Don Don Korean BBQ

Korean barbecue restaurant · Midtown West

Don Don Korean BBQ

Korean barbecue restaurant · Midtown West

37 W 43rd St, New York, NY 10036

Highlights

Midtown's Don Don serves only dry-aged pork cuts with attentive tableside grilling, paired with funky ’90s K-pop vibes and killer banchan.

37 W 43rd St, New York, NY 10036 Get directions

dondonnyc.com

@dondon.nyc

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

@infatuation

The 20 Best Restaurants In Midtown

"Some of the best KBBQ in NYC is located a block north of Bryant Park, in a narrow room with a relentlessly upbeat K-pop soundtrack. Don Don, from the chef behind Mari and Kochi, doesn’t serve beef, chicken, or shrimp. They focus exclusively on dry-aged pork, and when you try some crispy jowl fresh from the grill, you’ll understand why. Get a sampler platter, and order at least one non-BBQ dish, like the Jeju-style noodle soup topped with pork belly." - bryan kim, sonal shah, kenny yang, carina finn koeppicus

https://www.theinfatuation.com/new-york/guides/best-restaurants-midtown

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@infatuation

The 8 Best Restaurants Near Bryant Park

"Don Don’s pork jowl, fresh from the grill, is one of the best things you’ll eat within walking distance of Bryant Park. It’s included in the $80 combo plate at this pork-centric KBBQ place, which also comes with collar, tenderloin, and belly. You’re going to need at least one other person to help you eat all of that, so bring a couple of friends, and round out your meal with some kimchi fried rice. You’ll have a fun time grilling your own meat while you listen to a peppy K-pop soundtrack that pairs well with soju. " - carina finn koeppicus, bryan kim, neha talreja

https://www.theinfatuation.com/new-york/guides/where-to-eat-near-bryant-park

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@infatuation

Don Don - Review - Midtown - New York - The Infatuation

"With its grilled meat, soju, and highly caffeinated ’90s K-pop soundtrack, Don Don is one of the most fun dining options within walking distance of Bryant Park. (The competition is mostly Chopt and Cava, but still.) At this KBBQ place from the folks behind Mari and Kochi, they only serve dry-aged pork, and you’ll hear it crackling on grills throughout the narrow, heavily branded room as soon as you walk in. Choose from cuts like belly, collar, and bone-in loin, or get a $80 butcher plate that comes with all three, plus some jowl that crisps up nicely. You’ll get free banchan with your BBQ, and you can round out your meal with kimchi fried rice that’s 50% Spam, and pork soup with broth so rich that it sticks to the inside of your mouth. photo credit: Don Don photo credit: Don Don photo credit: Don Don" - Bryan Kim

https://www.theinfatuation.com/new-york/reviews/don-don

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@davidcho

Pork focused Korean bbq (and other things), kind of in a weird location but still v good.

Korean Food in New York

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James Oh

Google

My friend told me about this place and of course in true James fashion I was skeptical. Generally Korean restaurants in Manhattan are not authentic (too many "fusion" concepts or just simply tender to the tourist market). However, this place was great! No frills, just meat and sides. Loved it and will be back.

Uyen Nguyen

Google

My favorite cuts are pork collar, followed by pork jowl. The dry age was a bit too tough imo. The pork belly pieces are cut a bit too thick. Corn cheese is good. You get 2 soups (kim chi and beef) and w noodles (both cold, one dry and one with soup). I wish they serve the noodles earlier so we can enjoy it with the meat. This butcher's set is a bit too much for 4 people imo.

blazine lopolito

Google

I came here twice with some friends and we had an absolute blast here!! The food was impeccable, service was 10/10 (to our waitress if you see this let me know your name because you were the best). They make homemade soju, we ordered the passionfruit flavor, and it was out of this world!! Everything was so delicious and I can’t wait to come back 😋😋. Kimchi fried rice I think is to die for!! Especially with some pork belly on top, my mouth is watering just thinking about it 🙂‍↕️. One of the most authentic, true experience for being in Korea you can find within New York! If you want more shots from this restaurant and more check out my page @blaze_eatsnyc !!

Hillbillytc

Google

The atmosphere is very unique and comfy. The food was amazingly hot and tasty. Lots of GF options. The server " Dae* made the experience over the top amazing..He made you feel like family..

Nhi P

Google

we were a HUGE group so we got almost everything on the menu but all the meat was super delicious, we loved all the soup, the fried rice, the noodles and especially the sweet corn!!! they gave us free ice cream and milkis too amazing friendly service:)

Thao Ngo

Google

Our last meal in NYC and we were all dead tired. We just wanted a place within walking distance of TS. Came in about an hr before closing time and 30 before last call. First ordered pork jowl, kimchi stew, kimchi fried rice, beef short rib, and some egg soufflés. The banchan were super yummy and fresh. As food came out, it all tasted so good we had to order more. Now everything was spectacular but my favorite bite from my whole trip was definitely their pork noodles. It is incredible! So it is a broth, they simmer it for 8hrs or so, and the pork is SOOOO flavorful. The two house sauces/dipping that came with it made it taste even better. All the servers were super sweet and they grilled the grill items for us to perfection. Already planning on revisiting and doing their tasting menu.

