I was very excited to try this new Dakgalbi spot in Convoy! It's located in the popular restaurant center with Paik's Noodles. Parking is free for the first two hours and then you need to pay. We came on a Sunday for an early 11:30 am lunch and were seated immediately with our party of 6. Service was very friendly, these waitresses were working hard! We ordered the Family set and some sides: potatoe pancake, udon noodles, and fried rice. The food is delicious and they cook everything for you on the grill in the middle of the table. It's hard taxing work and our waitress Emily did a fantastic job and was so friendly and chatted with us throughout the meal. The chicken in the Family set (cooked on the grill) is tender and bursting with flavor. The potatoe pancake side really stood out - it was like a crispy hash brown which was the perfect compliment to the flavor packed chicken. There are a lot of large tables here and a bustling lively atmosphere. It was packed by 12:30 pm on Sunday! Overall would highly recommend giving Hongdae a try! read more

Hongdae Dakgalbi - Korean Near Me - San Diego, California

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Food was just okay. We got the couple set with original for dakgalbi. It wasn't as spicy as i thought it would be, but there's really not much flavor to it. At most you'll get something from the cheese ig. Sides were just okay too. Service was good, nothing stands out. Overall, a place you'll go once and that's it. read more

Hongdae Dakgalbi - Original flavor dakgalbi - Korean Near Me - San Diego, California

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I had a major hankering for some Dakgalbi while in California for a trip and I was so excited to see that Hongdae Dakgalbi was within a reasonable drive. The store is located in a strip mall with a bunch of different Korean stores so it was a cool place to hang out with friends. The service definitely could have been better. It took a while for us to be seated even though the restaurant only had like 2-3 other tables. Once seated, there were a lot of things that were frustrating as well that I won't mention here. The Dakgalbi itself was tasty. It was frustrating that you had to order at least 2 servings at a minimum and rice was not included nor did they even have lettuce wraps. Overall, I was happy to satisfy my craving but it came at a steep price and some frustration. read more

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A new restaurant just landed in Convoy! Hongdae Dakgalbi specializes in dakgalbi which is a Korean spicy chicken stir fry dish. We got 2 servings (minimum) of the Hongdae Original Dakgalbi to share between two people. It featured diced chicken, cabbage, rice cakes, carrots, onions, and perilla leaves all tossed in a spicy gochujang sauce. They cook it for you right on the table and oooo it was delish! A pretty balanced meal that hit just the right spot. The portion size is generous, so be prepared to take home some leftovers! read more

Hongdae Dakgalbi - Hongdae Original Dakgalbi - Korean Near Me - San Diego, California

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Nice to finally havw a dakgalbi place in san diego! The place is really spacious and all around a specialized stove. They specialize in chicken and intense plates. The only bummer in this place is parking is rough. We got there on a friday night around 6 and there wasnt a lot of peole inside. Didn't have to wait that long. The sides had a cool pickles and a lot of kimchi. One of the side dishes was an imitation crab with mayo. We were 6 people and ordered the chicken Dakgalbi soy, for the couple, pork spare rib and the cold buckwheat noodles which was plenty of enough food for everyone. The dishes by far was the cold buckwheat noodles! Its the best I've had an San Diego and will be perfect for summer! The spare ribs were already cooked from the kitchen and tasted better than the chicken imo. I'm so sad I didnt get pictures of the two best dishes! read more

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I came here with a party of 6, and we decided to get the original family set ($135). It came with four servings of original Dakgalbi (stir fried chicken with gochujang sauce), mozzarella, fried rice, steamed egg/soybean paste stew, and a drink. This whole set was really tasty, and reminded me of a restaurant that we ate at when we were in Korea. Everything was perfectly cooked, except that the steamed egg came out burned at the bottom. The fried rice is cooked at the end, and really soaks up all of the sauce from the stir fried chicken. Since we had 6 people, we ordered an additional side of fried rice and an udon. We also got two Hongdae makguksu, cold buckwheat noodles, and they were a perfect contrast to the warm food. We also decided to order a Hongdae Potato Pancake was delicious and crispy. It was unexpectedly tasty. We were all completely stuffed so in hindsight, we could have just ordered the family set, along with one Hongdae makguksu, and the potato pancake. No worries though because due to our over-ordering, we got to eat delicious leftovers! Emily was our waitress, and she worked non stop for all of the tables. There were only two waitresses for Sunday lunch, so they were both really busy taking the orders, as well as stir frying the chicken and fried rice at the table. Honestly, kudos to both of them for being so efficient and working so hard. read more

