Okdongsik
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After having eaten here in NYC, I can say that this place is right on par and hits the spot! The pork appetizer is well complemented by the onions, the katsu is crispy, tender and not at all dry, and their special gomtang is hearty and filling. Can't wait to go back and make this a regular rotation in my Waikiki must-eats!
Place is clean and service was quick and nice. It's all bar seating. I got their Dweji-Gomtang and shared sake with my friend. Generous amount of pork even for just regular size. Highly suggest eating with the ssamjang sauce (?) and kimchi on the side. Rice never got super mushy throughout the meal. Overall, it was ok. The quality of the broth and pork definitely tasted fresh with no heavy seasonings that would make you feel bloated after.. but overall wouldn't be something I'd come back for all the time. I'm ok with paying the amount for the quality, but I'd also be ok with making the same thing at home with lesser quality that tastes the same. I'm happy I got to try this place. Def worth a try.
Came here specifically for the dweji-gomtang and the lard donkatsu and they were both fantastic. The soup has a really clean and light broth and they give a generous portion of thinly sliced pork with the large size. The donkatsu was extremely well fried with a moist interior and perfectly crispy outside. Wouldn't recommend the cup mandu as the texture was a bit odd and too forward on the bean sprout flavor. The mini pork dupbop had a nice charred flavor as they finish it with a blowtorch but would recommend the donkatsu over the dupbop. The burdock root fries were super thin, crispy and well fried. Recommend making a reservation as it's a very small restaurant with limited seats. You get to watch them prepare each item and see their attention to detail.
I was waiting for the hype to die down and reservations to be more reasonable and randomly checked and open reservations for a reasonable time! Easy to make online. Parked in the sky Ala Moana self park and got a follow up ticket for free parking at the restaurant. The entrance faces Makaloa and it's all counter seating. Naeng jeyuk- came out immediately, super tender pork, plenty of pickled onion, about 6 slices a perfect appetizer. Dweji gomtang - not murky but clear and clean taste with super tender pork slices. The portion was plenty for me but I can see why someone might order a large if you don't get other dishes. I could see why this was the specialty of the chef of culinary class wars. This was simple and hearty all at the same time. Kimchi cold noodle - it's made with somen and super delicious. Probably the best cold noodle I've had on Hawaii. Refreshing and delicious. Topped with egg and kimchi and cucumbers and two slices of pork. Loved it!!! Cup mandoo - not was I expected. Thought it was going to be a cup full of mandoos. It was like a steamed meat cake covered by a wrapping and was juicy and delicious. This one took the longest but still fast and delicious. Their kimchi is more fermented which is my favorite and best for eating with the pork. There's cold barley tea at each seating so don't have to ask for more water. There's cups and utensils and napkins. We were in and out in 35 minutes. It was fast and delicious and perfect. Loved it and lived up to the hype!
I liked the clean, simple yet classic feel of the restaurant. It gave a traditional vibe that fit well with the type of comfort food they were serving. I enjoyed the gomtang soup with rice and pork a lot and it tasted so good with the kimchi. Some of the best kimchi I've ever had lol. Not too sour and fermented but just enough to pair well with the soft and rich flavors of the soup. The pork was thinly sliced and it felt like the right amount of meat with each bite. Definitely give this place a try when you're in Hawaii!
This was one of the few places we really wanted to try in Hawaii. Unfortunately it was a bit overhyped as we felt the dweji gomtangs were a bit ordinary. The dweji gomtangs had a clean taste and the lard donkatsu was crispy with nice flakes. The two dishes that stood out to us were the cup mandu and kimchi cold noodle. The mandu was flavorful and the cold noodles had a mild flavor with the perfect bite to the noodles. While the food quality, service, and ambiance was well done I don't think I'd come back again. None of the standout dishes were anything special you couldn't get anywhere else in my opinion. LA Ktown definitely has something of similar quality and taste.
This is wayyy better than the one i went in Bayside, NY. Im not talking about taste, they both are awesome. This honolulu location deserves my 5 stars is because: 1. You can reserve online directly on their website via Resy. 2. Has more type of dishes. See photos. 3. Since we ate super fast as is 35min, there's an opening for walk in. They let walk in ppl sit in even though no spot on online Reservations. By the way, this one is located behind Renaissance Hotel Resort & Spa. Parking: street parking or Uber We ordered: Dweji Gomtang Naeng Jutuk - honolulu only Cup mandoo- honolulu only Burdock root fried -honolulu only Mini pork dupbob - honolulu only If I have more ppl with me, I will definitely order kimchi cold noddle - honolulu only and lard donkatsu - honolulu only. Restroom: 2 individual gender neutral restroom Ps: they will open one in Los Angeles in dec 2026. Congratulations, cali.
Here's my take on Okdongsik in Oahu. Sorry I'm a few weeks late on this review. Food (3 stars) + The pork cutlet katsu was crispy, simple, and well-executed, though nothing extraordinary. ~ An appetizer that seemed like a fried root vegetable had a nice texture but was just okay in flavor. ~ The dumpling was like a reverse XLB. It had a subtle, clean taste--pleasant but not a standout. - We had two of their specialty soups. One was a cold kimchi broth, and another a clear pork-based soup. Both were simple, clean, but lacked bold flavor. They offer a kids' portion of the soup, which is half the price and allowed us to order other dishes. Service/Ambiance (4.5 stars) + The staff was accommodating, especially for a party of seven in a small, bar-style space. + The minimalist, modern feel--bar seating, close interaction--made the experience comfortable. If you go, plan a reservation due to its reputation. The food didn't blow me away, but if you enjoy simple, clean flavors, you may appreciate it more than I did.
