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All time favorite. Comport food and very friendly service. This place fix our craving from the other store at Korea town
Just starting to explore the Korean flavors, which is ridiculous given that I live near areas where we have such a great variety of foods. Since that's the case, I won't try to tell you how good or bad it was, relative to other Korean food, but I will say that this is the best Korean food I've had (XD) and from listening to my Korean friend, after over an hour looking for it since he mistakenly mapped to the other shop in Garden Grove and my TKD classmates wanted this location, they were very please with the food they ordered. Nonetheless, the trip was fun with a bunch of friends in the car joking with each other all the way there. Down to the food - it was delicious! The broth in the pork bone main dish was a nice mildly spicy mixture of what seemed like bone broth that also had vegetable/root flavors. I didn't order, I didn't even really look at the menu since I felt like being lazy after our TKD workout and the hour drive. Lucky for me my Korean friend ordered everything but, due to that, I can't tell you what we got off the menu or even put the names of the dishes on the photos my friends took. I'm regretting that now as I write this review, since I like to share these exact things with you; but, Just like I do sometimes, you can simply show the wait staff the pictures of what I say sound appetizing. Sides were fresh and delicious and refilled upon request. There's definitely a better technique to get meat off the ribs; judging by how much better my Korean friend cleaning the bones with his chopsticks, only experience will ease the tension of trying to tackle this challenge - although my guess would be that many reading this review will have tried lots of Korean food and get right down to it when having this dish. In writing that, and reading it back to myself, it sounds like a complaint so I must add that I love to eat slow but find that most people eat four times faster than I do, so this dish is great to slow things down to a more desirable pace. Atmosphere - It's a very small "hole in the wall" kind of place which, very much so, makes it the type of place that's fun to eat with a jovial group of friends and when you know the food is good. Staff were very friendly and accommodating. When ordering and trying to make decisions, based on my friends recommendations, the waiter brought out some leaf of the sesame plant for us to taste. Prior to this meal I didn't know you could eat sesame plant, other than the seeds, and the flavor from the leaf was unbelievably complex. different than any other leafy veggies and good.
over 30 years famous gamjatang 감자탕, surprisingly many non spicy options for my toddler, amazing lunch price less than $20 with great banchan (including sausage!) Tried their gamjatang lunch deal -- only $18: 6 big pork bones + potatoes A full spread of banchan, including a unique sausage Came with my little one, so we went non-spicy. They recommended the dumpling soup and bossam, plus a super unique potato pancake -- everything was so hearty and satisfying. IG: socalhkfoodies
I had been disappointed that there weren't many good gamjatang (pork bone soup) spots in Buena Park, so I'm really glad we tried this place a few days ago. We ordered the medium size. We have to choose between perilla leaves or napa greens, and if you want to add the other one, it's about $6 extra. We started with napa greens and later added the perilla leaves. The soup and the pork bones were both flavorful and satisfying, but the portion felt a bit small for the price. They told us they could fry rice at the end, so we didn't order rice separately. The restaurant was completely full and there was only one server working, which honestly made us feel a little bad for them. Even so, the overall service was still good, and the food tasted great. The interior was also clean and neat. One downside was the seating layout. There were too many tables, and we actually had to get up in the middle of eating so another guest could get to a center table, which was pretty uncomfortable and put a bit of a damper on the experience. Overall, the food and service were good, but the tight seating and portion size for the price were a little disappointing.
This place is in a little strip mall, parking lot is on the smaller side, and there is a dance school, so just be a little patient, but trust me, it's worth it. Inside it was one of those comfortable small restaurants, ya know, the kind where you know you're going to get that good comfort food? Service was great, they were friendly, and even made sure that all our banchan and tea was filled. Oh, tea, that was such a great complement to the meal. It's earthy, and just bursting with flavor, no mods needed. First we ordered the Gam Ja Tang, which is the spicy pork bone soup with potatoes. This had that perfect amount of kick. The meat was so tender and amazing, then I had a potato which was just amazing together with the pork and the broth. Add a little of the sauce it comes with, *chef's kiss* Next thing up was the Maeun Sam Gyub Bulgogi, spicy pan-fried pork belly, oh my goodness, that was just so good. Getting that with a little bit of rice and maybe some of the banchan, bursting with flavor. I could go back just for this. Last thing was the Yi Meon Soo, pan fried atka mackerel. I love me some good mackerel, it was that perfect pan fry, and the butterfly on it was so great. I love me a good mackerel, and this was no exception. Overall this place is wonderful and if you love a good place for Korean Comfort food, I do highly recommend this spot.