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Pretty great spot to try! Parking is definitely tricky in the area, but we got seated right away. Inside is very spacious with plenty of seating. We ordered the Hongdae Cheese Dakgalbi and really enjoyed it. The servers cook everything for you at the table and let you know when it's ready just made the experience easy and fun. Once it was ready, we basically devoured the whole thing, and it's a very generous portion. Servers were also great, very attentive and friendly throughout the meal. Would definitely come back to try more! read more

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QUICK TAKE// Sosososo comforting and satisfying with the massive portions! FOOD + SERVICE// As a first timer, I really appreciated the "packages" you could easily choose from. Had to go with the "FRIENDS SET ORIGINAL DAKGALBI" for our group of 5 of us. BUT IT STILL WAS A LOT OF FOOD! Next time I would recommend the couple set. Regardless the fact the sets come with the amazing jiggly STEAMED EGG and a SOJU (at least those were our options), the value was undeniable. They cooked everything for us too ‍. I loved the side sour/cold SOUP that came with the set too?? Don't know what it was called but it was a wonderful contrast to everything. The kicker is when they MAKE YOUR DAKGALBI INTO A FRIED RICE (with CHEESE? yes. x10000). So it really feels like you are getting two main meals with this one order. VIBES// Really nice big space! Tons of vents and circulation which was super nice and has a very modern look. Really cool spot for bigger groups too. read more

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I came here with a group of friends for the soft opening. The staff were friendly. We ordered the chicken, it takes awhile to cook since it's chicken. Please be patient, it's not fast like kbbq! Our server added cheese which elevated the dish! The sides were delicious so we snacked on that while waiting for the food to cook. I really liked the crab mix side and kimchi. Afterwards we had fried rice which was delicious! Parking here can be tricky since it is in Convoy. read more

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Although the atmosphere is lively and the food looks amazing, we felt like it was nothing special. The chicken was tender and super hot from being on the grill, but if you're a slow eater, everything starts to stick and burn. We paid extra for the cheese and most of it got burned/ stuck on the bottom of the grill. The flavor wasn't anything that stuck out to me either. The steamed egg was really good and we liked that they had option to add intestines on the side. Not everyone likes it so having it on the side is a nice touch. The servers bring the food out raw - includes chicken and cabbage. It's cooked on the table and the servers will occasionally come and stir the food for you but it was pretty unpleasant depending on the server. Some are really good at making it a simple show but there are a couple servers who are probably newer so they kept scraping the spatulas together and clanging on the grill. It was like nails on chalkboard. It's still a good place to try but I won't find myself craving the food or experience. read more

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Came for a Sunday lunch a little after opening and we were the first party. Multiple parties came in after so I could tell they were popular! The 3 of us ordered the couple set and a potato pancake and the portions were HUGE that we had so much leftovers! The couple set came with 2 servings of dakgalbi and we chose their original dakgalbi which is their signature. It also came with fried rice, soybean paste stew and a drink. They cooked the dakgalbi in front of us and checked on us often. We asked them to cook the fried rice too since we knew we wouldn't finish the dakgalbi lol. The dakgalbi was luckily not too spicy for me and it was very rich and flavorful. There was a good amount of chicken, cabbage and rice cakes. The fried rice was also good and not overly spicy. Though I wish there was more rice or I should've ordered white rice on the side since it got a bit overwhelming. They also loaded cheese on the dakgalbi and fried rice which was more than I like. I really enjoyed the potato pancake as it was nicely crispy and tender and not overly salty. It is a little pricey but portions are huge so it's good to share with a big group. Interior is spacious and clean with lots of tables and I love they have kpop blasting. Service was friendly. I would come back! read more