E Kim

Google

Loved all the food I ate here. Everything was delicious and cooked to perfection. The servers were also extremely kind and attentive and they also cook the meat here for you. They have a dry age pork tasting per person that I think is decently priced and it comes with a lot of dishes. I will definitely be coming back here!

Jerry Chen

Google

14 days dry age pork belly and collar is amazing. One of the best Korean BBQ I’ve veered tried in NYC! Definitely recommended. Great service!

Isabella B.

Yelp

This Korean BBQ restaurant located near the Diamond District and Rockefeller Center is a hidden gem that transports you to a modern and vibrant restaurant with a menu of selective cuts and a variety of dishes while unwinding with a refreshing drink. For first-time goers specifically for a party of 2, I highly recommend ordering the Don Don Tasting Menu since they fill the table with side dishes and main dishes and keep bringing more. What stood out to me when ordering the Don Don Tasting Menu was that our server brought the 3 cuts of meat and explained each one and the order of cooking them. My favorite dish aside from the cuts of meat that were cooked, cut, and served perfectly, was the egg souffle which was hot (please do be cautious when taking the first bite), jiggly, and the ideal level of firmness with each bite. Another plus was when the server held the cutting board with the cuts of meat while I snapped a picture. Our server was very attentive in everything from start to finish especially when the restaurant started to get packed with more customers and larger parties. As for larger parties, I recommend ordering Chef's Feast which serves more cuts of meat, stew, noodles, and one more side dish. Overall, everything from their pre-set menu, to the lunch, or dinner menu will fill you up with their array of dishes. I was immersed in everything in the restaurant from the dishes and drinks. Even the decor from the neon lights and posters as well as Korean music playing truly set the mood to unwind while dining at this restaurant. It wrapped up with some soft serve ice cream which changed flavor since I saw a previous flavor was black sesame. But still quite delicious since there is always room for dessert. Bring a small group of friends and good vibes while unwinding at this Korean BBQ restaurant

Danny P.

Yelp

Dondon is a popular KBBQ restaurant near Bryant Park. When I went, it was super packed and full of life. It is owned by a Michelin-starred chef and they specialize in Dry-Aged Pork. This is a must-visit for KBBQ Lovers! The meat was delicious and you get a lot of great sides also. We ended up trying the Don Don Tasting Menu which is $49 per person. This is what was included: Banchan Scallion Salad Korean Traditional Pancake Egg Souffle Jowl 14 Day Dry Aged Collar 14 Day Dry Aged Belly Soondubu Stew Soft Serve Ice Cream

Jennie C.

Yelp

would recommend!! the tasting menu gives a bit of everything and it pretty reasonably priced. the service is great too we really loved eloy. they come and cook everything for you and even give you these bibs to wear so you don't get your clothes dirty the chairs also have storage underneath which is improtsnt bc the space can get busy would recommend getting a reservation otherwise u have to wait and there isn't really a waiting area... the manager kinda ignored me when i walked in NGL i was kinda upset about that but i guess it was just really busy

Connie T.

Yelp

This popular Korean hotspot is perfect for anyone who loves pork and Korean barbecue. What sets Don Don apart is its focus on dry-aged pork and the use of electric induction grills. Plus, it's run by the chef behind Michelin-starred restaurants Kochi and Mari, so you know it's going to be good! Their pre-set menus offer amazing value; the Don Don tasting menu is just $49 per person, and the chef's feast is $79. We went for the chef's feast, which I highly recommend. It included five different cuts of high-quality pork (Pork tenderloin, Jowl, Iberico Secreto, 14 Days Dry Aged Belly, 14 Days Dry- Aged Marinated Collar), a bunch of starters and banchan, a choice of stew, noodles, and even soft-serve ice cream. The amazing staff cooks everything to perfection for you. I can't stop thinking about their pork jowl and the 14-day dry-aged marinated collar and can't wait to come back here to eat this.

Kelley S.

Yelp

My friend recommended this place and I'm so glad she took me here! Such a solid spot, we got the dry aged pork tasting menu, which for two people was the perfect amount of food. The marbling on the pork was so beautiful, perfect fat to meat ratio. The steamed egg was also so good. And I loved the soft serve ice cream for dessert. Definitely try this place out! Such great vibes and such good food.

Dasle K.

Yelp

I heart Don Don. Came here with a group of friends who were visiting from Korea and they mentioned the quality was on par with BBQ places in Korea! Love the pocha vibe here. It feels like a casual place perfect for catching up with friends while drinking and grilling. The service was great, and the food was so, so good. Can't wait to be back!

Foodie E.

Yelp

Just found this hidden gem owned by Michelin-starred Chef specializing in Dry-Aged Pork. They offer fantastic DRY AGED PORK TASTING MENU with amazing value! This feast includes 3 different cuts of high quality pork (14 Days Dry-Aged Collar, 14 Days Dry-Aged Belly, Jowl), Tofu Stew, Egg Souffle, Korean Pancake, Scallion Salad, Korean Side Dishes, Ssam Vegetables, and last but not least, Soft Serve Ice Cream to end your meal. All this for just $49 per person. The meat is so fresh, juicy and cooked to perfection by the staff. Serviervice was top-notch! All the dishes are beyond delicious and truly a heartfelt experience! For KBBQ lovers, this spot is a MUST-VISIT!

