Dong II Jang Restaurant

Love this place for its kimchi fried rice and sweet hospitality !
I came here one afternoon with the oppa and we ordered the brisket and the roast gui (this comes with the kimchi fried rice)! It’s a little bit on the pricier side but affordable for great quality! The waitress kept on refilling our sides whenever we finished it so that was really nice ! The meal was fantastic for us two and the kimchi fried rice at the end is so good !! (: to finish up your meal they give you a glass of shikhye which is a rice drink! So refreshing after all that meat !
The restaurant has its own small lot and when you walk in it has this old vibe to it ! I’m pretty sure it used to be a Japanese sushi restaurant… The oomakase set up is still there and posters of different tuna lol: P

This review is for their cold noodles (mool neng myun). I ordered a regular serving plus an extra side order (salee), the noodles were clumped and it was the worst I had. The broth had no taste. I have tried neng myun at pretty much all the restaurants in ktown. When you order extra noodles, it comes in the same stainless bowl but it came in a dish, what the heck? It’s not a side dish.
I was there a week ago for the roast gui, sliced ribeye and that was good.
Never coming here for the cold noodles.

SERVICE
+ Good. They Cook the meat for us.
FOOD
+ Good quality meat. Must get Roast Gui.
+ Dont forget the Kimchi Fried Rice at the end. So delicious.
DRINK
+ Iced Cold Hite /​/​Good

Forgive me if this is your favorite traditional Korean restaurant since I’m just the guy that occasionally goes to AYCE Korean BBQs. I got suckered into coming here from Anthony Bourdain’s show.
First things first, service sucked. Big time. I suppose it has something to do with the fact I didn’t look local, since I saw tables around us sitting locals get way better and faster service-​even people that came after us. Took waitress 20 minutes (on the clock) to appear to us (I just just about to get up and leave) and when she came she did not ask us if we want to drink something or bring some water-​just handed us off menus and left for another 15 minutes. The place was not even busy with roughly 15 people inside. When she appeared again, she was not very helpful, didn’t offer to explain the menu or ask if we had been in Korean BBQ before. She never appeared to help us with cooking either or tell us that we should turn around the Kimchi frying rice so it won’t burn-​something that all Korean BBQs I have been at do– heck many of them even practically cook the meal for you. Getting the check was another 15−20minutes ordeal. I don’t know if they dislike non-​Korean people or we looked like tourists, but if you show your restaurant in a CNN documentary you’d better be prepared to treat visitors nicer.
Now as to the menu. Apparently to get kimchy fried rice you must get non marinated meats because the drippings (which by the time the kimchy fried rice started prepping had all burned and stuck to the bottom of the pan) add so much extra flavor. So if you want to try their signature dish you are stuck with non-​marinated expensive options only (I love my bulgogi). I suppose the idea of changing a cooking pan (they didn’t change the cooking pan once as opposed to every other Korean BBQ I have been) and cooking some kimchy fried rice while writing at the menu that «We recommend taking unmarinated meats so we cook the rice in there and make it more flavorful» has totally excaped them.
As to the food now. Portions were definitely smaller than the ones shown at the Bourdain show. Not sure if quantity of meat is influenced by us not being locals too. The meat quality was a click above AYCE places but nothing special. They cook their food not on an actual BBQ but on a heated pan rubbed with Margarine, meaning fat has no way to drip down-​hello cholesterol and goodbye grilled flavor. At the end of grilling the meats we were left very hungry and then came the kimchy fried rice. The rice now was the saving grace of the place-​really good and original flavor. After eating it all we finally felt full.
70 $ + tip for 2 persons with no alcohol. Freaking Benihana is better value than this and includes a free show and someone else cooking your food for you. Not even going to start about AYCE places. And service is infinitely better than here. Can’t see myself coming here again-I’ll try to reproduce the kimchy fried rice at home.