I came to Okdongsik after seeing it go viral from Culinary Class Wars, so I was really excited to finally give it a try while in Oahu. I ordered the La-Yu Dweji Gomtang and the Mini Pork Dupbob. The restaurant has a really nice, cozy atmosphere, and I actually enjoyed the bar-style seating. It gives the place a more intimate and casual feel. The Mini Pork Dupbob was my favorite of the two. I thought the flavors were really good and would definitely recommend trying it if you're deciding what to order. The Dweji Gomtang was also very good, especially if you like lighter soups. The broth tasted super clean and delicate without being overly heavy. Overall, I really enjoyed my experience here. That said, I don't think this would be a place I'd come back to very often, but I definitely think it's worth trying at least once, especially if you're a fan of Culinary Class Wars or Korean food. The Mini Pork Dupbob would be my top recommendation!
I've been wanting to try this place for a while and I'm glad I finally did as the food is super flavorful at an affordable price. I definitely recommend reserving beforehand, as I noticed that the wait time was a little long for walk-in's. The restaurant faces Walmart/Sam's Club. Parking is inside of Sky Ala Moana and staff gave us a validated ticket that made parking free! I would come back again if I ever crave donkatsu. My top 2 dishes would have to be the Lard Donkatsu and the Mini Pork Dupbob. I loved how I could taste the subtle char on the Pork Dupbob, and how the meat practically melted like butter with the rice. The crispy exterior of the donkatsu is so distinct compared to other katsus I've tried, and the meat is incredibly tender. Both cooked to perfection. I don't typically reach for tea at restaurants, but their house made tea tasted just like a dessert and went down so smoothly. It's within arms reach (next to the napkins and utensils) so you can refill as you please. It was our first time trying Gomtang and like the menu states, it's truly the "essence of simplicity." It's a light broth and despite having the Gomtang with chili oil, it wasn't overly spicy. There's rice in the soup if you are expecting noodles. The side soup that comes with the Lard Donkatsu tasted just like Gomtang, but I'm not too sure (?). The Naeng Jeyuk tastes just like bossam and pairs well with the ssamjang (?). The Shrimp Katsu has a crispy breading, similar to the Lard Donkatsu and is cooked to perfection as the shrimp was soft and tender.
TL;DR Korean comfort food in a refined setting. The Dweji-Gomtang, their signature dish, is lacking the depth of flavor I usually enjoy. ----- Let me caveat my review by stating that I do believe Okdongsik is worthy of a 5-star rating. All of the dishes offered here are of the utmost quality. However, I personally found the Dweji-Gomtang to be rather bland, which is why I don't see myself returning to Okdongsik often (or at all). Hence, the 4-star review. Okdongsik is located in Sky Ala Moana. There is dedicated, validated parking in the building. My wife and I found the layout of the parking garage to be confusing, so take that into consideration and plan to arrive a few minutes earlier than anticipated. Since this was our first time visiting Okdongsik, we ordered almost everything on the menu. I had the La-yu Dweji-Gomtang and the Lard Donkatsu, while my wife ordered the Kimchi Cold Noodles, the Ok Donggeurangttaeng, and the Shrimp Katsu. The katsu dishes were delicious, and my wife loved her noodles. My favorite dish was the seafood cake. They prepare it in a cast iron mold directly behind the counter so the sizzling and the aroma catch your attention when the batter hits the griddle. It's got great texture and flavor. The Dweji-Gomtang is described "clean and savory," which I feel like is a little misleading. It's definitely a clean and light flavor, but I wouldn't describe it as savory. There is a lack of salt and umami, which I believe would elevate and round out the dish. I will say that I was impressed with the volume of slice pork that was included in the broth. And I loved the intensity of the gochuji; it complimented the pork slices perfectly.
The store gave a modern homey vibe with the wood, raw concrete, and white paint. The kitchen was very neat and well kept. We did walk in but I recommend having a reservation if you want to be seated together. It's bar seating so everyone is seated side-by-side. We had the gomtangs and the broth was very clean. The la-yu's spice level was very tolerable. The kimchi was superb! I added it into my soup after having half the bowl:) The Maesil Aide was the right amount of sweetness and paired perfectly with the broth. Will definitely come back and try the lard donkatsu!!!
Food 5/5 Lard Donkatsu Service 5/5 Ambiance 5/5 Overall 10/10 .................................................................