Elsa C.

Yelp

This is probably one of the best pork BBQ spots l've tried in NYC. Here, you can enjoy pork ranging from fresh cuts to those dry-aged for up to 30 days, each with great texture and flavor! We opted for their tasting menu, which costs $47 per person. It includes three different cuts of pork, banchan, scallion pancake, egg soufflé, stew, veggies, and soft-serve ice cream. No need to worry about cooking the meats yourself-the server expertly grills each cut at your table. The result? A perfectly cooked, crunchy outside and tender inside. Definitely check this place out!

Samantha D.

Yelp

I've been wanting to come to Don Don ever since it opened. There aren't a lot of KBBQ places in the city that just focus on one type of meat so having Don Don open in Manhattan was great. My party ended up ordering the dry aged pork tasting menu, so we didn't have to think too much about what to get other than the soups. You get to choose two for a party of 4. The pork was delicious. Every single cut just got better and better. The pork flavor was so deep with the dry aged cuts. So good. I wanted to ask for more ssam but didn't know if there would be an extra charge. They only give enough for about 2-3 wraps a person. Garlic that's cooked on the grill is good, but I prefer raw garlic more because it has the ability to cut the fattiness of the pork. Scallion pancake was okay. I've had better, and the portion they give is quite small. Kimchi and doenjang stew were both really good. A tiny bit spicy, but super satisfying. There's even meat in them. Egg souffle was fluffy and light. Soft serve was a good way to end the meal. It was as milk soft serve with strawberry sauce. I wanted the black sesame one, but it seems they rotate their soft serves. Ventilation isn't great, so be prepared to smell like bbq when you exit. It is a little bit more on the expensive side, but it was so filling and so good that it's a shame if you don't at least come once.

Jennie K.

Yelp

I don't typically eat pork but this place was delicious! We got the pork collar and pork jowl and both were good (not overly fatty for me at all). Also the white rice is free of charge! We also got the grape cocktail soju and it was very good! Kind of sweet and not too strong of a soju flavor (for those who like sweeter drinks this is a great option). We got there at 5:30 which was a great time because it was completely full by 6. The spot feels new and clean which I loved. The servers were super attentive and quick! I would definitely come back to try the stews and noodle dishes.

Nicole K.

Yelp

Really enjoyed dining here. Went for a client dinner and I loved how simple the menu was. The decor is old school korean restaurant style which is fun. Great servers and the food came out pretty quickly even though we were a large group. If you get the pork tasting, it comes with a soft serve at the end. Great pork-only kbbq spot if you don't want to go to ktown for kbbq!

Cherylin L.

Yelp

One of Midtown's top Korean BBQ spots, known for their incredible dry-aged pork! Here you can enjoy pork cuts ranging from fresh to dry-aged up to 30 days, each offering amazing texture and flavor. We tried their tasting menu for $47 per person, which includes: * 3 cuts of pork * Banchan * Scallion pancake * Egg souffle * Stew * Veggies * Ice cream The server grills all the meat right at your table, ensuring it's perfectly cooked, tender, and crunchy. Also, don't miss their $10 old school lunch box, packed with rice, anchovies, fish cake, and their special sauce. So worth it! If you're in Midtown, definitely check this place out! Follow @spinx17 for more NYC food recs!

Deborah W.

Yelp

I came here with two others for a business lunch around noon on a Thursday. The restaurant was pretty empty so we were seated at a table and all of the patrons were well spaced out from each other. The tables themselves were a bit low and the chairs were not the most comfortable; however, they did have the ability to open up so you can put your bags and jackets inside which was very cool. Service was great. Everyone was friendly and all of our items came out in a timely manner. We ordered and shared: -DONDON SIGNATURE PORK: Yum! The pork had a good amount of fat that was well rendered and had a great flavor. The lunch portion comes over a heaping amount of rice and kimchi. -SPICY PORK: Moderate amount of spice and good flavor! Again, a ton of meat over a bed of rice. -BULGOGI: I think the flavor could have been a little stronger but otherwise was tasty! -EGG SOUFFLE: Mm the steamed egg was nice and the flavor was wonderful. The light egg really goes well with all of the rice dishes. They also came with a few banchans as well which were great starters. All in all, a great lunch spot with a nice KBBQ lunch special!

Karen S.

Yelp

Amazing spot for pork kbbq! Everything from the service to the meat quality is top notch. I've been here a handful of times and while the menu has slight changed (they now offer tasting menus), I'm pleasantly surprised by the taste every time. Also love their side dishes (the egg soufflé is amazing! as well as the soups). Great place to gather with friends

Natalie C.

Yelp

Mixed feelings but didn't hate it. Snagged a last min resy for Sat night at 7pm. It's super loud in here and kind of a small space, really hard to hear each other. $47/person for the course meal is super worth imo since you get to try most the menu. Their meats are great quality- super juicy and good balance of lean/fat. Their stews were not great, both lacking that traditional Korean flavor. Lettuce wraps were additional $5 which blew my mind.. and finally their froyo dessert was SO good and refreshing. Many hits and misses but overall not bad!

