Found this little gem on our way back home from Connecticut and I'm glad we decided to stop in. We ordered the seafood soft tofu with a side of ramen, seafood pancake, garlic fried chicken wings, and my wife got the R1 combo. Overall, the food was really good and exactly what I'd expect from a family-owned Korean restaurant--comforting, flavorful, and made with care. The soft tofu soup was satisfying, the garlic fried chicken wings were crispy, and the seafood pancake had a great taste and texture with a nice crispness throughout. My only minor critique is that I wish there had been a bit more seafood in the pancake, but it was still very delicious overall. One thing that really stood out was the hospitality. They brought out a complimentary steamed egg dish for my daughter, which was incredibly thoughtful and much appreciated. Small gestures like that really make a difference. The atmosphere was comfortable, the service was warm and attentive, and the overall dining experience was excellent. We'll definitely be back the next time we're in the area! read more

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This place is truly a hidden gem and was recommended by a friend of mine who is Korean. The staff was incredibly friendly, welcoming, and attentive, making the entire experience even more enjoyable. Our waitress even brought out a kimchi pancake to try for free. If you're looking for authentic, flavorful Korean food and outstanding service, this spot is definitely worth a visit. I can't wait to come back and try more of the menu! read more

Everyone who works here is so welcoming, and the whole place feels amazingly clean/sanitary. Even the spoons come in individual covers, which are nice details that did not go unnoticed. The food was fantastic and tasted like real, home‑style Korean cooking. They kept bringing out so many ban chan side dishes, and they even surprised our table with some fried chicken, which was delicious. I ordered the dolsot bibimbap, and it was perfect mix of fresh, colorful, crunchy, and full of flavor. Every part of it, from the veggies to the rice to the beef, was cooked just right. Even though the restaurant was packed, the staff handled everything smoothly and still made each party feel like they were taken care of without rushing anyone. Highly recommend a visit. read more

We stopped by here for lunch on our way to Vermont and could not stop thinking about it, that we decided to again stop by during our trip to Boston. This place is the definition of comfort food. I ordered the galbi cooked inside the kitchen and a mildly spicy beef tofu soup which both warmed my soul in this cold weather. You can definitely tell the Galbi was quality beef and it comes with about 12 pieces. The waitress was so kind and gave us a free kimchi pancake which I'm assuming it's because of the holidays. Last time around, we tried the seafood pancake which was also good. Their banchans are also really yummy - my favorites were the fish cakes, cucumbers and potatoes. There is a huge parking lot that always has space for parking. There's not many customers eating inside but I'm assuming there's frequent regulars. Around 3PM, all the workers (I'm assuming) from kitchen to waitstaff all sat down for a meal which I thought it was very homey to see. read more

DAWA Korean Restaurant - Kimchi pancake - Korean Near Me - West Haven, Connecticut

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Came on a Saturday at lunch. There were a few tables there right as they opened, but the parking lot had plenty of spots. The wait staff was very efficient and nice when taking our orders. We ordered several dishes, including one appetizer (kimchi pancakes) and three entrees (two noodles and one chicken dish). And the food came out very quickly and very hot! All the food tasted great. I don't know a lot about Korean food, but this place had items I haven't seen elsewhere and my Korean coworker is the one who suggested this restaurant. Overall great. The noodles were all flavorful and the chicken was crispy and good--I did opt to order a side of rice. I also liked all the banchan, particularly the kimchi and fish cakes. The overall vibe is quite causal, and I would definitely take visitors here to share a meal. I'll be back to try some of the other items on the menu! read more

DAWA Korean Restaurant - Banchan - Korean Near Me - West Haven, Connecticut

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Visited this past weekend with my sister's and son, Everything was DELICIOUS! Service was OUTSTANDING! Will definitely be back when we are in that area again. We had the Pork Belly, marinated boneless short ribs, & chicken wings. They gave us complimentary sushi & Fried dumplings, definitely a lot of food but it was Great ambiance very family oriented! read more