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Heard San Diego is their first U.S location which is so cool! I wanted to try it while I was in Korea but didn't get the chance. We came on a Sunday afternoon a little after opening and were seated right away. We ordered the couple set plus a potato pancake, and it was PLENTY of food for 3 people plus we had so much leftovers! The couple set came with 2 servings of dakgalbi, and we chose the original flavor, plus soybean paste stew, fried rice and a bottle of soju. They cooked the dakgalbi for us and checked on us often which was nice. It wasn't too spicy even for me, and there was a good amount of chicken, cabbage, and tteokbokki! I wish there was more rice though, and there was more cheese than I prefer. The potato pancake was also really good, crispy and tasted like a giant hash brown. It's a little pricey but portions are generous. The interior is very spacious and there's a lot of tables. I think it would be a fun place for hanging out at night. I would come back! read more

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After hearing about Hongdae Dakgalbi opening, I knew I had to try it. The restaurant is spacious and clean. Lots of group tables for varying party sizes. The staff were all very friendly and helpful. It's a different menu style than what I've had before so it was nice to have their recommendations. The cold buckwheat noodles were delicious and savory. There were huge portions for the Dakgalbi and it was delicious. A great blend of sweet and spicy plus the melted cheese in the middle really made it amazing. It's a great place to try for groups and if you want to try some good Korean food with good portions. Come hungry! read more

Hongdae Dakgalbi - Korean Near Me - San Diego, California

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I was so excited to hear that San Diego now has a dakgalbi spot! I went on a Saturday and there was no wait. The inside feels like a Korean pub and the servers there are all friendly and nice, though service was a bit slow and some of our meat got overcooked. I think they're still figuring out their operations for how to work efficiently since it seemed like they might be a bit short staffed. The dakgalbi set is on the pricier side but they also give huge portions. A set for 2 could easily feed 4! I do wish that their sets included options to do half half for chicken flavors and for the option for each person to choose a different appetizer for variety since I would have liked both a steamed egg and doenjang jjigae in smaller sizes. I also recommend adding the fried rice to cook at the end of the meal! Overall the food tasted good, but the person I went with had really bad stomach upset later that evening, thinking it might be because the staff doesn't switch out the spatulas after cooking the raw meat. On the other hand, I was okay so not sure what happened. Overall I enjoyed the restaurant and think there are some areas they can continue to refine, but I would come back! read more

Hongdae Dakgalbi - Fried rice, doenjang jjigae - Korean Near Me - San Diego, California

Food: Hongdae Potato Pancake (10/10) - This was surprisingly tasty! The texture was perfectly crispy on the outside while still soft and tender on the inside. The flavor was amazing, and the sauce paired really well with it. Hongdae Cheese Dakgalbi (8/10) - There were definitely more veggies than chicken, but it was still decent. There was a generous amount of cheese, and they cook the dish right in front of you, which is a nice touch. The portion size is huge and easily shareable between at least two people. It also comes with pieces of tteokbokki and other ingredients mixed in. It wasn't too spicy either. Overall, pretty solid. Banchan + Soup: The banchan was okay overall. The fish cakes and kimchi were the best and tasted fresh. The potato salad would be my third favorite, but it's basically like mashed potatoes with pieces of corn. I did like that they don't make it overly sweet here. The radish and salad weren't my favorite flavor-wise, and the corn was just standard corn--nothing special. I'm not sure which dish the soup comes with, but it tasted fruity and sour. It wasn't my favorite either, though that's more of a personal preference. Service: We had a really nice lady helping us. She was friendly, smiley, and very helpful. Ambiance: I went at night, and I think it looks better with the nightlife vibe. The light-up signs inside were on, and the space has a casual, slightly dim atmosphere. It's a very chill spot for groups to come and eat together. read more

