst Korean restaurants in town. The spicy pork and kimchi is definitely not made properly... The sam gae tang has no ginsen is it! The base of a sam gae tang is ginsen! Definitely will never come back! If u want to taste a traditional, decent Korean food, wouldn't be ur best choice. Overall, bad and expensive; def not worth it.

    (1)

  • Jenny D.

    This makes me so sad because I had a good experience at this restaurant (tofu was great, service was nice, kimchi is yummy, nice sweet ginger tea at the end of the meal) but my boyfriend got HORRIFIC FOOD POISONING after eating here. And it was definitely the squid here. He was out for 2 days. That is just not acceptable. Don't think I'll be back ever again.

    (1)

  • Alice Y.

    I think this is the first restaurant where I almost killed the entire banchan set (side dishes) before my main dish came out. The japchae (noodles), ohjinguh moocheem (octopus/squid thing), kimchee (spicy pickled radish), and green seaweed thinggies were seasoned perfectly. I ordered the kimchee sotbap (kimchee bibimbap in stone pot) and I killed the entire thing. My stomach pooch was definitely hanging loose after eating all that. My parents and sister ordered other dishes but I don't know what they're called and don't want to rack my brain trying to figure it out. Bottom line is: this place does Korean food right.

    (4)

  • Ellen L.

    ***3.5 stars*** this is a good restaurant to come with a medium-large group of guests. there were 6 in our group, and we were able to be seated right away at a table that could have easily accommodated a few more people. everything was served family style. for myself, i partook in the following: ban chan - small plates of appetizers (korean tradition) tofu soup - hot soup with large chunks of tofu jap chae with shrimp - (main dish) glass noodles with veggies and grilled shrimp citrus tea - post dinner drink the food was very good, especially the jap chae, which i couldn't stop eating, b/c it was so tasty! for the price we paid (i didn't write this one down), we got a lot of food. the service was ok. since it was getting pretty busy, they had to ask us to leave almost as soon as we paid the bill (many customers were waiting to be seated) so we did not get to sit and enjoy and converse as long as we would have liked.

    (3)

  • Loriene P.

    Service was slow and the food was average. Pricing is also of the steeper end. I have no idea how they got themselves on the Zagat list. But maybe this restaurant had seen better days.

    (3)

  • Alex R.

    Good Korean food, not too expensive. Some kind of seaweed chip was amazing. Hot pots were average.

    (4)

  • Lee M.

    I love Korean food and there aren't a lot of places back home I can have it so I just had to try it in NYC. Chose this place based on the reviews and the closeness to our hotel. Place was packed but worth the wait. Seafood pancake, seafood tofu stew and chap chae. Pancake was the best with big chunks of squid and green onions in a crispy pancake. Tofu was fresh and spicy and chap chae was al dente. Absolutely stuffed. Roll me back to the hotel!

    (4)

  • Erik H.

    While wandering around the City and doing some shopping, we came across this place and saw the Grade A and figured we would give it a shot. Small place and we walked into a small group of people waiting for seats. Just as I was about to turn and leave the hostess said, the wait is only 15 minutes. I can do 15 minutes! So we waited... waited... and then waited a few minutes more... about 40 minutes before she tells us "you are next". Well we waited this long, might as well stay and eat here. But would it be worth it? We were seated towards the back and checked out the menu. After deciding on what we wanted the waitress came over and took our order. One beef casserole type dish and one Jjigae dish. Also we got a bottle of Rice Wine. We didn't have to wait long before the small dishes of various appetizers came out and we started eating. We were so hungry that we finished almost all the small plates and they immediately brought out more! That is good service! The food came out and they proceeded to cook the casserole on the hot pot at the table. I have to say the food was very good but I do not think the casserole was worth paying $40. The jjigae was good as well and everything was cooked properly. Even the rice wine, which is poured into a bowl and drank out of a smaller bowl was pretty good. (It was my first time trying this) So was it worth the wait? For the most part yes. However, I was not blown away so if I was asked to wait again I would probably not. But it was nice to be able to try new things and new restaurants as you never know what you will find while walking around NYC.

    (4)

  • Joann U.

    My friend and I ended up at this spot because the restaurant we meant to go to (which was just down the road) was already closed. We both ordered the bulgogi bibimbap in the stone bowl. It was so good. They also gave us a bunch of small side dishes to munch on while we were waiting for our bibimbap. The waiting staff was so kind and courteous. We ended up being the last people left in the restaurant and even though they were closed for the night, they did not rush us, so I appreciated that. I'm glad that we ended up at this restaurant!

    (4)

  • Lydia L.

    I've been here a couple times and don't understand why their rating isn't a 4 or 5! Come check it ouf if you're a tofu fan. They make their own here, always fresh and soft. I'm a big fan of their side dishes (banchan), which includes a sample of their house made tofu. they serve some very rustic, korean dishes. If you're looking for some k-bbq, this may not be the best spot. I have tried the following dishes: -kimchi tofu soup: delicious and very flavorful. It's served boiling hot with fresh egg dropped in it (it cooks while the soup is still hot). I wish it had more pieces of beef in it, but it hits the spot every time. -mushroom dol-sot bibimbap: awesome vegetarian option served with a variety of mushrooms and soy sauces to put in it. It's served in a hot bowl to keep the food hot as you eat it -stuffed mushrooms- i wasn't too impressed by these. a bit too greasy and not very flavorful. i'd skip it and order a jeon (korean pancake) or dumplings if you're wanting an appetizer -stir fried tofu (doo roo chi gi)- comes with tofu, kimchi, pork, and noodles all sitr fried together for a spicy, satisfying meal

    (5)

  • Stella A.

    Things seem to have changed. Food isn't as good as it used to he. They serve white rice instead of the reddish multigrain, which set them apart. I went there today just for the rice and was disappointed to get only white rice. The amount of seafood in my tofu casserole was quite sad. There were very small chopped up pieces of octopus instead of the large pieces they used to give. The piece was shrimp used to be a pretty decent sized but my shrimp today was so so tiny. They charge more than other places for their dishes and the portion they give is smaller. Not worth a visit. Now I can go somewhere else for tofu casserole.

    (2)

  • Andy L.

    I thought that this restaurant was nicely decorated, and similar in style to BCD. My friends and I all ordered the lunch special, which was around $15 per person after tax and tip. I knew that my dish was going to be spicy, but it ended up being terribly spicy. I know that's something I have to take responsibility for, so I won't personally deduct any stars for that. However, I will have to take off one star for the piece of hair I found in my rice, and another star for the incredibly small portions. I also have to take off one more star again because I felt that service was slacking. Our waters didn't get refilled without us having to ask, so a couple of times, I was dying from the spiciness without water. Good thing I have high endurance, otherwise I would have collapsed. Other than that, I thought the restaurant offered nice options and I enjoyed the company.

    (2)

  • Connie C.

    Cho Dang Gol is the only Korean restaurant I've been to so far in Manhattan that brings me back to LA's Ktown, which is light years ahead of 32nd St. The kimchi biji, dolsot bibimbap, soondubu jjigae, and galbi jjim are all on point. Their homemade tofu is soft and springy - I love how they give you samples of it at the beginning of the meal. The banchan also rotates constantly and features delicious items like fried eggplant and mini squash pancakes. Prior to coming to Cho Dang Gol, I had never tried kimchi biji or galbi jjim before. Kimchi biji is akin to tofu porridge and a tasty alternative to kimchi jjigae. Their portions are also generous. Galbi jjim is my new food obsession thanks to Cho Dang Gol - if you know what hong shao rou is, this is the Korean version. While even the smaller portion is one of the pricier items on the menu, the meat is so tender and mixed with chunks of sweet potato and rice cakes. I could eat anything dipped in the sweet, tangy sauce. I was also delighted to see that the dolsot bibimbap had the appropriate crust of rice at the bottom of the bowl - you'd be surprised how hard this is to find. One thing the restaurant should improve on is making sure the jjigae contains enough seafood (or meat), which was rather scant the time we ordered it. At the end of the meal, the server will scoop out the leftover bits of rice from the communal bowl they served you from and make rice tea (not sure if this is only if you order certain dishes.) This should be your go-to Korean spot in Manhattan if you are not doing barbecue.

    (4)

  • Jane S.

    Cho Dang Gol is a little removed from the hustle and bustle of K-town (32nd St. between Broadway and 5th), but it is my favorite Korean restaurant in NYC - both healthy and delicious! Cho Dang Gol makes its own tofu with soft bean curd. Consequently, the tofu is fresh and definitely tastes much better than your store-bought versions. I usually get one of the Cham Dubu Jjigae (soft tofu soup), which has generous amount of soft tofu in hearty broth. All the banchans (side dishes) are delicious, and I especially love the small bowl of soft tofu that they give to each person at the beginning of the meal. In addition to the jjigae, I would also recommend the Casserole (great for sharing!) and dolsot bibimbap.

    (5)

  • Sally Y.

    The food here is fantastic! My biggest issue is that the prices are pretty high for the amount of food you receive. When I was there, we ordered the plate of dumplings (5 dumplings), the kalbi, and the dolsot bibimbap with bulgogi. We also go two beers. Everything was incredibly delicious, the bahnchan you get was phenomenal, and the service was quick and prompt. I also can't forget to mention the homemade tofu they give you to kick off the meal which is easily the BEST tofu I've ever had! The meal was delicious - no question about it, and I left feeling stuffed, for sure. However, the bill came out to be about $100 for the two of us, which seems a little steep compared to what I would anticipate it should be based on personal experience. Overall though, I likely will go back if I have visitors in town who request Korean food as this is easily one of the best in NYC.

    (4)

  • James T.

