I've been training here for years along with a few other members of my family. I've previously trained at other studios, but this studio is the best studio I have been to. The main studio is large, clean and is beautiful. There is a large waiting room with a tv that allows parents to watch their children inside the studio. The front desk staff and assistants are pleasant and help you to the best of their abilities. The instructors are fantastic and really know everything about Soo Bahk Do, Moo Duk Kwan, and you can tell they take this martial art very seriously. There is no commercialization which I love, everything is very traditional. Besides offering classes for young children, older children, youth and adult, they also offer classes for those with special needs. Speaking of those with special needs, shame shame on the reviewer below me who didn't want his child there because there are children there with special needs! Shame on you! To add to his shame, what he wrote about the studio is exactly the opposite of what happens there. Example: When I first signed up I was evaluated by the main instructor. I did, in fact, sit in on a class before continuing to pay for private lessons. After my private lessons, I joined the adult class. My billing is also on the 1st of the month, every members billing is- I got that same email the reviewer below me did- it's new policy. There are no long term contracts here. I do month to month billing or I could do every 3 months or every 6 months or a year in full. You don't get sucked in like other karate studio's memberships because you can write a letter to cancel, you just need 45 days notice, it says so right on my copy of my contract. I cannot believe the reviewer below when they say they did not get called back. Whenever I have a question, I ALWAYS get calls back and emails, very promptly. Overall, I love Hwang Karate and am a loyal member and will be for life along with my family! If you're serious about martial arts and training Soo Bahk Do, definitely check this place out! read more

I recently called the hwang karate studio to reenroll my special needs child but was told Master delsordo was no longer at that location. To my surprise Pam is no longer there either, and she was amazing and helpful. I understand they don't accept children with special needs, and that's sad because I remember Master delsordo saying everyone was welcome regardless of their needs. I cannot speak for the current instruction at hwang but my feelings are if you don't accept people for who they are then you aren't for me.. So I went on a search and found he is in Scotch Plains at Del Martial arts. Master delsordo was an amazing, compassionate and well rounded instructor with more than 20 years of special needs experience alone. He managed to help my child listen, focus and follow direction in a very short period of time. My son had behaviors that were difficult to handle but Master Delsordo had the expertise to channel the issues and allow my child to be more socially accepted. I am grateful for meeting Master Delsordo... For those of you that are looking for results, call him because there is none better. read more

This studio is a special place that we found by accident. My son has been taking classes there for a number of years. He is always excited to go to karate, looking forward to it every week. The instructors care and Master Del Sordo is phenomenal. There was a review about kids with "problems". Not sure what they meant but if they are talking about special needs kids then the person posting appears to have the "problem" - not any kids that I have encountered at the studio over the past number of years. They do service children with disabilities which, I think, makes them an even better studio because they have black belts teaching all abilities from advanced to those who benefit for high-level instruction, patience, and personal attention. I think it makes the instructors better instructors. So many devoted professionals work there to make the studio a real gem. read more

My two sons have been training at Hwang since each of them was three years old. This studio is fantastic. Each of them has gained confidence, coordination, discipline, and respect through this program. Master Del Sordo, and for that matter all of the instructors, are really great - they project and instill a strong sense of values. They appear very tough to the kids, which motivates them, but they have time and time again shown flexibility and understanding in helping make sure that problems get resolved; when my older one (13yo) couldn't attend the regularly scheduled testing date for his Dan promotion (think Black Belt), they helped figure out a way to make it work. The program allows you to attend as many classes as you wish during your membership period, my kids have gone twice a week since they were little. read more

This is a great Karate school. My husband attended back when he was a teenager with Master Hwang and now our 6 year-old son attends regularly. This is a serious Karate school and the instructors are firm but teach based on the audience they have. They expect the kids to learn. They don't simply pass them through from white belt to yellow belt, etc. It isn't playtime. But their approach is adjusted if they are teaching adults versus kids. My son enjoys it immensely. I'm not certain why all the negative reviews regarding contracts. I found the school to be very flexible with their contract lengths and did not have to enroll for an entire year. I also found their pricing to be reasonable in comparison to other Karate schools in the area. If you're looking for a great place to learn the art, this is it. read more

there was a change of ownership in the summer. master del was amazing but he left. Now the chief instructor is master orella. Master orella and his son (another instructor) are the most nasty and condescending people I have ever had the misfortune of meeting. They boast about being the best but to be honest, they aren't and the instruction is just average. Besides instruction going downhill, so has the front desk. There used to be a girl who worked there with master del who knew everything about everyone and never messed up billing. Now the masters wife And him are doing the billing and I've already had issues. These people are not good business people. Needless to say after my and my sons contract is up, we will not be renewing!! read more

This is a wonderful place to learn Soo Bahk Do. (Traditional martial art with a long history) As someone who has trained in a few styles, I would highly recommend this studio to anyone, from child* to adult, who has ever wanted to learn karate. The instructors are top notch in their skill and teaching abilities. This school is part of a worldwide organization--the Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation. Hwang Karate has been part of the community for over 35 years. *(they have special needs classes for children as well) read more

Hwang Karate has been around for 40 years, and it's not a secret as to why. The classes here are top-notch, high level, and traditional Soo Bahk Do. You will gain respect, balance, coordination, ect. The instructors take pride in what they do, and teach very well. I've been a member for almost 3 years and have no complaints at all. U.S. Soo Bahk Do Headquarters is upstairs too, so that is very convenient. read more

This is the real deal. When my son asked me to teach him to how to fight. I brought him here. I trained here when I was younger. Classes are challenging and make you sweat. The first couple of weeks I could barely finish class. From the training he has received my son has developed into a great young man. The relationship I have with him has never been better, I owe it all to Moo Duk Kwan HQ. read more

Before starting my son in karate classes, I looked at as many martial art schools as possible. After much research I signed him up at this school. He has been training for over ten years and it has made him a better person and an honor roll student. The instructors are excellent, caring and passionate about the art. read more

I will be celebrating my 70th birthday this week by training at the Moo Duk Kwan HQ. My 30 + years of training with MDK have kept me young and physically fit. It has been one of the best decisions of my life. read more

Fantastic school. Traditional Korean martial arts. The discipline that it teaches the children is beyond reproach. Excellent, excellent school. read more