We had dinner here last week. There is a small parking lot available. We didn't have any trouble finding a spot. The restaurant is small and quaint. We ordered several dishes. Starting with the pan fried mackerel. Perfectly butterflied and so tasty. Next, we ordered the spicy pan-fried pork belly bulgolgi. Not super spicy but just the right amount of kick. The pork belly was so flavorful and fatty. Each piece felt like it was melting in my mouth. Last, but not least, the gam ja tang. Spicy pork bone soup with large pork bones. The broth is so spicy and comforting. The meat literally fell off the bones. A must have in any weather. The bachan is unlimited and the kimchi offerings were so good. The cucumber and daikon kimchi was so crisp and crunchy. The friendly service and wonderful comfort food will make this a place to come back to time and time again.
Gamjagol in Buena Park is my new favorite spot for authentic Korean comfort food! Came for the weekday lunch specials (such a steal) and everything we ordered was perfection: - #9 Yi-meon Soo (pan-fried galchi) - golden, crispy, and super flaky - #18 Cheonggukjang - bold, funky, soul-warming fermented soybean stew - #21 Mug-sa-bal - chilled acorn jelly with kimchi in tangy cold broth, insanely refreshing - #23 Yachaejeon - massive veggie pancake with the crispiest edges and soft center Huge portions, endless banchan, and flavors that taste just like Korea. Service was incredibly attentive - our server was sweet, quick to refill water and sides, and always checked in with a smile. The dining room is spacious, bright, clean, and super comfortable... feels like you can actually relax and enjoy your meal. Pro tip: plenty of free parking in the back lot, so no circling the plaza stress! If you want real-deal Korean home cooking in OC, this place is a must.
I was highly disappointed with my visit. The overall cleanliness and food handling practices were extremely unsanitary. I watched the cashier handle money and then immediately prepare food without washing their hands. At one point, they even set the to-go order on top of a trash can. Staff were also bussing tables and then preparing food without any handwashing in between. Even if they were short staffed, safe food handling should never be compromised. It's unfortunate because their potato soup was good.
Excellent service, friendly and courteous! Clean tables and bathroom. Excellent Gamjatang! You could choose Ugeoji or seasame leaf topping which I appreciate because I love Ugeoji. Shared with my bf, but he also wanted to get bossam and potato pancake. Which were both solid choices. Would definitely come again! I wish they had one closer to my home.
The best pork neck bone soup in Buena Park! The original location is in Koreatown Los Angeles. We ordered the small gamja soup and it was enough to feed 3 adults. The broth is very hearty and rich in flavor and the neck bone does not smell. After you eat everything they stir fry rice for you with the leftover broth. They are very generous with their banchan and service was superb!
I was seriously craving gamjatang, and this place instantly became my new favorite! We ordered the small Gamjagol, and it was more than enough to leave my husband and me completely stuffed. The amount of meat they had was surprising too! Even though we were already full, we had to order the fried rice they make afterward--and wow, it was SO good. Absolutely worth it. On top of that, the server was incredibly friendly and attentive, which made the experience even better. Highly recommend this spot, you won't regret it!
There's a small parking lot in the back so parking isn't too hard. We were seated pretty quickly. There's quite a few tables in the restaurant and they're very close together. Came for the gamjatang and it was soooo good. I ordered the small and it was more than enough food for me, my mom and my brother. At the end of your meal they will make fried rice for you if you ask. I also ordered the kongguksu and the portion was huge. The flavor is very bland though so you'll have to add salt. Service can be a little slow. Also most of the waitresses don't actually speak English only Korean so it can be a little bit difficult.
