Yummy tofu! Big blocks of it and the texture is so homemade. Well it is. The stir fried pork w tofu blocks, tasty spucy but sweet pork. I liked the spicy coating feeling of the dish. We had bossom as well it was great paired w the sweet kimchi and good spice! The jalapeños was my fav and the garlic was her fav. We also had side dishes that we all loved. The lotus root, sticky and walnut hint of sweetness. The tofu w soft radish on top, and the spicy radish kimchi, was my fav. The service was good it was quick, and the ambience was quite noisy and loud but your table is your space so you can hear yourself just ok.

+1

Came here twice in 4 days. The Spicy Galbi Jjim is so good! Free unlimited side dishes, free tofu samples on weekends (probably due to the an hour wait time), free traditional Korean dessert! The rice is perfect cooked. Not a big fan of the Homemade Soybean Curd Stew but it’s worth trying for the first time. Definitely one of the best Korean restaurants in Manhattan.

+6

Amazing amazing service! There’s always so many people in line! I went right when they opened, so I was able to get a table with no wait time! I came from Oklahoma, so it’s safe to say, this is the best Korean food I’ve ever had! I love the spicy galbi jjim!! Everything else is delish too! You can’t go wrong with this place! Just look at the waitlists! 😭 If I visit New York again, I’m definitely coming back!

Haven’t had the dinner here yet but walked in for a workday lunch, I got seated very quickly after 12pm. The lunch combo is great deal and food is amazingly homey.

such great korean in the city. one of the few authentic and good restaurants close to time square and some of the better korean in the city at affordable prices. super cozy inside and very fast service. we got the shrimp pancakes (phenomenal. must get). the seafood and tofu stew was good but the veggie bibimbap was even better. explosions of flavour and so many good veggies and homemade tofu to elevate the dish further. i’ll be back here.

The vibe is super chill and every bite is a total flex. I grabbed the Hot Stone Bibimbap with Spicy Pork, Mini Bossam, and Spicy Seafood Rice Cake no cap!!! They taste exactly like the real deal in Korea. Service was mad friendly and the prices are on point. If you’re hunting for bomb eats in a lit spot, this joint is a must-try. 🤜🏼🙌🏻🤛🏼

Recommend! I went there today with my mom. We got in right when they opened, and despite we had to wait ~40 mins (apparently according to our server, our order was placed a bit later than we did, and also food we ordered are supposed to take longer. Others didnt seem to take that long so I dont think its the norm), food was **incredible**! We got seafood tofu soup, kimchi tofu soup, and seafood rice cake. Mine was seafood tofu soup and I never had anything better than this since I moved to the states 16 years ago o.0 amazing! Servers were nice too, especially our young female server, they kept explaining and apologizing for it taking a long time (except one male server seemed upset at us for asking why its taking 30+ mins but he wasnt mean or anything either anyway). We enjoyed it overall and would recommend to others.

This is the best Korean restaurant I've ever eaten at in New York—hands down. With many unique dishes you won't find at other places, like the squid rice dish. They also offer a generous amount of banchan (side dishes), and the service is excellent—they kept refilling our side dishes without us even asking. I truly hope this restaurant never closes; that's the highest compliment I can give!

+3

Would we wait over an hour for good Korean food? We would and we did. While the dining room is somewhat small and a little crowded, Cho Dang Gol is probably the best Korean food that we have ever eaten. We seemingly tried everything, from the Fried Chicken and Mandu, to the Japchae and our favorite, the Galbi Jjim (an absolute must!). Everything was spiced and cooked to perfection and believe it or not, we ate practically everything we ordered. It was that good. The service was exceptional, and the waitresses were on the spot to provide more food and drink. The place is a little crazy, but we loved it! The locals swear by this place and if you are visiting, it's an absolute must! I will repeat...the best Korean food I have ever eaten!

I was so curious to give a shot on seeing the people waiting in line to taste the food here. Food was amazing and worth the wait. So visited twice (lunch & dinner)when I was in NYC for a week. Customer service was top notch and with lots of smile on their face. I would recommend this place to anyone who wants to try Korean cuisine.

+3

everything we got was super tasty! the bulgogi bibimbap was just okay, but everything else made up for it—plus the service was incredibly friendly. the chicken noodle dish, their specialty, was especially amazing, with tons of textures and carbs to choose from like rice cakes, glass noodles, and potatoes, and the chicken chunks were super satisfying. the banchan was terrific, and they actually refilled it without us having to ask! the ambiance was cozy and busy, which added to the welcoming feel. overall, i’d definitely come back for the great food and warm atmosphere!

The place is incredible… my husband and I have been here many times but you have to be very patient…. The wait is long. We arrived and had to add ourselves in a list and there were 42 people in-front of us…. Waited around an hour to be seated…. The tofu is amazing and the small dishes are incredible. It is worth the wait. If you like to drink a hey have a really good rice wine. If you are vegan there are many things you will be able to eat here. I totally recommend it :)

+4

this place was pretty good. me and my friend got the beef bulgogi stew, the cod omelette, and the korean fried chicken. the cod omelette and korean fried chicken were really good. the bulgogi stew was a bit too salty for my liking, but still enjoyable. we joined the waitlist at 5:20 on a thursday and got a table for two at 5:50. their tofu sample and the banchan were amazing. very worth it.

+1

Great traditional Korean food with great service and atmosphere--coming from a Korean. Also, the decor of the little lamps was adorable. We had to wait less than <15 minutes midday Saturday. They have a great digital kiosk wait-list system where they text you when it's ready. 5/5 food 5/5 service 5/5 atmosphere 4/5 bathrooms Rounded up to 5/5

Got the CDG special and it was amazing. Tofu and roe omelette were especially good. Showed up at 5:07PM and were seated immediately. Highly recommend!

Honestly the staff make this place just a freakin delight. Like it’s busy enough that they could be mean if they wanted to. but they’re SO SWEET!!!! Okok the seafood rice cakes were my fav thing we got. Then the kimchi Stu. The fried chicken was good but not a must-order. The bibimbap wasn’t crispy at the bottom which I think is a sin. Just my white opinion. Soju at okay prices ($16-19 per bottle). I liked the blackberry soju!! 4 dishes for 4 people was more than enough food!! We got here at 5:45 on a Sunday in August and waited 35 minutes for a table for 4. Not a bad wait time honestly. And they text you for your table. Only seat full parties. Love the paper placemats. Wish they had crayons. They let me use the bathroom while I waited which was actually so kind. They’re just SO nice. So so nice. Love love love. Great vibes. Kissy face kissy face.