DAWA Korean Restaurant - Korean Near Me - West Haven, Connecticut

Came to DAWA for dinner and it was delicious! The korean food was flavorful and authentic, the bulgogi was really tasty. The banchan appetizers were served quickly in the beginning and the staff was very fast in taking orders. It was pretty busy but we got our food at a very reasonable time. The restaurant was a good size where we also got seated right away. Would come back to try more! read more

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This is our go to place when craving Korean food around New Haven. The service is prompt and the food is consistent and tasty. The banchan also is plenty for us. We've been here multiple times and haven't been disappointed with any of the dishes. They also have some tables with grills but haven't had a chance to try that yet. Highly recommend trying the place! read more

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Five-Star Review If you're looking for a restaurant that turns dinner into an experience, Dawa Korean Restaurant is it. The tabletop cooking is nothing short of epic--interactive, fun, and perfectly paced--so every bite hits the table at peak flavor. The pork and beef are absolutely phenomenal: richly marinated, tender, and grilled to smoky perfection right in front of you. The sushi is fresh and beautifully balanced, and the chicken wings are a knockout--crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and packed with bold, savory flavor. Save room for dessert, because the deep-fried ice cream is pure joy: hot, crunchy shell giving way to cold, creamy bliss. What truly elevates Dawa, though, is the staff. They're extremely friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely kind--always happy to guide you through the menu, explain the grilling process, and make sure your experience is flawless. Highly recommended without hesitation. This is probably the best Korean food I've ever had in the United States. --- 한국어 번역 별 다섯 개 리뷰 식사를 하나의 경험으로 만들어 주는 곳을 찾고 있다면 **다와 코리안 레스토랑(Dawa Korean Restaurant)**이 바로 그곳입니다. 테이블에서 직접 고기를 구워 먹는 방식은 정말 압도적으로 멋지고, 재미있으며, 완벽한 타이밍으로 제공되어 한 입 한 입 최고의 맛을 느낄 수 있습니다. 돼지고기와 소고기는 정말 환상적입니다. 깊고 풍부하게 양념되어 있고, 부드러우며, 눈앞에서 구워져 스모키한 풍미가 살아 있습니다. 스시는 신선하고 균형 잡힌 맛이 뛰어나고, 치킨 윙은 겉은 바삭하고 속은 촉촉하며 진한 풍미로 가득 차 있어 인상적입니다. 디저트로는 꼭 튀김 아이스크림을 드셔보세요. 바삭하고 따뜻한 겉면 안에 차갑고 부드러운 아이스크림이 어우러져 최고의 마무리를 선사합니다. 무엇보다도 이곳을 특별하게 만드는 것은 직원들입니다. 모두가 매우 친절하고, 음식에 대한 지식이 풍부하며, 진심으로 따뜻합니다. 메뉴 설명부터 고기 굽는 방법까지 세심하게 도와주어 식사 내내 편안하고 즐거운 시간을 보낼 수 있습니다. 망설임 없이 강력 추천합니다. 미국에서 먹어본 한국 음식 중 아마도 최고라고 말할 수 있는 곳입니다. read more

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Food is top notch and the noodles taste soo fresh and yummy. Right off 95 too so very convenient. Staff and is friendly and the menu has a lot to choose from including sushi, soups, grilled meats... a must try for anyone who like Korean food for sure! read more

DAWA Korean Restaurant - Korean Near Me - West Haven, Connecticut

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We had Recently Dined At this Restaurant and The Meal I Ordered, Got ME ...SO SICK in the Stomach in the Restaurant and then...When I g arrived Home; I vomiting Twice And Rushed to the Restroom AGAIN! Their Food seems to get me SO SICK and made me Throw Up, too. What is going on Here? read more

It is okay here, Kalbi hass good, pancake is good, Bibimbob is good, the only negative side is it is very congested. We come every time when I feel like having Korean read more