If you're craving authentic Korean comfort food, Gamjagol is the place to be! We indulged in their signature Gamjatang--a hearty pork bone soup with tender meat that falls off the bone, rich broth, and perfectly cooked potatoes. We also enjoyed the Bossam, which are pork slices boiled in a flavorful brine to perfection and served with cabbage. The combination of the tenderness of the meat and strong flavors was delightful! The generous portions and authentic flavors combined with the amazing service truly made our dining experience memorable. If you're in the Buena Park area, don't miss out on this cozy hidden gem!
2 months ago
3 months ago
I'm so happy an LA Koreatown institution also has a location in Buena Park. The owner is the LA location's son, so the food is the same. I heard his mother actually still makes the ban chan for this location, so you know it's legit. One thing many people overlook when assessing a Korean restaurant is the ban chan, but that's a mistake. The ban chan can be just as important as the main entrees. Gam Ja Gol's ban chan hits on all levels. It's like a Korean grandma put her loving touch into them. I especially enjoyed their two different types of radish kimchi - the shredded and the cubes. If you've never had that type of kimchi, then set these as your standard. We also order the gam ja tang when we come here, and we order it with the perilla leaves (classic style). It does get messy, so try not to wear light colored clothes when you go. The pro move is to ask for aprons and gloves, both of which are gladly provided by the staff. The gam ja tang is brought to your table almost fully cooked, but it will simmer and finish off at your table. Wait until the soup has been simmering for a while, and the soup will develop a complex depth of flavor. Then you'll know why Gam Ja Gol has been around for decades in LA Koreatown. Don't be afraid to pick up the bones and pick out all the meat that's hidden between the backbones. If you enjoy cartilage, this is the dish for you! You can choose to either have your rice with the soup or save it for kimchi fried rice at the end. I'd recommend eating half of the rice with the soup and saving half for the kimchi fried rice. You need to empty out all the soup and bones, and the server will cook the fried rice in the bowl at your table. It picks up all the bits of flavor from the gam ja tang, and it's the perfect end to your meal. The small gam ja tang is enough for 2 - 4 people, depending on how much they eat. It's my go to dish, but the other dishes I've tried here are also pretty good. Imagine your Korean auntie invited you over and is cooking you a homecooked meal. That's what Gam Ja Gol is --- authentic Korean food, made with love and care. Most of the workers have been there forever, so they know what they're doing and how to expertly prepare the food. Order a bottle of soju, and get ready for a great dining experience. read more
5 days ago
All time favorite. Comport food and very friendly service. This place fix our craving from the other store at Korea town read more
Just starting to explore the Korean flavors, which is ridiculous given that I live near areas where we have such a great variety of foods. Since that's the case, I won't try to tell you how good or bad it was, relative to other Korean food, but I will say that this is the best Korean food I've had (XD) and from listening to my Korean friend, after over an hour looking for it since he mistakenly mapped to the other shop in Garden Grove and my TKD classmates wanted this location, they were very please with the food they ordered. Nonetheless, the trip was fun with a bunch of friends in the car joking with each other all the way there. Down to the food - it was delicious! The broth in the pork bone main dish was a nice mildly spicy mixture of what seemed like bone broth that also had vegetable/root flavors. I didn't order, I didn't even really look at the menu since I felt like being lazy after our TKD workout and the hour drive. Lucky for me my Korean friend ordered everything but, due to that, I can't tell you what we got off the menu or even put the names of the dishes on the photos my friends took. I'm regretting that now as I write this review, since I like to share these exact things with you; but, Just like I do sometimes, you can simply show the wait staff the pictures of what I say sound appetizing. Sides were fresh and delicious and refilled upon request. There's definitely a better technique to get meat off the ribs; judging by how much better my Korean friend cleaning the bones with his chopsticks, only experience will ease the tension of trying to tackle this challenge - although my guess would be that many reading this review will have tried lots of Korean food and get right down to it when having