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Hongdae Dakgalbi is a Korean restaurant that has opened its first US location, let alone San Diego, in the Convoy District where a Chinese hot pot eatery used to be located. The concept was stir-fried proteins and vegetables drenched in sauce and layered with or without melted cheese. Because its predecessor already had built in grills and overhanging vents at each table, the transition to this new business was more easily facilitated. Parking can be challenging in this lot, however we came early for dinner on a weeknight to beat the traffic. The two-sided menu listed five kinds of Dakgalbi in the middle of one page with chicken or beef small intestines as the protein. Sauces were soy, gochujang, or signature fire. One type had melted mozzarella cheese as a topping. Three set menus were in the right column for larger parties while the left column displayed appetizers, side dishes, and add-ons. The other side listed other stir-fried options with beef large intestines, tripe, or pork ribs as the protein. Cold buckwheat noodles, steamed egg, and soybean paste stew were offered as compliments. Beverages made up the rest of the page. My friend and I shared a Dakgalbi which required two servings. We requested a split of the gochujang sauce (Original) and soy sauce. A variety of banchan dishes and a pot of cold daikon soup were brought to us before the main dish. The soup was chilled with crushed ice in the liquid which was something I had not encountered before. Marinated diced chicken, cabbage, rice cakes, and sweet potatoes were cooked on a cast iron griddle placed on top of the gas burner at the table. A server did the stir-frying for us. The mixed flavor of the gochujang and soy was okay as it wasn't spicy. The serving size of the Dakgalbi was plentiful, however it was mainly vegetables. For $28 per person, I thought more chicken was needed. We also ordered Fried Rice and a Potato Pancake as carbs to add filler to the meal. The rice contained shredded seasoned seaweed while the pancake was cut into six pieces with three chili pepper rings added on top as a garnishment. I'm not sure why the potato pancake cost $12 as it was thin and didn't have other ingredients. The staff that served us was cheerful and polite. Compared to the price of AYCE Korean BBQ that was a few doors away, the value of our dinner was mediocre. For a similar cost, we could have gotten a variety of meats at unlimited quantities versus just chicken along with a wider selection of banchan that included rice. It was the primary reason why I gave a three star rating for our visit to Hongdae Dakgalbi. read more

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3.5 stars Came to this new place on convoy street. They offer a unique product chicken bulgogi cooked with vegetables. You can choose between levels of spiciness but you must order 2 minimum. We were allowed to order 2 different ones 1 spicy (kochujang based) and one soy based. But they are cooked together in the same pan. It came with chicken, cabbage, some green onions, mochi rice sticks and carrots or sweet potatoes. The meal came with some banchan, one of them was a cold soup which I haven't seen before. It had crushed ice in it and was savory. They came and cooked for us and managed the fire. The chicken was tender and the sauce and veggies flavorful. It's wasn't spicy at all because we chose one kochujang based and one soy based flavor. The veggies held up to the chicken so they were both to the perfect doneness at the same time. This type of cuisine is most popular topped with cheese which is an option but I just don't see kochujang and cheese going together so I just got it plain. We also ordered the potato pancake which was thin and not very crispy or flavorful. It came with sauce but I found it best to put it in the sauce that the veggies and chicken were cooked in. I think the dumplings are the way to go. We also ordered fried rice which was cooked on the same grill when about half of our meal was eaten. Be sure to save some of chicken to mix into the fried rice, also some of the banchan goes well in the fried rice too. Our server Emily provided exceptional service and cooked both the chicken and fried rice for us. She checked on us multiple times and checked the doneness of the chicken. The place has vents over each table so it's not smokey. They are located in the same plaza as Coco Ichiban. On a weeknight there were a bunch of open parking spots. But I know this lot gets packed on Friday's and weekends. Overall a unique dish that I haven't seen elsewhere. I think I'd also order the pork ribs if I had 3-4 people. read more