Great food. 40 years plus and the taste is the same. BUT VERIFY the check. This is not the first time the tab was overcharged. But the overcharging is not discriminatory — they screw Koreans and non-​Koreans alike so don’t take it personally! A bad ending to an otherwise good food experience.

If your looking for authentic original Korean Bbq place there is no place better than here ! The daeng Jang jigae (bean paste soup) is the best here and from top to bottom of the menu is all top notch quality. The meat quality here is beyond better than most and if I’m looking for that Korean food that resembles my granparents cooking I come here

Last time I went to this restaurant was 15 years ago. I saw it on Anthony Bourdain: parts unknown, Korea-​town. I instantly felt nostalgic for the old school style Kbbq from my childhood. I bookmarked it immediately on my Unilocal and it only took me 3 more years to finally make it back here. When you walk in it feels like a time warp… Nothing has changed. The thick wood tables, polyester waitress uniforms and the yummy table side BBQ. I ordered the Rose Gui which was cooked in butter then turned into a yummy Kim chee fried rice! 2 dinners in 1! I am however taking 1 star off because we weren’t given the shredded green onions that traditionally comes with this dish and when we asked about it, they said they don’t serve it unless requested because most people don’t like it. Huh??? What???

first time here and I absolutely enjoyed my time here! The food was well worth the price. The place is nicely decorated, which to my taste went with the restaurant. I will definitely come again!

This place is the best roast beef korean bbq place in ktown with service to boot. Traditional authentic korean bbq experience.
Warning! This place is not your cheap all you can eat joint with low quality meat. If you like cheap low quality meat? This place is not for you.
I learned my lesson after i visited one few weeks back and never doing that crap again.
If you come? You Must try kobe roast beef! For those who dont know? Its not named after kobe bryant… lol even the white rice they serve with all of there meal is something to mention. I have been eating white rice as long as i can remember for the past 40years and i have never tasted rice this good any where.
The fried rice with kimchi chigae after is the game finisher. I always walk out with a smile and a full stomach.
Always a great experience! Thank you keep up the

Man… I can’t believe this place still exists.
This is the OG kbbq place… when there only used to be Roast Gui (thinly sliced roast beef).
I hate roast gui but this is the only place I can have it.
Their kobe roast gui is unbelieveable.
They also serve some real good lunch specials but that only during M-​F non holidays so I’ll never get to try it.
They also have yukhae bibimbap (raw beef mixed rice).
It was ok but the portion is kinda small and the mushrooms were kinda over powering the flavor of the dish. Kinda pricey too.
So this is a good place, but on the pricey side (not ayce to what I remember) and old school.
Old ladies barely speak english and the place is a bit old school looking inside. Nearing dingy.

Ms. Yoon is pretty rude and made the first 5 minutes very unpleasant by barking rules at us not letting us order what we wanted. Clearly they will not let you order marinated meat at the same time as non-​marinated meat. After the ordering ordeal was over the food was very good. Service was prompt. But Ms. Yoon — she needs to work on her customer service skills!

Do NOT ever go there. I went there to eat premium Korean BBQ with my family. It was one of the worst experiences I ever I had eating out.
They sat us down and we found out that the price of each person was around $ 30. Great. I expected the meat to at least not be frozen but they gave us frozen B-​rated meat. When we roasted the meat, the quality of the meat was so bad I felt like I was chewing into a rubber. This was a complete scam. At least give us a better quality meat if you’re going to charge us $ 30.
Their service was just as terrible. It was not a busy hour and the servers did not seem that busy at all but they never seemed to care about their customers. The only time the servers came to our table was when the food came out and they never even tried to come back. I am not asking for services from 5 star restaurant but at least try to refill our water cups when we ask. Instead, they were too busy talking to their regular customers that they hardly noticed that we were even there. The service was so bad to the point where when we left, the servers just ignored us and need I need to mention that it was not a busy hour AT ALL.
I wouldn’t have complained if either the food or the service was redeemable but since neither weren’t, I’m giving this place a one star. Do not ever go there.