    My long time friend and I decided to catch-up and grab Korean food. After interrogating her lifetime New York friends, they gave up the name - Cho Dang Gol. After coming in through the doors to a packed house, we figured things would be different from our home state of California - and boy, were they. The service wasn't great, seating, taking our order, and delivery times were extremely slow, and they pretty much left us alone after delivering our food (see photo), making it necessary to flag down service for refills on side dishes or drinks. But it was ok, since we were deep in 7 years of catch-up time.. until the bill came. When it did arrive, the place was still pretty packed, and we quickly decided on who would pay, the amount, and tip based on service. As we were getting up to leave, we were given attention (not the kind we were craving) and asked why we didn't give a bigger tip. Seriously? You ignored us pretty much right after delivering our food. You took lengthy amounts of time before giving us any service after we flagged you down, and now you want a bigger tip? You're kidding me. To prevent any K-Drama from unfolding, we tossed down some cash and walked out. Never again.

    (2)

  • Nikki L.

    Delicious dishes! This is one of my favorite restaurants for Korean food and one of the best in Manhattan! The food and side dishes have been fulfilling every time I've come. I can't believe I never reviewed it before! Tofu is their specialty and it is soft and delectable. The tofu trio with pork, kimchi, and tofu is really good! I like their kimchi, it's well-made. The galbi jjim fell off the bone and there were small amounts of pumpkin cooked with it. I've also had the japchae, galbi, and pork belly stirfried with kimchi. The atmosphere is busy but nice and inviting.

    (5)

  • P K.

    My friend and I came for dinner on a Saturday night. The food is very good, but we had a real problem with the service. Our entree (we ordered one and split it) took 40 minutes to arrive, after I asked twice, politely, when it might be out, as we had somewhere to go right after dinner. We were ignored for a large portion of our time there. I understood completely that it was a busy Saturday night for them, but I would have appreciated some more communication from our waiter so my friend and I could plan our time more efficiently. The worst part about this evening was when it came time to pay. Even though there is a sign on the front door as well as on the hostess booth saying that the restaurant takes American Express, please be warned, that it does not. When we received the check, I was told that they did not take AMEX. I didn't mind using another card, but they really shouldn't have advertised it if they didn't. Because I was upset about the service, and we were now late to our engagement after dinner, I will say that the tip I initially left was not that big. Our waiter then guilted me, point blank, for not leaving a bigger tip, and out of embarrassment, I left a larger tip. I really don't like to give negative reviews of places, especially places like this one where the food is very good, but our experience here was truly unpleasant. I hope at least as a result of this review that no one else gets guilted into leaving a tip for service that they deem unsatisfactory.

    (2)

  • Julia C. C.

    Pretty good so far.

    (3)

  • Janey Y.

    How is this place Zagat rated??? how, how, how? I decided to be courageous and eat by myself, but was pretty disappointed. This is supposedly a good tofu place, but the service and the food wasn't that great. I came by around 8PM and there wasn't much a crowd. I waited a good 25 minutes for my SINGLE order of kim chi tofu. 25 minutes!!! When the waiter served the tofu, I inquired if the rice would come by or if I had to order. He said it would come by. It never did. I had to ask a nearby waitress for it. She apologized. No one bothered to ask me if I wanted anything to drink. This is like the first thing most restaurants would ask. I had to ask after I ordered and in-between the 25 minutes of waiting. Portions for the sides were meager. Tofu was okay. I did like the sweet ginger/fruity drink they served at the ending. :) Probably won't return if I make another NYC trip/Will not recommend to friends.

    (2)

  • Elie C.

    Food is average, nothing to go ga-ga over. The seating is terrible. They squeezed too many people into small tables. We were a party of 5 and they forced our group into a table for 4, and I was left sitting RIGHT in front of the kitchen ~ HIGH TRAFFIC area. It was steamy hot and the waiters kept bumping into my chair and they brought out HOT STEAMING dishes over my head!!! I didn't mind as long as they didn't pour anything on me. But why would they take that risk? And the waitress rushed us through everything. She really forced her face to smile because what she really wanted to do was take our wallets and kick us out. We totally did not enjoy our dinner and definitely have had better of everything that we go (kim Chi Soon Du Bu, seafood pancake, etc etc). If you find yourself heading into this one, turn around... TURN AROUND...

    (1)

  • Brigita J.

    Went w/a good friend who knew how to order and another person here to have a big family style meal. The shortrib korean BBQ was the standout, but really liked the seafood scallion pancake also. We also had a pork bibimbap, shrimp dumplings and a spicy squid salad that were very good. Didn't have any of the famous tofu, but would go back again to try another round of what they have to offer. I have a kimchi fetish, so whatever I had, I just added some of that for some of the bites. It's a busy, crazy place with tons of people flying around, so it's not for dates so much as a sit down with a bunch of people and chow. Once you get used to the varying textures and flavors of Korean cuisine, it is hard not to run back again and again. There was a stew that the people next to us ordered that smelled something fishy rotty fierce. It is some kind of regional fish stew that could have cleared a room. I don't know if I will ever work up the courage to try something like that, but I won't ever forget the odor.

    (4)

  • Hubert H.

    Really enjoyed this place. They start you off with a very pure homemade tofu appetizer, and the dishes, including the sesame tofu stew were delicious. The pancheon appetizers were good too. As is typical in midtown Manhattan the area is pretty crowded, and the wait in line can be about 20 mins. even on a weekday. The strength of this place is its clarity of flavors, a certain pureness of texture and food material. You definitely don't get that 'msg' feeling after eating. Highly recommended.

    (5)

  • Nicolas B.

    If you are a korean food lover, this place is the place to go. We already went three times and we were never disappointed. Homemade tofu, bibimbap, jap chae and the jigae bulgoki stew (our fav, soooo yummy) are amazing !

    (5)

  • Hetty W.

    yummy panchan! and they have GREAT soondubu, with homemade tofu and yummy rich flavorful soup. I was brought here by some korean friends so I knew it'd be good, but I was really impressed with the flavor and richness of the broth. Probably helps that it was -2 degrees outside when I stumbled into the little restaurant. Aside from their seafood soondubu, the panchan are all really yummy, and prices are reasonable. I don't know if I'd try anything else when I go the soup was so good. Good service, clean places. I'd imagine it gets a little crowded on weekends, but we went on a Sunday afternoon and didn't have to wait at all.

    (5)

  • Natasha B.

    I want to give this place 4 stars, but considering the value and quality of dishes outside tofu, I just can't. My seafood tofu stew has such a miserly amount of seafood I wanted the cry. The soup was delicious, out of this world, actually, tofu was yummy and fresh. We had a few people at the table ordering many other dishes and bimibobab was tasty but not up to the expectations. I will still order take out of that stew from here though.

    (3)

  • C. T.

    definitely have to have the kimchi tofu stew...

    (4)

  • Dianne R.

    came here for a quick lunch today...i'm not quite sure what the fuss is about to be honest. food was decent, albeit on the slightly pricey side ($13 for the lunch special.) i tried the kimchi and beef dish which automatically comes with all the side plates. i asked for it not to be seasoned too spicy and it was still a bit hot for my taste. i was looking for a flavor that blew my mind, but didn't really taste anything that stood out. the service was ok - they were a little slow in refilling my water. i think the only thing that really stood out to me was the decor of the menu and the place. not sure if i'd come back here again...maybe to try another dish in the future? everyone deserves a second chance, right?

    (3)

  • Silvia L.

    Food is good, but try to avoid getting the meat (not because it's not good, but because the portion size is way too small for the price).

    (4)

  • ミカ S.

    Was so lucky to stumble upon this ultra-legit Korean place in NYC, only steps away from Times Square. With only two people, was quickly seated despite the long waits larger groups had to experience. Anyway, the tofu soup was easily one the best tofu soups I've ever had (a strong candidate for #1). The rice was super delicious also-- as it was not just plain white rice but was actually sort of more like a cross between plain and purple rice. The restaurant has many posters and signs (i.e. on the paper place mat) advertising a specialty of their's-- soy-- so they make sure that you try their special homemade tofu by giving you a neat tofu kind of soup to start off with-- that was a nice touch. The hot soup/tea sweet thing they give you at the end is also nice and tastes ultra-healthy. The only things that I didn't like were the prices and the banchan. Everything seemed about 2-5 dollars too expensive (plain tofu soup--no seafood or meat-- enough for one person if not eating family style was $12), and the variety of banchan was lacking-- for the price and other quality aspects of the restaurant, I would expect at least 10 banchan dishes! Come on Cho Dang Gol!). Overall, try Cho Dang Gol if you want a safely yummy Korean gastronomic experience and aren't too considered about breaking the bank.

    (4)

  • Donovan C.

    I just went in there to have a beer while waiting for my wife. The dishes looked and smelled wonderful and you can't beat the location as it's right next to two hotels. ddc

    (3)

  • Brandon M.

    Gets the fifth star for having some of the best tofu around (any restaurant that does something better than the competition generally deserves five stars imo). Had soon dubu with beef and it was delicious. Also had a seafood pancake made from buckwheat, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Granted it fell apart pretty easily bc it was made with buckwheat, but I didn't care. My only complaint was the wait, which is really no fault to the restaurant.

    (5)

  • James L.

    Try CDG. You won't go back to BCD tofu. The side dishes here are amazing. It's a bit off the beaten path of korean restaurants (on 35th instead of 32nd) but definitely a hidden gem with little to no wait times.

    (5)

  • Sabrina M.

    As well-developed and cosmopolitan as my palette is, I'm not that familiar with Korean food. How fitting then, that my hotel was pretty much smack in the middle of Koreatown. When in Koreatown...you know the rest! Lucky for me, I stumbled upon this place, one of the most famous Korean restaurants in the city. These folks were wonderful and could not have been more accommodating to this newbie! They start you out with warm, homemade tofu -- so good! Then a guy came out with about 8 little dishes filled with goodies for me to try -- everything from marinated root vegetables, to kimchee pancakes to some kind of pickled mackerel. For my entree, on a chilly Manhattan evening, I went with the host's recommendation of pork bibimbap. From childhood, I've had an aversion to food touching, which is totally antithetical to bibimbap, a famous Korean dish designed to be mixed up and eaten together. They deliver it to you in a hot, sizzling stone bowl and I just sat there picking at each side until the host came over, gently took my spoon from me and mixed it all up together. He stood there like a proud papa as I finally got into it and then practically licked the bowl clean. The explosion of flavors, the tenderness of the pork...I don't know exactly what or how they do it, but they do it well. If I'd had time, I would have eaten at Cho Dang Gol everyday! Truly enjoyed it. They clearly take a lot of pride in what they do, and the quality of the food and service was exemplary. Definitely on the "must-return" list when I'm back in Manhattan.