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Heard that this was a chain from Korea that chose to have its first ever location opened up in San Diego so decided to check this place out for lunch. After looking over the menu there are several choices of dishes that you can have cooked that includes gopchang, dakgalbi, etc. If you decide on a dakgalbi dish you will need to order at least a minimum of two portions. Since I wasn't sure of what to pick and I was with my partner I just ended up going with the couple set which not only comes with the dakgalbi but also includes fried rice, cheese, a choice between a steamed egg (which we went with) or soybean stew and some beverages. The menu states the couple set is meant for two people but unless you are hungry it could realistically feed three or even four people. The dish comes out in a large plate with an assortment of vegetables, sauce , rice cakes and chicken. The servers will cook it for you so you can just enjoy your time enjoying the bonchon/ side dishes which I will say we're all delicious. They also included a cold radish soup called dongchimi which I had never tried before and I felt it was very refreshing. The dakgalbi itself is good but I won't say it is anything revolutionary beyond other Korean dishes (if you've had meat covered in gochujang you know the drill) . Also if you enjoy crunchy vegetables then you won't get that here as they cook the veggies at the same time as the raw meat which I personally don't mind but just something to note. Once your dakgalbi is finished you can then have the fried rice cooked afterwards where you can either choose to have it mixed with the leftovers or separately. Last point; service was super attentive and friendly overall. Absolutely no complaints there and probably one of the best parts about the restaurant. Overall I did feel like there was a lot of food and a good amount of variety but I am not too if I would regularly come back. I am probably comparing this to galbi Jim which is similar in concept to this dish as it also comes on a hot plate but they use short ribs instead of stir fried chicken. I might just be biased towards beef but I feel as if I have paid a similar price for galbi jjim compared to the dakgalbi here and I personally would go back for galbi jjim over this dish. With that said though, if I ever do return I would like to try the gopchang and the great service alone makes it worth trying once! read more

Hongdae Dakgalbi - Steamed egg - Korean Near Me - San Diego, California

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They are currently in their soft opening and are working out some soft opening kinks before hard launching. The inside space is very nice has that typical Korean night bar vibe but a lot more open space. We ordered the couple set with original dakgalbi which says it's for 2 but honestly this thing could feed for 4. Unfortunately we couldn't get both the steamed egg and soybean soup. You can also get alcohol or soda with the set. The dakgalbi was good but I did unfortunately get some minor food poisoning.. I think it would be better to leave the cooking spatulas with the food over the fire to ensure the pathogens die off. Putting the spatulas on a plate after each flip is risk for food borne illnesses. Just something to consider. Service was busy given it is still their soft opening. Hopefully these things can be resolved quickly. read more

Hongdae Dakgalbi - Original chicken dakgalbi - Korean Near Me - San Diego, California

Came during their soft opening during Friday lunch. Apparently not many people know they're open during Friday lunch so there was only another table that was eating. The workers there were super nice and friendly. We ordered the Hongdae Dakgalbi with cheese. The other table was worried it was going to be too spicy but I think it had just the right amount of kick to it. The waiter gave us a cup of rice and told us he could give us a little more if we wanted and of course we couldn't refuse extra cheese. It took a while to get all the food prepped and cooked, but they'll probably smoothen out their operations before their grand opening. The food tasted great - very close to the place I tried in the real Hongdae. Can't wait to come back read more

Hongdae Dakgalbi - dakgalbi w cheese - Korean Near Me - San Diego, California

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Food here was solid! I enjoyed the original Dakgalbi, it was a delicious mix of food and fun to share with the whole table. We added on the Udon which was yummy, but if you get rice, I think that'd be sufficient. I really enjoyed their pickled daikon though, crunchy and well seasoned. I appreciated that they cook it for you while you sit, chat, and munch on the banchan. I thought the service was good! Multiple servers checking on us, and providing whatever we needed. For example, we were pretty indecisive on spice level, so they gave us some extra sauce on the side to season to taste! Also, we were offered free samples of an alcoholic beverage! We didn't partake, but appreciated them treating us well. It was a relatively quiet night, but I liked it. It made it easy to talk and not be overwhelmed. There was no bumping music like at a KBBQ joint, so I appreciated that. read more