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amazing service, amazing food and amazing price. Super kind and clean environment and the food was 10/10. Three people cost us 80 before tip and the portion size and amount of food we got makes the price wayyyy worth it. I recommend the tteokbokki, divine flavor. read more

DAWA Korean Restaurant - Dolsat bibimbap, Tteokbokki, Beef dumplings - Korean Near Me - West Haven, Connecticut

Visited Dawa for the first time and had a great experience. The atmosphere isn't anything crazy but they have solid Korean food; its the best I've had so far. We did the Korean BBQ which included ban chan. We will definitely be going back! It hit the spot especially if you're craving Korean food. Right off the exit and easy to get to! read more

DAWA is an unexpected surprise tucked between an apartment building and a Chick-Fil-A. The building looks like it could have been a former fast food restaurant, but if it was, you can't tell once you get inside. There's a large selection of Banchan and even sushi if you're not feeling Korean food. The mandoo, jap chae, bulgogi, and samgyeopsal are all very good. The DAWA galbi is FANTASTIC though... it's so tender and the flavor is amazing. The servers are very attentive and ensure your meal is cooked to perfection. Definitely recommend trying this hidden gem! read more

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Finally I have the opportunity to stop by this Korean restaurant in West Haven. Let me tell you how good this place is. We went there for lunch and the place was a little bit busy. The host was very friendly and kind, The menu is very varied from sushi, soups and noodles. Everything in the menu looks delicious. We ordered some Korean ribs , noodles and dumplings. The ambience was great and the place was clean and friendly. Definitely worth the visit if you are in the area! read more

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Dawa is the real deal when it comes to authentic Korean food. From the moment we walked in, the service was incredibly warm, pleasant, and efficient. This is a fast-casual spot, and the food comes out quickly and piping hot. Everything about the experience felt authentic--not just the food but even the Korean TV playing in the background. Our meal started with a variety of small appetizer dishes, known as banchan (반찬), which were fresh and flavorful. We ordered the kimchi tofu soup (soondubu jjigae), which arrived bubbling hot, packed with flavor, and filled with the softest, silkiest tofu. For a rice dish, the dolsot bibimbap (비빔밥 in a hot stone bowl) is the way to go--just make sure to mix in some gochujang (고추장) for that perfect balance of spice and depth. Beyond the food, the space was clean and inviting, including the bathroom (always a good sign!). The patrons were incredibly diverse, which says a lot--Dawa is clearly doing something right to bring people together over great food. If you're looking for fast, authentic Korean comfort food, this is the place to go! read more

DAWA Korean Restaurant - Banchan and our sushi - Korean Near Me - West Haven, Connecticut

Maybe we went on an off day but the food was not good. Super bland and absolutely no flavor. I don't understand all the high reviews.

Sushi is fresh and BBQ meats were nicely marinated and quality grade. Experience dining there was great. Would go there again and again.

Wonderful service and such kind faces that greet you at the door! Incredible food service with such a huge variety of entrees and appetizers to choose from -- free kimchi as well which is always a plus to me! Plenty of upstairs and downstairs seating! Busy on the weekends so plan accordingly! read more