    (5)

  • Jamie C.

    Authentic Korean food. The place can get packed. The numbers speak to the quality of this establishment.

    (4)

  • Keiko S.

    I revisited Cho Dang Gol after trying out several other soon dooboos available on the 32nd...and IMO, I like their tofu the best. Over all, the soup is mild and soothing, and the tofu is partially firm and partially silky and simply tastes more natural and healthy. Not as spicy, though...so I think it really comes down to your personal preference. We like the banchans here, too. They're rather unique...you'd wonder how many types of banchans there are in this world! The fried tofu patties (or whatever it's named) and the stewed mackerel are very delicious. The kimchi's okay, and the seasoned walnuts are quite interesting. The decor is very nice, too...mostly wooden and very rustic. (See pic.) Much more relaxing than Seoul Garden. I would throw in all five stars for the soon dooboo...BUT regretfully, I have to second what the other yelpers have already noted about the SERVICE. It's horrible! The male servers are especially unattentive, unfriendly and rude. Also, they serve "multigrain rice" upon request. But someone correct me if I'm wrong, but their version of multigrain rice is not what you'd expect?? It's sticky rice, very soft, with red beans. Very delicious, but I had to double check with the waiter whether he'd brought the right type of rice...and yeah, he was mean in his affirmative response. SUM: 5 stars for the soon dooboo; 2 stars for the inhospitable servers

    (4)

  • Helen O.

    Went to CDG again last night. This is me and my husband's favorite korean restaurant in K-town. Our new favorite dish is the spicy galbi jjim (steamed beef ribs). The beef is super tender and flavor is perfect every time. It's worth the 30-45 min wait every time.

    (5)

  • Bai W.

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. A bit on the pricey side but the food and staff is worth it. The tofu is amazing along with everything else on their menu. Their stews could feed roughly 3 people. I came here with a friend and we were dying from the spiciness. We were in tears but we kept eating because it was delicious. I'd definitely come back again and bear through the spiciness again.

    (5)

  • The Critic O.

    Wow. This place is... AWESOME!!!!! The biji is great with the rice! The galbi is so chewy and juicy, just how I love it! The rating is wrong. This restaurant should NOT get a 3 and a half star rating, it should be above the roof yal!!! My brother is a big fan of the kimchi sondubu and the rice is really good!

    (5)

  • Yazmin P.

    I just created an account which says something in itself. I am a very patient and understanding customer, however I feel a strong need to share my unfortunate experience with this restaurant because I have never felt so disrespected by a group of waiters, waitresses and hostesses until my visit at this restaurant. It's just not right. Where to begin...we were ignored for a while as we sat there and watched a nearby table get their waters and kimchi first. Our waiter took forever to bring out the kimchi, placed one mini dish on the table and suddenly left our tray of food on a nearby, busy counter, to take a phone call. He disappeared for about 10-15 minutes, while the three hostess just kept staring at us but not doing anything. They clearly knew there was an issue and did not take action....so awkward and confusing! We finally speak up and our waiter comes back and barks "what?!" to us, then proceeds to finally give us our kimchi. He ignored us the rest of the time, while others came and refilled our water in such a rush without even looking at us, just plain abrupt and rude with no manners whatsoever. We were once again ignored the rest of the time. We finally paid and my boyfriend still was kind enough to give a small tip that they didn't deserve. The waitress slapped the bill on the table and took his card without even acknowledging him. As we were leaving, she stopped us and questioned us for the small tip, asking for a higher tip and at that point I told her everything...making it a very uncomfortable experience all around as she questioned us making us even more upset. So disappointing! With so many bad reviews, why not make a positive change if people like your food? Is it not worth it?!

    (1)

  • Matthew A.

    The good was very tasty and well prepared. We went around 5 PM on a Friday and had no trouble getting a table. It started getting busy as we were leaving around 6:15 PM. The service was good. Everyone was polite and courteous. The prices seemed a bit high, but it is Midtown. This was out first visit. We'll be back.

    (4)

  • Andy C.

    A few blocks North of the numerous Koreatown restaurants on 32nd St., this is a great find for lovers of authentic Korean food. They make their own fresh tofu, decent kimchi, and both entrees I've tried were terrific!

    (5)

  • Celine D.

    One place at k twon, recommed this place for anyone never had korean food ,i can give this place four star

    (4)

  • Charlotte R.

    Loved the octopus! Definitely a fast pace and loud restaurant but the service is still good and our food came out quickly. Worth the wait!

    (4)

  • Chuan L.

    If they tell you to wait 25 min, that means one hour and five for you to get a table, and 25 mins to get the main dishes. Food is okay, but not worth the time.

    (2)

  • Danny C.

    I think Cho Dang Gol is actually much better than some of those Korean restaurants in the main K-town street area. Reason being that they are specialized in tofu dishes, in which tofu is one of my favorite Korean dish ingredients! Also, I think they use less MSGs compared to other Korean restaurants. I think this restaurant is not getting all the attention it deserves due to its location..if it was in the main K-town street I think it will easily have much more customers than most other Korean restaurants there. Their spicy pork & tofu is good, little spicy, wish they gave more tofu with it-My personal favorite menu from Cho Dang Gol is the perilla tofu soup because it has a nice soothing taste and not many places have perilla dishes-

    (4)

  • Denny D.

    Side dishes are quite good especially the sweet potatoes

    (4)

  • Dawn K.

    I come here when I'm sad and miss real Korean food. Here are a few quick notes: - Don't get their dumplings (go to Arirang a few blocks down instead) - Do get their jigaes - Do get their dol-sot bibimbap - Do get their tofu everythings - Leave room for dessert, because that's what they give you!

    (4)

  • Ken K.

    Very authentic. The food was excellent. If you like hot/spicy the food will not disappoint. The staff was very helpful as no one in our group spoke Korean. While the vast majority of patron's were Korean (typically a good sign that an ethnic restaurant is patronized by patron's with the same ethnicity as the food) the managers were very understanding and helpful. Highly recommend if you like or want to try Korean food.

    (4)

  • Annabel A.

    I LOVE Cho Dang Gol! This is currently my ultimate favourite Korean restaurant in NYC K-town. The restaurant has that quaint, wood-like decor that makes the place look cozy (definitely not a shack like some of the restaurants i've seen in this area). There will usually be a wait if you go during peak dining hours but the line moves fairly fast. My friends and I came here randomly on Vday and we ordered: - seafood pancake - bugolgi bibimbap - Galbi - Jap Chae Sharing is a must here but I found it hard to share my Jap Chae because Cho Dang Gol does such a great job cooking this delicious noodle. It's a good thing the portions here are sized for sharing, so 3 people to one dish is perfect to get your fill and not feel like you got stinged on. Finally, extra brownie points because they served a complimentary tofu taster as an appetizer and orange ginger tea at the end of the meal.

    (4)

  • Dale L.

    My girlfriends took me to NYC for my birthday. This was the first restaurant we went to, and I am forever grateful my friend took me here. The resturant was cute, and the staff was very friendly. The seafood tofu soup was amazing!! So delicious that we decided to go back the next day for lunch. The best tofu soup I have ever tasted! I search for places in Philadelphia, but nothing compares. I promise I will be back.

    (5)

  • Raymond L.

    Great place to have a group dinners (6-8 people). I highly recommend getting a soup, which I rarely do when eating out. The soups have a lovely spicy & sour broth. There was plenty of starter mini-dishes too, which is common at most Korean restaurants.

    (4)

  • Kristen W.

    should wait during rush hours...

    (5)

  • Miranda Z.

    At the end of a weekend trip to the city, my boyfriend and I wanted to get some Korean food since we were going to be in the area with a lot of Korean restaurants. We chose Cho Dang Gol after looking at Yelp reviews, and we both felt very good about the choice after having our meal. Neither my boyfriend nor I know very much about Korean food, but we both liked what we got. I unfortunately don't remember the Korean names for what we ordered, but they have short English descriptions (these were both lunch specials). I got a spicy tofu and vegetable stew, and he got a pork and tofu paste stew. I didn't try my boyfriend's dish but he liked it; it looked like mostly tofu paste, so I'd say only get this if you're really into soybeans. I really liked my stew - it wasn't too spicy since I had asked for mild, but it came to the table very hot, so I slowly sipped the broth and kept munching on the side dishes while waiting for it to cool a bit. There were silky tofu pieces, zucchini slices, and tofu of a different texture that seemed to be tofu paste that had been cooked to form small pieces. Some other reviewers have mentioned that this place makes their own tofu, and my boyfriend confirmed that on his way to the bathroom he saw in the back a typical room of tofu-making. As soon as we placed our orders, the waitress brought us each a small bowl of warm soybean paste in soymilk. I thought this would be bland, but it actually had a nice mild taste. I ate some of it on its own, and some with the side dishes that they gave us. It seems that the side dishes (banchan) are a big deal in Korean restaurants; they gave us six small plates after the soybean paste. I didn't know what it all was but it was all tasty (some beans, kimchi, spicy vegetables, fried eggplant and tofu, something that I think was dried squid marinated in a sauce, and spinach with ground sesame). And rice of course, which they said was cooked in a stone pot with special mineral water to be extra-healthy or something. It did taste a bit different from plain white rice, and there was a bean here and there, but I liked it. The staff were not very warm or friendly but they got the job done. And when I asked how to eat the soybean paste, our waitress told me I could just eat it plain, so that was helpful. As for price, I think normally it would be a bit pricey for me (most entrees around $20 or up) but we got the lunch specials, so with tip it came to about $14 per person. I don't know how a Korean food connoisseur would feel about this place, but I did see plenty of Korean people.