Andy C.

Yelp

Joining an unfortunate streak of undercooked lunches. Wanted to try their dry aged pork so I splurged for a weekday takeout lunch. Pork was uncomfortably pink in the middle. Extremely disappointed. If you want to try the pork then do it in person and grill it yourself. I know improvements have led to reductions in cases of trichinosis and have led to rarer pork becoming more common but I'm not ready to dive in when the pork is still of unknown provenance to me. I might try their other items at some point but it's low on the list for a revisit.

Jenny N.

Yelp

Aged pork belly! Where have you been all my life?!! Pork belly and wasabi is a match made in heaven. I'm so glad we decided to stop by this place. Our group ended up getting the taster set! Fantastic decision. We loved each variety we had. I liked that staff was attentive and cooked our meat for us. The soft serve dessert at the end was great too. Creamy and light but also delicious

Crystale Y.

Yelp

This place has been on my list for a while now and I was finally able to stop by! We got the tasting menu so we could try each cut of pork that they offer. I'm usually a beef kinda gal for kbbq but this place exceeded my expectations. Note that everything here is spicy so if you can't tolerate spicy foods, the menu is not for you. I wish they had some non-spicy options but they unfortunately they do not. Overall, the service here was amazing and everyone was extremely attentive. The restaurant itself is cute and intimate with small tables. They even offered us more ice cream at the end which was well appreciated to cool down after our meal.

Aram L.

Yelp

Was here for dinner cause we've been craving some good pork. Had a reservation and was promptly seated. Service was great from the lady at the front to our waiter. They were very friendly, prompt, and made sure to accommodate my dietary restrictions. Food was good - Enjoyed everything and the pork was less oily than I've tried at other places (it was the special for the day). The Korean pancakes and Kimchi stew were all good as well. I personally loved the ambiance. A lil old school vibe with music from the 90s to 2010s were really enjoyable. If say it was bit pricier than expected (we were asked if we wanted the special for which we agreed without realizing how much more it was). But all in all, I enjoyed the meal and will be back next time I'm craving Korean style pork.

Genesis T.

Yelp

Went to Don Don Korean BBQ for dinner with my mom and my son. This is a few minutes walk from our hotel. The staff promptly greeted us and gave us a table. They took our orders when were ready and promptly served it. We started with soup and Egg Soufflé, and the Pork Belly for our entree. The Pork Belly which was dry-aged on site was tasty and tender, and the ice cream for dessert was so good! Service throughout our dinn was amazing. The ambiance was cozy, sleek dining room area, and laid back locale. Check it out!

Iris F.

Yelp

They totally scam larger groups. My group of 8 ordered the $47/person combo and we only got TWO egg souffles and TWO soups to share among 8 people. So it's 4 people sharing 1 egg souffle and 1 soup. You're telling me that if 2 people dined they would give them half an egg and half a soup to share? According to pictures from parties of 2 that is clearly not the case, they got 1 egg and 1 soup to share between 2. Therefore for a group of 8 it should have been 4 eggs and 4 soups. We asked them if this is really all we get for the whole table and they said yes. I get that it's easy to scam large groups because they're less likely to notice, but seriously? A shame because I would've come back if not for blatant dishonesty. Won't be coming back again.

Patrick W.

Yelp

TLDR: Another hit the same folks at Kochi/Mari. Korean pork BBQ is the star here, dry-aged pork specifically. Don Don has it's own thing going on here and I love the vibe. If you're coming for lunch, doenjang and spicy pork rice. If you're coming for dinner, pork belly pork belly pork belly. When I had heard about Don Don, I was so curious to see what's up. I love the vibes here, so retro Korea - feels like a meat market. It's literally feels like something you'd see in Korea, certainly not Bryant Park. They dry-age most of the pork cuts here which makes the meat BBQ really special. If it's your first time, get the butcher's special but the pork belly is what's up. Both the doenjang jigae and kimchi stew are great, can't really go wrong with either. The bulpan fried rice is very tasty. The immersive experience is one of the things I love. From the open kitchen, the dry-aging box and they even have their own beer/soju glasses. They are also open for lunch if you want a solid BBQ meat over rice and a miniature stew. It's a lot of food and it's very tasty.

Anthony P.

Yelp

RATING: 7.8/10 New a la carte KBBQ spot near Bryant park opened by the same people behind Kochi/Mari, michelin-starred restaurants. Overall it was a bit pricey for the volume of food you get (we got 3 meats and the egg souffle + kimchi fried rice) but not terrible pricing compared to the rest of Ktown - came out to be around $60 pp. However I will say I wasn't super full after. Quality is good though - we got Iberico, Jowl and Pork Belly (as of this writing their pork belly is dry aged 30 days) and the quality of the meat was definitely on the higher end esp compared to AYCE or other casual places. The egg souffle was nice and savory and fluffy. They gave us banchan which included the pajeon, which is def better than your typical pajeon for sure. I think overall, the quality is good and if it fits your budget it's worth checking out. The menu focuses on pork; you won't find bulgogi or galbi here. They also gave us soft serve with black sesame crumble on the house which is nice. The service was attentive, thorough and great! They cook the meat for you and even distribute it when it's done. It's a small space and gets loud. As of now, reservations are still easy to obtain. FINAL CATEGORY: GOOD/GREAT (terrible / bad / ok / GOOD / GREAT / excellent)

Jenny Z.

