Arrived on Thurs at noon and there was a line out the door. Luckily we went to semi-new GBB Cafe (located behind the door beyond the restaurant, also where the bathroom would be). We stayed for a delicious strong drip coffee, and when we came out at 1:30pm, there were exactly two seats available. Since there was no more line, we checked in with the staff if we can sit and they said ok! Everything went so smoothly. Everyone starts out with the kimchi and gochujang paste. There's mainly two things on the menu - we ordered the Dweji-Gomtang with extra pork slices. So good and so filling, fantastic for cooler weather days. The mandoo looked delicious but our stomach didn't have anymore room. We left super satisfied. read more

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I was super excited to try Okdongsik after watching Culinary Class Wars and it was at the top of my must do list on my last trip to NYC! I came for lunch on a Tuesday and arrived 10 min early and there was already a few people in line so luckily I planned ahead. When they opened I was in the first seating and quickly ordered the classic gomtang (pork bone soup) and kimchi mandoo. Loved the clean and light gomtang that's served with a spicy pepper sauce meant to be eaten with the pork. The soup is intended to be clear and the rice is super comforting. The pork is sliced thinly and really tender. The kimchi mandoo was surprisingly great as well with a tofu, pork, glass noodle filling. The filling is flavorful and spicy with a nice kick! I liked that the dumpling skin is super thin so that it's not too heavy and the filling is mainly tofu to keep the mandoo lighter as well. Great casual, comforting meal! Definitely a must try for a classic Korean meal in NYC. I was surrounded by Korean speaking diners which is always a good sign! read more

Okdongsik - Korean Near Me - New York, New York

I've been wanting to try this spot ever since I saw their chef appear on Culinary Class Wars. They only serve 3 things on the menu but that means they do it incredibly well and service is fast. It's a cozy spot with 12 counter seats only. Not the place to sit down and have a nice long meal. They turn over the seats quickly because it's an eat and go type of place. They open at 11:30am and I got there around 11:15am on. Sunday. There was already a short line and I just missed the first seating. But the wait wasn't too long, we were sat and served by 12pm. We ordered dweji-gomtang and the kimchi mandu. Both were great! Nothing revolutionary but they are done extraordinarily well. The soup had a lot of pure pork flavor without being too salty or heavy. The thing slices of pork were tender and went well with the gochuji. The rice in the soup was cooked perfectly and added a nice bite. The kimchi mandu were freshly steamed. The skins were nice and thin and they were stuffed with a ton of filling. The kimchi it was served with was also good. They will give you refills if you ask. Overall it was a satisfying meal. I can see why they're so popular but don't come expecting to taste something mind blowing. It's a simple meal done extremely well. read more

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Really good! We came from San Francisco to try the pork soup. After dropping off our luggage at our hotel, we headed here and got in line for dinner. We had to wait about 30 minutes to get a seat. The menu is small - pork soup rice and mandu. My husband and I both ordered a bowl of the rice soup. The broth was super clear, clean and tasty. The pork was thin and tender. It was a deliciously comforting, satisfying and light dinner. The restaurant is very intimate - just a counter around the cooking staff. The focus is completely on making an amazing bowl of soup. I hope they open one in SF soon! read more

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You hear about the soup. You line up for the soup. You experience the soup. Actually scratch that, come here for the pork shoulder!! We ordered the soup and got extra meat. I kind of regret it because it was A LOT of meat. They don't skimp. If you end up ordering the pork shoulder (a must get) and the kimchi dumplings as well, it might be too much food. We also got a lemonade that washed everything down - slightly tart and tangy. Very refreshing! The soup itself reminded me of Sulungtang with a clean taste, but it was definitely porkier. It was a very simple dish, and the gochiji paired nicely with it. The Kimchi dumplings were surprisingly a favorite since it broke up the taste of the soup. Lastly, the pork shoulder works so nice as the primary meat dish. It's fatty and juicy, and the garlic, jalapeños and sauce are great. The inside is very intimate. You're pretty much sitting shoulder to shoulder inside. Past the door is a speakeasy! Very cool vibes. Ended up waiting for over an hour, and started lining up around 5:40p on a Sunday evening. To me, it's a once in a lifetime visit. I'm not sure if I would come back, but I'm glad I tried it! Ty for reading :^) read more