+6

Tasty Korean dishes to share as a group. Recommend the seafood pancake and spicy pork & tofu. The complimentary banchan (veg side dishes) were all delicious and helped refresh the palate between mains. For vegetarians, there is a range of tofu-based options. There is also a selection of Korean beverages (Cass or Terra beer as well as makgeolli rice wines). Expect a wait of 45 minutes - 1 hour during the dinner service as no reservations can be made in advance. However, you can enter your details on their waitlist at the restaurant and wander around the area until you receive a text message for when your table is ready.

As a Korean, I never really considered soft tofu or tofu as a full meal before I came here. It was amazing. Actually, one of my friends suggested we go together, but I ended up going to a different restaurant and really regretted it. 😩 We tried a bunch of dishes at lunchtime — Cod Roe Omelet, Seafood Pancake, Maesaengi Oyster Tofu Stew, Mini Bossam, CDG Royal Oxtail Soup, and the Grilled Tofu Ssam Platter. I haven’t been to many restaurants in NYC, but this was truly an amazing experience overall. The food, service, atmosphere — even the balance of saltiness and sweetness — were just perfect. 👌 I highly recommend trying the Grilled Tofu Ssam Platter. It was so good that we ordered it twice!

We had very high expectations for this spot given the long lineups for dinner everytime we go past here on weekends. We braved the lineup today and it was so worth it. Amazing food from start to finish. Their banchan game is strong and was a good precursor of what was to come for our mains. The seaweed banchan was popular as was the broccoli one and ofcourse the potatoes. The seafood pancake was insanely good. Packed with seafood, cooked perfectly and not a grease bomb like some can be...instead it was light and well balanced. The japchae had a really good smoky flavour to it and is a great rendition of this dish. The kimchi stew with seafood and tofu...they did their namesake justice as the tofu here is phenomenal! Amazing service to boot. Best example of traditional Korean food we've had in the city. Can't wait to be back to sample some of their other dishes.

Cho Dang Gol is one of those places where the food, service, and atmosphere all come together to create an experience that feels like stepping into a piece of Korean food culture. The room is warm and bustling, filled with people eager to get a table, and even with the constant crowd, the staff manage to stay kind, attentive, and efficient. Service is thoughtful without being overbearing they’ll make sure you’re comfortable, check in just enough, and let the food speak for itself. The 쭈꾸미불고기 Baby Octopus & Beef Bulgogi is a dish that shows the depth of Korea’s coastal cooking. Baby octopus has been a staple in southern port towns for centuries, often stir-fried with gochujang for its fiery, smoky kick. Here, it’s paired with marinated bulgogi beef one of Korea’s most iconic dishes, originally dating back to the Goguryeo dynasty when beef was grilled over open flames as maekjeok. The combination is genius chewy rice cakes soak up the spicy-sweet sauce, mushrooms add earthiness, and vegetables bring balance. Every bite is layered, bold, and distinctly Korean. The 불고기전골 Beef Bulgogi Hot Pot carries a different kind of history. Jeongol hot pots were once a dish for the Korean royal court, a symbol of abundance, served with beef, mushrooms, and vegetables arranged neatly in broth. It arrives bubbling on a gas burner at your table, staying hot and evolving in flavor as you eat. The broth starts light but becomes richer with each passing minute as the beef releases its juices, the mushrooms deepen the flavor, and the udon noodles soak up every drop. It’s a dish meant to be shared, carrying the communal spirit that has always been at the heart of Korean dining. Even the smaller details matter here. The banchan little side dishes that are an essential part of Korean meals arrive fresh, varied, and constantly replenished, from crunchy spicy radish to nutty lotus root and savory braised mushrooms. The tofu, made fresh daily, has a delicate, silky texture that sets it apart from anything mass-produced. These touches reflect Korean food philosophy that even the “small” dishes carry meaning and are crafted with care. Cho Dang Gol is uncompromisingly authentic. The flavors aren’t softened or Westernized they lean fully into the heat of gochugaru chili, the savoriness of soy and garlic, the nuttiness of sesame, and the slow-cooked depth of proper broth. Coupled with attentive service and an atmosphere that feels both cozy and lively, the experience is the closest you’ll get to being welcomed into a Korean home kitchen in the middle of Manhattan.

This is the second time I have been here within a week. I'm an Asian tofu lover and this place serves the best tofu I have had in all the places i have been. The tofu here have a rich soy taste. Also every crew members are polite friendly with a positive attitude. Bonus point: kitchen is very clean too!

There is also a selection of Korean beverages (Cass or Terra beer as well as makgeolli rice wines). Expect a wait of 45 minutes - 1 hour during the dinner service as no reservations can be made in advance. However, you can enter your details on their waitlist at the restaurant and wander around the area until you receive a text message for when your table is ready.

Everything about this was 12/10. Wonderful wait staff, phenomenal food, and cozzzyyyyyyy atmosphere. The omelet is a MUST. Cannot wait to return. One of my favorite new restaurants in NYC!

One of the best (if not the best) Korean spots in the city, no doubt about it. If you are coming for the first time, be prepared to wait. But trust, it’s worth it

Solid tofu dishes — each of the soup/stews are super unique and worth trying. Highly recommend the tofu flavored rice. Attentive service and solid overall experience. Wait on a weekend evening wasn’t too bad — the waitlist starts long but moves quickly (likely due to cancellations from people deterred by a long estimated wait time).

One of the best Korean tofu spots I’ve tried and I’ve been to many in Fort Lee and Koreatown Manhattan! The buckwheat pancake was light, flavorful, and a must-try. Loved the spicy chicken and hot stone bibimbap. everything was delicious and deeply satisfying. The banchan spread was generous and varied. Expect a wait (we waited an hour, no reservations), but totally worth it. Service is friendly, though understandably a bit rushed due to the crowd. Highly recommend!