I came this restaurant just for cod dish so my experience is very limited and my rate is based on the cod dish only as for the food.
Cod dish was the best and exactly how I wanted! the portion wasn’t that generous thou.
The restaurant itself seems pretty old, 80’s style? Nothing wrong but wished a lil more updated.
Service wasn’t impressive but not bad either.

Solid 4 stars that has been tested many times over.
Dong Il Jang is one of the most OG K bbq restaurants in Ktown. In case you didn’t know midst all the latest trendy K bbq places like KHD (which I also love, btw), is that Dong Il Jang has been around since the eighties when K town was truly K town with only Korean people frequenting restaurants.
I remember coming here as a child and one of my earliest Ktown dining experiences was their famous roast gui. I love, love, loved their kimchi fried rice at the end, and I used to ask my parents to take me here for my birthday every year.
Since then, my palate has changed, I’ve gotten older, and Ktown offers so many more choices, but Dong Il Jang still delivers solid, consistent, reliable K food. I’d come back in a heartbeat, but at the same time, it’s not my first choice.
One of the most underrated item on their menu is gopchang jongol, which my hubby LOVES. If you’ve been curious about this intestines dish, this restaurant is where you want to try this. Gamey, but so flavorful and delicious, you will wonder how you could have missed this in your life for so long.
I love that their décor, their waitress uniforms, and even the people that work there have not changed in 20+ years. I went back yesterday, and I recognized the gentleman that was clearing tables from 20 years ago, and even a waitress that has been there for the same amount of time. I was strangely happy and excited to see them.
I hope Dong Il Jang will be around for another 30 years… many fond memories of this OG Kbbq place and hopefully many more to come. Dong Il Jang is like Korean Lawry’s for me… you step into the restaurant and it’s like time has stood still. Although price for sure has not, lol.

Just had another great meal at Dong Il Jang! This place never fails!
We had BBQ Shrimp (marinated) & BBQ Kalbi. Both tasted sooo good– shrimp was perfectly marinated (not too salty) & their kalbi, never fails!
We ordered Shrimp Tempura for the kids and they just gobbled it up! We usually get the
«so-go-gi-twi-gim”(fried minced beef) but it was a nice change with this tempura. Delish!
Their «ban-chan”(side dishes) was great as always-​especially marinated cucumbers (sweet & sour w/​little red pepper). I think my mom ate 3 plates by herself!
We will definitely go back to Dong Il Jang for a night out of KBBQ meal! I really want to try sitting on the floor room in the back next time.

The reception for Verizon is terrible inside, so make sure you read your Unilocal reviews before you go!
Best 2 things to order:
Kalbi — you can never go wrong with korean short ribs
Japchae — they make the potato noodles deliciously!
Gui (we got #1 unknowingly. it kept getting overcooked and turned out stiff). but the one time we timed it right it was quite tender and delicious with the sauce.
Dolsop Bimbimbap — yum as usual, nothing that stood out moreso than other places.
Kimchi Fried Rice (with minimum 2 orders of Gui) — they make it for you at the end, mm. very good! I just wish it would be ready to eat with the meat.
Seafood Pancake — good, but not as good as Kobawoo or other places in Ktown.
We had a filling meal for 7 people — just under $ 300 with tax and tip. No barley tea though, only green tea.

You need to spend money here if you really want to be full, but my lord it’s phenomenal. Whenever my Korean bbq loving buddies from Hawaii roll into town this is usually where I take them. It’s easily top 3, if not the best in Korea Town in my humble opinion.