    (4)

  • Ro T.

    Delicious and authentic with friendly staff. A jem for it's location. I will be going back. Everything was delicious. The bulgogi was outstanding, the tofu soup was exactly what was needed, and the bibimbap was perfect through and through.

    (4)

  • Megan K.

    delicious food. awesome stuffed mushrooms, the beef in the glass noodle dish was amazing. highly recommend. really great kimchi.

    (4)

  • Jackie B.

    Was visiting in town with some friends and we needed an early dinner before a show. Service was a little slow, but the food was great! Everything was delicious. It was a little bit on the expensive side, but I guess it is New York City after all...

    (4)

  • Paul O.

    I have been coming here for about a year. I accidentally found out about this restaurant because of an episode I saw on the Travel channel's TV hit "No Reservations" with chef Anthony Bourdain. The episode was actually about a Korean restaurant in Jersey. After reading Yelp's remarks, I found this restaurant in NYC which is part of my sales territory for work. I'm not of Korean decent nor am I even remotely of any Asian decent, I'm Caucasian and cant relate to some of the posts from people reminiscing of their grandmothers cooking and comfort food growing up. But I tell you something, I have completely bought into it. I can now understand when people post remarks about craving food they grew up with, and how much they miss their gradma's cooking, or misses home since moving to the states. I get it! I crave the food after a week. I travel to and work in the city every week from Connecticut, and virtually every week, I stop at Cho Dang Gol for lunch. I only get the Kimchi Tofu stew, and don't know all the traditional names of the Korean dishes, but crave it every week. I don't speak Korean and can't read the Korean menu. I love trying new foods but I'm often scared to try other items on the menu in fear of wasting money or offending the wonderful staff who work their butts off every weekday lunch. I order my stew extra spicy AND with an egg. I have also tried the two to three other Korean restaurants right next door on West 35th and have remained a patron of Cho Dang Gol. I love the banchan and look forward to see whats new each week for choices. I did reach out of my comfort zone a couple weeks ago and tried the daily special which was a Bulgogi soup or stew? With a type of side dish similar to a radish root with a spicy and red marinade. It was wonderful, kind of reminded me of the traditional French onion soup but without the melted cheese and onion if that makes sense. A rich dark beef broth with some mushrooms and thinly sliced beef. For me it's a little nerve racking only because I want to try other items, but there is, for me, a little bit of a language barrier with the wait staff and I don't want to offend anyone nor embarrass myself. So I stick with the Kimchi tofu stew and I love it , crave it, and have it every week.

    (5)

  • Aaron Jae M.

    Was extremely disappointed with the service. The bulgogi was too sweet and everything else was too salty and over seasoned. I did enjoy their homemade tofu but a korean restaurant needs to have good kimchi and I was not pleased with theirs. That's pretty much the standard for all korean restaurants. We were also overcharged for the makguli.

    (2)

  • Elle C.

    i'm not a big fan of any of the korean restaurants around ktown, but cho dang gol is definitely my go-to place when i'm around that region. i wouldn't say their food is mind-blowing, but overall it's quite authentic and healthy. all their tofu dishes and bulgogi are quite good. the wait can be around 30-40 minutes long for weekend dinners, so definitely come here before 6:30!

    (3)

  • Ken C.

    My first experience with Korean cuisine, and it was very very good. Staff was friendly and efficient, and they made extra effort to accommodate our baby in a stroller, which I'd greatly appreciated in Manhattan. I had Korean BBQ, wife had something in a stone bowl with squid and bean sprouts. The squid was not as tender as expected, but flavor on both dishes was excellent. We will definitely make it back here again.

    (4)

  • Tracie M.

    Pretty delicious. Will likely return.

    (4)

  • Betty C.

    Bibimbop in stone bowl with bulgogi was delicious. Stir fry octopus with fresh tofu and noodles was not too spicy. The free appetizers were good too, especially marinated lotus roots. The fresh tofu was okay. I must say that the prices seems a bit high for what you get. $50 with tax and tip for two dishes, no drinks.

    (3)

  • M D.

    PS: They do still offer the fermented tofu stew (den jang jigae), but no longer the trio sampler in which it was included with kong biji and another dish. When I had the den jang jigae, it definitely had a new taste... not as many of the ingredients it once had with pork, kimchi, squash, potato, onions. It seemed much less "hearty". ---------- Under previous management, this would have received 10 stars. It was my absolute favorite restaurant for homestyle, rustic, korean cooking. However, I recently went here (twice to make sure) and it must have been sold to new management. The food is just not the same. My favorite "sampler" of 3 different tofu dishes is off the menu and they no longer have the great fermented tofu stew that was so rich with flavor. Even the kimchi banchan is not aged to the right flavor piqueness. This place was once PACKED at dinner and lunch times with a wait. No longer; it was one of my first tip offs that something had changed. I'm in mourning! If anyone knows of a place in nyc that has food this place once had, I'd welcome the name!

    (2)

  • T Z.

    Oh man is it expensive.... but the food is great but be prepared to pay alot. Staff relatively friendly

    (4)

  • M N.

    Delicious authentic Korean food. The service is a bit spotty but my expectation for most low key Asian restaurants in term of service is not very high. Will be back.

    (4)

  • Kathy M.

    I had a wonderful experience at Cho Dang Gol! My boyfriend and I went for lunch and had their jigae lunch specials! The food tasted amazing! The service was fantastic and the atmosphere was cozy! I definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for some true authentic Korean food!! Two thumbs up!

    (5)

  • Eddie C.

    Every Korean in NYC knows that every different restaurant specializes in a certain dish. Sometimes, the name literally translates to, say, "[Name of dish] House." So it makes no sense here that people would come to Cho Dong Gol and order korean barbecue, because most folks understandably associates barbecue with all Korean food, and then leave the restaurant thinking it's subpar Korean food. This place is great. You just have to know what to get. That said, Cho Dong Gol, in spite of having solid offerings in the normal Korean staples, is known for its handmade tofu. There's a range of other goodies here to try out too though. For instance the array of Dolsot Bibambaps is done very nicely, because there's some nice old school "peasant-style" touches that harken back to an agrarian Old World Korea, which is the K-version of doing it the way "Mom made it." There's Maccoli, which is homemade rice wine, drank from a communal bowl, the way farmers in the hills of Kyungju might have made as an adult treat. There's also some interesting a great squash porridge that again feels at home in some distant world setting. The Paejun is really good here too, primarily because it falls apart the right way. If you want good Korean barbecue, you probably should go to Wonjo or another place. For homemade Old School Korean goodness, you should come here.

    (4)

  • Angie K.

    What's with all the bad reviews? This is the only Korean restaurant in Manhattan that I approve of that has quality Korean dishes. Other Korean restaurants are just sad, and it's sadder that they still do so well because New Yorkers don't have a choice. Flushing is too far and too foreign (eek) for Manhattanites. So imagine my pure happiness when I was introduced to Chodanggol. They give you variety of banchans (side dishes, which Korean restaurants are known for), which are all delicious and perfectly seasoned. I also thought there was no bijijjigae better than my mom's, but I think I just found one. (sorry umma) It's an absolute must here. But the portion seems to run a little small, so get it as an appetizer or a side dish. I also recommend their "well-being" bossam. You will love! Forget momofuku's wannabe $100 bossam dish. This is the real deal. and I've never seen it being cooked in front of us so it was fun watching it being steamed in the little pot. Usually in Korea, bossam dishes come already pre-cooked, with kimchi, radish kimchi and cabbage on a huge plate. You can't go wrong with any of the dishes here. Pair it up with makgulli and you'll never want to leave. Highly recommended for those craving OG Korean food.

    (5)

  • Wesley H.

    A tofu heaven that also serves meat and seafood dishes. The bossam (steamed pork with vegetables and kimchi) is probably the best in New York, with the caveat that I have not tried Momofuku yet. One of my go-to places in Koreatown.

    (5)

  • Peter K.

    I am the product of Korean BBQ and gluttony. Because of my round shape, it is wise to change up my diet and try a vegetarian option once in a while. When I suggested this to S, she asked "What are you going to eat there? How are you going to survive?" One sexy option is the "Tour of Korea" pancake appetizer, pronounced "Gak Saek Chun." It is a plating of 4 pairs of different pancakes. It is a little expensive considering the portion, but if you are tired of the usual scallion or kimchi pancake, this is refreshing and delicious (note there may have been meat in one of the pancakes - or I was hallucinating). The tofu dishes are surprisingly good. We had the "kimchi cham doonboo" and the "hae mool cham dooboo." One was a tofu bowl with kimchi and the other was with seafood. I can't complain except that I had to eat something else when I got home (still hungry). Banchan is standard. Service is good too. I can appreciate the offerings of purple rice, but have no care for "nu roong ji". The crunchy rice at the bottom of the stone pot washed up with barley water. I know, this is as appealing as staring at moobs at the beach. Cho Dang Gol is a solid vegetarian option and a change up for a person who indulges in Korean BBQ all the time. IFHTP 3

    (4)

  • Monica L.

    A lot of people come here so I guess the wait could be long.. waiters kept rushing us and even offered to take our orders while we waited on line.. smart idea but felt too rushed. Quick refills on side dishes!! This doesn't seem like a bad restaurant but compared to other restaurants in k-town, its lacking. Food is okay but definitely not the best i've had.

    (3)

  • Christine K.

    I love love LOVE TOFU. While I read previous reviews about how this is "country" type cuisine, I was willing to forgo my usual BCD stop for Cho Dang Gol for some fresh tofu soon du bu. Now I personally liked the taste but unfortunately my husband thought it was just mediocre. The service was okay, we were there after 9 and it felt like they were kicking us out. Apparently they also forced a family of 6 to tip at least $10 on top of the bill and we overheard that and thought it was tacky. I mean, for dinner they should pay the 20% but to force tip on anyone is definitely a no no. Anyway, it's a decent place off the strip. Would be willing to go again. Unfortunately not with the hubs.

