Ttobongee
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If you are considering fried chicken , then glaze these beauties . The 3 ds of chicken, crunchy skin , moist meat, salty sweet glaze flavor . VIsit this Local Gem , the people there are polite and nice , ambiance is chill and quiet. I order a 10 piece and ate them all .
Just kinda found ourselves at Ttobongee's out of our need to get something in our guts. There good, we over ordered being on the hungry side. So we got a lot of tasty food all at once. Service was great but a bit lacks. We had one dish that was turned into the kitchen wrong. The waiter hadn't written anything down. Placed by memory. He didn't add it to our tab... nice. Korean fried chicken that's what they do. And it was tasty. We had one dish that was so hot not spicy hot, 700 degree Fahrenheit hot in a stone dish. Be warned...bruh. Last words... I I'll be back.
8.8/10 Overall, a really good and satisfying meal. We started with the Galbi, which was cooked well and flavorful. It leaned on the sweeter side with a noticeable saltiness. The portion was a bit smaller than what I've had at other spots for the price, but it was still enjoyable and well-prepared. My go-to dish here would definitely be the Bibimbap. They only had chicken available (I usually prefer beef), but it still hit the spot. The egg was cooked perfectly, and I loved how the rice crisped up at the bottom of the bowl that texture really made the dish stand out. We also tried the pork dumpling soup, which was comforting and delicious. It honestly tasted like a Korean-style chicken noodle soup warm, savory, and perfect for a chilly day. The kimchi came in a small order but was very generous in portion and full of flavor. Service was fast and efficient, which I appreciated. The ambiance was clean and welcoming, with a cool Korean chicken style vibe. Even the bathroom stood out, very clean and nicely designed.
Service was awesome- food was very filling and alot. Came out hot and fresh. got the 2 flavors regular and Korean chili. The regular was light and flaky and the other when it cooled became glazed and sweet. Both were very meaty and filled you up. We also got the fried rice with chicken it was also very good.
An amazing find and I'm definitely coming back!! A lot on the menu to choose from, service is great and seating/parking are good. First time here and I got a half order of their OG chicken, rice and kimchee. Make sure you bring an empty stomach, super big portions!! As soon as you get to the door, you are embraced by the smell of fried chicken!
Found this spot on Yelp and decided to give it a try. Bibimbap was okay though I have had better. Service was order at counter and then wait for food to be brought out. Very small restaurant. The zucchini was the highlight of the dish. Very fresh.
One of my best friends in Chicago is Korean. I made tteokbokki for her one time and her mom said it was really good. I guess that makes me a connoisseur right? My sister was raving about this chicken and said I had to try it. So here we went. She likes the Yang Nyum so we ordered that, and the k honey because honey drizzled on fried chicken is gods gift to earth. We also got the dduk bok gi because I gotta see what this place is working with and how they stack up. Dduk bok gi comes out super steamy hot and very brothy. Definitely spicy like it supposed to be, and it includes a whole mess of fish cake. The chicken also comes out super hot and slathered in sauce / honey. They know what they're doing so the chicken stays crispy even though it's coated in the flavoring. Now here's the amazing part: I ordered the wings/drums combo. I expected drumettes but they served full on drumsticks!! I can plow through wings but when they're full sized drums... sheeeesh! Definitely a good serving and size for your dollar. I would definitely recommend this spot for anyone with a hankering for good fried chicken. KFC may use 11 herbs and spices.... But they're definitely missing gochugaru.
Tried it out for the first time on Saturday afternoon. Portion was big for 2 half sizes & 2 different flavors. Chicken is crispy. Customer service was great. Small little whole in the wall w great good! Would definitely come back again!
In a little plaza, the restaurant was small. Seems like this is the only place to get Korean fried chicken in Monterey, I was excited and craving some fried chicken too, but was disappointed in the lack of flavor and freshness in the chicken and bibimbap. Wished there was customization in ordering the half and half chicken. Was seated down quickly and ordered #2 - Yang Nyum Chicken (combo - 5 drum and 10 wings) ($32.99) and #K4 - Dol Sot bibimbap ($18.99) . Waited about 15 minutes food which is reasonable. I think I noticed was that the table across had gloves for their fried chicken, we did not receive any, so there are some inconsistencies. When mixing into the bibimbap: super wet rice, no mushrooms, chewy unseasoned meat which definitely was NOT a ribeye meat which is a standard meat when making bulgogi. At $18.99, I can find a really tasty bibimbap in the Bay Area. The Korean fried chicken was disappointing! Saucy outside, but had no seasoning on the inside. For a full chicken, it realistically looked more like half of chicken, had to count that there were 15 pieces of chicken, since there were a few small pieces. One positive is that the meat was tender, but contained a lot tendons. Needless to say, the food was meh, I would not go again!