One of the most authentic, high quality Korean foods in Manhattan that won’t break the bank. The food is excellent (and was highly rated by Korean tourist friends) and the price point is honestly not bad at all for NY. 보쌈은 그냥 그래요 There’s usually a wait so try to get there 10mins before opening

Really authentic Korean tofu stew. The seafood stew was the best with the rich flavors. I found the Kimchi (and beef) stew too sour to my taste. The tofu was the highlight as it was made in house and so soft and tender. The wait time is super long though. We showed up around 6:20 and were only seated around 7:40pm. It was also very noisy and crowded inside.

+1

I love this restaurant 😍. Always long line. But it's worth waiting. I thought I wrote the reviews earlier because I have been here so many times. They specialize in tofu but are good at everything else. I love their Sotbab, freshly cooked rice. Especially, I loved the Egplant flavored rice, even though I am not a huge fan of the 🍆 eggplant. They are that great. Very authentic Korean food you should enjoy at least every month or every quartet if you live or work in NYC.

+6

Homemade tofu to start with. Perfect. Best Korean restaurant in town. Food is always fresh made with fresh ingredients. Lunch time make sure you are at the door when open around noon otherwise you must wait. Authentic Korean restaurant style. Super!

+5

The food here is really good. They serve a lot of tofu based dishes and all orders come with side dishes. There was a slight wait during lunch time, I waited 15mins for a table of one(table top divider was used for privacy) on a weekday. The lunch combo deal is a great way to try multiple dishes, portion is excellent and the prices are reasonable. I got the spicy pork and tofu and the seafood tofu stew. Very moderate spice level if that is a concern. You should not expect to sit for hours as there’s a constant line out of the door and the atmosphere is loud and crowded in a good way.

This place is spectacular. I ate here years ago and came back and it is still as amazing as the first. This will be a mandatory eat every time I am in NYC. The cod roe egg omelet is a must. We got the braised beef set. The braised ribs were 10/10. Meat super tender and flavors were soaked in. The eggplant rice was also 10/10 with amazing new flavors.

I came here with two other friends for a Saturday dinner and this was one of the best Korean food experiences I’ve ever had. The wait was about 20 minutes. The restaurant was full but staff was attentive. The galbi jjim was the standout dish for me. It was so well seasoned, and the sweet and spicy broth is something I want to go back for already. The other dishes were also excellent and I truly believe you can’t go wrong with ordering anything here. Everything had a home-cooked feel but they were so well made at the same time. Will definitely be coming back with people who like Korean food.

+1

A rare gem in the middle of Manhattan. Service was personable and very friendly. Food was excellent. All the tofu products tasted fresh, flavourful, and expertly prepared. Absolutely recommend the seafood tofu soup. The banchan was generous and very tasty. Refills are happily provided when you ask for them. 100% not a tourist joint. This is a legitimate Korean tofu house in the middle of the city.

+2

Excellent Korean food! The standout of our meal was the tofu soup—if you are a tofu fan, you definitely don’t want to pass it up!

Cho Dang Gol. A place I've seen in passing, always packed with lines flowing in the night. It raised preconceived notions in me: overrated, overhyped, it surely can't be that good... right? I was very wrong. Here is what I ordered on 11/20/25: (Combo B) Spicy Kimchi Beef Stew with Spicy Pork & Tofu The total came to around $20 with tax. The price point for a meal such as this feels wholly underpaid and undervalued. Normally, I would mention food last. It's the star of the show, save the best for last! Cho Dang Gol is an exception to the rule, and there should always be exceptions. Food: 5/5 A most deserving rating. The hiccups are overshadowed by the positives. Firstly, the banchan get free refills. My server, Juni P., who will be receiving their praise later, made that clear upon seeing an empty dish on my table. Secondly, they're quite literally the best banchan I've ever had. In my burgeoning gastronomical experience the past two years, I've been to many Korean restaurants. Big and small, expensive and affordable, you name it. Across this spectrum, Cho Dang Gol is the best. Sesame oil string beans: classic and very aromatic, more than most. Mushrooms and eggplants: slightly sweet and very savory without the use of meat (to my knowledge). The eggplants are super soft without being disintegrative mush, and the mushrooms are crunchy. Pumpkin salad: perhaps the secret star. A "clean" sweetness and creamy mouthfeel without being overly starchy and mealy like the potato salad. Radish kimchi: properly spicy and sour—something Korean restaurants seem to forget when served cold. Zucchini shrimp: simple but bats above its weight class. The shrimp are very fresh, have a crisp snap on the bite, and are cleaned well. The zucchini is milder with a softer crunch, but no less refreshing. Homemade tofu: the main star of the show. Yes, the plain, mashed, unsalted, warm tofu in a tiny plate. Have you ever had the ultimate counterpart to an ingredient? The wasabi to horseradish, or the king crab to the imitation crab? This is what it felt like to me. I've had tofu countless times in my life, but nothing ever to such quality. When eating it, let it linger on your tongue and make sure to breathe well through your nose. Appreciate that aroma, the slightly sweet soy flavor, the ingredient in its pure, uncorrupted essence. Yes, this is tofu. Yes, I am praising it unabashedly with hints of gastronomical pretense. Eat it. Spicy kimchi beef stew: here, the hiccups start to show. A bit too salty, but the savoriness of the beef is in there, unfettered by the often overpowering gochugaru. Surprisingly, the beef is not sliced, but chunks with collagen and connective material. Spicy pork and tofu: slightly above average with little to write home about. Service: 6/5 The rating isn't a typo. Remember Juni P., my server? Great. If you've got her as your server, you're in good hands. When I tell you that I have never seen a server as attentive and swift as her, I really mean it. Head on a swivel, walking across the entire establishment, and a sharp eye that detects even the 'potential' of a sign to attention. Multiple times throughout my meal, I moved my hand and arm in a way that could be perceived as a call for attention by coincidence. From the corner of my eye, I could see her head snap to my direction in an instant, body postured to attend to my table should I raise my hand further. Now keep in mind, I didn't need any attention, but I noticed. These are the types of servers who deserve every tip they get, and you should be elated to reward such hard work and effort. Atmosphere: 4/5 To be honest, I didn't pay much attention to the atmosphere. It was very welcoming though, and there are definitely cultural items to note if you're interested. With food and service this good, I'll be frank: it felt like I was having a tried-and-true spiritual experience. I could be eating in a hole-in-the-wall and not care. In the end, what is Cho Dang Gol's score? I think that's obvious. Come here and enjoy yourself, because this is why I love food.

