Ok guys, you gotta try their bulgogi hotpot. It's really good. I'm gonna try their other dishes that look so inviting for sure! The service is so welcoming and friendly, so awesome! Love the tableware used to serve and the banchan so good too, Yum! Open space tables with long bench and chairs to seat are great. Pretty cute place. Everyone's gonna enjoy. Thanks Goan, be back for more. read more

Gaon - Bulgogi Hotpot - Korean Near Me - Pearl City, Hawaii

I don't know why I don't go to the Hmart food court more often because all the food here is great. The place kind of reminds me of Shirokiya, it's comforting and somewhat reminiscent although a lot smaller scale. This time I went to Gaon and got some soft tofu pork stew (soondubu). I'm not even lying when I say that this is the best tasting one I've ever had. Now don't judge me, I'm not Korean nor have I ever been to Korea, but based on many of the other soodubu I've tried on this island, this one is my new favorite. The lady working the counter (I believe is the owner) is very nice and patient. She even helped me figure out what to eat. The presentation of the tray with the banchan was beautiful, and each side was individually tasty. Such a well rounded, quality meal for a reasonable price. read more

Gaon - Soft tofu pork stew (soondubu) - Korean Near Me - Pearl City, Hawaii

Today we went to Gaon for takeout. Take a look at my pics. This was $17.99 before taxes. But before I get ahead of myself, let's start with the service when we got there. No one was at the counter. I peered thru the glass window of the kitchen but didn't see anyone. Then I turned around and a young girl that was sitting at a table, looked up from her phone and slowly walked to the counter. We were ready to order, but she was taking her time to set her cell phone on the side before she was ready to take the order. When I came back, the order was on the counter, and she was back at her table. I asked if that was my order. She nodded. She didn't get up from the table at all because it seemed as though she was too busy on her cell once more. Then came the kicker. Normally tofu soup or stew has soft tofu. They used firm tofu and the soup had no flavor. Looks spicy, but it wasn't. Then there was the banchan. As you can see, the quantity was very little. I get it, the cost of everything has gone up after COVID, but that's where service and appreciation come in, as well as flavorful food. Gaon lacks in all these areas and we will never give them our business again. read more

Gaon - Small sauce containers containing the banchan - Korean Near Me - Pearl City, Hawaii

See all

We stopped by Gaon in the H Mart food court and ordered the ssam bap with sam kyup sal (pork belly). It a great option if you're craving Korean BBQ flavors without the full grill experience. The pork belly comes out on a sizzling platter, piping hot with some crispy bits but still tender. It's served with all the essentials for ssam: fresh lettuce, carrot sticks, rice, ssamjang, and a few banchan. It also includes a bowl of soup, which might rotate. When we went it was a clear broth that was light and savory with green onions. On a previous visit, we had another clear soup with radish that a strong black pepper flavor. So, there's some variety depending on the day. The portion size is best suited for one person, but you could probably share it if you're not super hungry. Our only critique was that the pork belly pieces were a bit too thick and blocky to fit comfortably in the lettuce wraps. Smaller slices would make the wrapping and eating experience smoother. Also, if you're dining in, there's a wire shelf near the restaurant where you can return your tray after your meal. read more

Gaon - Sam kyup sal Ssam bap - Korean Near Me - Pearl City, Hawaii

Finally tried Gaon inside the Pearl City H Mart, and I'm so glad I did. We ordered the spicy pork and the soondubu, and both were fantastic. The taste was spot on, and you can tell they actually care about the presentation, even in a food court setting. A huge standout for me was the kimchee, honestly, it's one of the best I've had anywhere in Hawaii. It's savory, flavorful, and has the perfect kick. If you're shopping at H Mart or just in the area, this place is definitely worth a stop. Authentic flavors! read more