There are not enough stars to rate this restaurant. Atmosphere is perfect for the food. Service was great. Happy staff, singing in the prep area. Then the food. Oh my the food. Delicious. Chicken full of flavor. kimchi pancake that was incredible. Will be back again and again.
1 year ago
Business owner information
Steve T.
Thank you Hernan! We really appreciate the kind words. We're thrilled…
3 years ago
We ordered to go and they gave us a 20-25 minute wait. By the time we showed up everything was ready to go. The food was fresh and still piping hot when we got back to our hotel which was a 10 minute drive. The parking lot is small so would recommend not rolling up with a large party. We ordered: Half and half chicken Japchae Sweet potato fries Bimbimbap Bottle of Soju The least favorite was probably the bimbimbap and the most favorite was the chicken. But next time I'd just go with the one with sauce and skip the original. While this was not "the best" Korean fried chicken I've had, it was still delicious and fixed my cravings. Everything totaled to about $95+. read more
Definitely one of my must go-to spots when I'm in Monterey ! It's located in the small plaza behind Safeway . Restaurant is very small but it gives you the moms/pops feels- hole in the wall type of restaurant Customer service :5/5 They are always welcoming and friendly ! It is on the expensive side but the food is so good and worth it ! One of the best chicken wings places ever ! Maybe the best or on par with the famous San Tung in SF! I came here twice so far and both times the food ( actually every single dish) came out delicious ! Never dissatisfied They are known for their chicken wings so it's a must try: - Soy garlic chicken wings : 5/5 - prob my favorite flavor here and definitely a must try flavor if you had to pick one !! In particular this taste, texture and style is similar to San Tung's. - Jalapeño wings: 5/5 - wasn't as spicy as expected but nevertheless still good ! - Korean sweet chili:5/5 - my second fav flavor I also ordered: - Sweet potato Fries :5/5 - just the right amount of crunch and softness - kimchi fried rice w/ spam and egg:5/5 - can never go wrong with this dish ! - japchae: 5/5 - another classic dish to have read more
5 years ago
What a cute little shop with some delicious food! I was in the Pacific Grove area and my friends and I were craving some Korean Fried Chicken. The worker taking my order was also SO sweet and really friendly. We had a big order, so I appreciated the fact that they packaged everything into a bigger box so we could carry everything easily. Totally come check this place out for some KFC and other Korean foods! -- - Half Yang Nyum Chicken ($15.99) // Super crispy and flavorful chicken! I liked the slight amount of heat and the sweetness that came through with the sauce. The chicken also came with pickled daikon that added a perfect amount of freshness and crunch with every bite of chicken! read more
2 years ago
Went there recently. It changed from my first time going in 2020. FRIED CHICKEN - yangyum 10/10 always my favorire just pricey KIMCHI PANCAKE- good 7/10 FISH CAKE SOUP- Needed some spice maybe a combo soup with Kimchi, fishcakes and tofu would be better 5/10 JAP CHAE - 10/10 VERY GOOD didnt have any sesame oil taste to it VERY GOOD MANDOS (pot stickers) GOOD. 8/10 SERVICE- didnt being water until asked and only gave 2 cups for 3 people. She mixed our order with someone else, we had to correct her. She seemed a little over welmed and under expierenced. Not very attentive. Items came out at random times . Not together as id think. Oh yeah not to mention. I DONT THINK THERE WAS A KOREAN PERSON IN SITE read more
I found this hole in the wall spot by accident while I was trying to find a Thai restaurant I had ordered food from while I was vacationing in the area. I decided to look it up and what do you know, it had a perfect 5-star rating and I had to get some food from here as well. I called and ordered the half and half. The location is tiny and not much to look at. They have a couple of tables on a balcony-type setup and the inside is closed off. The guy who "helped" me was curt...told me "we only open at 4" with an attitude. You could have told me that when I called in to order buddy, I did not have to get your food. Anyways, the chicken was decent. Might have tasted better if the guy was friendlier. read more
2 years ago
Ordered the half and half.. Chicken was cooked to perfection, not sure if they make their own batter in house or if it's premixed. It Does taste premixed, nothing wrong with that but batter could be better. The galbi beef was too strong on the lemon grass, very tough couldn't chew, plate was small didn't think it was worth the price of $32. Overall we give 3 stars read more