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So, I don't think Dawa is a chain? At least I can't find any evidence that it is a chain. But it feels and tastes like a chain... And what I mean by that is the vibe is "fast casual chain restaurant" and the food is of the quality I would expect from a chain: not particularly high quality, not particularly tasty, extremely meh sauces. Which is too bad. Hypothetically Dawa is a "full table service" restaurant. And, may God strike me dead I am about to speak negatively about service in a restaurant. But, honestly, there is almost no service to speak of at Dawa. By that I mean someone will take your order and someone (else) will bring your order. If you need anything else in-between of after you are entirely on your own. I mean it did not appear possible to even get someone's attention at any point during or after my meal No one checked in. No one would make eye contact. Mainly there wasn't even anyone in the room. Whatever, I took a napkin off the table next to me. When I wanted to pay I decided that I must have to go up to the host station/desk and pay, since there was zero sign of anyone returning to my table. But when I started to get up from my table the original waitress did come and bring the check. So I guess you're not supposed to go up and pay... Bottomline: This is not what I would consider a "full service" restaurant. While I love Korean cuisine, I really do not like Soju. So this is probably my fault, for wanting to eat Korean food, but also drink Sake. There was one cold Sake on the menu, so I ordered it. $25 for a bottle. To put this in perspective: I have had plenty of cold sake that I enjoy for less price than this. So I was not worried about the price point. This sake was actually undrinkable. I have had A LOT of sake my friends. A LOT. This somehow tasted like bad apple juice? I mention this because someone at Dawa, hypothetically chose this apple juice sake to serve. Which makes me really, really question the judgment of whoever is making those decisions... The banchan was okay. Not terrible Not particularly good. The potato was not good. I know that they are meant to not be cooked super soft. But this potato was so hard I question if it was cooked much at all. Flavors were meh. As in whoever is making the banchan is not using the best quality oils, seasonings, etc etc. Can you buy banchan pre made?? I've never heard of that. But if you can then that's what I would say this was... Things I ordered: Tteok Bokki, Kimchi Jeon, Hwae Dupbap. Just so we're clear: These are all things that I have eaten before. Many times. So I'm judging the food at Da.Wa against...BETTER Korean food. Every dish was disappointing in flavor and ingredients. If I had to guess I would guess that the Tteok Bokki sauce came out of a jar/can/bottle. Very flat flavor profile, no depth, not delicious. Korean Pancake, when made with the correct ingredients is tender and crispy fried and creamy delicious. This was not I mean it was fine. If you haven't had really good Korean pancake. The Hwae Dupbap was not good. Hwae Dupbap is basically a sashimi version of Bibimbap. So it is rice with basically a fresh salad over it and then topped with all sorts of fresh, raw fish. When the Hwae Dupbap was put in front of me I could see that the fish was not, shall we say, "as fresh as it could be" (i.e., not the best quality). It was topped with Tobiko that was CLEARLY not great. I could see that before I ate anything. The salad portion seemed to be that kind of pre package coleslaw mix you can buy...???? I've never been served that in a Korean restaurant before. As in the salad portion was raw cabbage sliced super fine. Which is, actually, incorrect. Not an enjoyable meal. If the food had been DELICIOUS I would have ignored the lack of service. But both of these aspects were not something I would be interested in experiencing a second time. Oh well. If you've never had Korean food before this is probably fine. Maybe meat items are better than non meat items?? I don't eat meat... read more

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The place looks and feel authentic. Plenty of parking space and near I95. You get plenty of food. Everything was very flavorful and perfect presentation. We took food home. Staff was great and even gave us complementary dumplings for birthday. Will come back for sure. read more

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I loved Dawa! They had amazing service. Everyone was really nice. They made our food super quickly too. It was impressive. I also really liked the food. All the vegetables seemed fresh and the portions were pretty big. I think everything was reasonably priced. I especially liked the cucumbers on the side. Ambiance was fine! Everything was very clean and there is ample parking. read more

I love Korean food, and there are not many places up here. So I was glad DAWA is here, and my landlord's wife--who is Korean--recommended it. Also my daughter who really loves Korean food wanted to try it out. So we went, and we didn't regret it. The food is great, and you can tell it's good, cause many Koreans came and left while we ate. You know it's good when that happens. The service is fast and super friendly. Definitely will come back to try other items on the menu. read more

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Great service, but the food was just okay. I got an order of japchae, but it was underwhelming. The portions were on the smaller side, and they only have little bits of pieces of beef. I guess for where we were, this is as good as the Korean food gets. The bibimbap with beef was also just okay as well. I actually like the banChans way better than our actual dishes. read more