this dish. In writing that, and reading it back to myself, it sounds like a complaint so I must add that I love to eat slow but find that most people eat four times faster than I do, so this dish is great to slow things down to a more desirable pace. Atmosphere - It's a very small "hole in the wall" kind of place which, very much so, makes it the type of place that's fun to eat with a jovial group of friends and when you know the food is good. Staff were very friendly and accommodating. When ordering and trying to make decisions, based on my friends recommendations, the waiter brought out some leaf of the sesame plant for us to taste. Prior to this meal I didn't know you could eat sesame plant, other than the seeds, and the flavor from the leaf was unbelievably complex. different than any other leafy veggies and good. read more
over 30 years famous gamjatang 감자탕, surprisingly many non spicy options for my toddler, amazing lunch price less than $20 with great banchan (including sausage!) Tried their gamjatang lunch deal -- only $18: 6 big pork bones + potatoes A full spread of banchan, including a unique sausage Came with my little one, so we went non-spicy. They recommended the dumpling soup and bossam, plus a super unique potato pancake -- everything was so hearty and satisfying. IG: socalhkfoodies read more
I had been disappointed that there weren't many good gamjatang (pork bone soup) spots in Buena Park, so I'm really glad we tried this place a few days ago. We ordered the medium size. We have to choose between perilla leaves or napa greens, and if you want to add the other one, it's about $6 extra. We started with napa greens and later added the perilla leaves. The soup and the pork bones were both flavorful and satisfying, but the portion felt a bit small for the price. They told us they could fry rice at the end, so we didn't order rice separately. The restaurant was completely full and there was only one server working, which honestly made us feel a little bad for them. Even so, the overall service was still good, and the food tasted great. The interior was also clean and neat. One downside was the seating layout. There were too many tables, and we actually had to get up in the middle of eating so another guest could get to a center table, which was pretty uncomfortable and put a bit of a damper on the experience. Overall, the food and service were good, but the tight seating and portion size for the price were a little disappointing. read more
This place is in a little strip mall, parking lot is on the smaller side, and there is a dance school, so just be a little patient, but trust me, it's worth it. Inside it was one of those comfortable small restaurants, ya know, the kind where you know you're going to get that good comfort food? Service was great, they were friendly, and even made sure that all our banchan and tea was filled. Oh, tea, that was such a great complement to the meal. It's earthy, and just bursting with flavor, no mods needed. First we ordered the Gam Ja Tang, which is the spicy pork bone soup with potatoes. This had that perfect amount of kick. The meat was so tender and amazing, then I had a potato which was just amazing together with the pork and the broth. Add a little of the sauce it comes with, *chef's kiss* Next thing up was the Maeun Sam Gyub Bulgogi, spicy pan-fried pork belly, oh my goodness, that was just so good. Getting that with a little bit of rice and maybe some of the banchan, bursting with flavor. I could go back just for this. Last thing was the Yi Meon Soo, pan fried atka mackerel. I love me some good mackerel, it was that perfect pan fry, and the butterfly on it was so great. I love me a good mackerel, and this was no exception. Overall this place is wonderful and if you love a good place for Korean Comfort food, I do highly recommend this spot. read more
Business owner information
Cal H.
Dear Samara,…
We had dinner here last week. There is a small parking lot available. We didn't have any trouble finding a spot. The restaurant is small and quaint. We ordered several dishes. Starting with the pan fried mackerel. Perfectly butterflied and so tasty. Next, we ordered the spicy pan-fried pork belly bulgolgi. Not super spicy but just the right amount of kick. The pork belly was so flavorful and fatty. Each piece felt like it was melting in my mouth. Last, but not least, the gam ja tang. Spicy pork bone soup with large pork bones. The broth is so spicy and comforting. The meat literally fell off the bones. A must have in any weather. The bachan is unlimited and the kimchi offerings were so good. The cucumber and daikon kimchi was so crisp and crunchy. The friendly service and wonderful comfort food will make this a place to come back to time and time again. read more
Business owner information
Cal H.