    (3)

  • Charles D.

    I went to NYC on Sunday with some friends to see a concert. We met up w/ another friend who lives there. He recommend this restaurant to us and it did not disappoint. Since I never had Korean food before he recommended the Spicy Kimchi Stone Rice Bowl. I had it with the beef. This dish was amazing. It comes out in a sizzling stone bowl piled with kimchi, beef and rice. The rice at the bottom of the bowl caramelizes a little. To me, it had the perfect balance of spicy and salty flavors that I love. The next time I go into NYC for a concert, I am definately going back here.

    (4)

  • Girish N.

    The food was actually quite good. What was unforgivable was that they asked my friend and I to leave after we had been there an hour and fifteen minutes, ordered drinks, food, ate, got and paid the bill (with a good tip - $17 on a $63 bill) and were wrapping up our conversation. Got there at 6PM asked if we could vacate the table at 7:15 - Really? Very Rude.

    (1)

  • Lama B.

    I have had Cho Dang Gol in the past, but before this visit I had not been here since I left Midtown for Brooklyn about a year and a half ago. That said, I dont agree with a lot of the reviews about the portion size but did realize that the prices have inflated considerably. We ordered green tea and dumplings, as well as the potato pancake to start with. The dumplings were "just ok" according to Nelly, but the pancakes were very good. The service was very slow, but they got us two sets of the sides, one while we waited and one with the meal, so they were quite generous. We ordered the classic stone bowl bibimbap, the squid with noodles, and the raw blue crab marinated in soy. All were delicious, but the raw blue crab was a first for me, and unlike anything I had ever tasted. I seriously could not believe how good it was. It was meaty and delicious, sweet yet salty and rich. I could go for one right now...it wasnt even heavy, and it was served with tofu soup and rice. The other dishes were excellent too and the the three different types of tofu served with the squid were all yummy. This is still my favorite Korean restaurant in town, but the prices are extremely inflated compared to last year, which, according to Nelly can be blamed on the new hotels popping up around the area. Nonetheless, drop by for some great tofu and soups...and be adventurous and try the raw crab if you find it. Its delicious!

    (3)

  • Sharon P.

    I think the food here is high quality and delicious. They don't skimp on the best ingredients. I usually get the soon dubu or dol sot bibimbap. I like it better than the places on 32nd street. It's a better place to take mom and dad.

    (4)

  • Amik A.

    The place was not packed on a Sunday afternoon so service was zippy. The food is so so comforting and the banchan is really exceptional compared to other Korean restaurants in the area. The food all tastes fresh and does not have that fast, high volume quality to it like Kunjip does (not that Kunjip is bad ... fucking love that place), but you can see the care in preparation and flavor. The specialty is fresh soybean curd that is made daily. So have tofu no matter what, it's handmade and pretty much perfect. Really good soon duboo. Like really. The silky tofu along with a raw egg to stir together makes for an amazing combination - smooth and creamy. The atmosphere is also quiet and perfect for conversation; in essence, you will feel at home. Some people say the food here is reminiscent of peasant food. Well ... to have soon doo-boo like this everyday, I would gladly work for hours breaking my back at a peasants wage. You would be a fool not to eat here. $15 - for full banchan and seafood soon doo-boo + noo-roong-jee + a water.

    (5)

  • Hao han L.

    Awesome food love it. Kim chi tofu stew, casseroles are great and the bi bim bap.

    (5)

  • V V.

    Great time here! This was my cousin's first time eating Korean, a wonderful introduction, flavorful and fresh. Our server was very friendly suggesting dishes

    (5)

  • Jason N.

    Great seafood pancake and beef stew. Glad they were open on Sunday night before the hurricane.

    (4)

  • Anna S.

    Great little restaurant in the middle of busy Herald Square. I've only been here during lunch since I work only a few blocks away, and every time I've had the kimchi jigae - SO GOOD ($12 lunch sp)! I'm not usually a big fan of tofu, but here it is really delicious - soft, sweet and creamy. The little side dishes are surprisingly tasty and the kimchi is delicious. The only gripes about this place would be the long lunchtime wait (make a reservation!) and busy staff - flagging your waiter down during a lunchtime crowd can be a challenge (even though they do try to pay attention and are pretty nice). Definitely a good choice.

    (4)

  • Robert K.

    The bulgogi was good but too expensive. Would have rated 4 stars if the prices were halved.

    (3)

  • Helen Y.

    I thought it was one of the better korean restaurants i have been to in awhile.. home made tofu was yum and i really like the fact that they don't use msg in their food.. every was very flavorful without "fake" taste.. their mo deum jun was great.. would def check it out again when i visit NYC

    (4)

  • Jane S.

    My favorite Korean restaurant in all of NYC. And I'm Korean. From Korea. The ingredients are fresh (no msg at all), banchan is great, and the food is superb. I love tofu and I love the fact that at Cho Dang Gol, you can see the ladies in the back actually making the good stuff. The tofu is daily made and absolutely delish!! I recommend the: -kimchee biji jjiggae (tofu curd soup with pork) -bossam (pork belly with kimchee. GET THIS IF YOU COME WITH 3+ people!!!) -haemul pajeon (seafood pancakes) -bukeoh gui (dried pollack with sauce) -fresh makgeoli (Korean rice wine. The regular is good, but sesame is great also!) My bf comes here so much that he is friends with one of the waitresses (Ms. Kim). She is so sweet and always gives us free dishes when we stop by! We just ate there tonight and she gave us free nurungji (cracked rice in barley tea). I love Cho Dang Gol. Healthy food that actually tastes good? I am sold. P.S. I noticed that this place always gets packed around 7pm. Try to avoid that time.

    (5)

  • Jay S.

    The first signs were good - a line out the door at 2pm in the afternoon on a Tuesday! The next good sign is that I was the only non-Asian in sight. While I may be Polish in lineage, I am most definitely an egg. I have had Korean around the world and would put this place at or near the top. The tofu rocks. I only wish I had a bigger stomach. Adding this to my "must visit each time in NY" list.

    (4)

  • Vicky C.

    I was introduced to this spot by a friend after BCD Tofu House closed down. This place is so much better than BCD! I always get the beef and kimchi tofu stew extra spicy. It's delicious. The tofu is homemade! It's very flavorful and I seriously crave this spot almost once a week. The wait can be long on the weekends so check it out on a school night! The side dishes are very good as well. I'm a regular!

    (5)

  • Yvonne Y.

    Liked the side dishes, especially the eggplant one. Smelly fish, not so much. Tofu soup, I can see how others may not like it; the tofu was crumbly but I found it ok. Chap chae was good served on a sizzling platter. Felt like a lot of it was wasted cause it was burnt at the bottom; may be that's the traditional way of serving, who knows? Absolute favorite was the sizzling rice stonebowl with bulgolgi. Comes with this tasty sauce and I couldn't stop eating it. Servers and host were very friendly and helped us pick dishes that provide a variety. I would go back.

    (4)

  • Harry H.

    I cannot master chopsticks.* We were accurately quoted a 10-minute wait upon our arrival for a fairly early dinner on a weeknight. Once seated, we pored over the sexy menus to determine a joint starter and some largely-keep-it-to-yaselves mains. The seafood pancake starter was pretty tasty and studded with some typical side dishes. The Black Soybean Tofu entrée was better than I expected (former tofu detractor), but was certainly assisted by the added spice suggested by the night's dining companion. Portions were fairly hearty overall** and the food wasn't anything at which to scoff, but this ain't a twice-is-just-as-nice establishment. Service was SLOW, water refills were nonexistent, and our waitress disappeared the entire night, until the bikes were brought inside and the place CLOSED @ 10pm, not-so-subtly ushering us out onto the street. We weren't offered dessert and were nearly told that the restrooms near the kitchen were effectively off limits now that we'd overextended our stay. I admit, we did linger for a while, but with no one waiting for our table and as the cause of no disruption, this certainly detrimentally impacted their tip, so that's their loss. I'm frankly kinda surprised to see this joint passed muster for the Michelin 2011 Bib Gourmand list, and that it got a mention in the Times for precisely the item I found underwhelming, but I'm no expert. *I consider my skill level above-average when it comes to motor coordination and food consumption, but the intersection that accompanies this capability eludes me. **I must be expecting triplets 'cause I just ate for four...but not really.

    (3)

  • Randy L.

    First time eating at this place and what a treat it was! The side dishes accompanied with the meal were great and everything was cooked perfectly. I can honestly say that I was very impressed, I had never thought that tofu could taste so good! I ordered the braised ribs with tofu and would order it again. Would want to come back to explore more of the menu. I also really liked that they gave out complimentary ginger tea as a desert!

    (4)

  • Happy R.

    One of the best Korean restaurants I've ever been to in the USA. Soft tofu stew is phenomenal and epitomizes comfort food. We eat in and then take away a second full order for lunch the next day. Delish!!!