Despite its presence on the block for many many years, we've not been as we often went instead to its neighbor. It looks like we've been missing out! The lines on a Saturday evening were long. For example, we waited 90 minutes for a table for two. But boy was the wait worth it. The homemade tofu was so flavorful. We tried two different tofu stews, one spicy one not spicy. Both were fantastic. The service was friendly and warm. Best of all, the prices were extremely reasonable. We totally now understand why the line was soooo long!

WOW! Delicious homemade-with love Korean dinner. The spread was soooo good. Loved the fried chicken and all the bonchon. The kimchi stew was my favourite part. It was SO flavourful. The spicy chicken with rice cakes were very amazing. My least fav honestly was the bimbimbap - it was missing some pizzaz and not very crispy at the bottom. But still great. The house made tofu was phenomenal. Served by a Korean mother / grandma who was sooo kind and hospitable. Raspberry wine / soju situation was also so good! The wait was about 40 mins for a party of 4 @ 6pm on a Sunday.

+6

One of the highlight of our NYC trip. Amazing silky smooth tofu stew and great pollock dishes - great value set lunch

+1

Belle Cho

They don’t take reservations and we went on a Saturday about 8pm and were seated about 845pm. Worth it! We ordered the best seller set for 2. Particularly loved the braised short ribs with tender ribs with complementary rice cakes and cubed carrot/radish that added texture. The eggplant rice was well seasoned - creamy, umami and slightly salty and well as slightly charred. The homemade tofu in the kimchi biji was fresh and melts in your mouth. I prefer soups with a greater liquid to ingredient ratio but this was quite the opposite as intended and worked out. Finally the egg roll and sides were pretty average. Overall the food slapped and we were satisfied post meal!

asmaa odeh

Food was amazing! We definitely picked the more indulgent foods and honestly they did not disappointed. So so so amazing. The sushi roll was one of the best I’ve had, they packed it up with tuna and it was so fresh and tasty! I also really enjoyed the fried soft shell crab. Really good and the atmosphere was great.

+2

Sov Som

Love the bossam here. Food was great and so were the side dishes. Always wanted to go here because of the consistent line. I get it—great tofu and soups.

SeongJin Park

'ChoDang' is the one of Korea region that famous for super soft tofu. And I was born and raised around the region. At first, I didn't notice that 'ChoDang' means the region name. But once I ate one of the stew, the taste recalled me it was the region name.. I went several Korean restaurants all over the US such as LasVegas, LA Ktown, Bay area. Whenever I visited each of resraurant, I felt they tasted like mixture of US fusion style. But this ChoDangGol is not like that. This restaurant contains the traditional / original Korean tastes. Especially for vegiterians, It will be a best choice that can fully feel Korean food. I surprised that original Korean taste can survive in the middle of Manhattan. I hope many people are able to try this flavor. If you are familar with Korean food, 1hour or more waiting is investiable.

Joan Lee

Tried and true Ktown restaurant. It's popular for good reason. Try the omlet with cod fish roe, and you can't go wrong with their tofu stews.

Anthony

If you're looking for legit Korean comfort food in NYC, Cho Dang Gol is the spot. Hands down some of the best Korean food I’ve had. Food Let’s start with the stars of the show: •    Cod Roe Omelette – This thing was incredible. Soft, silky eggs wrapped around salty little pops of cod roe. It’s rich, savory, and slightly briny in the best way. •    Bossam – Perfectly tender pork belly, sliced thick and served with all the proper fixings. Everything else we ordered was solid too. Banchan was fresh and varied and the tofu dishes were especially comforting. For four people, we absolutely feasted and still only paid $160. That’s rare, especially for quality like this. Service They don’t take reservations, so prepare for a bit of a wait. You can hop on the Minitable waitlist, which helps, but expect to linger outside for a bit, especially during peak hours. That said, once you’re in, the staff is warm, efficient, and knows their stuff. Our server had great recs and was super patient. Ambiance It’s cozy and unpretentious. Wood tables, warm lighting, just the right amount of buzz from nearby tables. Final Take Cho Dang Gol is the kind of place you start recommending to friends before you’ve paid the check. It’s cozy, authentic, and surprisingly affordable for the quality. That cod roe omelette and bossam are must-tries. Just plan ahead with the waitlist and come hungry.

+4

Cho Dang Gol is a Bib Gourmand, busy 60~90 min wait restaurant in Korean Town in Manhattan. Geared for parties of 4 or more, the drinks are served by the bottle and dishes are big and made for sharing. I got the makgeolli, a homemade fermented rice drink with honey. Ordered the bibimbap. The banchan was superb, with their homemade tofu (front) as well as pickled baby squid (left side). Only negative was that I was surrounded by people waiting for a table (facing the opposite direction) and their endless rows of buttocks at my table’s edge were my lunch companions.

Hannah Lee

My friends and I loved our dining experience here! The complimentary house-made tofu was absolutely delicious — it had a firmer texture, which I actually prefer over silky smooth tofu. I ordered the spicy kimchi tofu stew and was very satisfied. The stew had a nice variety of seafood that complemented the spice of the broth perfectly, and the tofu was a real standout that brought the whole dish together. After we finished our meals, our waiter poured some tea into our rice bowls and served it to us, explaining that it helps with digestion. The tea was unsweetened, and the combination with the rice wasn’t my favorite, but the gesture was thoughtful. Our waiter was also very funny and extremely helpful in guiding us through the menu!

Irene L

Came here around 5:30PM on Thursday night and the wait was about an hour after putting name down on the waitlist. The service is really fast once you place your order, food comes out piping hot. Ordered the Kimchi Beef tofu stew, the bossam, and shrimp cake. Everything was delicious and flavorful. We even refilled our side dishes multiple times.

Probably the most hyped and longest waits of the old school spots in NYC ktown, but it is well deserved. Lots of great items: - tofu stew (both reg and w/kimchi) - cod roe omelette - spicy crispy Pollock - buckwheat pancake - galbi jjim

+1

It's really not easy to wait for this meal! An hour of waiting! I don't think I'll spend such a long time for a meal in the future. 😂 I love their refillable small side dishes! They are very diverse and delicious.