Gaon - Seafood Soodubu - Korean Near Me - Pearl City, Hawaii

See all

I've been wading through culinary corpses lately bland eateries dressed up in neon, hollow meals masquerading as "authentic," food so lifeless it should have been buried instead of plated. One place serves tortillas straight from a plastic bag, another dares to call watery gochujang "sauce." Hawaii is crawling with impostors, thieves of appetite, criminals of the palate. And then; Gaon. A small stall in Pearl City's HMart, humble in appearance, but inside? Fire. Soul. Truth. The ajumma behind the counter wasn't just serving food, she was guarding something sacred. I tested her. Hard questions about spice, cuts, ingredients. She didn't just answer she grinned like a veteran warrior sharpening her blade. She knew exactly what she had in her arsenal. What she gave me was chicken reborn in flame, tender, charred just enough, glazed in a crimson sauce so bold it dared you to look away. This wasn't timid sweetness or supermarket-level barbecue. No, this was heat with a story, depth with a purpose. The sauce clung to the chicken like sin itself, layered, dangerous, addictive. The accomplices, banchan,, were not cheap sidekicks. They were assassins in disguise. Kimchi that snapped with the bite of winter fire. Spinach and sprouts that whispered old Seoul secrets. Lettuce leaves crisp and waiting like parchment for the ritual wrap. Even the soup, humble and clear, carried honesty. And that gochujang? Not sauce. A weapon. A scarlet dagger meant to cut straight to the soul. This place doesn't belong in the same sentence as the frauds littering Hawaii's food scene. It deserves its own page, its own shrine. If this stall were in Seoul, it would be the lunch haunt of office workers who know where true comfort hides. Here, in Pearl City, it is a salvation. Look at the photos the skillet glistening like molten iron, the chicken glowing as if lit by its own flame. This isn't "pretty food." This is food with teeth. Verdict: A home run? No. A knockout. A resurrection. Forget the imitators that peddle their bland lies Gaon is the real thing. 5 stars for a quick lunch Korean comfort food. read more

See all

Came here for lunch and it did not disappoint. Food was made within 10 minutes of ordering. The portions were large and the taste was great. The seating area in H mart is spacious and clean. Definitely would recommend to friends and family. Will most likely be coming back. read more

Gaon - Korean Near Me - Pearl City, Hawaii

See all

Surprisingly very filling and delicious. For $20 they give a lot of food with an array of different tastes. Try them out, take a chance. It was delicious. read more

See all

Decent soon dubu. Slightly oily. Counter service. Comes out in a stone pot boiling hot. Choice of Kim chee, beef, or the girl said shrimp (?). I liked that it was loaded with soft tofu. Beef was a bit grainy for my taste. Comes with sides and romaine salad with ranch dressing. read more

Gaon - Korean Near Me - Pearl City, Hawaii

See all

Delicious home cooked Korean with generous portions. A good variety of side dishes that come with the meal. Reasonable pricing food for food court style seating. Not the best quality rice though interestingly. The galbi tang and soon du bu both had good quality meat and great broth and flavor. Easy parking as it is located in HMart! read more

Gaon - Galbi Tang - Korean Near Me - Pearl City, Hawaii

Congratulations on your grand opening! When you're in Pearl City, consider this convenient eatery inside of Hmart. Follow the arrows to the food court and you'll find fast and friendly service at GAON. Situated towards the back of the food court, next to the little bar, you can order up a variety of delicious Korean food. We ordered #1 with Bulgogi to go and it was very tasty. Tables and seating were clean. This eatery has a lot of free parking outside of Hmart. Great customer service, will certainly return to try other menu items. read more

Gaon - Friendly owner of new business :) - Korean Near Me - Pearl City, Hawaii

See all

What a great find in a small food court!! The wait actually wasn't too bad either. We had the kalbi, ssam bab pork belly, and kimchi Jae and 100% reccomend! read more

Gaon - Menu 1 of 2 - Korean Near Me - Pearl City, Hawaii

See all

Located in the food court of H Mart Pearl City, stopped by to try here on my lunch break running errands and had a craving for Korean food. Theres several places to eat here and also a bakery. Open seating and everything clean and bright. Gaon is located in the far corner when you ealk into the court. Ordered the Bulgogi Set, which comes on a sizzling platter, soup, rice and sides that is worth the $20. Order and pick your food up once its called, self service so put the tray back on the racks to the side of the counter when you are done. Food hit the spot, exactly what I wanted. Great place to eat Korean food when you dont want to drive far or deal with the crowds. 4 stars. read more

See all

Didn't realize this was in the H-Mart Pearl City food court when I suggested to a friend that we eat there. The food court is tucked into the side of H-Mart. Very clean and good design. I got the combo meal (can't remember the name) but it came with rice, soup, meat (I picked bulgogi), lettuce, samjang, and some sides. Food came out quickly. Not the best I've had but good for a food court. read more

Gaon - Korean Near Me - Pearl City, Hawaii

Checked out Gaon located in the Hmart food court, and ordered the kimchi soondubu. The soup came with rice, a small salad, and 3 sides. Food came out quick and everything was good although no egg with the soup which what I'm used to. There were plenty of seats for a Thursday night. read more