2 days ago
I've come here several times over the years! They actually started as a pop-up down in Ewa, but I don't think that setup worked as well since they didn't have all their equipment permanently there. Honestly, this place has become kind of a comfort spot for me whenever I'm craving soup or something lighter. The main thing I come for is the dweji gomtang. It's simple, comforting, and something I'll randomly crave. I've also gotten to try the regular katsu and shrimp katsu, which are both fried really nicely. The breading is good! If you're looking to add another dish, I especially liked the shrimp katsu when I had it earlier this year. This time, we tried the new mini pork dupbob and cup mandoo. The pork dupbob was interesting...they torch it right before giving it to you. It kind of reminded me of kalua pig, but Korean-style. The cup mandoo was basically a deconstructed dumpling. Both were nice to try, but I'd say they're more of a "nice to have." The dweji gomtang is still the main reason I'd come here. There was one time I came and it was CRAZY busy. I think on Uber Eats deal days, this place can get pretty hectic. But my most recent visit was probably the chillest I've ever experienced it. Maybe some of the initial hype has died down, so now it's just a nice, easy place to grab a meal. Overall, affordable, yummy, and comforting. Definitely a good spot to throw into the rotation every once in a while :) I wish I could give 4.5 stars, but since I've been back several times over the years, I figured I'd round it up to 5! read more
Came in here after hearing of the inexpensive breakfast menu, where they only serve 1 item from 7AM-9AM on certain days of the week. The dish itself for a pork dish, has a very clean taste. Love the way they serve the egg. Everything here was extremely tasty given the price. It was about just under $10 for the dish. The kimchi was well made as well. Service 10/10 Food 10/10 Atmosphere 10/10 Definitely recommend. read more
Ever since Chef Ok Dongsik appeared on Culinary Class Wars, everyone and their moms wanted to go to his restaurant, Okdongsik, especially their the New York location. I'm not one to wait too long in line, so I didn't bother. However, when we heard that Honolulu had a location too, we made reservations for dinner during our trip. The menu here is pretty limited, which was exactly what we wanted to see. The three of us each got our own gomtang and shared a donkatsu. The kimchi they served at the beginning was pretty fermented and tasted more "high-end," which matched the interior and overall vibe of the restaurant. DWEJI-GOMTANG - 18 I took a sip of the broth immediately. To my disappointment, I thought it lacked depth. However, when I ate a spoon full of rice with the soup, it somehow made a world of difference. The flavors were still light, but the combination felt much more full-bodied. This was an incredibly enjoyable gomtang, with thin pieces of sliced pork and plenty of green onions. I truly appreciate a delicate meal done well. LARD DONKATSU - 21 The pork was juicy and the exterior was crispy. I do think some of the pork was a bit too overcooked, though. You could definitely tell it was fattier and richer from being fried in pork fat. There wasn't enough tonkatsu sauce, but the little bit I got to eat was good. The cabbage salad was a refreshing side that complemented the heavier entree. Overall, we really enjoyed our meal at Okdongsik, and I'm glad we didn't have to wait hours in line to try it. read more
6 days ago
After having eaten here in NYC, I can say that this place is right on par and hits the spot! The pork appetizer is well complemented by the onions, the katsu is crispy, tender and not at all dry, and their special gomtang is hearty and filling. Can't wait to go back and make this a regular rotation in my Waikiki must-eats! read more
Place is clean and service was quick and nice. It's all bar seating. I got their Dweji-Gomtang and shared sake with my friend. Generous amount of pork even for just regular size. Highly suggest eating with the ssamjang sauce (?) and kimchi on the side. Rice never got super mushy throughout the meal. Overall, it was ok. The quality of the broth and pork definitely tasted fresh with no heavy seasonings that would make you feel bloated after.. but overall wouldn't be something I'd come back for all the time. I'm ok with paying the amount for the quality, but I'd also be ok with making the same thing at home with lesser quality that tastes the same. I'm happy I got to try this place. Def worth a try. read more
9 days ago
Came here specifically for the dweji-gomtang and the lard donkatsu and they were both fantastic. The soup has a really clean and light broth and they give a generous portion of thinly sliced pork with the large size. The donkatsu was extremely well fried with a moist interior and perfectly crispy outside. Wouldn't recommend the cup mandu as the texture was a bit odd and too forward on the bean sprout flavor. The mini pork dupbop had a nice charred flavor as they finish it with a blowtorch but would recommend the donkatsu over the dupbop. The burdock root fries were super thin, crispy and well fried. Recommend making a reservation as it's a very small restaurant with limited seats. You get to watch them prepare each item and see their attention to detail. read more