So what happens when you miss the turn to the Trader Joe's parking lot? You find a nice gem of a restaurant! Soon as we saw the sign "Korean Fried Chicken" we knew we had to try it. We're glad we did! We kept it simple, a half-order of the Ttobongee original fried chicken and an order of the chap chae (they spell it jab chae) noodles. The chicken is moist yet has a good crunch, just the mildest of spiciness. Very addicting! My son couldn't get enough of the jab chae, I was impressed with the variety of veggies. At first I thought the price was a little high, but after the meal we had at least one meal's worth of leftovers. That's value. It's always fun to find a nice dining surprise. We can't wait to return when they can offer dining in. My son is already fantasizing about trying the kim chee spam fried rice. We'll be back. We visit here from LA frequently, so imagine finding a good Korean eatery here in Pacific Grove. read more
Yes, we usually come here for the half order chicken: 3 drums+6 wings. Pick your sauce(s). Comes with a side radish. Rice cake and red hot dogs are off the hook good and delicious here. Best ones I've had in a very long time. Red hot dogs were excellent in taste. This is actually the best location for delicious Korean flavored fried chicken compared to other locations in the San Francisco Bay Area. Casual good vibes inside. It is common to see U.S. military soldiers dine-in or takeout around here since it's not far from military/defense language institution and CSU Monterey. U.S. Navy soldiers were eating inside. Love everything about it. Excellent customer service. This location is very small though. Lots of public parking outside in the lot. It's like an old shed place/old building/old plaza. Overall, this chain has decent chicken selections and appetizers. You can order other smaller bowl items. Not far from visiting Cannery Row or downtown Monterey. I rate this one excellent for flavors, texture, and taste of fried chicken. Highly recommended. Place reminds me of military service days where soldiers just hang out and chill during lunchtime. A small traditional Safeway is located at the next plaza down same street. Definitely finger licking good. No rush and no long lines. Public restroom is spacious and well maintained in back. Try crispy honey flavor or BBQ anything. Love these small businesses. We will be revisiting again. Absolutely the best Korean flavored fried chicken chain if you're looking for droopy marinated sauces that are so good and so delicious. Fresh and soft white colored chicken meat! Can't stop licking my own fingers here, haha. read more
2 years ago
Highly recommend if you are looking for Korean food in Monterey! We got the soy sauce garlic wings (full size - 20 wings) for 2 people and it was A LOT of food. I recommend getting the half size for 2 and sharing other appetizers. The full size was so much for us that we couldn't really eat anything else because we were so full. Soy sauce garlic wings were definitely the move!! It was an explosion of flavors: sweet, savory, garlicky, spicy. Just the perfect combo for chicken wings. Every wing was coated perfectly and crazy crispy with every bite. I cant recommend this place enough. Hands down the best korean chicken wings I have ever had - definitely beats the ones out here in LA. Service was great! It's a small shop with only a few staff so food can take some time to come. Wings are made to order so expect a little bit of a wait especially if there are several parties. I loved the vibe of this location, it was divey and dim. Great for dates and catching up because it's not too loud and you can actually have a conversation at the table. Also, liked that they have a parking lot right up front. It can get a little hectic but we were able to find parking pretty easily. read more
1 year ago
Was pleasantly surprised to actually find good Asian food in Monterey lol. The chicken is decent size and is sooooo juicy. 2 orders of chicken is plenty for 2 people. They also offer other Korean dishes, but I would recommend just sticking with the chicken here. Oh, and skip out on the tteokbokki - wasn't worth it. read more
If you are a fan of really good fried chicken, or have had Korean fried chicken anywhere else in the big cities, you'd understand my deep need to visit this establishment the first chance I had. It's one of those comfort foods that I'd easily drop $50+ without second thought as nothing pairs so well with a couple good beers (or more) than good ol'well-seasoned fried chicken. Some people may come here ordering just the variations of the wings but my friends and I who grew up on this know there is only one route to go. Everyone orders a whole spring chicken, a couple beers, sits in a circle waiting for about 15-20 minutes chatting up excitedly about life until the food arrives. The next 5-10 minutes becomes mostly silent exceptional the occasional sigh of satisfaction or the unexpected burp from having chugged a whole beer. It's a unique and satisfying experience. One worth repeating often once people can dine in again. So here I was driving home as fast as I could with a whole spring chicken. Laid it out on a plate and grabbed a couple cold pilsners and began my 5 minute process of obliterating that awesomeness in front of me. It was good. Really good. Every part with its unique flavor and texture all coming together to satisfy the palate. It was really good. So good I just had to write a review and look forward to the next time I have it again. Definitely stoked to have a chicken spot like this in Monterey! read more