Dear Jason,…
Gamjagol in Buena Park is my new favorite spot for authentic Korean comfort food! Came for the weekday lunch specials (such a steal) and everything we ordered was perfection: - #9 Yi-meon Soo (pan-fried galchi) - golden, crispy, and super flaky - #18 Cheonggukjang - bold, funky, soul-warming fermented soybean stew - #21 Mug-sa-bal - chilled acorn jelly with kimchi in tangy cold broth, insanely refreshing - #23 Yachaejeon - massive veggie pancake with the crispiest edges and soft center Huge portions, endless banchan, and flavors that taste just like Korea. Service was incredibly attentive - our server was sweet, quick to refill water and sides, and always checked in with a smile. The dining room is spacious, bright, clean, and super comfortable... feels like you can actually relax and enjoy your meal. Pro tip: plenty of free parking in the back lot, so no circling the plaza stress! If you want real-deal Korean home cooking in OC, this place is a must. read more
Business owner information
Cal H.
Dear Donald,…
I was highly disappointed with my visit. The overall cleanliness and food handling practices were extremely unsanitary. I watched the cashier handle money and then immediately prepare food without washing their hands. At one point, they even set the to-go order on top of a trash can. Staff were also bussing tables and then preparing food without any handwashing in between. Even if they were short staffed, safe food handling should never be compromised. It's unfortunate because their potato soup was good. read more
Business owner information
Cal H.
Dear Justin,…
2 months ago
7 months ago
Excellent service, friendly and courteous! Clean tables and bathroom. Excellent Gamjatang! You could choose Ugeoji or seasame leaf topping which I appreciate because I love Ugeoji. Shared with my bf, but he also wanted to get bossam and potato pancake. Which were both solid choices. Would definitely come again! I wish they had one closer to my home. read more
6 months ago
The best pork neck bone soup in Buena Park! The original location is in Koreatown Los Angeles. We ordered the small gamja soup and it was enough to feed 3 adults. The broth is very hearty and rich in flavor and the neck bone does not smell. After you eat everything they stir fry rice for you with the leftover broth. They are very generous with their banchan and service was superb! read more
8 months ago
I was seriously craving gamjatang, and this place instantly became my new favorite! We ordered the small Gamjagol, and it was more than enough to leave my husband and me completely stuffed. The amount of meat they had was surprising too! Even though we were already full, we had to order the fried rice they make afterward--and wow, it was SO good. Absolutely worth it. On top of that, the server was incredibly friendly and attentive, which made the experience even better. Highly recommend this spot, you won't regret it! read more
There's a small parking lot in the back so parking isn't too hard. We were seated pretty quickly. There's quite a few tables in the restaurant and they're very close together. Came for the gamjatang and it was soooo good. I ordered the small and it was more than enough food for me, my mom and my brother. At the end of your meal they will make fried rice for you if you ask. I also ordered the kongguksu and the portion was huge. The flavor is very bland though so you'll have to add salt. Service can be a little slow. Also most of the waitresses don't actually speak English only Korean so it can be a little bit difficult. read more
Business owner information
Cal H.
Dear Gerina,…
5 months ago
1 year ago
If you're craving authentic Korean comfort food, Gamjagol is the place to be! We indulged in their signature Gamjatang--a hearty pork bone soup with tender meat that falls off the bone, rich broth, and perfectly cooked potatoes. We also enjoyed the Bossam, which are pork slices boiled in a flavorful brine to perfection and served with cabbage. The combination of the tenderness of the meat and strong flavors was delightful! The generous portions and authentic flavors combined with the amazing service truly made our dining experience memorable. If you're in the Buena Park area, don't miss out on this cozy hidden gem! read more
2 years ago
This review is based solely on food and interaction with some workers since I ordered to-go. Parking: Free compact parking lot behind the restaurant. Ambiance/Environment: Since we parked in the back, we entered through the back door. There was a narrow hallway filled with supplies. The bathroom is also located in the hallway, so be careful as the doors swing open. They have a small space with limited indoor seating, and they were busyyy. They have a small indoor space with compact seating. Service: This spot is truly Korean. Majority of the servers speak Korean with limited English. We were not greeted by a host/hostess. If you're dining in, place your name on the notepad with the party size. If you're ordering to-go, try to wave down a worker and let them know. It took a while for a worker to acknowledge us in line. One of the male workers I spoke with actually had good English. He was very knowledgeable about the menu and offered suggestions. Food: Throughput was actually quick n efficient. We ordered to-go, and they packed everything neatly. 1) Gamjatang - Pork bone soup with potatoes. This packaging was HUGE! There was a generous amount of pork bone, soup, and vegetables! The soup was flavorful and spicyyy! The vegetables and potatoes were boiled well, and the pork bone was cooked well. 2) Kimchi Bossam - They gave us a generous amount of pork too! The pork slices were covered in an aluminum foil. They were still warm when we got home. It was very soft and paired well with the vegetables. It came with other banchan on the side. Pricing: A bit on the pricier end, but you can easily share this between 2-3 people. read more
4 months ago
Would come here for gamjatang often, found a bug in the soup today after eating about halfway through, feeling pretty nasty. read more
11 months ago
Great food and very flavorful! This place is kids friendly, they were very mindful of our kids. The servers were fast and attentive. Definitely a place I would come back to, to enjoy some Gam ja tung in the future! read more
Business owner information
Cal H.