i love me a ktown establishment that’s NOT ayce and have survived the changing tides of the dining scene in LA. Friends have long called dong il jang as one of their fave go to places for a meaty night.
I’m a big unmarinated meat (in particular brisket) fan and I was really looking forward to the crack rice aka kimchee fried rice they serve at the end.
My friend and I ordered their Roast Gui #2 as reco’d by many on Unilocal,threw in an order of the kobe ribeye, meul nengmyun (water noodles lol), and topped it all off with the rice.
I don’t know how much butter this place gets through a night — i imagine bucket loads — but it definitely does a lot for that first round of meat that gets grilled. That first chopstick load, dipped in the sesame sauce, MELTS IN YOUR MOUTH.
Unfortunately, for the $ 32.50 that you pay per portion, it just doesn’t remain that memorable. The ribeye, in particular was somewhat of a disappointment. I’m not sure if it was because by that time, we were both getting full, but I’ve had more tender cuts at cheaper ayce places. Wah~wah.
The side dishes are decent, the noodles were great, and yes the rice IS good (although again, there is a LOT of butter that goes into it). Service was okay too. The crowd was pretty diverse, all ages and different ethnicities.
Overall, it was a solid meal, a 4 course meal (roast gui + ribeye + noodles + fried rice) that we each shelled out $ 70 (including tax and tip). Would I go back? maybe if I wasn’t paying… and it would depend on how good this leftover rice tastes tomorrow. Would I spend $ 70 over a 3 course meal at a restaurant with a cute waiter with a french accent instead? most likely.
3.5 stars out of 5.

I’ve been coming to this restaurant for over 20 years now & it is hands down my favorite restaurant. The roast gui is a must have. They now offer several different options, but I usually stick with the medium marbled one. The more marbled the roast gui is, the yummier, but it is pretty expensive. The kimchi fried rice at the end of the meal is to die for & so perfect to end the meal.
I often times get the mul naeng myun, too, which I think is pretty good here. The noodles are of perfect thickness, but the soup is a hit or miss depending on when you go.

Horrible experience. The service was Rude! BBQ was not enough to even makes people full. Nothing special, I can eat their food all around Korean town

So my bf and I came to this place Saturday around 2pm. Ordered rice cake dumpling and short rib soup. Nothing especial about this place. Pricey food, taste msg, awful! My soup see picture –you can drown w pretty much all rice cake what the hell is that. Soup is plain. Disappointed not coming back here again !!! Who’s in the kitchen need to be fired!

We saw this restaurant featured in one of Anthony Bourdain’s show… they are very friendly, and the servers are so cute in their uniforms. It doesnt get so loud, unlike many KBBQ place. We love the Abalone porridge… goes well with the meats. Check this place out, good quality food!

Foods and service are so so. They seem to don’t speak in English only korean when serving us. I would rather eat ayce from oo-​kok just 1 block away.

This place is not all you can eat but I still liked it. I’m repeating everyone else’s comments but A) Get Gui (#2 is ok) B) The Kim Chi Fried Rice makes everything worthwhile C) Jap Chae is actually really good too D) Service is awesome
TIP: COOK YOUR OWN MEAT. Do not be scared to do so! They have amazing service but it’s really ok to intervene. Otherwise the meat will be overcooked and that’s not how it should be.

I came here in search of intestine stew. I know that sounds gross but its actually very delicious! But I know that its not for everyone but give it a try seriously.
It was around $ 50 for 2 servings but keep in mind that intestine stew is very hard to make and hard to find in this part of the world lol. Anyways it was so good here! I usually go to Han IL Guan for it but it was so crowded we decided to give this place a chance and I am glad that we did! The broth had a cleaner after taste if that makes any sense aha and the portion was hugeee.
Service is so good here its ridiculous. The sweet ladies that work here are required to wear this vintage style one piece dress with a cute little apron and I just thought that was adorable. They all look good in it!
This place also has bbq so I will be coming back to try it. Also there was no valet parking the night I came, which is pretty rare for a place in ktown.

An old standby for traditional Korean food. Most people are introduced to Korean food through Korean BBQ. This place has a full menu of all the traditional dishes – soups, stews, fish, etc. It’s not as extensive as a BBQ place, but there is the option of Korean BBQ. Best part is the kimchi fried rice they make for you on the grill at the end.