Yelp

To be honest, this whole experience was rather disappointing. The portions are outrageously small and overpriced, especially given the quality of the meat and the cooking. We came with a large group and opted to get as many items on the menu as we could. The meal started with pajeon which was good but a bit oily, and we got served a variety of banchan which was nice. However, other items which typically are included with kbbq (egg souffle, the lettuce leave wraps -- I can't believe it costs an extra $7 here!!, kimchi, rice) were outrageously priced. MEATS: first of all, the portions are so small. the $80 Butcher's Special is really so little meat. And the first time they cooked the meats, it was wayyy too overcooked. The meats were so tough and hard to chew, I had to ask the servers to cook them medium rare for the second round of meats. RICE: the kimchi fried rice was good, but nothing special. It was fun to eat the scorched rice at the bottom of the stone plate, however. NOODLE: here is where the service took a fall. Pretty much all of our other courses were served at or around a similar time to each other. After all our meats, eggs, rice, etc were finished and our plates were cleared, we had to ask our servers for our noodles (they were a bit confused if we were served it yet or not) and wait yet another 15 minutes for them, after our table was already cleared. Most of the people in my group thought the meal was already finished. On top of that, the noodles were average at best. I would definitely not get the gogi guksu -- the noodles were soggy by the point we got them. The only saving grace was the sesame ice cream. Made me feel a little better after the meal, although it definitely was not the best soft serve there is. The sesame was just a thoughtful touch. Am I glad I tried it? of course. But would I come here again? Most definitely not

Cory N.

Yelp

What a super cool, excellent hole-in-the-wall surprise! Decor is outstanding, food is outstanding, service is outstanding - love this place! The tables are small and a bit tight. This is not a place for big groups, unless you don't mind splitting up. It can get hot in here, so make sure to wear layers you can remove. There is a bucket under your seat where you can put a bag or coat rather than a coat check. We had the Jaeyuk, Pork loin, Egg white souflee, and kimchi. The Jaeyuk was the big hit, as was the egg white soufflé. The rest was excellent. The kimchi was disappointing as it was from a can and not fresh kimchi. Service was so incredibly attentive and accurate. I will definitely be going back.

Victoria G.

Yelp

Food 9/10 Very solid kbbq spot specializing in pork. We ordered: Cheese kimchi fried rice: Super cheesy and flavorful, would come back for this Doenjan Jigae Soup: very flavorful and not too heavy, I really enjoyed this soup. Would also come back for this Pork belly and collar: nicely charred and good chew, there were no bad porky flavors. Assortment of vegetables: great to pair with the pork Egg souffle: fluffy and airy, i love egg souffles. I really liked the banchan and dipping sauces that they provided as well, plenty to experiment with. They served a complimentary scallion pancake at the beginning and a complimentary black sesame soft serve at the end, both were massive pluses and a nice delight. Atmosphere 8/10 It's a very deliberate recreation of the very niche and specific casual atmosphere of pochas in Korea. Very curated in its approach to authenticity, which I don't mind and quite frankly enjoyed, but you can tell that this was their approach. Appreciate the little stools with storage in the seats for coats and bags, so those won't end up smelling like meat after the meal. But my hair still smelled like meat at the end rip. Service 8/10 Very friendly service, fast and speedy. Good stuff.

Gen L.

Yelp

This is a korean kbbq spot that offers dry aged korean pork kbbq. The ambiance is a korea-like atmosphere and also has display of their pork meats with dates displayed. It is so cool! Also, you don't have to worry cooking yourself, our server was very nice cutting and turning the meats for us to make sure they will be cooked perfectly. This was our first time eating a dry-aged pork and we can really tell the difference. Everything was very tasty and tender! You need to check this out!

Yulu H.

Yelp

Went there for lunch on a week day. Was able to get seated right away without a reservation. Great service. The seat with space to keep our jacket was very thoughtful, as the tiny vent on the table didn't really work that much, my dress was covered with barbecue smell afterwards. Might keep that in mind if any of you need to go back to office afterwards. I got the lunch special Kimchi and tofu bibimbap + kimchi soup. They were with great portion with the price and yummy. Only downside is with the hot place (not the stone pot) it is harder to stir the rice with sauce. And they do offer a few complementary small side dishes (kimchi, pickled turnips). Next time I would want to come back for dinner and get their bbq.

Jamie H.