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I feel like this place is a little overrated. There's only about 12 seats inside so there's almost always a wait to get in. We came on a Wednesday evening so the line moved pretty quickly. Since there's only 3 food items on the menu, we got one of each. The jeyuk was probably my favorite. The thick cuts of pork were tender and the ssamjang was really flavorful. The dweji-gomtang was a good clear pork broth but didn't really taste like anything special. The thin cuts of pork were good but the jeyuk pork was better in my opinion. I also felt that the broth itself tasted bland after pairing the pork with the complementary kimchi and Gochuji sauce. Overall I'm glad I gave this place a try since I've been so curious about it after watching culinary class wars. read more

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Soup base was very subtle but the complexity grew over the course of the meal, especially with the dipping of the meat into the spicy paste provided. Kimchi was solid. Great hangover meal! I didn't get to try the dumplings but my kids said they were delicious. Restaurant seats only 12 but the line moves pretty steadily. read more

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Like many others, I am sure, we came here due to our love for Culinary Class wars and how well the chef performed there. We came here 10 minutes after open on a Sunday and proceed to wait about half an hour to get in. The location has very limited seating but thankfully turnsover decently due to the small menu. We came when they added a third item to what was previously a two item menu. The classic item is the Dweji-Gomtang and we ordered extra meat. The meat itself was excellent and the broth indeed tasted very porky and clean. Not a fan of the rice base though but that is a matter of taste as this is the way it is intended to be made. For me, it felt like it should have been a noodle. The kimchi mandoo were good and delicious. We ordered 2. The new item on the menu was Gabrisal Suyuk (pork collar). Fantastic. We ordered this twice as well and would suggest you ask for extra garlic and jalapenos so you can get some with every portion of meat. Overall, good one time visit. read more

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Arrived around 15 minutes prior to opening and there were only 6 people in front. I saw them setting up each seat with some tea and the sides prior to opening the doors. Had the dweji gomtang and mandoo dumplings. The gomtang is salty by itself but perfect with rice. A small plate of kimchi and gochu-ji were provided. The sliced pork was thin and soft. The gochu-ji was nice with the pork and not too overpowering. Unless you really want to try it, the mandoo dumplings can be passed on. I liked how thin the skin was but it was rather mushy on the inside and didn't taste like much. Service was fast and efficient. They like to turn over seats quickly and will prompt you to finish up if you take too long. The space is small but not cramped. Overall, it was nice to experience and fine because we got there early so we're the first to be seated. Otherwise, I would not wait longer than 30 min to eat here. read more

Okdongsik - Korean Near Me - New York, New York

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Waiting about 20 minutes in line, but worth it. The food felt comforting from start to finish. The mandu were flavorful, the bossam came with fresh garlic and peppers that really elevated each bite, and the pork rice soup was simple and satisfying. It's a small space with bar seating, which adds to the cozy feel. I'd definitely come back again. read more

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I went here for the food. The setting was very modern and clean. You sit on stools with a hook for your coat behind on the wall. The mandu is excellent! Very thin wrapper and filled with meat stuffed in it. I would go back again! read more

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Got in line around 4:45pm and was able to get seated as soon as they opened. We ordered the gomtang, kimchi mandoo, and suyuk, and everything was a hit. The gomtang was simple but really satisfying, especially with a bit of black pepper. The kimchi mandoo was a nice touch to the meal. But honestly, the highlight was the suyuk. We loved it so much we almost ordered a second plate on the spot! Will be definitely coming back when visiting NYC! read more

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They don't take reservations so it's first come first serve. Got here at 4:40 on a Friday, and we were first in line. I was a little under the weather so the pork bone broth was perfect! The soup was amazing. The kimchi mandus were okay, nothing to rave about, but it was okay. It's a very cozy setting as there is only about 10 seats. Theres also a speakeasy bar in the back, which is cool. read more

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This is a nice spot for a casual meal for 1 or 2 people. However, I found it a bit distracting to have people constantly coming in to go to the bar in the back of the restaurant. The soup was simple and clean which is what they're known for and felt like Korean comfort food. I enjoyed the pork collar, but I think just a few pieces for $22 was a bit much. I'd have to think about whether I wanted a clean meal or more meat by going to a KBBQ place instead if I were to go back. read more