This place is not AYCE. Parking lot can get packed so be aware of that. I’ve came here multiple times but realized I never wrote a review about this place.
This place is one of the oldest restaurants in Koreatown and I only know this because my dad told me… about 10 years ago. It’s super old school style, the tables, booths, and the uniforms worn by the waitresses.
So i heard Anthony Bourdain came here and had los gui. Yes, you should do just the same and make sure to get the kimchi bokkeumbob afterwards.

This is the place I go when I want Korean Bbq.
Pros
No waiting
NOT all you can eat SO quality of meat is good
Quiet environment
At the end of the meal fried the rice! It taste so good!
Usually when you go to kbbq you smell soooo bad afterwards. This place give you a lighter smell so you wont be disgusted at yourself when you are contained in the car.
CONS
They need to update the interior. The chairs are so old, I sink in them… let’s not talk about the bathroom.
Not so friendly service
Not the best side dish
Their cold noodle is not thr best.
I dont know if this is bad or good… They put so much butter whe they make the fried rice… but it makes it taste so goooooood…

Came here for a friend’s birthday dinner.
This is not an AYCE Korean bbq restaurant, which works out well for me since it prevents me from overeating :)
The meat here is excellent and the sides are ok. Price is ok. Service is very good. But the overall experience here was just ok.

Walked up to the ancient looking wooden doors and was pleasantly surprised on a saturday night. Not your typical hustle and bustle of a KBBQ eatery. Turned out to be a nice and quiet family dinner! Love the antique décor from the writings on the wall, down to the seats. It’s great food and good service! Had two of each number 3’s and 27’s and Beef Brisket and Kimchi Fried Rice which satisfied a party of five.
Not a cheap eatery but its definitely worth it. Oops, you did it again Bourdain

I ordered the chadol (brisket) and ros gui. My total was $ 53. The meal included the two servings of meat, side dishes, beef/​turnip broth soup, and kimchi fried rice (the best part). It was a lot for two people, but may be a bit short for three hungry adults.
–Service was great
–Parking lot available
–Décor is like an old Chinese restaurant, not a looker.
–both entrees of meat were frozen. I know this is standard for the brisket, but I’m not sure about the ros gui.
–side dishes were great!

I HAVE to dock my review.
I ate here last night and I feel awful.
I think they use a ton of MSG here because I woke up puffy with hives, which is how I usually react to MSG. Too bad, won’t be coming here again.

Can you believe this restaurant is older than I am? Yup, it’s been here for over 30 years… back when Koreatown was drastically different from how it is right now. Not many restaurants have stayed in business for this long. It is one of the few. This restaurant is historical as well as timeless. You see waitresses still dressed in their old school uniforms like the waitresses at Lawrys.
So let me tell you what they are famous and especially known for. You have to order their Roast-​Gui which means ribeye meat. They have three kinds of rib eye meat that you can choose from. The more marblelized, the more tender as well as more expensive. They also give you a dipping sauce made out of sesame oil and salt. After you cook the meat on your (OWN) grill with butter, you dip the meat into the sauce and eat it with a side of salad that they serve on the house. The meat is tender and good, just like any other korean bbq restaurants.
BUT THE BEST PART OF THIS PLACE IS THEIR INFAMOUS KIMCHI FRIED RICE AT THE END. AGain, this is standard of most korean bbq restaurants but I swear this is one of the best. Maybe it’s the butter that they use. Anyway they add the rice, red pepper paste, kimchee, sesame oil, and butter on top of the grease that is already left on the grill from the cooked meat. Mix it all up and VOILA PURE fatty, carb saturated Deliciousness.