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First time eating dakgalbi, went it an hour after they opened and was able to get a parking spot! (FYI, complimentary parking for 120 minutes, afterwards need to pay). Coming in, we were welcomed by staff and they were really helpful guiding us on the ordering process. We got the couple set with original dakgalbi which includes mozzarella cheese, steamed egg or stew, fried rice or white rice for $85. Pretty good deal and huge portions! The chicken is so tender and spicy, rice cakes are chewy and delicious! We were able to finish most but not all, it was very filling! Overall, delicious food, great staff, love the K-pop vibes! They played the new BTS album Arirang, definitely elevated my dining experience. read more

Hongdae Dakgalbi - Korean Near Me - San Diego, California

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Came back for our second time. Just as good as the first time. We had great service. He was helpful and on point. This time made sure to it ordered it not spicy, with soy delicious. Only downfall, they decided to get rid of their crab salad that was delicious. Rather see the lettuce salad or a couple of the other items go away and bring back the crab salad. read more

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YUM! Cannot wait to visit again already. The service and food were 10/10! I loved the vibe and that entire restaurant smells amazing. Everything we got was delicious and served fast. read more

Hongdae Dakgalbi - Korean Near Me - San Diego, California

Huge portions and great for sharing! It was a fun experience. The dakgalbi was flavorful and not too spicy, with a good mix of chicken, cabbage, and rice cakes. Fried rice was a highlight and worth getting. Potato pancake was crispy and well-balanced. They do go a bit heavy on the cheese and the flavors can feel rich toward the end, so adding a side of plain rice helps. Slightly pricey but fair for the portion size. Clean space, fun vibe with Kpop, and friendly service. Solid place and excellent service from the staff and experience overall, but I wouldn't be coming back for the food. read more

Delicious food and a fun dining experience. Service was quick although things got a little confused at times and we received some things we didn't order (can't complain) and were waiting on some things we did. Nonetheless, this is a great place to eat with friends. read more

Hongdae Dakgalbi - Hongdae Original Dakgalbi - Korean Near Me - San Diego, California

Food was good but not good enough for me to come back. Wish they had more selections on their menu. We had a big party so the staff was a little bit slow with helping our party out. Same decor and set up as the previous restaurant this place took over. read more

Hongdae Dakgalbi - Korean Near Me - San Diego, California

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Service was quick and aesthetic is very nice! We got the Dakgalbi and it was a good first impression of the food. Portion is huge. read more

Hongdae Dakgalbi - Dakgalbi - Korean Near Me - San Diego, California

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Came here last Friday and it wasn't packed during dinner time! My friends and I got the dakgalbi and beef intestines, and it was sooo good. The chicken comes out raw, and once it's cooked, it's super tender when you bite into it. The marinade wasn't too spicy either, it was the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and a little bit of spice. They also add cheese in the center of the pan once everything is cooked. After we ate about half of the portion, the servers came by and cooked fried rice with the remainder of the sauce, which was included in our meal. Our experience was really nice, and it's a great dinner spot to hang out and catch up with friends while eating. read more

Hongdae Dakgalbi - Korean Near Me - San Diego, California

Not bad. It's just dakgalbi hahaha pretty expensive for what it is. nice workers. good vibes though. read more

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We went here last week and were so excited to finally find a legit dakgalbi spot in San Diego. :) The restaurant is new, very clean, and has a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. Everything felt organized and well maintained, and both the servers and the owner were incredibly kind and attentive. We ordered the original dakgalbi for two and added cheese fried rice at the end. The dakgalbi itself was absolutely delicious and perfectly seasoned with great flavor. The portions were very generous. We even had enough fried rice to pack for my lunch the next day, and it was still amazing reheated. The side dishes really stood out, especially the dongchimi kimchi. The cold broth was so refreshing and cleansed the palate between bites. It reminded me of home and honestly made me a little emotional. If you are not a big cheese lover, I recommend sticking with the original dakgalbi. The flavor is already perfect on its own. Overall, great food, clean space, generous portions, and genuinely warm service. We will definitely be back. :) read more