Okdongsik - Pork collar - Korean Near Me - New York, New York

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I've never seen the second season of Culinary Class Wars, but we stopped by this restaurant for lunch when we arrived in NYC. We got really lucky getting 6 seats together and there was only one person in line in front of us! This restaurant only does table top seating and as soon as we got seated, they served us hot barley tea. It was delicious and kept our hands warm from the cold New York day. The staff were so kind too! We ordered the three dishes and I will say for four dumplings, $12 is a kinda pricey. They were pretty big though. The kimchi was delicious! It wasn't too sour and the gochuji was a great addition for the main dish. The main dish Dweji-Gomtang was very good. The broth was so clear and the pork was sliced thinly and tender. The rice was yummy and not soggy (which is what I was worried about because I don't like soggy textures). Overall, I really enjoyed it and can see why it was on the Michelin guide. I feel like I saw a line every time I walked past it. read more

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I've been wanting to try Okdongsik ever since watching Culinary Class Wars. To be honest, I'm usually not a fan of gomtang because I find it too bland, but Okdongsik's version of gomtang using pork broth was surprisingly flavorful while still maintaining that clean finish. That said, while the soup was good, I don't think it's worth the long wait As for the Kimchi Dumplings, they were a bit of a letdown. While the skin was crafted beautifully, the filling lacked flavor and felt quite mushy, I'd recommend skipping these. On the plus side, the service was incredibly quick and efficient once seated! read more

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Food 4.0/5.0 Service 4.0/5.0 Value 3.5/5.0 Decor 3.5/5.0 Overall 4.0/5.0 Stopped by maybe 10 minutes before opening on a Saturday that soon became a bit wet. Basically got into the early part of the third seating. The food was very good, tried the mandoo and the pork dish they were offering that day. Love the food, but probably would just opt for delivery next time. To use the bathroom, go through the door at the back... and go to the end of the GBB bar. read more

After my pretty good experience ordering takeout from Okdongsik, I decided to come in person to try it out. - Dweji gomtang: 9/10 (still solid gomtang with a clear broth) - Kimchi mandoo: 9/10 (solid kimchi mandoo, but nothing special) read more

Okdongsik - Dweji-Gomtang - Korean Near Me - New York, New York

4.5 rounded to 5 The dweji gomtang at Okdongsik is unique in that the broth is clear while still full of flavor. The flavor isn't rich, but rather deep. Worth a try if you're a fan of gomtang or comforting broth. The gochuji that comes with the gomtang to use as a sauce with the meat was also very good. The kimchi mandoo was better than I expected. Again, quite different than most mandoos with really soft filling and thin casing, but still tasty. Actually kind of spicy. read more

Okdongsik - Dweji-Gomtang - Korean Near Me - New York, New York

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Fantastic meal and experience here!! Waited in line for about 20 min on a weeknight at dinner time which wasn't bad at all. Very small menu, ordered one of everything and shared with a friend. Everything was so good and the prices were more than fair. I felt so light and clean after my meal here, but still full. Great feeling. Will definitely be back here soon for another great meal! read more

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This place has been on my short list of restaurants to try in NYC for over a year. If you effectively only serve two things, it has to be good, right? My wife and I lined up around 5:15 (15min after opening) on a rainy Friday evening. We were seated close to 6pm. This place does not take reservations nor is it one of those places where you leave your name and come back later. You just stand in line. So be ready for that. They try to keep people moving so the turnover is actually decently fast, but yeah I'd personally recommend trying to get there 15min before opening to snag first seating. The space is small and bar seating style. Again, there's only a handful of things on the menu. My wife and I got both things (kimchi mandoo and dweji-gomtang). The mandoo was nice and plump with a very thin skin. Definitely love me some korean dumplings and these were some of the better ones I've had. The gomtang was very clean and hearty on a cold day. There's a little sauce on the side you can dip your pork slices in if you want some mix of flavor, but overall it's just a nice hearty bowl of soup with rice and meat. Can't really beat that, but also kind of hard to reinvent the wheel on it. For the price, I thought it was fine. Service is friendly and quick, but it's definitely a spot where you're politely asked to head out asap so they can fill in the next table. I wouldn't come back here again to dine-in, but they do online ordering for takeout so that's an option. Additionally the speakeasy in the back definitely has piqued my interest. Will definitely have to visit there at some point! read more