Dong Il Jang is like the Lawry’s of kbbq. This place is old school and classic. There are faded sepia pictures near the cashier with the same workers still there. The BBQ meat is a little pricier than other BBQ joints, but the quality of the entire dining experience will help you understand why. Dong Il Jang is solid and consistent.
I normally get the the roast gui. Not really sure what the equivalent of that is in English, but the meat is tender and not overly fatty. There is a minimum order of 2 in order to BBQ, with each order running about $ 24. The order also comes with a little salad with a chili pepper dressing (sort of like Lawry’s spinning salad?).
The banchan at Dong Il Jang is one of my faves for kbbq. The cucumbers are juicy yet crunchy, the bok choy is pickled and slightly spicy, the potatoes are slightly sweet and slightly salty, and I could go on and on about the radishes or the sprouts but I think you get it. Servers also don’t fret when refills are requested over and over and over again.
The star of the meal is the kimchi fried rice that comes with the BBQ order. They add some butter to the grill, little chunks of beef, and some of the banchan (spiced green onions and radishes if you didn’t eat it all). I do not know what makes the fried rice so good but it’s probably the best I’ve ever had. Check out the pics for visuals.
End the meal by ordering a cold noodle. They’ll also give you a cup sweet rice drink to wash it all down.

This place is a Koreatown staple…
I don’t think they changed anything since the first time I came here… doubt they’ve changed anything at all since it first opened… why? Cuz they don’t need to!
You HAVE to get the ros gui… it’s not AYCE (all you can eat) but it’s perfect for 2 people.
I usually get the #2…The meat is beautifully marbled and delicious.
Once you’ve finished with the meat, they come and make you kimchi fried rice at the end… so save room!!! If you don’t finish, you can take it to go :)
Never disappointed coming here…

This place is good. Almost 5 stars. But… not everything on the menu is amazing.
FOOD:
The one and only meat item you really should be ordering is the roast gui special. Roast gui is unmarinated rib eye that’s cut in thin slices about a quarter inch thick. The special roast gui is a much more tender version of the regular roast gui and melts in your mouth. I didn’t know it was possible to have beef korean bbq melt in your mouth… that’s more like pork for me usually. But yes — delicious, thinly sliced & beautifully marbled special roast gui is just too good here, at the price of $ 28.50 per order. Keep in mind — roast gui becomes dry if cooked for even 30 seconds too long, so don’t keep it on the grill for longer than necessary!
I’ve ordered the regular roast gui before and it simply doesn’t compare. The kobe style roast gui was actually kind of dry… and it was $ 35.50! Not worth it at all.
My biggest concern that dropped this review from a 5 star to 4 star rating was my most recent experience. We ordered the roast gui special but felt like we received the regular roast gui. Either quality was inconsistent or the restaurant (accidentally/​purposefully take your pick) cheated us of our special roast gui.
AMBIANCE/​SERVICE:
The decorations are super old-​school and apparently the place hasn’t changed since it opened in 1978. Surprisingly very spacious, and I’ve never had to wait for a seat — huge plus. The ahjummas wear old school style brown uniforms and almost have matching hairstyles (short, sometimes curly). They are generally nice but not always around. But that’s what the «service» button on the table is for!
PRICING:
Expensive. For 2 people to eat and be completely full, expect to spend anywhere between $ 60 – 100 depending on your appetite, if you’re trying to save money vs eat till you’re happy. If it’s two girls who can’t eat much, maybe they can share one plate of special roast gui and get away with it, but… that ain’t me ;) When I come to Dong II Jang, I’m here to eat till I’m happy.
HAPPY KIMCHEE ENDING:
Kimchee fried rice! They make pretty bomb kimchee fried rice mixed with small pieces of meat at the end of your meal for you. So much at the end, I usually take the leftovers to-​go for lunch the next day. They also give you a small ass glass of the most delicious Sikhye ever at the end when you’re paying your bill. I have to stop myself from asking for seconds or even if I can just buy a jug to take home every single time… it’s that good. So refreshing.
OVERALL:
I know I’ll be back. But next time, if I feel like they gave me the regular roast gui and not the special, I’m speaking up so I don’t feel betrayed… :(