I was waiting for the hype to die down and reservations to be more reasonable and randomly checked and open reservations for a reasonable time! Easy to make online. Parked in the sky Ala Moana self park and got a follow up ticket for free parking at the restaurant. The entrance faces Makaloa and it's all counter seating. Naeng jeyuk- came out immediately, super tender pork, plenty of pickled onion, about 6 slices a perfect appetizer. Dweji gomtang - not murky but clear and clean taste with super tender pork slices. The portion was plenty for me but I can see why someone might order a large if you don't get other dishes. I could see why this was the specialty of the chef of culinary class wars. This was simple and hearty all at the same time. Kimchi cold noodle - it's made with somen and super delicious. Probably the best cold noodle I've had on Hawaii. Refreshing and delicious. Topped with egg and kimchi and cucumbers and two slices of pork. Loved it!!! Cup mandoo - not was I expected. Thought it was going to be a cup full of mandoos. It was like a steamed meat cake covered by a wrapping and was juicy and delicious. This one took the longest but still fast and delicious. Their kimchi is more fermented which is my favorite and best for eating with the pork. There's cold barley tea at each seating so don't have to ask for more water. There's cups and utensils and napkins. We were in and out in 35 minutes. It was fast and delicious and perfect. Loved it and lived up to the hype! read more
13 days ago
I liked the clean, simple yet classic feel of the restaurant. It gave a traditional vibe that fit well with the type of comfort food they were serving. I enjoyed the gomtang soup with rice and pork a lot and it tasted so good with the kimchi. Some of the best kimchi I've ever had lol. Not too sour and fermented but just enough to pair well with the soft and rich flavors of the soup. The pork was thinly sliced and it felt like the right amount of meat with each bite. Definitely give this place a try when you're in Hawaii! read more
This was one of the few places we really wanted to try in Hawaii. Unfortunately it was a bit overhyped as we felt the dweji gomtangs were a bit ordinary. The dweji gomtangs had a clean taste and the lard donkatsu was crispy with nice flakes. The two dishes that stood out to us were the cup mandu and kimchi cold noodle. The mandu was flavorful and the cold noodles had a mild flavor with the perfect bite to the noodles. While the food quality, service, and ambiance was well done I don't think I'd come back again. None of the standout dishes were anything special you couldn't get anywhere else in my opinion. LA Ktown definitely has something of similar quality and taste. read more
This is wayyy better than the one i went in Bayside, NY. Im not talking about taste, they both are awesome. This honolulu location deserves my 5 stars is because: 1. You can reserve online directly on their website via Resy. 2. Has more type of dishes. See photos. 3. Since we ate super fast as is 35min, there's an opening for walk in. They let walk in ppl sit in even though no spot on online Reservations. By the way, this one is located behind Renaissance Hotel Resort & Spa. Parking: street parking or Uber We ordered: Dweji Gomtang Naeng Jutuk - honolulu only Cup mandoo- honolulu only Burdock root fried -honolulu only Mini pork dupbob - honolulu only If I have more ppl with me, I will definitely order kimchi cold noddle - honolulu only and lard donkatsu - honolulu only. Restroom: 2 individual gender neutral restroom Ps: they will open one in Los Angeles in dec 2026. Congratulations, cali. read more
Here's my take on Okdongsik in Oahu. Sorry I'm a few weeks late on this review. Food (3 stars) + The pork cutlet katsu was crispy, simple, and well-executed, though nothing extraordinary. ~ An appetizer that seemed like a fried root vegetable had a nice texture but was just okay in flavor. ~ The dumpling was like a reverse XLB. It had a subtle, clean taste--pleasant but not a standout. - We had two of their specialty soups. One was a cold kimchi broth, and another a clear pork-based soup. Both were simple, clean, but lacked bold flavor. They offer a kids' portion of the soup, which is half the price and allowed us to order other dishes. Service/Ambiance (4.5 stars) + The staff was accommodating, especially for a party of seven in a small, bar-style space. + The minimalist, modern feel--bar seating, close interaction--made the experience comfortable. If you go, plan a reservation due to its reputation. The food didn't blow me away, but if you enjoy simple, clean flavors, you may appreciate it more than I did. read more
16 days ago
I came to Okdongsik after seeing it go viral from Culinary Class Wars, so I was really excited to finally give it a try while in Oahu. I ordered the La-Yu Dweji Gomtang and the Mini Pork Dupbob. The restaurant has a really nice, cozy atmosphere, and I actually enjoyed the bar-style seating. It gives the place a more intimate and casual feel. The Mini Pork Dupbob was my favorite of the two. I thought the flavors were really good and would definitely recommend trying it if you're deciding what to order. The Dweji Gomtang was also very good, especially if you like lighter soups. The broth tasted super clean and delicate without being overly heavy. Overall, I really enjoyed my experience here. That said, I don't think this would be a place I'd come back to very often, but I definitely think it's worth trying at least once, especially if you're a fan of Culinary Class Wars or Korean food. The Mini Pork Dupbob would be my top recommendation! read more
19 days ago
I've been wanting to try this place for a while and I'm glad I finally did as the food is super flavorful at an affordable price. I definitely recommend reserving beforehand, as I noticed that the wait time was a little long for walk-in's. The restaurant faces Walmart/Sam's Club. Parking is inside of Sky Ala Moana and staff gave us a validated ticket that made parking free! I would come back again if I ever crave donkatsu. My top 2 dishes would have to be the Lard Donkatsu and the Mini Pork Dupbob. I loved how I could taste the subtle char on the Pork Dupbob, and how the meat practically melted like butter with the rice. The crispy exterior of the donkatsu is so distinct compared to other katsus I've tried, and the meat is incredibly tender. Both cooked to perfection. I don't typically reach for tea at restaurants, but their house made tea tasted just like a dessert and went down so smoothly. It's within arms reach (next to the napkins and utensils) so you can refill as you please. It was our first time trying Gomtang and like the menu states, it's truly the "essence of simplicity." It's a light broth and despite having the Gomtang with chili oil, it wasn't overly spicy. There's rice in the soup if you are expecting noodles. The side soup that comes with the Lard Donkatsu tasted just like Gomtang, but I'm not too sure (?). The Naeng Jeyuk tastes just like bossam and pairs well with the ssamjang (?). The Shrimp Katsu has a crispy breading, similar to the Lard Donkatsu and is cooked to perfection as the shrimp was soft and tender. read more