+1

We waited about 45min -1 hr for the table but it was worth it! We got the japchae, spicy tofu stew and the bibimbap. All we're delicious! Also tried the grape mocktail and it tasted like a green jolly rancher 😊

We loved EVERYTHING about this restaurant. Great service, vibe, and of course the food!! We left our number and waited for 90min - there are so many things to do in the hood and it didn’t feel like a long wait at all. We will definitely go back :)

Ashish Aggarwal

In K-Town and real-deal Korean food. No frills.. just tasty, authentic food done right If you order a spicy dish, it comes with a really solid kick Everything arrives steaming hot straight from the kitchen. Banchan game is strong. Scallion pancake was really good Cozy vibe that feels like a neighborhood staple. Great service

+6

Leo Zou

Really worth the long wait time. Some of the best Korean food I have. The thick slices of pork belly really hits different than the thinly sliced ones. The meaty taste is spectacular and pairs really well with the kimchi and jalapeños. The bugolgi had a wonderful flavor that’s a bit on the sweet side. Really goes well either way the rice. The seafood tofu stew was also great but would appreciate it if the mussel’s shell didn’t break into the soup.

Bradley C

Came here for the first time. I ordered a mini Bossam and CDG Dubu Duruchigi. Before my food was ready. A bowl of fresh tofu was served first. It was so simple and delicious. You can tell they are really proud of their daily homemade tofu. The first one was cooked 3 layers pork with sides of kimchi, jalapeno, garlic, and soybean paste sauce. It was so delicious. The pork was cooked perfectly. It was soft with nice bouncy texture. It pairs very well with the soybean paste sauce. I basically licked the saucer clean. The tofu stew was also very nice. The broth was umami and spicy. The tofu was superb. Rich and elegant of natural soybean flavors. The server informed me that the broth was seafood based. The white noodles were a plus to the dish. All the side dishes were so delicious. I think I asked refills for 3 times. Today I got stew potatoes and radishes, cold string beans with garlic, eggplant with mushrooms, pickled radishes, and a cold seaweed dish. My favorites were the eggplant and the string beans. The potatoes had nice flavor, too. I believe I tasted something like miso. The servers were attentive and friendly. Even though they were all so busy, they still take time to make sure my needs were met. Overall, I had a great time dining here. I’ll definitely come back with more people. The portions of the foods were great. PLEASE SHARE THE TOFU STEW. I was almost too full to walk after I finished all my foods.

+6

What a delicious and authentic Korean restaurant! I went for the lunch set, which was very reasonably priced. Everything tasted perfect — even better than some places in Korea. What’s exceptional is the service. Even though they were very busy, they somehow noticed everything we needed. My friend dropped her chopsticks, and a new pair arrived before we even had to ask. The restaurant is always busy, so be sure to take a queue number and expect to wait, even on weekdays.

My favorite Korean restaurant of all time. Wait is usually 1-2 hours, but if you come right at opening there’s no wait. I’ve been here 3 times. One time my partner clowned me for insisting we show up at opening, but the restaurant was nearly full already by the time we got there. The omelette and galbi jjim are my favorite, the banchan and house made tofu are also excellent. The limited time oxtail soup some time ago was only okay though. The bossam was also meh. I always leave with a food coma because of the generous portions.

+2

I thought going solo on a weekday would better my chances but still had to wait over 30mins for a table (everyone had the same idea haha). Intentionally skipped breakfast so I was appropriately ravenous for my feast. Maybe was judged for a banchan refill; provides that texture and tang and complements the main entrees nicely. Def worth a visit especially on a cold day to warm you up. 감사합니다

daeuni

One of my fav korean restaurants. Perilla seed tofu soup and spicy polluck was really good. It has that nutty flavor and the tofu is very soft and fresh. Lots of side dishes that are also really good, especially the yuzu cucumbers and seasoned squid 👍. There's a lunch special where you can get combos; arrive before opening (~30-40 min wait time on weekdays lunch time, longer during weekends and dinner time).

+2

Victor Chau

Came here for lunch on a Sunday. Took around 30 minutes to get seated after joining their waitlist around 12:30pm. Everything here was exceptionally tasty. The banchan were all delicious and unlimited which was a nice plus. We ordered the mini bossam, spicy tofu soup, and seafood pancake. The pork was excellent, tender and flavorful with no overly porky tasty. The seafood pancake had a great texture and had plenty of seafood. The soup also had plenty of seafood and was tasty. We spent around $40/pp after tax and tip for two people’s lunch. I was very satisfied and would definitely come back since I felt it was decent value for my money.

+6

We waited 90 minutes for a table, and it was certainly worth it! We ordered the Spicy Seafood Tofu Stew, Bossam, Seafood & Scallion Pancake, and the CDG Royal Oxtail Soup. All of the dishes were prepared perfectly, but personally, the Oxtail Soup stood out as exceptional. Its broth was remarkably clean yet flavorful, partly due to the abalone, and the oxtail was wonderfully tender. This has been, by far, the best restaurant experience during our five-day trip to New York.

+6

Conveniently located where we stayed at, it was cold that night and so we decided to eat here. We were starving so we ordered a couple of things that looked appetizing. Surprisingly, everything was delicious! Big serving for sure, there were three of us with quite an appetite and we had left overs. The rice was $2 but it was a huge bowl enough for four people. Plenty of side dishes too, all of which are good. Personally, I enjoyed the fish. Wait was fast, we did not make a reservation, it was Sunday at around 7pm. Service was quick and prompt too.

+1

u.g. Lodwig

I love their banchan and complimentary homemade tofu—truly fresh and hearty! The banchan changes every day and ranges from green vegetables, mushrooms to spicy fish with daikon. I like their kimchi beef tofu stew although it’s a bit salty for my taste; their seafood tofu stew is less salty but doesn’t have much seafood in it. They used to have a big seafood hotpot which is amazing but they don’t seem to have it in the summer seasons. I love their seafood pancake as well as the vegetarian buckwheat pancake and the cod roe omelette (which has matcha in it!) On weekdays they have a lunch special which is an amazing deal in terms of price to quantity/quality ratio. They don’t take reservations so if you want to avoid the line I suggest showing up at “unconventional” hours. They have seasonal specials and those are usually very delicious! For the winter season, they have an oxtail soup with abalone which is extremely delicious! Overall I really like this place and I would come back every time I’m craving good Korean food.