Yelp

My partner and I waited 2 hours for a spot at this restaurant because I wanted to try it after reading an article on it. Unfortunately, this was one of those KBBQ places where you have to pay for lettuce, KIMCHI, mushrooms, and most other additions. We ordered the butchers special which features different cuts of pork. Didn't look like a lot, but still filled us up decently. The pajeon pancake came for free, as did the complimentary vanilla soft serve with black sesame. However, the bill came out to about $140+. At this price, I would've rather frequented Antoya in KTOWN or go to a Cast Iron Pot. This is the first time I've seen a charge for kimchi, so I'm a little disappointed in this place. My only fan favorite was the ice cream - second would be the cut of pork belly and pork tail. The interior was very cute though, and be prepared for a super loud atmosphere if you're going for dinner. We had to yell at each other to hear what we were saying. Luckily I'll be going to Korea soon and won't have to worry about being blindsided at prices for side dishes that should be free! Overall, the pork was decent and food was delicious. But nothing I could not have gotten elsewhere for a lower price. I probably will not be returning as I've been to places where KBBQ isn't glorified and priced out piece by piece so I know that the grass is greener on the other side. But this may be a cute hip place to get photos or a place to bring your date if you want a more "upscale" place with Korean tables and chairs, but an expensive menu with a less Korean-priced vibe.

Josephine L.

Yelp

As a result of poor planning, I wound up coming here for dinner two nights in a row with a few VIPs who are longtime friends of Chef Shim. Not necessarily a bad thing when you get to sample most of the menu and have lots of comped items. Especially when the stuff is good: - Butcher's Plate: Delicious cuts with the perfect balance of fat to meat - Mushroom: Fungi lovers should definitely splurge for this. I liked it better than the pork. So many types of mushrooms, all perfectly seared - Pajeon: Crispy and perfect - Old School Lunch Box: Freebies for us and so delicious. Shake it like a Polaroid picture! - Bulpan Kimchi Fried Rice: Chewy and tasty, with tons of seaweed flavor. Mmmm - Doenjang Jigae: Good for miso lovers, meh for me - Aehobak Jjigae: Savory, spicy and hearty. The perfect stew for a cold night - Gogi Guksu: My favorite dish of both nights, and one of the best bowls of non-ramen noodle soup I've had in NYC - Gyeran Jjim: Fluffy and flavorful - Black Sesame Soft Serve: These were complimentary for us, but they might be for everyone? Either way, you want this. So stop counting calories and order it! A couple of other notes: - The place gets LOUD when it's full, and it gets full fast. The acoustics aren't the greatest. Be prepared to shout. - All chair cushions (the red part) can be lifted up to place items inside, like a storage ottoman.

Jin K.

Yelp

This place is legit awesome! In an off location (mid block on 43rd) you wouldn't expect such a great restaurant. In case you haven't noticed from all the pictures of pigs, this place specializes in pork only. No beef or other meats. That usually means you better do a dang good job on that one dish and Don Don performs. Decor is quite retro-modern with specially designed signs. Dining room is clean and smoke ventilation system is great with right over the grill vents. Tables are a bit small but comfortably seats 4 people. Service was attentive and the employees were able to explain each dish. They do suggest eating certain cuts (i.e., Iberico) medium rare, which I am all for, but if you feel nervous about it then make sure you tell them (but you should really cook these great meats medium rare or maybe medium at most). Finally, in terms of meats, Iberico is the way to go. You don't usually see Iberico pork on the menu at Korean restaurants. The deep, rich flavor of pork really comes through. By far it was the best pork I've had at a Korean restaurant in US (best of all time being black pork in Jeju). Ramen and daenjang soup was carefully made with quality ingredients and were delicious as well. So, come to the Plaza District and enjoy some good pork BBQ!

Nicole N.

Yelp

If you're all about meat and protein, this is the place for you!! This pork themed kbbq offers several meat cuts and I got to try the Dry Aged Pork Tasting Menu! The staff helps you cook the meat. In the order of my preference: - The 14 day aged collar was very well seasoned! The balance between the savory, smokey, and fatty flavors was amazing, and even better with a tad of doenjang or sea salt. Meat was juicy and tender! - The 14 aged belly is my next favorite. Again savory and tender but a little too fatty for me. - The fresh pork belly was also yummy but required additional sauces for me. The cut was also a little too oily for me but my partner loved it with the wasabi. Apps/others: The egg was super soft and airy with a hint of sesame oil. The gochujang soybean/green onion salad was very fresh. The scallion pancake was chewy with a savory soy sauce dip. Both jiggaes I had were pretty standard with lots of ingredients! Dessert: Rotating menu; the current one features a strawberry sauce with cinnamon crunchy bits. The store itself is decently sized, packed with tables. Does have good ventilation and loved the meat shop look with neon lights at the back. In terms of service - I think it was hit or kiss depending on the staff. Our first staff took a while to get our drinks (had to be reminded) and introduced the meats in a different order than how it was actually served. Some dishes were placed in our table erroneously. Latter half of the dinner was much better with different team members. One offered to help us take pics, and another noticed we ran out of sauces/banchan so he brought us more. The tasting menu was definitely a lot of tasty food!

Albert K.

Yelp

Excellent pork. We tried everything on the menu. While the 30 day aged pork was more expensive and felt more rich in flavor, it was still comparable to the rest of it. Staff was courteous and kept refilling our water/panchan. Good selection of mixed soju bottles. Delicious pancake (ordered 3). Fun vibes, feeling like a pocha.