TL;DR Korean comfort food in a refined setting. The Dweji-Gomtang, their signature dish, is lacking the depth of flavor I usually enjoy. ----- Let me caveat my review by stating that I do believe Okdongsik is worthy of a 5-star rating. All of the dishes offered here are of the utmost quality. However, I personally found the Dweji-Gomtang to be rather bland, which is why I don't see myself returning to Okdongsik often (or at all). Hence, the 4-star review. Okdongsik is located in Sky Ala Moana. There is dedicated, validated parking in the building. My wife and I found the layout of the parking garage to be confusing, so take that into consideration and plan to arrive a few minutes earlier than anticipated. Since this was our first time visiting Okdongsik, we ordered almost everything on the menu. I had the La-yu Dweji-Gomtang and the Lard Donkatsu, while my wife ordered the Kimchi Cold Noodles, the Ok Donggeurangttaeng, and the Shrimp Katsu. The katsu dishes were delicious, and my wife loved her noodles. My favorite dish was the seafood cake. They prepare it in a cast iron mold directly behind the counter so the sizzling and the aroma catch your attention when the batter hits the griddle. It's got great texture and flavor. The Dweji-Gomtang is described "clean and savory," which I feel like is a little misleading. It's definitely a clean and light flavor, but I wouldn't describe it as savory. There is a lack of salt and umami, which I believe would elevate and round out the dish. I will say that I was impressed with the volume of slice pork that was included in the broth. And I loved the intensity of the gochuji; it complimented the pork slices perfectly. read more
3 months ago
The store gave a modern homey vibe with the wood, raw concrete, and white paint. The kitchen was very neat and well kept. We did walk in but I recommend having a reservation if you want to be seated together. It's bar seating so everyone is seated side-by-side. We had the gomtangs and the broth was very clean. The la-yu's spice level was very tolerable. The kimchi was superb! I added it into my soup after having half the bowl:) The Maesil Aide was the right amount of sweetness and paired perfectly with the broth. Will definitely come back and try the lard donkatsu!!! read more
14 days ago
Food 5/5 Lard Donkatsu Service 5/5 Ambiance 5/5 Overall 10/10 ................................................................. read more
3 months ago
Date of Visit: 5/26/2026 OKDONGSIK is one of the newly rising Korean restaurant in Honolulu. Highly recommend for tourist to visit if carving for Korean food! OKDONGSIK started in Seoul back in 2017, and has been listed on the Michelin guide for Bib Gourmand restaurant starting from 2018. Opened in New York in 2022, and gradually opening up in Honolulu, LA, etc. Dweji-Gomtang $18 Highly recommend the beef meat and bone broth with thin sliced pork. Added rice, green onion for flavoring, and with kimchi and gochujang on the side. The soup was clean and clear, and the rice and pork was cooked just on point. Lard Donkatsu $21 We also got the pork loin cutlet with cabbage salad, soup, and rice. The crispy pork cutlet was very delicious. Ok Donggeurangttaeng $5 The meaty seafood cake was a must try too! Lightly seasoned with soy sauce. Shrimp Katsu $7 We also got the deep fried shrimp cutlet with tartar sauce. A nice side to add on. read more
If you're a fan of the show Culinary Class Wars, you're probably familiar with the chef that opened this place. The NYC location has been awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand and it does in fact live up to the hype. The restaurant only has bar seating, and it's pretty limited so reservations are a must. We've tried almost all of the dishes at this point and all are good. The famous Dweji Gomtang is pork-based soup that is simple but comforting. The Ok Donggeurangttaeng (seafood patty) is our fave among the small dishes and the lard donkatsu is also delicious. read more
3 months ago
Stopped by Okdongsik and ordered the pork bone soup, then shared the pork katsu and seafood pancake. Everything tasted fresh and clean without feeling too heavy. The soup was simple but really flavorful, and the portion was more filling than I expected. The pork katsu was crispy and the seafood pancake was a good one to share. The restaurant itself isn't very big, so seating is pretty limited. If you go during peak hours, expect a wait or make a reservation ahead of time. Overall, a solid meal, and I'd come back to try more of the menu. read more
My partner and I were very pleased by our experience at Okdongsik! We were immediately seated despite being a couple minutes late (kind of hard finding this place). I was surprised when what I drank wasn't water, but I really liked the barley tea? Not sure what it was haha but also snacked on the kimchi since I was hungry. We shared the gomtang, kimchi cold noodles, meaty seafood cake, and the burdock root fries. I was expecting a seafood pancake, but the seafood cake was pretty good. We were told to wait for the gomtang to eat the burdock root fries, so I feel like they could make them so they come out together. No worries, because they were good by themself! The kimchi cold noodles were delicious, and the noodles were very chewy. The meat in the gomtang was delicious with the chili sauce, but I found the broth to be a bit bland. Although there's a sign telling you not to put the chili sauce in the soup, I loved the taste when I finally mixed it in. Very comforting and satisfying. The restaurant is a bit small, and all the seats are bar seats, but it's pretty cool to be able to watch your food being made. Everyone was super nice, and the food is very reasonably priced. The menu isn't very extensive so I probably won't come often, but I will definitely be back. read more