+3

lauwie

AMAZING FOOD!!! I loved the mini bossam and galbijjim, this place is def worth the hype. We came there around 11:40 on a monday and immediately got a table when they opened the doors. Highly recommend and would definitely visit again. The pear makgeolli was also soo yum!

Farhana Yasmin

My husband and I loved the authentic Korean food at Cho Dang Gol. He even said it was the best Korean food he’s had in NYC! We waited over an hour outside, but the food was worth trying. The staff were friendly and willingly refilled our sides. The only downside—it was super crowded, so you most likely won’t get to choose your preferred seating spot.

Stephanie Tam

Well worth the wait. The stews were delicious and everything came out fresh and fast. The entire meal was cooked really well. The mini bossom had such tender pork and the cod roe omelette was custard and savory. We left really full and happy. The only complaint I have is the waitlist app is only available for Apple devices so it was hard to know our place in line.

+2

Amazing and fun Korean restaurant. On the NY Times 100 best restaurants 2025 for good reason. What more need I say? Everything is delicious! Outstanding service. Great ambiance. Just go! Expect to …

Wow! Authentic home cooked Korean food! My favorite is the marinated cod bbq, maesangi tofu soup, seafood pancake. The other food are great too so I recommend it all depending on your mode.

Amazing and fun korean restaurant. On the NY Times 100 best restaurants 2025 for good reason. What more need I say? Everything is delicious! Outstanding service. Great ambiance. Just go! Expect to …

Wow! Authentic home cooked korean food! My favorite is the marinated cod bbq, maesangi tofu soup, seafood pancake. The other food are great too so I recommend it all depending on yo…

Wow! Authentic home cooked korean food! My favorite is the marinated cod bbq, maesangi tofu soup, seafood pancake. The other food are great too so I recommend it all depending on your mode.

Wow! Authentic home cooked Korean food! My favorite is the marinated cod bbq, maesangi tofu soup, seafood pancake. The other food are great too so I recommend it all depending on your mode.

Wow! Authentic home cooked Korean food! My favorite is the marinated cod bbq, maesangi tofu soup, seafood pancake. The other food are great too so I recommend it all depending on your mode.

Ordered the shrimp pancake and seafood tofu stew. The tofu stew was phenomenal. The tofu was fresh and whole, seafood was also fresh. Broth tasted really good. I ordered it to go and they packed ba…

Let me start off by saying this place have one of the best customer service for an Asian restaurant. From all the servers to Peter in the front. Yes they were packed when we got there but everyone …

Great authentic korean food! The service is great and they have good banchan. They don't take reservation but the wait time isn't too bad! Very cozy spot with great Korean food!

Stepping into this restaurant brought back memories of traditional restaurants in Korea. The atmosphere felt authentic, and the food truly delivered on that nostalgic feel. Their lunch special is a…

Amazing food! Worth the 1 hour wait. I will come here again! I do feel like the seafood tofu soup could have had more seafood!

First of all, there is always a line. That is not a bad thing - it is a sign that this place is worth the wait. The food quality, from the main dishes (Bi Bim Bap is so good) and refillable side dis…

First of all, there is always a line. That is not a bad thing - it is a sign that this place is worth the wait. The food quality, from the main dishes (Bi Bim Bap is so good) and refillable side d…

First of all, there is always a line. That is not a bad thing - it is a sign that this place is worth the wait. The food quality, from the main dishes (Bi Bim Bap is so good) and refillable side d…

This is an excellent Korean restaurant in NYC famous for its home made tofu dishes as well as soups. The side dishes were very good too and unique. Staff were friendly and services excellent with an …

This is an excellent Korean restaurant in NYC famous for its home made tofu dishes as well as soups. The side dishes were very good too and unique. staff were friendly and services excellent with a…

This is an excellent korean restaurant in NYC famous for its home made tofu dishes as well as soups. The side dishes were very good too and unique. Staff were friendly and services excellent with…

This is an excellent korean restaurant in NYC famous for its home made tofu dishes as well as soups. The side dishes were very good too and unique. Staff were friendly and services excellent with a…

This was our last night on vacation in NYC. We could not decide on a dinner venue, so my son picked this place. It was AMAZING! We did have to wait an hour, but it was well worth it. They make thei…

Our party of four dined here on a busy Friday night (they don't take reservations, but we put our name on the waitlist and wandered the neighborhood--the wait was almost an hour but well worth it).…

Tofu starter - yum! seafood tofu stew - yum! Classic tofu soup - yum! A must go for sure. We went back twice in 4 days. It gets really packed for dinner, so go early or be prepared to wait.

Tofu starter - yum! Seafood tofu stew - yum! Classic tofu soup - yum! A must go for sure. We went back twice in 4 days. It gets really packed for dinner, so go early or be prepared to wait.

Came around 5:30pm on a Thursday, and had to wait around an hour to be seated — be prepared to wait a while if you don’t show up right away! The space is crowded inside, but service was good and the food came out quickly. Overall the food was super tasty, with some unique dishes not seen at most Korean restaurants (including the banchan). We ordered the perilla seed tofu stew, octopus flavored rice, octopus bossam, and kkomak dotorimuk. My favorite dish was the perilla seed tofu stew it was simple yet delicious. It had a nice blend of flavors— creamy, umami and perfectly seasoned and showcased their homemade tofu. Everything tasted delicious and was perfectly seasoned!

+2

The food was pretty good. The oyster tofu stew and the eggplant rice were my favorites. The staff is also super kind. Heads up that this is walk-in only and that you should be prepared to wait for a table. We were two and joined the waitlist at 6:45PM and were sat at 8:20PM. If possible, I'd recommend joining the waitlist earlier in the evening.

+2

The food was good, the service was okay but the vibes were amazing. I had pollock and soft tofu stew which were delicious, the tofu bibimbap was great as well! The staff was confused on how to divide the bill but it’s whatever. It’s a little overrated in my opinion but that does not mean it’s bad. I just know better places that I could go to.. still the food was good.