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Ah so good! It's hard to find Korean cuisine near New Haven so I was glad to hear Dawa recommended. I came here with a friend on a weekday evening, so it wasn't too busy. It's right off I-95. The entrance to the location was kind of awkward because it was almost like in the middle of a traffic intersection, but the parking spots are plentiful and the signage is clear and obvious. My friend and I ordered the Hae Mul Soon tofu soup, jjajangmyeon (noodles in black bean soup), and Galbi tang (bone broth and short ribs). I loved the galbi tang and my main dish, the noodles, were well-flavored in a very generous portion. I will note that probably this is not the place to cook your own K-BBQ because I didn't see any tables equipped with the grills and ventilation. I'm used to large portions of banchan since we finished it quite quickly and would have appreciated larger servings, but they can probably refill it for you if you ask. I'm not Korean (just east asian) but the restaurant menu and environment felt authentic. Staff were nice and we left with a full stomach. read more

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The food is super good, the staff are good and very nice. There was good service and the booths had plenty of seating space. The only thing is when we came there wasn't many other customers. The red were also lights, very pretty. Define recommend if you want some Asian food . read more

DAWA Korean Restaurant - Window decorations - Korean Near Me - West Haven, Connecticut

Having never tried Korean BBQ, we decided to try this place. Banchan were delicious with the galbi and pork belly served tableside. Service was excellent, vibes were good and food was delicious. read more

We were very impressed with Dawa. I don't know how we missed it all this time, it's easy to get to off the highway with parking right in front. Service was outstanding, they really went the extra mile to make us feel welcome. They were also very patient with our young kids. The Korean BBQ was excellent, they had several tables with a grill in the middle and lots of delicious choices. While we loved the BBQ, my favorites were actually the kimchi jigae, gyeranjjim, and scallion pancakes. I can't want to go back and try their bibimbab. They have great banchan too. I can't wait to go back with a group so we can try even more dishes! read more

It's unfortunate for them to be in the location they are because many people just drive right by but I'm telling you that YOU HAVE TO GO INSIDE! It's so clean, bright and welcoming. The staff is so friendly and informative! I never had a meal like this before and it was absolutely delicious from the seaweed salad to the sushi to the gochujang! They cooked in front of you and served you, it was a real treat! I'm already craving it and can't wait to go back. Do yourself a favor and check them out!! read more

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I've only ordered delivery/take out from DAWA but it's one of my go to spots! I haven't had too many experiences with Korean food so I don't have too much to compare, but I do enjoy what I've ordered and will definitely be ordering again and again ... I typically get the kimchi jjigae which is a kimchi soup with pork, rice cakes, noodles, kimchi .... I'm addicted. It's perfect for cold rainy nights or when you're not feeling well. It comes with kimchi and fish cakes on the side as well as rice. The broth is delicious! I've also had the to tteok bokki. It's rice and fish cakes with some veggies in a spicy sweet red sauce. I like to eat it with rice as well. I've ordered it with cheese and without and couldn't really tell the difference. Again it was take out each time so I'm not sure if that plays a part ... I've also had the bibim bap - YUM! I think it's one of the better bowls I've had. It's veggies and an egg over rice with some spicy sauce and you can choose your meat option. This also came with kimchi and some sides. My favorite thing is the kimchi side! I wish they added a bit more ... but it's delicious! It comes with most of the entree like dishes and typically comes with fish cakes, rice, and some sort of bean? I'm not a fan of the beans ... they're a bit hard ... but I think that's a me thing. My only complaint is the location. It's in a tough place to pull in and out of which is why I typically order via delivery on nights when I don't feel like going out. And yes I tip the driver extra those nights! I would definitely recommend! read more