Wow! Very authentic and super delicious. The owner was very kind and made the customer service outstanding! We got 2 half orders consisting of Green Onion chicken and Korean Sweet Chili chicken, an order of tteokbokki, sausage/rice cake skewers, and Korean fried whole chicken. Everything was amazing/absolutely DELISH and the chicken Drumsticks are where it's at!!! The tteokbokki is pretty spicy so be warned.. But the Yang-Nyum chicken was definitely more on the sweet/sticky heat than spicy! Most definitely do Not forget to eat this meal with a side of pickled radish! So happy we were able to try this place out. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
We visit Monterey and Carmel once a year, and we have been to this spot, possibly 5 times... decent fried chicken! Awesome price and value! But the last few times, it's the atmosphere! The service from the folks here is the best! And that whole chicken dish? Is so unique. I have not seen any of the other spots have this on their menu, and this order comes whole guys, possible request to get it chopped up!... I can be a little bigger bird, but that's the fat boy talking! Lol! See you guys next year! read more
4 years ago
I loved both of the flavors we chose:Yang Nam and Soy sauce and garlic sauce. We ordered a side of white rice as well. Each bite was full of flavor and yummy juicy chicken. This was a late night snack for us and it did not disappoint. Loved the Yang Nam flavor. Highly recommend if you're in the Carmel area. Yummy. read more
So I have been looking forward to trying Ttobongee chicken wings for quite some time. I've missed the crispy, flavorful Korean wings I used to get from Bonchon when I lived in VA. Finally, my husband and I stopped in and picked up some wings to take home. They are conveniently located in the small plaza behind Mezzaluna Pasteria. We were undecided on flavors. My husband loves the very spicy (Maip Dak it is), I love the flavors of Gal Bi and I thought my mom would enjoy the soy garlic the most. We ordered three half orders with a split of flappers and drums. The friendly people taking our order advised that it would be about 15 minutes before they were ready. Perfect! I will say the one thing that surprised me was the price. Three half orders of wings (no drinks or sides) ran about $57 before tip. A bit high in my opinion, but isn't everything here on the Monterey Bay. We received the wings on time as promised and headed home to dig in. They were hot even after the short drive home. The first thing I noticed was the very light breading. I liked this in comparison to Bonchon as I always thought their breading, although super crispy, was heavy. However, where Bonchon wings were loaded with flavor, I felt these lacked a bit. As much as I wanted to love them, the flavor for me fell short. Perhaps a bit more sauce after frying would have remedied the lack of flavor. I'm honestly not sure that I'll go back to try them again. So many good reviews so maybe we just hit them on a bad day. However at that price point, I would think they would be consistent. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
The chicken is not bad, but I have had much better Korean fried chicken in both Hawaii and Los Angeles though. The Kimchi is good, but the portion is small in my opinion. read more
These are the best Korean fried chicken wings I have tasted with my little taste buds. Wow just wow. As I'm writing this review, I can't help but imagine my fingers all over the must-try yang nyum wings. When I think of restaurants that are holes-in-the-wall, Ttobongee is it. My partner and I ordered from outside the door as we were greeted by our wonderful servers who were the most kind, attentive, and funny people ever. We shared a large order of the yang nyum wings with sides of rice and sat outside under the shade. It must have been the combination of the perfect weather and the scrumptious sweet-n-sour flavor of these wings, but I was so content the entire meal with a huge smile on my face. On top of the delicious wings, our two servers were having the time of their lives singing to each other and trying to hit the high notes haha! I told them that we should all go to karaoke the next time I come back to the area. Happy eating : ) you better not pass up on this place!!! read more
2 years ago
1 year ago
Business owner information
Steve T.
Hey Nancy, I’m sorry to hear about your experience at checkout.…
OMG!!! We thought seafood would be the best choice...but it's not!!! This place is hands down best food I've had in Monterey The chicken is crispy, juicy, and sooooo flavorful. Best, friendliest service too! I would eat here every night, lol!!! The restaurant is small, but cute and nice outdoor seating. So YUM!!! read more
Business owner information
Steve T.