    (5)

  • Jihye K.

    this is replacing my BCD tofu sadness...and a worthy replacement it is! came in on a cold sunday afternoon, no waiting! sat down and got nice warm barley tea. score! that was already putting this restaurant on a good track. their banchan (korean side dishes) was pretty awesome -- their kimchi really hit the spot for me :) and they give you some jun (fish battered and pan fried..along with zucchinis, i think...) as part of your banchan. but as with most korean places, banchans kinda change, depending on what they happen to have, so just hope that when you go, it'll be good. :D and ask for seconds if you want -- we certainly did. :D mmm i do miss the whole fried mackerel you get at BCD tofu house but this place doesn't disappoint either! entree -- just get the soondubu. i love seafood, and i found the one here pretty great and hearty flavored! it was clean tasting, not grimy at all. the tofu was pretty good, soft and not runny. a good proportion in the soup as well. granted, i've also been to soondubu specialists in korea that have REALLY fresh tofu and ridiculous seafood flavors bc korea is just really good with fresh seafood (we are a peninsula after all...surrounded with water...). so it's not been the best i've ever had, but it's pretty darn good and comparable... AND doesn't require a trans-pacific-ocean flight. :) the rice -- i loved the rice. it's purple rice aka healthy for you! and they give you a decent sized portion (although guys might need some extra rice, for girls...definitely enough). AND they had the rice in a stone pot, with which they filled with hot water to get the noo rung ji (the slightly burnt rice on the bottom of the pot) off and make a good after-meal hot water drink. i love that stuff, good memories! so...as yelp says for a 5-star rating, "as good as it gets" for soondubu! i will definitely return to try some of their actual tofu stuff (like biji) as well as more variations on their soondubu...and maybe some other dishes, if i finish all of that.

    (5)

  • Katie B.

    Cho Dang Gol was packed for late-ish on a Tuesday night, and we took this as a good sign. We were so glad we stuck it out for the wait! We ordered bulgogi and another steak dish. The lotus root and little omelette thing were the highlights of the side dishes, and both beef entrees were amazing with the cabbage side. Our waitress prepared one bite-sized portion for us and arranged it on a plate to show us how it was best served! We felt like schmucks, but it was worth it. Total bill for two was $60 for two entrees and two Korean beers. Not bad for New York. We loved it and are looking forward to exploring more Korean restaurants here in Chicago.

    (5)

  • Jackson S.

    Yea don't even think about it, great food...different selection from typical Korean food but all good.

    (4)

  • Ernie K.

    This probably is a place I would go if han-bat (another korean right next door) is too busy. It has that provincial atmosphere some might enjoy but their food isn't all that great. Edible though.

    (3)

  • Kirra S.

    Amazing, great food, cozy and lots of Koreans eating there

    (5)

  • Samantha L.

    Annoyed and unimpressed. I've had Korean food in Korea, Shanghai, RI, and Boston. I know what good is supposed to taste like. I just wasn't feeling it. Though the food was borderline okay to good I was not impressed with prices and especially the service there on a Saturday night at 8:30pm. Spicy octopus, bulgogi, kimchi chigae, pork belly stir fry, seafood stew and bulgogi stew for meals were all spiced okay. Not spicy enough (well, Korean spicy). Portions for some were generous, but the bulgogi meal itself the portion was very small for the price. 19 bucks for a 'seafood' haemul paejeon that had only a few pieces of squid and shrimp with no evidence of oysters or scallops in it? ridiculous. the mandu were lacking as well. Food was fine, my gripe? Service, or lack there of. The table next to us, who sat down after we were seated ordered and already had their drinks and banchans before we even got to place our drink orders. We had to white flag our waiter who looked like he hated his life in general. Ban chans from my experience are served BEFORE you get your regular meal. We were served our apps and we were waiting and waiting for our ban chans I begin gnawing on my chopsticks. They decided to tell us they're served with our entrees? Sorry, don't lie to me because I'm not Korean. I know the drill. The 6 banchaans were ehh. Seasoned perilla leaves had so much salt I gagged, the kimchi was both the cabbage and radish mixxed together. They had some seasoned fish, some steamed sliced melon and a korean 'flat meat ball' as well. Overall food was fine, but the lack of service and friendliness from the staff there has turned me off. It has also made me decide I won't visit this establishment again. I'd rather go to a norebang and bring my own kimchi, soju and rice to rock out a Saturday night in the city.

    (2)

  • Lena B.

    i prefer not to dine at a korean restaurant with my mom and aunt. they incessantly criticize the food (in the restaurant, almost at a whispering level...they are classy!) and service (after we walk out of the restaurant, blasting what went wrong). this time, my cousin and i decided to risk it since we couldn't go another day (3 months for the cousin) without consuming korean food. cho dang was the first korean restaurant we stumbled in manhattan so we made our way into it for late lunch. we perused the menu which consisted of variety of traditional korean dishes, but since they proudly advertised their specialties in tofu, we selected tofu jun-gol. this came out in a large pot on a gas grill which simmered the soup throughout the meal. there were a few different types of tofu in it along with some mushrooms and diced meat. our meal was accompanied by about 6-7 different banchan and rice cooked in a hot tone pot as well. my verdict - for a place that specialized in tofu, it was a decent offering. i am not sure if their tofu were house made, but it didn't set itself apart from any other tofu places i've been to in california. the soup base was a little too sweet for my liking but tasty nonetheless, especially on a cold rainy day. i also thought the dish could be served without those nasty chewy bits of beef. service was adequate, refilling banchan and water as requested. my mom's verdict - "too much msg. need more water" she declined their offered to move us to a bigger table, but in a darker corner of the restaurant. she said dark places are not good since you cannot see what's in the food. i know...she also thinks the government is tapping her phone! p.s. - cho dang is a small village in korean where tofu is famous for. it's known for having the best sea water which is a key ingredient in making tofu.

    (3)

  • Shaina P.

    Cho Dang Gol sits on 35th Street wedged in a row of a couple other Korean restaurants. It's cold out, I just withstood the masses of Macy's during a crazy Christmas season, and I'm hankering for some tea, something hot to eat, and Korean. How does one decide? For one, the neighboring restaurant appears cheaper, pictures of the food are displayed on the window and it all looks delicious, but it's just Zagat rated and there are a bunch of touristy looking people in there, it's crowded, and OMG, is that a plastic tea cup and disposable dishware?? Cho Dang Gol, on the other hand, is far less crowded, but the only people eating here are clearly of Asian decent, probably Korean, and there is a sign in my face that states "People on Yelp love us!" So what does one do? Clearly, since I'm not from New York, I MUST go to the restaurant that has Yelp fanatics raving. The thing that I found to be the most impressive about the restaurant, definitely not the tap water, but the side dishes. Three types of kimchi, marinated fishies, vegetables, more fishies ... it was incredible! I would have been satisfied by the sides alone, but no. I, no, WE, had to go one step further and order two separate meals from the menu (shareable and not cheap, by the way). Each starchy dish came with a side of red bean sticky rice anyway and each dish was basically the same thing, except mine was with potato noodles and Dave's with rice. Both SPICY, and enormous! What was I thinking?? After almost searing my face on the hot plate that my dish was served in because I immediately (and literally) fell into a food coma, it was time once again to head out into the big bad city. Next time, can someone who knows a thing or two about Korean food PLEASE come with me? Knock some sense into me before I overdose on kimchi again?? By the way, what makes this place so good? Based on my one experience here ... + hand pressed tofu + red bean rice + a shit ton of what's it? banchan? + and ... you guessed it ... kimchi

    (4)

  • Anna H.

    Giving this restaurant a 4 for their perfect tofu. Their kimchi biji is probably the best I've ever had, and unlike anything else you can get in the city. If you go to this restaurant, I would definitely stick to something tofu-oriented (soon dobu, biji, etc.), rather than any of their other entrees. Also, be aware that this restaurant REEKS of dwen jang. I would never take a non-Korean here as the smell can be off-putting for even Korean people.

    (4)

  • Brian M.

    Usually I don't go to Korean restaurants in NYC because nobody makes better Korean food than my very own mom (who happened to have owned and operated a Korean restaurant that hosted dinners for the South Korean national soccer and PR team that visited Costa Rica back in the 90s to promote the Fifa World Cup 2002). However, my friend who was starting her own business wanted to buy me dinner and talk business. So came here and we had some food. Ok the food was alright, nothing special or anything that wowed me. Had the Ssam (wrap) special as well as Pork Bulgogi and Tteok Galbi with some Bean Curd Soup. Service was alright. I think they heavily rely on the fact that they make their own rice on premises and that they serve Noorongi or rice that have been scraped off from the bottom of the rice cooker with hot water. Overall, not bad but not great either. It's a bit more expensive than most Korean restaurants in NYC. If you want specialized attention and don't want to deal with the Koreatown crowd on 32nd, I suggest you come here!

    (3)

  • Soojin H.

    Every time I go to back to the east coast, Cho Dang Gol is my must-go place. I don't know what it is about this place, but it always tugs at my heart strings. It may be the fact that I love tofu, and their specialty is tofu. It may be their cute old school traditional decor. One thing's for sure. They serve pretty darn good korean food, resembling the same "seoul"ful flavors my grandma used to make. They make their own tofu so of course their tofu dishes are delicious. However, my favorite items are the CDG buk-uh gui (pan-seared marinated dried pollack) and their kong biji (ground soybean stew.) It's absolutely a must-try. They also have some of the tastiest ban-chan (assortment of side dishes) and don't cheat you with just different varieties of kimchee. Best of all, during the summer they offer cold noodle in a soy milk soup! Seriously the most refreshing treat for those hot NY summers.

    (5)

  • Erin A.

    Everything here was absolutely delicious. Great appetizers and entrees that hit the sweet spot from Galbi to the Seafood Soon Dubu, Beef Soon Dubu, Stir Fried Tofu Trio with Pork Belly and Seafood Pancake. Cho Dang Gol's dishes seem to have more ingredients and tasted fresher compared to many others on 32nd St. Tip: To avoid a long wait, make reservations ahead of time.

    (4)

  • Travel Bug X.