What an experience here! Very very light soup, and made a certain way where there are no additional toppings you can add, except salt. Many pieces of thinly sliced pork in the rice soup, and you don't feel heavy walking out. Would recommend all to try it out. read more
4 months ago
I had Okdongsik bookmarked ever since we watched Culinary Class Wars Season 2 and knew we'd be going to Hawaii this year. Their menu is very simple, they specialize in pork gomtang. Gomtang is traditionally made by slowly simmering various beef cuts for many hours. It's a comfort food for Koreans, and Chef Ok Dongsik gained popularity for using pork instead - it's a clear, light pork broth - not heavy or too "pork-y". As a Korean, I always need Korean food when I'm away from home. We ate here at just about the time that I was starting to crave Korean food, and it did the job. My husband and I shared - we got one regular gomtang and one la-yu, which comes with chili oil. Surprisingly, the chili oil one was very subtle while still adding a nice kick. We also got the seafood cake, which was delicious. Their kimchi was okay, not great. I enjoyed the gochu-ji that they serve on the side, it's their signature fermented pepper paste that pairs very well with the pork (not meant to be added to the broth but rather enjoyed with the meat slices). The inside is very clean and minimal, countertop only and probably seats about 20 people. The servers weren't overly friendly, they were focused more on the food and presentation, which I can respect. Overall, it was great to try, the food was good, and the prices fair. Nothing spectacular, but if I'm ever in Oahu again, I'd go back for my Korean food fix. read more
The broth was very light for me. I'm not sure if that's how it's supposed to be so my review is purely preferential. Kimchi was good . Service was good as we were the only ones there during opening Good spot clean and new looking read more
My favorite dish that I got here was the kimchi cold noodle soup! I really enjoyed that! Their menu is simple, not too many items so that's great! We almost got every main dish! We got the naeng jeyuk (slow cooked and chilled pork) dweji-gomtang (the pork broth soup that they're known for), lard donkatsu, the kimchi cold noodles, and the ok donggeurangttaeng (meaty seafood cake). Atmosphere - Nicely decorated, gives me earthy but also classy vibes. Service - They're pretty attentive to what you need and can easily ask if you need something. We made reservations for when it opened. It does get full but it wasn't too busy when we went on a Tuesday for dinner. Cost - I believe it was about $90 for two of us but we did get a lot of food. We wanted to try what they had so we had leftovers and took it home with us! Parking - It's street parking or you can park in the building that it's in. It's kind of confusing how that parking worked though because the signs were confusing. Or you can park at Wal-Mart since it's literally right there. Location - It's on the back side of the Sky building, the side closer to Wal-Mart. I want the cold noodles again! read more
10 days ago
The clean space, courteous counter service, and most of all the delicious food. It was so good we went three days in a row while we were in Honolulu! read more
Yes, I am that tourist that visited after watching Culinary Class Wars. But so glad I did!! We were able to get same day reservations on Resy. Park in the validated hotel lot (spaces are kind of small!) and enter from Makaloa Street. The interior is small and simple, with counter seating only. There is no room for a stroller, so make sure to include your baby in reservations. We made the mistake of not doing that and had to hold him the entire time. No biggie! The food: I went in with somewhat elevated expectations, given the praise the chef got during the show. And wow, it delivered. My husband and I each got the regular size gomtang. The broth tasted clean, flavorful, and was so so comforting. The only side served is kimchi, which is all you need. There is a red pepper paste sauce that is used for dipping the meat also. We got the seafood cake and mini dupbop. The seafood cake was excellent but the dupbop stole the show. Layered with rice, flavorful pork pieces, furikake mix and torched to give it a smoky flavor, it was such a pleasant treat at only $5. Definitely will be adding Okdongsik to our future Honolulu best hits list. 5/5 recommend! read more
Okdongsik was already on my list, but seeing the owner-chef featured on Netflix's Chef War definitely sealed the deal. Any place confident enough to showcase something as minimal and traditional as pork bone broth on a global stage instantly earns my curiosity. The first sip of the soup was unforgettable--clean, deeply comforting, and quietly complex. You can taste the discipline and restraint behind it, with no heavy seasoning masking the quality of the broth. It's the kind of flavor that immediately tells you this was made with care and intention. That said, as the meal goes on, the broth can start to feel a bit one-note. This is where Okdongsik really shines in a different way: the house hot sauce. Adding even a small amount completely transforms the bowl, bringing warmth, depth, and just enough spice to reawaken the palate. It enriches the experience without overpowering the broth's original character. This is clearly a restaurant that respects tradition and trusts simplicity--something that won't be for everyone, but will absolutely resonate with those who appreciate subtlety and technique. For me, the combination of that pristine broth and the customizable heat made the meal both thoughtful and satisfying. read more
16 days ago