Hongdae Dakgalbi - Two of the original spicy dakgalbi :) - Korean Near Me - San Diego, California

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The food was just OK. It didn't stand out, and portion-to-quality felt average. I asked clearly whether the food was spicy because I was dining with young children and was told it was not. In reality, it was quite spicy, and my kids couldn't eat it. That was frustrating. The most unpleasant part was that we all left smelling heavily of grease. The ventilation seems inadequate. This alone would make me hesitate to return. read more

Hongdae Dakgalbi - Korean Near Me - San Diego, California

The ambiance and service were great. All the waitresses were very friendly and was constantly checking in on us. Its their soft opening so it wasn't packed when we went in tonight. We ordered the original dakgalbi, cheese fried rice, and a potato pancake. Pros- LOVED the potato pancake, it didnt come with a sauce but waitress brought us a dumpling sauce to go with it. Fried very well and you can taste the potato. Sadly we didnt enjoy the cheese fried rice that we got as a side order. There was way too much cheese, thats all I tasted. So be aware and have them put in less when you go. We sadly didnt finish ours, just left it on the grill. The dakgalbi itself tasted good with the sauce, we added rice cakes to our order, would recommend. Just sad because fried rice is always the best part for us, the dessert aspect so sad that it was soo underwhelming. read more

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Friendly service and tasty food. Only one server at the time so it got a little busy/slow. It was a little bit dark but otherwise nice clean area read more

Hongdae Dakgalbi - Korean Near Me - San Diego, California

Tried Hongdae Dakgalbi in Convoy and it was actually so good Everything is cooked right at your table--super fun and perfect for sharing. The dakgalbi was flavorful, a little spicy, and the cheese is a must. Also don't skip the fried rice at the end... lowkey the best part. Solid spot for a casual night out. I'd definitely come back. read more

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Great place to come with friends, portions are huge! Service is pretty quick and the food is tasty! read more

Hongdae Dakgalbi - Korean Near Me - San Diego, California

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I was so excited to find a dakgalbi spot in San Diego, and it did not disappoint! We ordered the chicken for four, and the portion was huge--perfect for sharing. They cook everything right at the table, melt the mozzarella cheese over the chicken, and then finish it off by making kimchi fried rice at the end, which was absolutely delicious. The service was amazing--super friendly and attentive throughout the meal. The doenjang soup and steamed eggs were both really good as well. We also tried the fried chicken, soduk (rice cake and sausage), and steak, and everything was flavorful and satisfying. The only suggestion I'd make is to serve the steak sauce on the side. I personally liked it, but my daughter wasn't a fan, so having it separate would give more flexibility. Overall, a fantastic dining experience, and I'd definitely come back! read more

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We were so craving to go here and arrived by 9 PM, but the server said they had already finished last call. We were so disappointed. Last call an hour and a half before closing? I guess I should be there three hours before closing? It's so hard to eat here. read more

First time at Hongdae and it was incredible! Everything we ordered was excellent--perfectly seasoned and cooked right in front of us. Our waiter, Jonathan, truly made the experience wonderful. He was attentive, friendly, and took the time to patiently explain the meal to us. I highly recommend this spot and will definitely be back! read more

Exceptional service, portions are very large (steamed egg for example comes larger than the hot pot that holds it). Generous portions of Chicken and Veggies. And the more popular approach to this dish these days is eating this with Cheese - flavor profile is very compatible with American food so I think this is a great spot to fill your tummy - make sure to have an appetite! We ordered the meal for 2 with the original sauce (it might be spicy for some) and it was exactly as it tastes at home so a safe bet - the pickled radish in a broth bowl helps with the dominating flavors of the chicken sauce and cheese so I would recommend eating that in between the chicken. Side dishes are roughly the same as anywhere else in the area. The layout vibe is energetic with Kpop and food parings for this style of food is traditionally paired with distilled spirits (a la Soju). The price point is very reasonable and I can see why its popular. Recommend coming about 1 hour before dinner for parking or Parking is 7/hr or 9.55/2hrs FYI read more