Okdongsik - Kimchi Mandoo - Korean Near Me - New York, New York

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I really loved the broth and the kimchi dumplings. I felt like the delicate and flavorful broth matched the value, perhaps the dumplings were pricey compared to other spots, but they were still good. I waited quite a while (I don't even want to share how embarrassingly long I waited on a freezing cold day - and on my one Monday off too!!). Now I know you can order takeout, which I'll be doing for my next visit. The staff is really nice, and allows for refills on the kimchi, spicy sauce (you can eat with the pork for a different flavor), and rice. Given the few menu items, it's an efficient process in there and you're served almost immediately (once you get seated that is, which is a journey of its own considering there's no space to wait inside, you must wait outisde /: ) read more

Okdongsik - inside - Korean Near Me - New York, New York

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All of the staff were friendly and pleasant service was wonderful. The dumplings are stuffed and plump and spicy but really yummy. The soup was absolutely delicious the broth was so warming and revitalizing the pork was tender and clean with the green onions and rice . I dont usually like rice in my soup but I absolutely loved it from here. The lemonade was a nice way to finish it was sweet and bubbly I saw the previous menu had a yuzu drink and was hoping to try that but it was replaced with the lemonade and I'm not mad at all. They also give you hot barely tea when you are seated. 10 out of 10. read more

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We came to Okdongsik at 6:30pm on a Friday and were told the wait was going to be about 3 hours which would be past closing. The restaurant is really tiny with about maybe 15 seats max. They recommended that we make reservations but it seems that reservations filled up for the week. The next day, we tried coming 30 minutes before they opened for dinner so that we can try to queue up for walkins. When we arrived at 4:30pm there was already a good 20-30 people in line. They prioritize reservations first and if there are no shows they take walkins. We got seated ~20 mins after 5pm. The line was extremely long by 5pm so if you want to try to get a walk in, come early! Now the food. The menu is extremely limited and they only have a few items. We got the kimchi mandu and the gomtang. The kimchi mandu was good but it wasn't excellent, it came with 4 pieces for $12. The gomtang came with very very thinly sliced pork and a good amount of it too. They had a gochuri paste that they recommended to eat with the pork and not put in the broth. Overall, i would say it was good but I've had more flavorful broth, even in the states. I would definitely not wait more than 30 minutes out in the cold again for this. Really pricey for what we got. read more

Okdongsik - Dweji-Gomtang - Korean Near Me - New York, New York

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Happy new year! This was one of our last meals of the year. A very simple and savoury dish that warms your body. They only had kimchi dumplings in addition to the dweji gomtang. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of kimchi dumplings and it was fine. Their kimchi is also yummy, crunchy and flavorful, perfect for a spoonful of rice, soup, dweji and the kimchi for a perfect balance of crunchy, tender and warm all in 1. It's quite hard to get a reservation but they do have a waitlist. We went at around 4:50 for the waitlist and had a 2 hour and a half wait to get in. They're quiet, clean and calming space with no frills, just minimalistic aesthetic. There is a speakeasy behind the door in the back, so there is some music that leaks into Okdongsik. Overall, would go again and bring friends. read more

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There was a bit of a queue to get in, but the food was worth the wait. The mandu came out quickly and was filled well. The broth of the dweji gomtang was light and clear, but flavorful. The sliced pork was well-portioned and delicious. read more

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We made a reservation at OKDONSIK for 5:45pm on a Saturday because we were interested in trying restaurants that have a very limited specialty menu. Dweji-Gomtang (Regular $18, Extra meat $22) - This is a clean pork broth, served with rice, Kimchi, Gochuji, and 7 slices of thin pork). Getting a bit of the broth, rice, pork, and kimchi felt like comfort food for me. The staff informed us to dip the slicked pork with the gochuji and eat it separately from broth to not disrupt the broth flavor. I enjoyed the tangy Kimchi. Kimchi Mandoo ($12) - This includes 4-piece tangy Kimchi Mandoo filled with pork and tofu). I'm not used to filling being so soft, but I enjoyed the flavor. There is bar seating and people walk in and out due to there being a speakeasy in the back. read more