Tried cold noodle and dumpling. Both tasted so good. Service was great. Enjoyed simple & clean aesthetics of the restaurant. Already made another reservation next week :) read more
I stopped by Okdongsik for lunch and tried their signature gomtang, which is exactly what they're known for--clean, simple, and really comforting. I usually prefer richer, more flavor-packed dishes, but this was a nice change of pace and felt refreshing in its own way. The broth is very light yet still satisfying, and you can tell the focus is on quality and balance. The space is on the smaller side, so I'd definitely recommend making a reservation online ahead of time to avoid waiting. Also, don't skip the add-ons--the shrimp katsu and the meaty seafood cake were both excellent and added a bit more depth and variety to the meal. Overall, a solid spot if you're in the mood for something minimal but well-executed. read more
6 months ago
We were lucky to be able to walk in and get seats as soon as they opened for lunch. We were able to find parking on Makaloa street right out front. The menu is small and the seating area small but a very bustling place. We tried one of everything. I wasn't a fan of the pork because it was a bit tough for me personally. My favorite was the spicy kimchee cold noodles. I do get this dish from a lot of Korean restaurants and this one was more simplistic in the flavor profile. But the icy broth was nice to have as some places don't do that. My kids enjoyed the shrimp katsu the most. Service was quick for the most part. We had to ask multiple times for water since my youngest wasn't a fan of the only provided tea drink. read more
5 months ago
I was really excited to try Okdongsik, especially after seeing the owner on Culinary Class Wars. We made a reservation in advanced and were seated promptly upon our arrival. The restaurant features bar style seating. We were seated at the main bench right in front of the fryer, which wasn't ideal. By the end of the meal, our clothes had a very strong lingering smell of oil. Additionally, I noticed several flies near the food areas, which made me wish the staff were a bit more diligent about the overall cleanliness of the space. My husband and I ordered the pork gomtang, cold kimchi noodles, and pork dopbap. The cold kimchi noodles were my favorite and they satisfied my cravings. I personally did not care for the pork that came with the meal, so I passed that over to my husband. I tried some of the pork gomtang my husband ordered, and I was not a fan. The pork flavor was a bit too strong and overwhelming for my palate. I preferred the pork dopbap more than the soup. It was flavorful and didn't have the heavy pork taste. read more
Hot. Satisfying. Simple. Affordable. A lot of good things coming from Okdongsik! Located in the back of the new Sky Ala Moana and Renaissance Condotels, along Makaloa St, the back of Wal-Mart. Metered or street parking only. Small restaurant with bar/counter style seating only. Walk-in okay, but it filled up super quick after we sat down. Inside is clean and neat with high ceilings. The kitchen is right in front of you, so you can see your order being made. All your napkins and utensils, and chilled Korean barley tea/water are within an arm's reach. The barley tea was very good. Refreshing! The menu only has SEVEN food items - 1 appetizer (chilled pork), 3 mains (sliced pork with broth, pork loin cutlet, kimchi cold noodles), and 3 add-ons (shrimp katsu, mini pork over rice, seafood cake). Gotta love the simplicity and pork-centric menu. You can see the extra focus in each dish compared to if you had fifty food items. Didn't order everything, but 5/7 ain't bad :). Complimentary Kimchee was solid! Bright, savory, fermented with a nice spice. The Dweji-Gomtang was very good--as described! The pork broth was clean, light, warm, and delicious with soft, tender pork that went very well with their signature Gochuji. Instructions on the napkin box--basically tells you to NOT put it in the broth lol. Some folks need guidance. The Lard Donkatsu was excellent. It's supposedly a limited amount of 40 per day, but seems like they get plenty. Pork loin was thick and deep fried very well! Crispy outside, tender meat inside, and cooked to the perfect light pink. The sauce was tasty and flavorful with a nice tanginess. Cabbage salad was crisp with tasty dressing. The surprise was the pickled radish, which was really good with a nice mix of savory, sweet, and sour. Radish had a nice firm texture. Very well prepared! The Ok Donggeurangttaeng is the meaty seafood cake. This was good. Like a meat and seafood patty with chives. Soft and airy. The pickled onions on top were very good and went well with the cake. The Mini Pork Dupbob was very good. You really can't go wrong with torched pork with garlic and ganjang on rice topped with roasted seaweed flakes. The char was amazing! Pork with seaweed was flavorful. Shrimp Katsu was excellent! A nice portion of shrimp. Uses the same coating as the pork for an Uber crispy delight. Tartar sauce was tasty. Overall, an excellent meal. It's awesome to have everything being made to order and right in front of you with each dish coming in hot and fresh. All the dishes were very well prepared and the pickled items were exceptional. Service was excellent. Everyone was friendly and attentive. Affordable prices. Will definitely come back to try the other two items and everything else again. read more
As a Korean who literally just visited Korea, ngl fam I was a lil skeptical bout the hype around this chain. At the same time, I was hella excited to try it out bc of that one dude on culinary wars who runs this branch in NY. Now for those of ya who aren't Korean, in theory, this is a very simple meal. And look at the picture, it looks super straightforward yeah? The thing that got me and proved to be true is that it is so gd clean! That broth. I can't explain it. Even tho that's pork in that picture, the broth itself is so clean and palatable. Like I could just scoop rice and eat it with that broth all day. With that said, I am still kinda surprised at how much hype this place has gotten, but I'm not mad about it! Glad more people are getting to try other types of Korean cuisine and not just kbbq or kalbi or bibimbap hahaha. read more