Had original makgeoli and hot stone bulgogi. It is simple but classic Korean dishes with good flavor. Makgeoli is smooth, it is served in a clay pot. The side dishes (free refills) and complementary tofu are great. This place is very busy but service is good and side dishes kept us busy before main dish arrive. Waited about an hour on Saturday night, will revisit if wait time isn’t long.

+1

Delicious soondubu jiggae. The free fresh homemade tofu they gave is delicious, but side dishes leave much to be desired. Queued 45 mins before we got seated. Omellete is decent as well

We arrived at the restaurant right at 12 PM when it opened, but it was already full, so we had to join the waitlist. It took about 40 minutes for us to get seated. The service was absolutely amazing—staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. We even had our banchan refilled twice. I highly recommend the kimchi banchan—unlike most Korean restaurants that use cabbage, this place uses radish, which makes it much crunchier and more flavorful. Other standout dishes included the beef short ribs, which were incredibly tender and practically fell off the bone. The portions were generous as well. We also tried the buckwheat pancakes—definitely worth a try if you haven’t had them before. They’re not like the usual pancakes you’d expect, but interesting and tasty in their own way. The only reason I’m giving one point off is due to the restaurant’s sanitation score, which is a B.

+3

It’s a nice traditional Korean food. Beef dish a little sweet for me but I think it’s the original taste. Service is attentive and friendly.

Love their spicy seafood tofu crew, creamy and flavorful. Their banchan is also fantastic! The spicy chicken is too sweet for my taste. Be prepared for a long wait.

This showed up on various lists of best Korean spots in the city, with a Michelin Bib Gourmand as well, known for its fresh homemade tofu. And everyone else knows this too, so the waitlist at 6pm on a weekday was already 30 parties deep. Many parties do drop-off and it seemingly counts down faster than expected but we still waited an hour for a table for 3. Would suggest downloading the Minipass app and it seems you can put yourself on the wait-list earlier instead of when you reach the restaurant. The meal came with a starter tofu dish and a variety of banchan, which were all quite good. They do offer refills to the banchan. Service was also very attentive and friendly. We ordered a couple dishes: - Perilla seed tofu stew ($19) - quite unique and tasty, with some little rice balls and potatoes that added a nice texture. Though the overall dish was a lot smaller than I had expected. - Buckwheat soybean noodle ($20) - it was a hot day and thought a cool dish would be nice, but this was pretty underwhelming esp at this price point. - Seafood pancake ($19) - really enjoyed this one, good crispy texture and mix of seafood. Overall, I appreciated the freshness of the tofu but didn't quite live up to the hype and value for me at this price point.

Maiya

Came here on a busy Friday evening around 5:30 and got seated by 6:40. Waiters were attentive and provided great service! My expectations were quite high considering the positive reviews I’ve consistently heard about CDG. Here’s what we ordered: Spicy galbi jjim: 5/5 absolutely delicious! Bossam: 5/5 Royal Oxtail soup: 4/5 good soup Spicy veggie tofu stew: 3/5 unfortunately didn’t really get the hype on this one Spicy pork and tofu: 2/5 just wasn’t memorable

Jennifer Truong

It was pretty good but didn’t have that wow factor this restaurant has been given. Good but not notably impressive. Bossam was very tender and soft, but disappointing they didn’t have perilla leaf that night… The things that were supposed to be great were sort of lacking. Seafood pancake was so not crispy… it was literally falling apart as you held it. I felt like i was eating batter and seafood. Very disappointed in a dish thats supposed to be a Korean restaurant standard. I absolutely loved the eggplant rice and the perilla soondubu was good as well. Good service!

This was a really great Korean restaurant I heard was really popular in Manhattan. No frills, but great food and service. I ordered the Spicy Seafood Tofu Stew and the Seafood and Scallion Pancake. Both very delicious and comforting. Highly recommended!

+6

3/7/26 from nyc. went in to try Korean fried chicken, my daughter found this spot after our convention. We find out it’s not the typical Korean fried chicken spot you would go to so we tried something else and I’ll Leave my curious crunchy Korean friend chicken hunt for another time. Nice service, good eats. Glad we waited to snag a table. Love trying new spots

+2

There’s always a long waitlist (1 hr+), but I don’t think it’s worth it. They make their tofu in house, and it’s pretty good, but overall lowkey mid and overhyped given the wait. Dubuhaus is way better imo - Cod roe omelet ($14.99): 4/10, everyone on Beli got it, so we got it, but there wasn’t that much cod roe. Skip - Spicy kimchi soondubu ($17.99): 8/10, pretty solid and flavorful but not mind blowing. Tofu quality was good - Bossam ($20.99): 8/10, similar to other places - Banchan: Standard, liked the tofu one a lot

I’ve been wanting to try this place for ages and finally got a spot during lunch hours (the wait was ~30 min)! I ordered the lunch combo (seafood pancake + spicy kimchi & beef tofu stew). Banchan and seafood pancake were so yummy! The kimchi & beef tofu stew was also good but my spice tolerance is so bad that even the mild version was still a little too spicy 😭 Would recommend though :)

Pretty cool that they have homemade tofu, it really sets them apart from other Korean tofu houses. I loved their seafood pancake. We stopped by at 12 and unfortunately it was a long wait, even on…

They do not offer reservations so there's always a wait. You can't go early and start waiting as they won't seat you until your whole table is there. A few of us were able to get there before 5pm b…

The place opens at 12pm. We arrived at 11:50AM and the place was already full with people eating. Luckily we got a table immediately. Service was quick and efficient. The starters (free + you get ref…

The place opens at 12pm. We arrived at 11:50AM and the place was already full with people eating. Luckily we got a table immediately. service was quick and efficient. The starters (free + you get r…

Very busy restaurant can’t book but can join the wait list Food was delicious really excellent choice staff very helpful however we were eating late 9.15 pm and the kitchen closes soon after that …

Very busy restaurant can’t book but can join the wait list food was delicious really excellent choice staff very helpful however we were eating late 9.15 pm and the kitchen closes soon after that …

Very busy restaurant can’t book but can join the wait list Food was delicious really excellent choice staff very helpful however we were eating late 9.15 pm and the kitchen closes soon after that …

Spotted this restaurant as the taxi dropped me off at the hotel and wanted to try it during our stay and it did not disappoint. This is the best korean food we’re since we were in Seoul. The staff …

This place appears to be very popular, but not vegetarian friendly. We were served kimchi with shrimp ingredients despite letting them know that we do not eat meat or sea food. There were three vegetarian options on the menu, we ordered two —glass noodles and hot stone vegetable pot. Glass noodles with veggies was quite good, but the hot pot was okay. Chili tofu offered as a side dish was great. Would not recommend this restaurant for vegetarians.

