Home-style Korean w/ exceptional house-made tofu. NYT recognized.
Cho Dang Gol is a beloved Korean restaurant celebrated for its authentic, home-style cooking and exceptional house-made tofu. Featured on the New York Times' 2025 Top 100 Restaurants list, it offers a comforting departure from typical Korean BBQ spots, with hearty stews, bubbling casseroles, and classic favorites like bibimbap and pajeon.
Cho Dang Gol is renowned for its traditional, home-style Korean dishes, with a particular emphasis on its exceptional, house-made tofu. Popular items include various stews like the Spicy Seafood Tofu Stew and Perilla Seed Tofu Stew, as well as bibimbap, pajeon, and marinated meats. While most reviews are highly positive, a few mention concerns about it becoming 'Americanized' or a decline in quality, though many defend its authenticity.
"The restaurant is highly praised for its house-made tofu dishes, particularly the tofu curd soup and various stews like Spicy Seafood Tofu Stew and Perilla Seed Tofu Stew. Other recommended items include bibimbap, pajeon, and marinated meats."
Customers overwhelmingly praise the authentic Korean cuisine, particularly the house-made tofu and various stews. While some mention long wait times, the quality of food generally makes it worthwhile.
Important Note
Wait times can be significant, especially on weekends and during peak hours, as the restaurant does not accept reservations. Some patrons have noted a perception of the food becoming less traditional or 'Americanized' over time, and there are mentions of potential ownership changes impacting quality.
"This restaurant was mentioned as a suggestion for a place that is usually packed on weekends but easier to get into on weekdays."
Neutral"Cho Dang Gol is suggested as a dining option in NYC."
Neutral"This user agreed that Cho Dang Gol is the 'right answer'."
Positive"This user raved about Cho Dang Gol, specifically highlighting their cod roe omelette as 'life altering'."
Positive"This user emphatically stated that Cho Dang Gol is the 'correct answer' and is worth any wait."
Positive"This user seconded the recommendation for Cho Dang Gol (CDG), having previously seen it recommended and recently enjoyed an excellent lunch there with a relative."
Positive"This user recommends Cho Dang Gol for Korean dishes featuring fermented foods like banchan and kimchi jjigae, which can be acidic."
Positive"This user strongly recommends Cho Dang Gol as the best Korean food in Koreatown, advising that waits during busy hours are common but worthwhile."
Positive"Recommends Cho Dang Gol as a food option in Koreatown for someone arriving at JFK and traveling to NJ."
Neutral"Cho Dang Gol is mentioned as a lower-end option for Korean food in KTown."
Neutral"This user also vouched for Cho Dang Gol, describing it as feeling like a random Seoul alley restaurant. They noted its popularity, with a line forming before opening and tables filling quickly."
Positive"This commenter expressed validation for choosing Cho Dang Gol, indicating they don't have deep Korean food knowledge but are happy to see their choice supported."
Positive"In addition to recommending Cho Dang Gol in Manhattan, this user highlights its country-style cooking and numerous house-made tofu dishes. They advise arriving outside of peak dinner hours due to the lack of reservations."
Positive"Recommending Cho Dang Gol as a top choice for Koreatown, this user also noted health inspection issues and a past incident at other popular restaurants like Tosokchon and Gammeok."
Positive"This commenter suggests Cho Dang Gol in Manhattan as a traditional, no-frills Korean restaurant, noting that more options are available in Murray Hill and Northern New Jersey."
Positive"Recalling a previous experience, this commenter found the flavored makgeolli tried at Cho Dang Gol to be excellent."
Positive"The commenter's wife prefers the house-made Chestnut makgeolli from Cho Dang Gol over bottled and canned varieties."
Positive"Cho Dang Gol is recommended for its Tofu stew."
Positive"This user agreed with the recommendation for Cho dang gol."
Positive"This user recommended Cho dang gol for its banchan."
Positive