Wait: We came when it was sprinkling hoping that there weren't too many people, but it seems to always be busy here haha. We were told the wait was going to be 45 minutes, so I left my number and we ventured to Don Quixote. We shopped a little, then came back to check if it was our turn to be seated. Unfortunately, they randomly took our name off of the waitlist. We were told we would get a text when our seats were ready, but we never received the text besides the original "you're on the waitlist." Afterwards, we waited about 15-20 more minutes before being seated. The interior was nice, simple, not too much space for waiting. It seated about 18 people I believe? I think we ended up counting because the sign on the window mentioned the new york location only has 13 seats Food: we ordered gomtang x2, spicy gomtang, and a small pork rice bowl. The pork flavor really shone through in the gomtang, it's definitely a tamer soup. The spicy paste to dip your meat in was really yummy, wish I had more. The kimchi wasn't my favorite, wasn't fermented well, tasted like bland cabbage. Our highlight was probably the pork rice bowl, had so much flavor and packed a punch! overall, it was cool to try this place since we're huge culinary class war fans and foodies, but I wouldn't go out of my way to wait over an hour to eat this. read more
8 months ago
If you ever want a good comfort meal I highly recommend coming to Okdongsik. They do a really good job using the natural flavors of the pork and broth to make a comforting soup. Also the donkatsu and the pork bowl is amazing. The donkatsu is juicy and not dry, it pairs really with the cabbage that's dressed with this sweet/tangy sauce. The pork bowl improves every-time we go and I feel like this time they scorched it, but added the nori. The nori adds a nice aroma to the bowl and flavor! It was really good. Overall, I'm coming back. This is my favorite comfort meal! read more
4 months ago
We decided to try out Okdongsik so I ordered the La-yu Dweji-Gomitang which has a some Chili oil added to the soup the broth was very light and refreshing and the thinly sliced pork was light and tasty. The service was pretty quick as most of the ingredients were already prepared. If you want a light refreshing meal this is a great place to go, I'm looking forward to visiting again! read more
Made rez as soon as the 2-week window for reservations opened up and it was easy to get. It's bar seating, but can fit about 20 people, I think. Our server/cook was nice and gave me tips on how to eat various dishes. For example, the fried burdock roots are to be eaten in the soup like tempura udon. I don't particularly like tempura udon, but I tried it that way. It was fine, but not necessary. Plus, it comes in one tangled piece and it was hard to separate in my soup. I got the roots to eat with my beer, but it's light on salt so it didn't go that well with the beer. I'd say skip it. Oh, but the pork soup. So good! Clean and simple. The pork is sliced extra thin and when you dip it in the red chili sauce, it tastes just like bossam. Yum! I never wanted to try pork soup in Busan cuz I'm a beef broth kind of girl. But this didn't have that porky taste so it was easy to eat. Worth the hype. We also ordered the kimchee cold noodles. Again, so simple, but so good! Not too sweet and with the slushy broth. I will say, it's hard to get back to the pork soup if you eat the noodles in the middle. Because it's more flavorful, when you return to the pork soup, it tastes bland. I ended up leaving half of my soup and rice uneaten. We also had the shrimp katsu - delicious! I will order this to accompany my beer next time. It's big chunks of shrimp - no fillers. I will definitely be back when in town. read more
It's 8 days into 2026 and I have not posted a review. The shame. It's unbearable! Kidding. Like Raising Cane's, Okdongsik has a limited menu, but unlike Raising Cane's, is actually good. We've eaten almost everything on the menu except for the shrimp katsu and Kimichi cold noodles. The slow cooked and chilled pork over pickles appetizer sets you up for the dweji-gomtang, offering a primer of what's to come. Pickles are balanced and the pork is sort of like how Kat's Deli in NYC offers you a sample of what's coming in your pastrami sandwich. Their famous dweji-gomtang is a seemingly simplistic dish that's much harder to create than you'd imagine. Getting that pork broth that clean, clear, and flavorful isn't easy, which is probably why their parent company was recognized with a Michelin Bib Gourmand award. The pork is sliced thin and is quite tender. Protip: Avoid mixing in the hot pepper paste into the broth as you'll ruin hours of work that went into the broth. Dip your meat into the hot pepper paste and then eat it. The lard donkatsu is tonkatsu fried presumably in lard. Tastes delicious and is better than most places selling tonkatsu. Semi-thick, meat, tender, and balanced seasoning, fried to golden brown perfect, you can't go wrong with this unless you're deliberately trying to limit fried food exposure (to which you have my deepest sympathies). As for add ons, the mini pork dupbob is fatty, meaty, over very tasty rice. A good swap to get some variety from any of the entrées. Don't forget the meaty seafood cake though, that's a real winner despite looking relatively mundane. A good balance of seafood, vegetables and starch, it's grilled to golden brown perfection. Bathroom is clean, staff are polite and efficient, and the restaurant is well kept and well lit. It is recommended to get a reservation, but they do take walk ins. Parking is whatever is in the area on the street, but they do validate for an hour in the Sky Ala Moana hotel parking. read more
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