The food tastes great. Typical Korean Cuisine. I was not given the complimentary Tofu Starter which Google Maps says the meal starts with. The rice is cooked in traditional style bowls with several flavors, which is nice. Staff is nice. Reasonably priced. Credit cards accepted. We will most likely be going back..

+1

Nice Korean spot not far from the R train. Meme has slightly changed since 4-5 years ago. What I have noticed rice is extra on weekend. Also the crowd is younger by 1-2 decades. That also includes the staff is also younger to bring in a new generation. Amazing selection of food. Our tofu dish is on the sweet side note for the younger crowd vs their classing recipe.

+4

I went here for lunch around 12:45pm. They told us to expect a 10-15 min wait but it was closer to 35 min. The food was good and the portions were very generous. I liked their homemade tofu. It was a little slow for us to get our check and boxes so we could pack our to-go leftovers. Staff were friendly and could advise which food they preferred.

Very mixed experience on the quality. The beef bone stew was very delicious in taste & served perfectly piping hot temperature wise. The bimbimbap was an absolute disappointment , not served in traditional stone bowl, rice was only few degrees higher than room temperature so there’s absolutely no chance of the usual burnt/crispy rice at the bottom, the meats & veggies were at room temperature bordering cold felt like I was eating leftover. The waitress we had was very nice which is a rarity these days. All tables got taken up as soon as it opens up as a long lines of people form outside 15 minutes before opening.

Tofu dishes didn't blow us away but we may have just ordered the wrong dishes as it was our first time. Everything else was okay but typical dishes you can get anywhere else. Place was busy but we were able to walk in at open.

Smallish Korean restaurant at the northern edge of Manhattan's Korea Town. Ambience was virtually non- existent including one small Uni- sex restroom and no reservations.\n\nService was excellent i…

Smallish Korean restaurant at the northern edge of Manhattan's Korea Town. ambience was virtually non- existent including one small Uni- sex restroom and no reservations.\n\nService was excellent…

Smallish korean restaurant at the northern edge of Manhattan's Korea Town. Ambience was virtually non- existent including one small Uni- sex restroom and no reservations.\n\nService was excellent i…

The food is ok. While it's cheaper than other Korean spots, the portion sizes are kind of disappointing. service is good, but the food doesn't deserve that long waiting time

Just okay. I was expecting amazing food based on the wait and reviews but everything we ordered was bland. The perilla seed soondubu and the cold soybean noodle soup were especially hard to finish because of the textures. Although tofu was Housemade it wasn’t anything special. I would describe the taste as acquired and unless you like low salt, healthy, little flavor I would not recommend. The only dish that was good was the baby octopus and bulgogi stir fry. Wait staff was friendly but not attentive. Refill of banchan was not offered. They also gave a second check to us after we already paid (it was resolved quickly but still).

+1

I had the most flavorless soup I’ve ever tasted—it was really disappointing. My partner had the seafood tofu soup, and it wasn’t great either. I’ve had much better homemade tofu soup. However, the service and ambiance of the restaurant were quite good. Unfortunately, the food just lacked flavor.

Doordashed from this place and got diarrhea I ordered the eggplant cabbage pancake and oyster tofu soup , 45 mins after eating, I m on my toilet and experiencing severe bellyache and diarrhea . His…

This restaurant is very small but I guess that’s how every store is in NY 🙄. They said the wait is 30 mins. We were willing to wait and see what this hype is about until they kicked us out. YES. WE GOT KICKED OUT. It was cold and windy (30 degrees) and they said “you have to wait outside”. Ha. Yea it’s ok. You can shove it up to your you know what with your nothing special Korean food. We just went next door restaurant Han Bat and enjoyed Korean food without waiting in a warm restaurant. ——————————————————————————— Update: I finally tried their food because I felt very challenged lol. We went there exactly at noon thinking we wouldn’t have to wait if we get there right when they open but we quickly realized we were wrong as hell. The restaurant was already full and the wait time is 30-40 mins as per the hostess. I went ahead and joined the wait list oh btw, download the app! When you get your confirmation text, there will be a link to download the app to check the status, estimated wait time, etc just so you can join their wait list next time on the app. Anyway, we waited 40 mins and they sat us on a table that was divided into 2 tables. 2 other customers joined our table later. The waitress came and took their orders but not ours. When she came to us, I pointed out that we came before those customers then I started ordering. When I finished saying what I wanted, I didn’t hear any response so I looked up and what do I see? She’s GONE. YES. SHE TOOK OFF WITHOUT TAKING OUR ORDERS. RUDE. Someone else came and took our orders. We got the chicken bites as an appetizer and they really should change this dish’s name to chicken fat bites. It was PURE CHICKEN FAT battered and fried. Honestly, I wasn’t too impressed about the other dishes we ordered either. I did like their eggplant rice though. Will I ever go back? No. HELL TO THE NO. They changed my POV about the whole Michelin guide thing. I thought only the best was getting those stars? I don’t see how this restaurant got it. Our very first restaurant with a Michelin star experience definitely ruined.

AG K

The food was alright with traditional dishes and flavors, but the service absolutely spoiled our meal. No greetings or acknowledgements were in sight. The older lady and other waiters was purely dismissive throughout. Our dish came out late, after asking there was no explanation or apology. Our appetizer just appeared halfway through our meal. There was a korean couple sitting right next to us, and everyone took the time to explain the menu and greet these individuals. Not sure if it was blatant prejudice or other reasons but my friend and I were hurt by the experience- we did observe the older lady making eye contact with us and letting out a huge sigh immediately right after. I acknowledge that they put in a lot of effort with the atmosphere and design. The experience may vary depending on your ethnicity, gender and heteronormativity. We wish the best and hope they learn from this review.