Thank you for your nice review
5 years ago
Ttobongee is a true KFC (Korean Friend Chicken) which is always cooked to order and I recommend eating it there and not have it be delivered. You'll get the crunchiest and delicious chicken there. Since they cook everything to order, yes, it will take a while - they will tell you it may take up to 30 minutes, depending on how many orders they are cooking ahead of yours. So, if you are starving, I recommend ordering something like shrimp chips or something - I promise it's well worth the wait!!! If you are new to Korean fried chicken, try their "original" first. It is not aggressivly seasoned yet it has a kick. read more
5 years ago
Can I give your fantastic food & service 6 stars ? We stopped by on our way home from Carmel. I order 2 favorite bibimbob with egg & tofu & devoured all, super full. My parents ordered boneless soy garlic chicken, chicken japchae , French fries, & gal bi ( grill beef short ribs served with rice were phenomenal. Plus a waitress is very friendly , went out of her way to accommodate us. Seating is limited and over counter top in front that has propane heaters. Lastly this place is small, cute but too bad have strong windy & they have only 2 blankets for us. So I just paid and all of us eat in the car. My parents is happy & satisfied. read more
2 years ago
5 years ago
I was looking for Korean fried chicken and came upon this place...still can't believe there is such a place here. Called in an order so I can go in, pay and leave. It was gonna take 20 minutes which was fine since I was 10 minutes out. This is a must so you don't end up waiting too long for your order especially when it gets super busy. Customer Service: Pleasant Price: Expensive Food Quality: Excellent, NO visible feathers and NO smelly chicken essence that sometimes accompanies this foul. Taste: Excellent, Excellent, Excellent!! The original flavor was very tasty and seasoned just right, spice heat was mild. The yang nyum flavor was sweet with a mild spicy sticky taste. Will definitely return when the craving arises. read more
5 years ago
This hidden spot is the wing heaven. Best wings in the area. Very authentic Korean style fried chicken. Staff is very friendly and excellent customer service. Food is delicious. Must try is their #7 MAIP DAK for spicy lovers. Highly recommend if you have not tried this place. read more
3 years ago
I saw the positive reviews, and was in the area for dinner. It was fine, but nothing special if you live in Silicon Valley or SF. The best dish was the fried chicken, but I don't think it was as good as Bonchon. The dol sot bibimbap was good. The Korean hot dog (which was a fish cake sausage) was pretty bad, and the topoki (rice cake noodles in spicy tomato sauce) was a bit soupy and bland. Service was friendly, and the restaurant itself was a bit of a cozy hole in the wall type of place. read more
4 years ago
This spot is fire! So delicious! My daughter and I shared a half serving of the boneless Yang Nyum chicken and oh my goodness! It was fried to perfection and the flavor whew sweet chili was soo good and not too spicy. We each got an order of sodduk sodduk, which is the best I've had in my opinion, and a Korean corn dog! Best Korean food Ive ever had! I didn't get his name but the man that took our order was very nice and funny! You can tell the staff all get along well, very homey like feeling. Do not sleep on this place! read more
2 years ago
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6 years ago
Best chicken wings ever! We ordered some and went back the same afternoon, only hours later to order more! Then came right back a couple days later to get 40 wings for a family of four to devour. It's that good!! Highly recommend the yang nyum flavor. It is the perfect amount of sweet and spicy. The crunchiness is on point. It hits the right spot! Easiest way is to call and order and pick up. I'm excited to try others on the menu when we're back in town. So glad to get more diverse cuisines in PG! read more
3 years ago
Tasty Korean food! Spicy, but flavorful. The tteokbokki came with fish cakes but the restaurant graciously made it vegetarian by keeping only the rice cakes in the sauce. Simple place, good food, and good customer service. read more
2 years ago
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Ask the Community - Ttobongee
Is anything gluten free?
Yes, there are dishes like Bi Bim Bop, Bulgogi, and Galbi which are all gluten free.
Do they use Gochojang sauce in their spicy one?
I can't say for certain as I didn't ask about their recipe, but I had the Half and half chicken and the spicy one definitely tasted like it had gochujang in it. I'm a huge fan of gochujang though so I loved it.
Is all the chicken spicy? And how hot is the medium spicy, is it actually pretty hot? Would like to give this place a try but it seems they cater to the spicy-only, take-it-or-leave-it crowd, which would count me out.
Yang nyum is level 1 spicy. I can't do that much spice and it's perfect for me. It's enough spice to clear out the sinuses and still have flavor. It's really good.
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