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Okdongsik is a really solid Korean spot, and honestly one of the closest things I've had in the U.S. to what I'd eat in Korea. The flavors are clean, comforting, and feel genuinely authentic. That said, the price tag is pretty high for what you get, and that does take away from the experience a bit. I'd skip the dumplings next time. They weren't bad, just not worth the extra cost for what it seems to be heated from frozen mandu. The gomtang, though, is absolutely where this place shines. If you're craving something that tastes like home (or as close as it gets abroad), Okdongsik is worth trying, but maybe stick to the essentials. read more

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Ambiance: the bar seating and sometimes a long wait but we got seating pretty quick Service: the service was nice and the food came out quick. Food $$: they are known for the broths and kimchi mando. Audience: Solo Trip [X] Family Friendly [ X] Friends [X] Date Spot [X] Recommendations/tips: I highly recommend read more

Hard to find seating inside as it's limited and popular, but I will order this when I'm feeling something comforting. The pork soup is fragrant but comforting and there's a bit of rice at the bottom as well. I also comes with a side of chili paste for more flavor but I was able to go without. We also shared the kimchi dumplings and those were delicious. read more

Everything!!! Service, ambiance and food were beyond amazing! We arrived earlier than expected ahead of our reservation... they were very welcoming and seated us right away. We were excited to eat and we definitely came hungry! Dweji-Gomtang (Clean and savory pork broth, Served with rice, Kimchi, and Gochuji) - absolutely loved this Korean soup, and getting a nice dining experience. The broth itself was very good and flavorful... you take thin sliced pork to dip a bit in gochuji (red chili kinda sauce) and eat it separately from broth to keep the eating enjoyable. Kimchi was perfect, not too spicy or bland but amazing with this dish! Kimchi Mandoo (Tangy Kimchi Mandoo filled with pork and tofu) - really delicious as it came in 4 pieces, perfect for sharing with a partner. Each mandoo is very filling, about 2-3 bites each piece, although I couldn't really taste pork in these mandoos. Naeng Jeyuk (Slow-cooked and chilled pork Served with Gochu-Ji) - interesting taste, personally I'd like it warmed... but overall it still tasted delicious with its sauce on side, sweet flavor. read more

Okdongsik - Kimchi Mandoo - Korean Near Me - New York, New York

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with only less than 20 bar seating, I'm surprised there wasn't a line out the door. I made a reservation but I think you could walk in too. there's a speakeasy bar (GBB) at the back, which is really cool! they have a super simple menu with only 3 food items and 4 drinks, and we got all 3 food items and 1 drink: - dweji-gomtang ($18): pretty solid meat, was very tender - kimchi mandoo ($12): the filling was delicious and the skin was not too thick - naeng jeyuk ($12): the broth was so flavorful and the pork was tender. together with the soft rice, it was like comfort food for the soul - maesil ade ($7): loved the salted/sour plum taste! if you like less sweet and tangy drinks, this is for you read more

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I love the idea of keeping the menu simple and focusing on doing a few dishes really well. I was genuinely excited to try it. The mandu were decent. Not particularly memorable for me. Considering the portion, they felt a bit pricey. The gomtang with extra meat, on the other hand, was the highlight. It had a rich, comforting flavor that felt truly nourishing, and the side of kimchi was a perfect complement. Fresh, vibrant, and delicious! read more

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A solid spot for comforting Korean gomtang Ambience (3/5): Cozy but quite basic, more casual eatery than polished restaurant. Food (4/5): Pork soup is hearty and flavorful, with rich broth and tender slices of meat. Value (4/5): Fair prices given portion size and quality. Service (4/5): Friendly and efficient, food comes out quickly. read more

Okdongsik - Korean Near Me - New York, New York

My son and I are currently obsessed with Culinary Class Wars. We were so excited to try some of the food associated with one of the chefs that we made a special trip down and got onto the waitlist. Luckily after an hour and a half of entertaining ourselves on a cold January afternoon, we finally got the call. The dwaegi gomtang is seriously the best cold weather soup I've ever had. It's so flavorful and so filling, but not to the point where you don't want to move anymore. The sauce with the naeng jeyuk was an unexpected highlight. I wish I could bottle it up and take it home... it's a bit salty, a bit of barbecue, and there's something else in there that made it an unforgettable but really hard to describe sauce. I'm not really into waitlists, but I would 100% jump onto this waitlist again! read more