Gaon - Kimchi soondubu - Korean Near Me - Pearl City, Hawaii

I've come here a few times already?I also try their spicy pork, sam kyul sal and cold noodle. for all those three I prefer sam Kyul sal not to salty and not to oily. the surface is okay. Sometimes it takes some time to get the food. Asheon, well, you are in h. Mart, the sitting area is so that's good, very clean. read more

Gaon - Korean Near Me - Pearl City, Hawaii

See all

I ordered the seafood soodubu and it wasn't it. The staff were really nice and polite but they weren't Korean and they were not taught how to make it properly... Also the side dishes were fermented too long and old, tasted weird. Maybe the meat dishes are better. read more

Gaon - Terrible seafood soodubu. - Korean Near Me - Pearl City, Hawaii

Ate here on a Sunday around 3pm. First time here with the hubby. Ive seen reviews and pics when looking up Korean food here on yelp and really wanted to try it out. For those who have never been to H Mart in Pearl City, there's a small little food court tucked to the side of the store that has around 12 tables and 3 restaurants, 1 bakery and a bar. Walked up and ordered 2 Ssam Bab @$20.99 each, One spicy pork and one barbecue chicken. Both sets come with rice, a little banchan, soup, lettuce and kochujang sauce. Wait for the food wasn't very long, maybe 10 minutes. Oh my goodness, when we got our food it looked so good and appetizing I couldn't wait to dig in but of course I had to take pics first. The spicy pork was so delicious. A little on the sweet side with a hint of spice and my husband got the barbecue chicken which was all right In my opinion. It didn't have much flavor but it was okay. The banchan had bean sprouts, Choisum and cabbage kimchi- they were decent. The soup was a beef broth based soup and was good. All in all, I would definitely come back and get this again. It was so good. read more

Gaon - Storefront & menu - Korean Near Me - Pearl City, Hawaii

See all

I ordered the bulgogi plate and it was so good. I highly recommend everyone to try and eat over there. Their staff is so nice as well read more

Gaon - Bulgogi plate - Korean Near Me - Pearl City, Hawaii

Ordered the intestine soup and the soon tofu soup. Both were unusually sweet. Doesn't taste authentic at all and something just felt off. Not much content inside either. A bit overpriced as well read more

A new food option at the Hmart food court in Pearl City. Cool off with cold noodles or warm up with their Ssam bap. You can select which meat you want for your Ssam bap. I chose the spicy pork. Ssam means to wrap in Korean. You wrap up the meat in the lettuce. You can add the rice and Ssam jang sauce to your wrap. I recommend eating at the food court to enjoy these dishes at their ideal state. Mom and son approved dishes because both were yummy because they got that sohn mat (손맛) Staff were friendly and I plan to come again. read more

Gaon - Ssam bap -spicy pork version and cold noodles dish - Korean Near Me - Pearl City, Hawaii

See all

My sister discovered this place while shopping at Pearl City HMart, it came recommended while standing in line to pay for her groceries. She wanted to get sushi but they didn't have any so she ventured into the different food booths they had and git these two items from two different booths. Loved the flavor of both dishes, the area was very clean so ordering was pretty easy and quick, would like to try more of their menu options. So go and try them out..my stamp of recommendation..yum! read more

See all

Was there last night around 6:25pm for dinner. There was no one at the front counter. Went to the kitchen door and said hello loudly a few times, the girl was busy on her phone and didn't respond to me at all. I tried yelling louder a few times saying Hello, still no response as she was so focused on her phone at the door. Eventually, got angry, I knocked to tap on the kitchen door so came out and gave me a face like "gee, why did you have to do that". I ordered my food, she skipped the tip part while I was paying using credit card. I asked her are you closing soon? She said yes, this was around 6:30-6:35pm. I went to order a coffee from the same food court a, I asked what time the food court closed and she said their place at 7 and the rest should be 8. Well, why did she say almost closing when it was only 6:30-6:35. Anyhow, with that service definitely not going back again even if the food was good. The service was horrible, you shouldn't be so focused on your phone and not pay attention for the front Incase there are customers who are wanting to order food. read more

Service is bad. There was a guy cleaning and he didn't even bother telling us if it's closed or not. I thought they closed at 9pm? We were there at 7:50pm read more

I got the Kalbi plate ($23.99) for take out. Opened the bag and took out the chopsticks. It was used and recycled, they were already separated and still had food stuck to the tips! What kind of reputable establishment reuses/recycles disposable chopsticks?! Needless to say I won't be coming back here. The food was ok, but not worth the price. I'll just go to Longs side and go to Sadie's next time. Would have given zero stars if possible. read more