It was a rainy Wednesday night and I'd been craving proper Korean food for weeks. And after visiting a friend in Derby, a quick Yelp search revealed that New Haven had more than few Korean spots. Joy of joys. So let's get into it. Ambience/Service: The space is simple, home-like; and think some other reviews mentioned this: it feels authentic, no pretense here. I arrive 7 minutes before the kitchen closed and the staff was still so sweet, surer attentive helping me with my decision. Food/Drink: I am not new to Korean food, obviously. I really wanted army stew (budae jjigae), but their portion size was for sharing and I was solo. So with some recommendations, I switched to kimchi--jjigae, which is essentially kimchi stew. What's the difference? Army stew is a fusion dish with various savory meats/cheese/it's almost a hodgepodge of things thrown together with vegetables and left to stew. On the other hand, kimchi stew is a traditional Korean stew with tofu, pork and spiced fermented cabbage (kimchi). And boy, did DAWA deliver--flavorful, spicy , perfect for a cold, rainy night. I also often judge a Korean restaurant by their skill at tteokbokki--spiced riced cakes. Incredibly simple, but easy to mess up. Not here: again spice level was perfect, and both the rice cakes and the tofu were cooked to perfection. Drink wise, I kept it simple with bokbunja--raspberry wine. It's sweet but bitter, and as someone who hates sweet wine, this is my go to because it balances out nicely. Oh, I ended up calling my sister to chat and she's learning Korean. So she and two of the ladies ended up having a conversation. They were so surprised and happy that someone was willing to learn 'hangul.' As always happy eating and drinking. Kamsahamnida DAWA. read more

DAWA Korean Restaurant - Korean Near Me - West Haven, Connecticut

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I've been numerous times for dinner, lunch. I have been to other Korean restaurants in Connecticut. This is head and shoulders above the rest. The Galbi is excellent. The sushi is always fresh. The seafood with tofu soup is a must for me every time I go. read more

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DAWA Rate this 4.0 or Korean barbecue overall. Probably 4.4 for the immediate area of west haven. It was helpful that the staff cooked the barbecue on the sizzling plate and the goby was much better than the bulgogi. The korean pancake was thicker than normal, but much tastier then I have eaten. The cold noodles were refreshing for a hot day and so thin stick between my teeth.I especially noticed the staff was extra attentive to us and really appreciated that but they were very gracious. read more

We usually Order Takeout because every time I pass by they are very busy, but ordering takeout it's more easier for us and we only have 5 minutes drive. The food here is very good, very nice ambience very good staff. read more

Our waitress was one of the sweetest people I have ever met. Extremely attentive. Food came out quickly and the bowls kept everything piping hot for a long time! Food was good- my only suggestion is that if you are vegan/have food restrictions you need to be very specific. Was told my food was vegan but came with a soft boiled egg- however, they were very efficient at getting me a fresh dish. read more

DAWA Korean Restaurant - Korean Near Me - West Haven, Connecticut

Very delicious authentic Korean food! Tteokbokki is very well made, shrimp tempura is light and crispy, general korean side dishes are provided! I definitely ordered too much since everything looked so good, bibimbap was delicious as well but I had to take it home, as I ordered too much. Service was very personal, the kind that makes you feel at home. The ambiance is comfortable. My only complaint is since the tables have hot plates for Korean bbq under the table has some taken up space. it is hard to adjust your footing if you have larger feet haha. Overall an amazing place and I can't wait to go back! read more

i'm a certified bibimbap lover but there's not enough korean restaurants on the eastern side of CT so i was sooo excited to try this place while out here. the staff here are SO kind and the food was amazing!! can't wait to come back :) read more

Have to say finding good or decent korean food spots in CT is RARE so I gotta say Dawa was such a surprise! The food was really good and on point and they didn't skimp on the banchan (side dishes that accompany korean meals) which many CT korean spots do. Everything we ordered was tasty and authentic. Definitely recommend this spot if you are in CT. 8/10 read more

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My boyfriend and I had a taste for Korean. Saw that this place was close by and we decided to swing in. Decor is very good. Food is fresh and delish. Servers are very friendly. Definitely recommend this as a meet up with friends , date night or family dinner kind of vibe. read more

DAWA Korean Restaurant - tteokbokki with cheese - Korean Near Me - West Haven, Connecticut

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