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Honestly, one of my favorite Korean restaurants in the area. Yes, it is quite simple in terms of ingredients and overall taste of the food, but that's part of why it's so delicious. The focus is on doing a really good job with what is there, without mixing a ton of flavors into it. Loved the gomtang (rice and pork with soup) and the mandoo was delicious was well. Would probably pass on the Tangerine Ade, it wasn't that good and tasted like something from a bottle mixed up. read more

Okdongsik - Korean Near Me - New York, New York

If you watched Culinary Class Wars and ever wanted to eat at a black spoons restaurant then if you are in NY you can eat at Okdongsik. We waited in a 30 minute line and got seated in the back. We started with Kim Chi and hot tea. Ordered a regular set and out came a pork soup over rice with thin slices of fatty pork. The restroom is fun it's in a speakeasy in the back in a separate room. Come here if you are hungry. Happy Yelping! read more

Okdongsik was a huge hit when it first opened -- definitely one of my favourite restaurants in NYC at the time -- and while I still enjoy my meals here, I fear it has somewhat lost some its allure. The menu is simple and limited -- other than drinks, you can order the dweji-gomtang (pork broth with pork shoulder and rice) and kimchi mandu (dumplings). The dwegi-gomtang is consistently delicious. You can already smell how fragrant the broth is throughout the small restaurant, and each sip is filled with the light-yet-savoury flavour of the pork, gently cooked inside for hours. Each slice of pork is so thinly cut -- soft, tender, and practically melts in your month. The rice is a lovely textural contrast -- perfectly cooked to a light fluffiness and pairing so well with the savoury flavours of the broth. Such a lovely dish that brings out all the natural flavours with simplicity. The mandu, I fear, has slightly tempered my overall feelings about Okdongsik. Whereas I felt they used to be an amazing complement to the pork broth, on recent visits they have been much more ... normal? Certainly nothing grossly problematic, but it feels like the quality of the skin (thicker and heavier than before) and the filling (smaller in size and increasingly less flavourful) has been trending in a disappointing direction. To a certain extent, I think they may have set the bar too high for themselves haha -- expectations were Very High after how impressed I was on my first few visits. I am still eager to come when the chance arrives, but perhaps just with slightly less enthusiasm as a few years ago. The intimate environment has kept its charm -- seeing your soup ladled over your rice right in front of you while seated at a small countertop with ~10-12 other seats is a lovely experience. Some of the small touches, though, seem to be less consistent -- on my latest visits, we were offered a plate of spicy pickled radishes. While I do like radishes, their kimchi was one of the most delicious I've ever had, and I was sad to see that it wasn't necessarily a given here anymore. Reservations are of course highly recommended -- although surprisingly for a restaurant of this renown, they are not too hard to come by with a little bit of foresight. read more

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Mandoo was pretty good, Dwenji was very basic. I had really high expectations but I wouldn't wait 40 minutes for that again. It felt like they forgot to add the seasonings. I could appreciate good broth but it didn't even taste like anything either. The service was extremely fast so that was nice. But food was very underwhelming. read more

second time here this week and still love everything about it. the restaurant is entirely bar seating and there aren't many seats so i definitely recommend a reservation, but you can also just join the waitlist. took us about 45 minutes for 2 people on a tuesday night. staff is so friendly and seemed to only be 3 people working the whole place (impressive!) there are only 3 items on the menu and they are made to perfection. the broth is simple and clean and the meat is perfectly thin and flavorful. the kimchi mandoo was my favorite part of the meal. the side of kimchi was also perfect (we asked for more)! they serve popcorn tea as well. the restaurant is cozy and clean, and they provide hangers for coats/bags. there's a speakeasy in the back so there are people walking back and forth, but not so much that it is disruptive. read more

Okdongsik - Kimchi Mandoo Dweji-Gomtang + Extra Pork - Korean Near Me - New York, New York