Dear Edward,…
6 months ago
Great little restaurant with parking in the back. Great little side dishes and even has Korean TV playing. The worker was very nice. The Aircon is pretty strong to counteract the heat from the heat of their famous pork and potato stew. read more
2 years ago
Very korean here (English seems minimal). Hard to get service. They dont come by nor look up to see if anyone needs help. We had a unnecessary 2hr lunch here bc of this... We ordered the small size for 2 of us. There was no potato in my jongol and everyone elses. It was kinda funny. Soup tasted fine and the pork neck was soft enough. I had to come here bc my usual spot doesnt open til 4p ok sundays... sigh. I did like that they had potato pancake and it came out super crispy! Sunday at 2p there were alot of old ladies and gents being loud and drunk. I hope I dont become like them....but im korean so i might...lol I remember growing up there was always some sort of black toasted sesame seed type topping... guess they dont anymore. Parking lot in the back. (Oc is always free) read more
1 year ago
Such a solid Korean restaurant! Today is my second day coming and it doesn't disappoint. The portions are so big. We ordered medium jeon-gol for 4 people both times and it was more than enough food. We added potato sujaebi which is a great addition and the fried rice at the end is the perfect ending. Definitely check it out! read more
Business owner information
Cal H.
Dear Dorothy,…
27 days ago
6 months ago
28 days ago
3 months ago
27 days ago
This is the place to go for hearty Korean comfort food! Our group of 5 shared the large gamja geon gol, a hot and spicy pork bone soup with potatoes. The pork is so tender it'll fall off the bone. We also enjoyed the bossam and they make kimchi fried rice with the leftover soup at the end. The restaurant is a bit cramped and parking can be limited, but the authentic food makes it worth the visit! read more
3 months ago
I am a regular at Gamjagol! I come here all the time, and my kids absolutely love it. The portions are huge and generous. The staff is incredibly friendly, and the service is excellent. I wish you all the best and continued success! read more
1 year ago
Wow this place is so good! If you are craving gamjatang it's one of the best places and it's local. The service is amazing and so friendly! I can vouch for this place! One of my fav. Korean comfort food. read more
Business owner information
Cal H.
Dear Sally,…
Was craving bossam and it did not disappoint! The meat to fat proportion of the bossam was good. We got the regular bossam. To note, the waitress told us the kimchi bossam does NOT come with Napa cabbage. The banchan was fresh and a good variety for the palate. We also ordered the vegetable pancake and it had a good chewy texture. Don't expect to get your daily veggie intake from this but I thought it complimented the bossam taste very well. Fun fact, there's a location in Ktown LA read more
Business owner information
Cal H.
Dear Jane,…
1 year ago
4the time here but have only eaten here twice! Busy place especially in the weekend!! Side dishes are great and the Gamjatang is worth the wait!! The ladies that work am here are super nice and the service is great! They also do fried rice for you afterwards, which is a bonus so don't eat too much rice!. read more
Business owner information
Cal H.
Dear Vince,…
10 months ago
Business owner information
Cal H.
Dear Esther,…
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