    TERRIBLE!!! If it were up to me, I wouldn't even give this place a 1 star rating. This restaurant has the worst service of all the Korean restaurants in Manhattan. We ordered a big soup dish (around $45) for us and the waitress rudely remarked- "Is that all you're going to order?" That is how we began our meal.. We waited for 20 minutes and still not having received any side dishes (banchan), we requested for a second time that we get some side dishes. 10 minutes later, she finally brings us some. After a total of waiting 30 minutes, we still hadn't received our main dish (nor had she refilled up the side dishes which we had requested twice). The thing is.. I understand that food can take time to make but it was more so the waitress' attitude that put a sour taste in our mouths-- and this will be the reason I will never step foot back into this restaurant and I will be sure to let others know of the poor attitude and rude remarks we got from the waitress. I asked to speak to the manager and she got all flustered and changed the subject. After our complaint, she started brown nosing nonstop (likely realizing that her tip would be effected). She hovers over our table and right in front during the entire remainder of the meal-- no joke. She sat there staring at us pacing the table back and forth. Due to the horrible service-- this reason and how long the food takes-- I will never be back. Half of the restaurant business has to do with customer service and her attitude was awful. No waitress should EVER make a remark that the dish is too cheap for the number of people sitting at the table. It was a $45 soup.. how is that cheap?? AWFUL SERVICE. DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME. THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER KOREAN TOFU SPECIALITY RESTAURANTS IN KTOWN (try BCD Tofu House, Miss Korea, Seoul Garden, etc......AVOID Cho Dang Gol!!!!!!!!!!)

    (1)

  • Sara S.

    If you love Korean food and tofu, then this is exactly the spot to try out in K-Town. Even if you don't like tofu, this place might just change your thoughts on it. Cho Dang is one of my favorite Korean restaurants in the city. They serve delicious, original tofu dishes and soups that are all handmade from scratch. Their tofu cuisines are honestly the best I've had in the city. It's quite incomparable actually. The casseroles are delicious and taste like they were homemade. They serve other Korean dishes and all are equally delicious. I have yet to discover a dish here that is disappointing. My personal favorite to get is the soon doo boo which is a spicy tofu stew. They offer a sufficient variety of bonchon (assorted side dishes) along with your main entrees, and you can ask for more refills of them without added charge. The rice here is also a premium grain; it's a certain type of grain that is quite hard to find in most restaurants. The ambience and decor of Cho Dang is very warm and inviting that captures unique, traditional qualities. It's always busy when I come here, but there's never a long line to wait at unlike some of the other restaurants in K-Town. It's also noisy at times, but never to the point that it's intolerable. I don't believe they serve BBQ here, so this is not the right place to be if you're looking for beef.

    (5)

  • Dan L.

    I remember the first time I ate here, I would think that there's an old Korean grandma preparing everything in the kitchen. To my surprise, the kitchen door swings open and in the kitchen I see several small Korean halmuhnees (grandmas) cooking up a storm. What truly sets Cho Dang Gol apart from many of the Korean restaurants in the area is the nostalgic experience of eating a meal lovingly prepared by your Korean grandma. Although the menu has a multitude of various comfort foods that are delicious in their own right, I always make sure to order their tofu either in a soondooboo or in one of their casseroles or jungols when I'm with a larger group. The kong bijee (ground soybean porridge) and jeon appetizers are delicious as well.

    (5)

  • Kim N.

    Love! Soondubu jigae was especially yummy with homemade tofu. Galbi jim was melt in your mouth tender and flavorful, and so addictive I can't wait to return. :) Highly recommend!

    (5)

  • Anahid M.

    Awesome dining experience! Delicious Korean food - I'd highly recommend this place. It's my favorite Korean restaurant in Manhattan yet!

    (5)

  • G C.

    Man this totally hits the spot on a cold day in NYC. Fresh tofu made in house! Decent banchan spread. Quick no fuss service. Good portions to share.

    (4)

  • Amy P.

    Went here with friends while visiting NYC for the weekend. We went with a Korean girl who has lived in NYC for several years. I lived in Korea for a couple of years, and am pretty picky about my Korean food. The food in Korea town in T.O. rarely cuts it for me, i'm just so discerning (sarcasm font, please). This place was AMAZING. One of the BEST Korean meals that I have had outside of Korea. The array of side dishes was impressive, and each one was delicious. The kimchi was perfectly aged and had just the perfect amount of tang. The tofu soup they serves as an appetizer was surprisingly delicious. I ordered the kimchi chigae and it was the best I have tasted in North America. So rich, flavourful, spicy, and tangy. My husband had the soybean chigae and it was also wonderful. Everyone enjoyed their meal, and we also had that delicious Korean rice wine (Makoli) and some Korean beer. Prices are reasonable and quality is great. It's a bit noisy, so best to not come here expecting a quiet, intimate atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Wendee M.

    This has become one of my top 3 Korean restaurants to go to. The food is impeccable. Plus I heard it was organic? We definitely ordered too much food for 3 small girls. I love the tofu appetizer. Sprinkle a bit of red pepper and you're good to go. Staff is always nice and was there to refill our bowls haha. Can't wait to go back. I'm ALWAYS craving Korean food.

    (5)

  • Alex R.

    Good place to eat in Korea town. A bit prclicy ($6 for a beer). But if you like good Korean food this is one of great places to go.

    (4)

  • PP F.

    I love this place! Definitely one of the best restaurants in NYC to go to for Korean food. The seafood pancake (Haemul Pajeon) had the perfect crispiness. The jigaes are legit! I've had both the seafood and the kimchi with pork jigaes. The homemade tofu is a great consistency and tastes delicious. The bulgogi stew actually has a slight sweetness to it, and the beef is quite tender. Tried one of the specials of the night, the jun gol (rice cake casserole) with seafood, beef, egg, and veggies. The waitress was not kidding when she warned us it was spicy... This is a snot/tear inducing type of spicy. Amazing flavor and it's cooked right in front of you. You get to watch the raw ingredients transform into a yummy casserole =)

    (4)

  • Big B.

    I have to say the tofu of this restaurant is very great. I originally wanted to give it a five stat. However, the service attitude of this store is very bad and not very friendly.

    (3)

  • Stephanie C.

    KIMCHI BIJI FOR DAYS KIMCHI BIJI FOREVER it's only $10.95 for the weekday lunch special and you get this piping hot stone pot full of housemade soybean curds with kimchi and pork and it's literally the best thing I've ever eaten. Plus all the usual banchan and unlimited hot barley tea! Nothing beats this in the winter. Or ever.

    (5)

  • Suzy D.

    My husband and I came here around 3 on Friday and the restaurant was surprisingly pretty full even though we came at a strange time. I love sondooboo so I was excited to come here because the tofu soup house we have in Chicago is not that amazing. This places makes all their own tofu so I knew I was in for a treat. I ordered the beef and kimchi tofu soup and my husband ordered the seafood tofu soup and then we also ordered the small dukbokki casserole. It was the best tofu soup I have ever had. The tofu was so soft and creamy. I finished my entire bowl. The dukbokki casserole was great too. It was loaded with seafood and veggies and the rice cakes were nice and chewy. The casserole was so huge we had a ton of dukbokki to bring home with us too. Wish we had a tofu soup house like this in Chicago. Oh one thing though, my husband said last time he came here with our friend, they were brought a block of fresh tofu when they were seated. My husband said I looked to white and that's why they didn't bring us the block of fresh tofu with our banchan. Sad because I really wanted to try their fresh tofu. Oh well...

    (4)

  • A C.

    Good kimchi tofu, an old style korean kitchen that looks really cool. Good location near theatres

    (3)

  • P C.

    Good for large groups, but odd seating arrangement. Huge plus is they have mini korean pancakes as part of their panch'an. On the minue - there wasn't that much variety. Any actually none of the traditional kimchi with the red sauce. Their casserole can feed 4 people, not 2-3 like the waitress said (and trust me, our group can eat a lot). We also ordered their bulgogi beef - way overpriced (more so than the usual premium associated with Korean food). But why the 2-star you ask? My friend used her credit card to pay for her part of the meal and was fraudulently charged $200 at a location near KTown. And no, she did not lose her card, or use it anywhere else that day. Doubt they can do this to everybody and stay in business longterm - and we were probably the exception not the rule, BUT - definitely lost a star for that experience. So heads up.

    (1)

  • Shireen L.

    Came here for a early dinner (around 5:45pm?) the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and was seated immediately. I think the prices for this place are a little pricier compared to other Ktown spots but the food is quite delicious. I got their Dwen Jang Chi Gae, which was really really good. The side dishes were good too but I wish they would be a little generous and refill 'em once the plates were empty! Overall a good place!

    (4)

  • Sunmi S.

    We love their side dishes and sampler tofu!! The kimchi tofu duruchigi (very addictive kind of spicy taste) and Dukbaegi Bulgogi were both very tasty. The only down side was their price, bibimbab usually doesn't cost $20 like here. But they provide very attentive services and well made food.

    (4)

  • Lily P.

    $130 for the 8 of us including tax and tip. Good food and better quality than most places you find on 32. The decorations were great and weren't clubby. While the prices are higher than 32nd street this is somewhere you wanna go when having dinner with friends opposed to drunken 3am ktown food. They were nice about the sides and gave us 2 sets and cleared off the dishes once done instead of many places where they just let plates pile up and linger. The food had big portions, came out fast, and the service was good. The place def fills up. We went at 730pm and it was filling up so by the time we ordered the food there were lots of people waiting at the door. haemul pajun was really good!!! :) great ratios of seafood, the veggie, and etc. It came out really fast and wasn't too crispy but also was good enough that it wasn't too moist and soggy. I like their japchae (kunjip still has better in my opinion) was good, but a bit overcooked and there was tons stuck on the bottom of the hot plate. I like when restaurants transfer it to a reg plate so it doesn't keep on cooking and has time to cool down. Their rice cake kim chi dish was very good but I wish they had more rice cakes in it since in the end we just ended up with tons and tons of kim chi...well I'm not really sure if thats a neg or not. Main meal was radish wraps with fatty pork, onions, kimchi etc was very good and such a HUGE DISH. The rice I def need to note was better than any other place in Ktown. I actually ate it. Impressive..best consistency ever. They gave us home made tofu dishes and also a lemony drink at the end that were good. THey were also very nice about splitting up credit cards, cash, and etc.

    (4)

  • Ally W.

