Cho Dang Gol
Korean restaurant · Midtown West ·
Hearty Korean comfort food with fresh homemade tofu
Hearty Korean comfort food with fresh homemade tofu
"Cho Dang Gol is a homestyle spot in Koreatown, and it’s where you should go when you need an excellent, unpretentious meal. The sweet, heavily marinated bulgogi is always a good option, but this restaurant makes its own tofu, so that’s where you should start. Their soondubu jjigae, with a spicy, ultra-concentrated broth, isn’t just one of the best versions in NYC—it’s one of the city’s best dishes, period. Despite the fact that the space offers very little in terms of ambience—aside from a few tchotchkes and string lights—there’s usually a wait. Take that as a good sign." - bryan kim, kenny yang, willa moore, will hartman
"This walk-in-only Koreatown restaurant is going to wow you, but not with caviar, wagyu, or crisp white tablecloths. There’s none of that here. Only Korean classics piled unpretentiously onto plates that are ferried from an open kitchen by servers in matching polos. Open since 1997, Cho Dang Gol is the best at what it does: homestyle food you reminisce about the moment you hit the outside world. You’ll particularly remember the thick and gooey seafood pancakes, stir-fried pork bathing in gochujang, and eggplant rice under a blanket of coarsely chopped chives. In the cafeteria-like room where families eat under string lights like they’re at a neighborhood cookout, everything is a highlight." - bryan kim, molly fitzpatrick, willa moore, will hartman, sonal shah
"Cho Dang Gol has been around for a few decades now, and they still give you a little bowl of their famous housemade tofu along with the rest of their banchan to start your meal. This is one of the city's top destinations for homestyle Korean food, so expect a wait, and bring a group so you can try a bunch of things, starting with the sundubu jjigae. The casual space is minimally decorated and filled with plain wooden tables, and it's not as hectic as most of the other spots in the neighborhood." - bryan kim, kenny yang, hannah albertine, matt tervooren
"This walk-in-only Koreatown restaurant is going to wow you, but not with caviar, wagyu, or crisp white tablecloths. There’s none of that here. Only Korean classics piled unpretentiously onto plates that are ferried from an open kitchen by servers in matching polos. Open since 1997, Cho Dang Gol is the best at what it does: homestyle food you reminisce about the moment you hit the outside world. You’ll particularly remember the thick and gooey seafood pancakes, stir-fried pork bathing in gochujang, and eggplant rice under a blanket of coarsely chopped chives. In the cafeteria-like room where families eat under string lights like they’re at a neighborhood cookout, everything is a highlight." - bryan kim, neha talreja, willa moore, will hartman, sonal shah
"For a change of pace in bustling Koreatown, Cho Dang Gol offers the barbecue-weary an opportunity to explore some of this nation’s more rustic cooking. Soft tofu is the specialty of the house and for fitting reason (it’s downright delicious). But, bubbling casseroles and spicy stews are equally heartwarming. The menu also offers favorites like flaky pajeon, satisfying bibimbap and marinated meats. A sautéed tofu trio with pork belly is stir-fried with glassy sweet potato noodles and kimchi, in an excellent sweet and spicy red pepper sauce.The interior has a simple, homey appeal—its cozy dining room simply decorated with close-knit wood tables. The occasional burst of sound drifting down from the upstairs karaoke bar promises a little post-dinner fun." - Michelin Inspector