Jessie H.

Yelp

New Korean BBQ place located near Bryant Park. The place specializes in pork so don't come here expecting there to be beef like bulgogi, galbi, etc. Make reservations online ahead of time. The place reminds me of Seoul a lot where I visited there before. Nice vibrant decor. We got the butcher special for 2 people (cost about $80). They showed us the different types of meat before the server grilled it for us. I couldn't really tell the difference between the different cuts of pork once it was cooked but they provide you with a variety of different sauces to dip meats in. The side dishes were fresh and delicious! You can lift the seat up (red part) to put your jacket/stuff in so it doesn't get the bbq smell on it. Service is fast and attentive! Good place for groups of 4 or less since the table is kinda small unless they combine them for larger groups.

Jane L.

Yelp

Don Don is a low key KBBQ joint that serves only pork, which definitely distinguishes it from other KBBQ places. They specifically focus on dry aged pork, which I have had before but not in KBBQ form. My husband and I got the sampler, which comes with banchan, jigae, steamed egg jjim, and three cuts of pork: fresh pork belly, dry aged pork belly, and dry aged collar. To be honest, when the cuts of pork came out, they looked really small and not worth the money, but overall the meal was very filling and we ended up skipping the free ice cream. I thought the meat was tasty, but there wasn't really that much of a noticeable difference between the dry aged meat and regular meat. Also, the heat source for the grill is induction, so it didn't have the same char that you would get from coal or gas, and the two forms of pork belly actually got taken to the back kitchen to be seared and then got finished on the table grill. I do agree with other reviewers who commented on the lack of ventilation in the place. Your clothes and hair will smell when you leave this place. That being said, the service was amazing. Every person we encountered there was so kind and gracious. Exceptional on that front.

Mandy T.

Yelp

Don Don is like the more affordable version of Cote - it's worth checking out at least once, but definitely not a place to frequently visit unless you're willing to pay premium prices for a limited menu. I came here on a Saturday afternoon with my boyfriend so it wasn't too busy at all. We were able to get seated immediately. The interior of the restaurant is very reminiscent of Korea - however, it is very, very smokey inside. There's ventilators on each table, but there's still a visible layer of smoke inside. We decided to get the Butchers special because it came with a little bit of all the cuts available. I think my favorite out of all of the cuts was the pork jowl. You have to pay extra for rice or vegetables, but they give you some banchan. I thought it was interesting they gave a small portion of roe and wasbai to pair with the meats. It was my first time seeing it at a KBBQ place - the roe paired quite nicely with the meats and the wasabi had a kick to it. The ssamjang sauce here is soooo good - I asked for seconds. They add some kind of nut to the sauce (maybe walnuts?) so there's a nice texture and a little sweetness in the sauce. You get a small cup of soft serve at the end! The ice cream was vanilla and very creamy. It was the perfect end to the meal. I want to give it a higher rating, but since you have to pay for vegetables and rice (which is complimentary at other KBBQ restaurants) and the steep prices, I think this place is a 3.5. It's a nice change from other KBBQ restaurants, but you definitely are paying for the experience here.

Tiffany L.

Yelp

Pleasantly surprised by my experience at Don Don :) We got the tasting menu for $47 pp and the kimchi fried rice. I loved all three types of the pork -- so delicious!! I wasn't a huge fan of the deoenjang stew though and the pancake was ok. But I would definitely go back just for the pork!!

Mike Z.

Yelp

New kbbq right next to Bryant Park, focused exclusively on pork. Our group ordered the butcher's special, mushrooms, kimchi fried rice, ramyun, and egg souffle. Overall, the food was very impressive. The butcher's special includes a sample of all the other meats, and is portioned for two people. While I at first thought the portion looked small, it ended up being a good amount to get full. The other dishes were also delicious, particularly the egg souffle. The restaurant also gives complimentary ice cream for each meal, although the machine was broken the day we ate there. Service was also a standout! The server cooked all the meat table side, but was never bothersome. Will definitely be back!

Julie K.

Yelp

This is absolutely my favorite KBBQ spot for pork. The moment you enter, you're hit with the nostalgia of old korean music and decor. The servers here are very attentive in making sure your meat is cooked well. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of pork, but I was blown away by how juicy and flavorful all the different cuts of pork were and the pork noodle was so delicious I had to keep pouring more and more into my bowl. Would love to come back and eat here again whenever I'm craving pork!

Sabrina H.

Yelp

I really enjoyed my lunch here with my friend! We ordered the butchers special which came with a variety of different cuts so we got to try everything. We also ordered a steamed egg and kimchi stew which were both amazing additions to our meal. The servers were extremely kind and would make sure to explain everything to us and also made sure we had enough water and side dishes. We also got a seafood pancake, which tasted amazing!! The vibes are amazing and I would recommend coming here with friends!

Rachel T.

Yelp

This is a Korean casual street restaurant specialized in dry aged pork cuts. Unlike other Korean restaurants that have air suction from the top, this one features adjustable suction attached to the table side. And the chair w coat storage but smelly clothes are guaranteed after a bbq. Thanks to our servers for the great hospitality! Must order: Bibim noodles!!! Hardly find bibim guksu as chewy as buckwheat noodles Plum somac & White lotus makgeolli were also considerably great too

Shirley H.