    Homemade tofu. But the restaurant just isn't what I remembered it to be. I had the wild sesame tofu stew with mushrooms. It was bland. Tiny bits of mushroom - it might have been half a mushroom cut up. The sesame seemed to have been missing from my stew. I wasn't thrilled overall, but ate the dish anyway. Wasn't about to waste my money on just the bann. I admit I rather liked the cucumber bann and the waiter was willing to bring me another when I asked. The other dish sampled was the vegetable tofu stew (mild) - it had more flavor than mine. Oddly, the dish was bigger and filled with more mushrooms. I suppose the (L) was for large and they assumed I could only eat the regular size. The sweet orange drink afterwards was the highlight of my meal.

    (2)

  • Jenny Z.

    We lived in Korea for a year, in the province that was known for having the best food in the country, and the food at this restaurant is the closest we've come so far in America to feeling like we're right back at home in Korea. We had the kimchi jjigae and the bulgogi stew, and the quality of the ingredients (banchan included) and preparation were superb and the food was delicious. Also the decor in this place is great- rustic and cozy- a welcome change from most Korean places. Highly recommended Korean!

    (5)

  • Josh W.

    This is definitely a solid place to get Korean tofu soon. I got their seafood tofu soup and it was good. It comes with the raw egg already in the soup and it was good. There could have been more seafood in there, but it was good enough. Now that BCD is not around, I may be coming here more often. The banchan was good as well. Lots of variety, all of the dishes were good. A good place to get some tofu soup

    (4)

  • Otis M.

    I walked into Cho Dang Gol because I had memorized its location as "the Korean restaurant near 5th Ave with 5s in its address" but actually I was looking for Madangsui, a few doors down. So, an accidental comparison. This one has a much smaller menu especially in the barbecued items. If you are looking to grill an octopus as I was you will need to continue down the block. But, ultra stars for the panchan! I like muchness, but in many places the panchan seem to share two or three similar tastes. There's your kimchee taste, your seaweed taste, your sesame oil taste, maybe a bit of fish and that's it whether there are five dishes or 10. But here each dish had its own identity and was stellar. My favorites being the fried zuccini discs, a piece of buttery mackerel, and a wasabi-tasting salad of shredded things. The service is friendly but a bit strange. Two of us got the same quantity of panchan as solo diners near of us--a common failing in Korean restaurants--but when we asked for more they gladly brought additional dishes at no charge including some items that had not been on the table first round. Tea required several requests. And the portions are small, though not tiny. (My 13 year old wrestler dining companion actually polished off two complete meals.) But the panchan makes up for all these shortcomings. My return strategies would be to order one of the less expensive items, like the tofu stew at around $10, so I can enjoy their good stuff for a great price.

    (4)

  • Angela D.

    I'm glad I ventured outside ktown's ever-popular 32nd St. "Korean Way" to find Cho Dang Gol on the much more low-key 35th St. I am so excited about Cho Dang Gol because of their delicious mushroom bibimbap (stone rice bowl). I don't eat meat outside of seafood, and it can be hard to find a good hearty bibimbap. I'm not a fan of seafood bibimbap, it tends to lack flavor, and sometimes veggie bibimbaps can feel lacking, in general. Which is why I am now a huge fan of Cho Dang Gol's mushroom bowl because it has three mushroom varieties, veggies, crab meat, I added a fried egg and hot sauce to the mix, and it was packed full of flavor - dare I say, the best bibimbap I've ever had. Their Korean omelet appetizer was also great, I'll definitely be coming back to this restaurant when I'm craving a hearty rice bowl. So if you're looking for something a little more low-key in ktown without the long wait time, go here.

    (4)

  • Mandy L.

    I can't believe for all my years being in NYC and for all the late night k-town visits, I only recently came to Cho Dang Gol for the first time. My loss! I really liked this place. I can taste the soy and the freshness of the tofu in their soondubu. They beat BCD and Seoul Garden in that category for me. My only quip is that the seafood soondubu didn't have much seafood in it. Our jap chae was excellent and it came out piping hot on a sizzling platter. I also really liked the small bowl of homemade tofu they gave us in the beginning... a great summer palate refresher. We also got complimentary red bean ice cream at the end of our meal.

    (4)

  • Kyle C.

    I'm perplexed by the number of less-than-steller reviews...until I realize that they seem to expect Cho Dang Gol (CDG) to be a run-of-the-mill Korean restaurant . It's primarily a tofu shop, so their best dishes are naturally ones that include tofu (i.e., mostly stews and casseroles as opposed to barbeque). In particular, I like the kimchi biji, which seems like a stew of ground-up firm tofu mixed with kimchi. The texture is a bit different than what you're probably used to, but it's really satisfying with rice and side dishes. If you want solid Korean bbq, try elsewhere. I've had a couple of their stir-fried dishes, and the squid/octopus comes out very tender. This summer the menu includes a bowl of cold, hand-pulled noodles in a soy-based broth that's on the bland side. They serve it with a small dish of sea salt, and I found myself adding most of the salt to coax any sort of flavor from the noodles. Very popular with Korean diners, so be prepared to wait a few minutes.

    (4)

  • Brian C.

    This is a pretty useless review. I should have tried some of the things that they are more well-known for, such as their fresh tofu dishes or their bosam. I saw these dishes on other tables that ordered it and it looked good. I just didn't feel like it that day. I ordered the dol sot bibimbap. I wasn't impressed. It was good, but I've had much better. Plus, the fact that it was $16.95 made it even less impressive. The food here is not bad though. You won't leave here impressed, but you'll leave somewhat satisfied and full. The banchan side dishes were just ok as well. I still prefer Hanbat to this place if you're on 35th street. My advice is to listen to the other Yelpers and order their tofu related stuff.

    (3)

  • Doris F.

    Cho Dang Gol, is what I excepted as a typical Korean restaurant. I came here for dinner on a Thursday night. Good thing we made reservations cause this place gets really packed around 7. So if you plan on going, make reservations just in case!! As other yelpers mentioned, their banchans are pretty good. The tofu was extremely fresh and the fried eggplant was delicious as well. We ordered a large seafood and scallion pancake and it was pretty delicious, definitely had enough 'seafood' unlike other Korean restaurants in K-town. I would definitely come back just got the seafood pancake. We also ordered (forgot names but remember descriptions, sorry) -A tofu/seafood soup that came with a purple bean rice- this was actually just ok. Since we were doing family style, I only had one bite of it. -Japchae- pretty good but expensive for what it was -mushroom stone bowl bi bim bap- their sauce is different but it made it pretty tasty! Would come back to try other bi bim bap as well. The design of their menu reminded us about the flintstones haha

    (4)

  • Kerry M.

    This place was so delicious.. I am dreaming of it as I write. There were plenty of seats open at 6 pm on a Tuesday, but by 7 the place was packed with a line out the door. Thankfully we got in early and were able to sit right away. I only came here once, but the tofu is beyond amazing. I tried a piece of my dad's bulgogi and it was good, but not as good as the ones I've had in Korea. Get the tofu but there are plenty of options for those who don't like tofu. Prices were reasonable for most of the tofu dishes and stews, but the meat was expensive. Next time I am in New York City I will definitely come back here.

    (5)

  • Mike S.

    Great place for soondubu, sullungtang, samgaetang. Tastes more like genuine homemade korean cooking vs the places on 32nd st. Must try the homemade tofu dishes. Plus had top chef Edward Lee sitting at the next table while eating my soondubu!

    (4)

  • S S.

    They lied about the wait!!! They will tell everyone that it is a 20 minutes wait for a table. It turned out to be an hour and 10 minutes wait. Whenever we walked over to check on our table and they will tell us that we are the next in line. Then they seated another party of four (just like us) to a table. I went up to the waiter and said to him, thought you told us that we are next. He then asked us to wait inside the restaurant, so we did. That is very dishonest of them. People are very busy and we need to know approximately how long is the wait so we can decided if it is worth the wait. The Tofu soup was good. The Seafood pancake is one of the best in here. But is it worth the long wait? Not really.

    (3)

  • James K.

    According to my "picky" Korean friend, good Korean food is not in Manhattan but New Jersey and Queens. Her favorite place in K-town though, is Cho Dang Gol, and she said that this restaurant has the best soon tofu of the area. Of course I needed to go and see. Thus, she organized a little expedition there with some coworkers and friends. We started with the seafood pajeon (pancake) and it was good but just a little bit oily. The side-dishes came, and most were pretty standard. The mackerel was cooked in a spicy sauce instead of fried, and it was delicious. The kimchi was one of the most spicy I've had in the area, though I still prefer Hanbat's more. I ordered the kimchi soon tofu, and it was very good. The tofu was silky and tasty. How does it compare to the other ones like BCD or Seoul Garden? I'd say it's a little better, but I wouldn't be able to think of specifics unless I had them all in front of me at once. I did think that the flavor of the stew was stronger and thus I liked it more. A couple of the other friends got the seafood soon tofu, and I tried theirs. I thought the seafood's broth tasted fresher and the kimchi's tasted sour (but in a good way), as expected... I slightly preferred the seafood's flavor over the kimchi though so I'll probably order that next time. One person ordered the bulgogi stew, and it was yummy. The flavor of the marinate dominated the soup and went very well with the rice. The rice was also different from other places. They cooked it with some black rice, and thus the color was slightly gray, but it didn't look, or taste, unappetizing at all.

    (4)

  • Kelly L.

    My favourite korean joint in the city by far! Where do I begin... It's not on the hectic 32nd st (it's on 35th) ktown proper, the staff is so friendly, and I just love how, unlike with other korean restaurants, I can actually taste the freshness of the ingredients and not be overwhelmed with seasoning and sauces. Best Kalbi I've had, flavorful without the unnecessary oiliness and saltiness. Other great menu items: Kalbi, stir fried tofu trio (made with two other things I love, rice cake and pork belly!), mushroom and tofu casserole, and sam gae tang ("cornish hen stuffed with gingseng, glutinous rice and herbs"). Definitely make a rezzie to get a seat during dinner hours.

    (5)

  • Jaehee H.

    YAY Korean Food!!!

    (5)

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