Queued up for NYC’s classic Korean spot — CDG
📍 Cho Dang Gol
📍 55 W 35th St, New York, NY 10001
Does anyone know why Korean food is so popular in the U.S. 🔥?
Every time I walk past Cho Dang Gol, there’s a crowd. Even though they use a text-notification system for the waitlist, people still hover around nervously, afraid of missing their turn. I’ve heard waits can go up to 2 hours. I left my number early, and still ended up wandering around for over an hour ⏰ before getting the text — the hype is very real.
The restaurant itself is tiny, with only a dozen or so tables packed tightly together. If you choke on your water, you might accidentally spray the table next to you. The wooden tables and chairs are simple, classic, and unpretentious.
Before the meal, they served a complimentary plate of plain tofu. This is what they’re famous for — supposedly freshly ground in-house. The texture is soft and delicate, with a subtle briny note that tastes very “pure.”
🥩 Spicy Galbi Jjim (Spicy Braised Beef Short Ribs) 🌟🌟🌟🌟
$49.99
One of their classic signature dishes, and the portion is generous. The beef is braised until incredibly tender — it practically falls off the bone with a gentle squeeze of the chopsticks. The flavor is classic Korean spicy-sweet, fully infused into the meat. It comes with rice cakes and vegetables (ours had pumpkin squash and carrots), making it extremely satisfying with rice. The spice level is just right, though the overall seasoning leans bold.
🍲 CDG Kimchi Biji (Kimchi Soybean Curd Stew) 🌟🌟🌟
$16.99
Another house specialty, made with their homemade soybean curd. Has anyone ever eaten tofu and thought, “Wow, this tastes incredibly fresh”? It genuinely feels like it went straight from the mill into your bowl. The stew is thick and hearty, with the tangy spice of kimchi and the richness of pork fat. A few spoonfuls in, and you feel completely comforted — perfect for colder weather.
🍆 Eggplant Rice (Dine-in Only) 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
$12.99
A must-order. Shockingly good. Made with chives, eggplant, and soybean paste, it’s not heavily seasoned but incredibly appetizing. We practically fought over the last bites. (Not sure if it’s because I’ve been cutting carbs for too long, but I devoured this dish.)
🥓 Mini Bossam | Pork Wraps 🌟🌟🌟🌟
$20.99
Another standout. Thinly sliced, slow-cooked pork belly served with homemade kimchi. The meat is rich but not greasy. On its own, it’s quite mild, so it really shines when dipped in sauce and paired with green chili peppers and garlic slices. The portion isn’t large, making it ideal for sharing.
🍶 Pear Makgeolli 🌟🌟🌟
$8
Low in alcohol, lightly sweet, with a gentle pear aroma and the soft sweetness of rice wine. Very smooth and refreshing, especially with spicy food. Served in a small bowl, which adds a nice sense of ritual.
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📝 Final Thoughts
Cho Dang Gol absolutely deserves its reputation as one of the most popular Korean restaurants in Koreatown, NYC. While the famous tofu didn’t completely blow me away, several of their other dishes are truly worth the wait — just be prepared to stand in line!
#nyceats #nyckoreanfood #newyorkfood #newyorkeats #nycfoodreview