Yelp

This KBBQ restaurant in Ktown specializes in dry-aged pork, and it has a vibe of a retro 90's gastro pub. It is from the same team behind Kochi and Mari. The pork tasting menu is so delicious, and it is $47 per person. It is a ton of food! The tasting menu includes 3 meats, a scallion pancake, a fluffy egg souffle, a scallion salad, vegetables, a choice of stew, banchan, and some creamy soft serve ice cream. The fresh pork belly, 14-day dry-aged pork collar, and 14-day dry-aged pork belly are grilled to perfection right in front of us and they are so tasty. Their old school lunch box is also amazing! Staff is all so friendly. Definitely a great spot to hang out with friends.

Rudy W.

Yelp

The grilled meats at Dondon NYC are incredibly flavorful, and each dish is seasoned to perfection. The selection of banchan, or side dishes, enhances the meal, providing a variety of tastes to complement the meats. I particularly loved the spicy pork, which had just the right amount of heat, and the bulgogi, which was tender and juicy. The lively atmosphere adds to the overall experience, making it an ideal place for a fun night out with friends, where you can enjoy great food and vibrant energy all around.

Shiela M.

Yelp

Came here for an early Friday dinner with my husband and we had the tasting menu. It came with many pickled ban chan, choice of soup, egg soufflé and 3 different pieces of pork (fresh belly, aged pork collar and aged pork belly) that the server cooked for us. Our favorites were both pork belly and the collar was good. The server cooked the meats to our liking and was very attentive to our needs. The only negative was the smokiness during cooking and our clothes definitely still smelled smoky after leaving the restaurant. All tables allow 4 people to sit there so if you have a bigger group your group will be split up.

Jueling C.

Yelp

This pork centered Korean bbq restaurant just had their grand opening and they'll definitely be seeing me again. This place offered the most unique kbbq experience. All of their pork is dry aged for at least two weeks!!! Everything is the highest quality and well seasoned. Overall vibe: vintage vibe with intimate tables ideal for dates or groups of 4 Food: one unique thing Don Don offers that NO other kbbq restaurant in nyc offers is the bone-in pork loin. It was so tender and a perfect balance of meat and fat. They have noodles, soup dishes, rice dishes, and more for those who want more than just kbbq. Service: the service was soooo good. Everyone was extremely kind to our group of 8 people and they were constantly refilling our water cups. Hospitality was great and big shout out to our server Kaung :) Overall, this is a must visit kbbq restaurant for those who love pork kbbq. If you like sweet drinks, i recommend the passion fruit soju!! We ended the night with complimentary black sesame ice cream and it was the perfect palate cleanser.

Bummy D.

Yelp

Food is great! We ordered the pork noodles which is amazing and surprisingly good! We started with scallion pancake and then pork belly both were also delicious. They make their own grape soju which is also good the strawberry once tasted like a smoothie with alcohol. Love the food! The service though is a bit off, I know it's a busy restaurant but whenever we finished a dish they would ask 3-4 times if we are done to clean the table. They also keep opening the door when it's SUPER cold out. The excuse was to ventilate the smoke which I think is not a good excuse for the price we pay they should at least get a better ventilation to avoid opening the door when it's 35 degrees.

Angela P.

Yelp

We tried the dry aged tasting, which included fresh belly, 14 day aged collar, and 21 day aged belly all for $47/person that come with side banchans, choice of stew, and ice cream. The 14 day aged collar personally tasted a bit weird, but the fresh belly and 21 day aged belly were delicious! I would come back again and try with more sides like noodles or fried rice. Warning: the portions look small. It's more filling than it looks but definitely won't make you super full.

Mark M.

Yelp

Korean bbq that concentrates on pork. They have iberico pork, as well as 30 days aged cuts as well . Staff was friendly and helped with our choices . We had our 2 girls and it was their first Korean bbq. They loved it . Staff kept an eye on the grill and cut meats for table . Whole group ebjomeal and experience

Ashley N.

Yelp

Compared to when Don Don first opened, the quality has gone down a bit sadly. Most noticeable were the dipping paring options--they used to use fresher wasabi (that has a slight crumbly texture) now they use one of those flavorless bright green paste; they used to use authentic Jeot-Gal (fermented seafood) but now they've switched it to plain Ssam-Jang (bean paste mix). The menu has also changed so there is no longer "special meat of the day" type item. Still a solid place to get good Korean bbq pork with good service and fun vibe, but I wish they'd bring back the quality and attention to detail!

@infatuation

Pork focused Korean bbq (and other things), kind of in a weird location but still v good.

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Hillbillytc

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The atmosphere is very unique and comfy. The food was amazingly hot and tasty. Lots of GF options. The server " Dae* made the experience over the top amazing..He made you feel like family..

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Jerry Chen

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14 days dry age pork belly and collar is amazing. One of the best Korean BBQ I’ve veered tried in NYC! Definitely recommended. Great service!

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Don Don Korean BBQ

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