there are so many kbbq places in garden grove, so i hadn't had the chance to try sookdal before, but i wish i had tried it sooner bc the meat quality is so good !! my friends and i came here on a saturday night, and the wait was about 1 1/2 hr since the restaurant is pretty small and doesn't have many tables. when we finally got in tho, the servers were super efficient and attentive to us for our entire meal. they also cook the meats for you and display it nicely on the grill, so it's one less thing to stress about while dining! my group of 4 decided to split combo D, which comes with pork belly, pork collar, beef brisket, choice of stew between kimchi or bean paste, and cheese to eat with the meat. this was plenty of food for all of us, and we left pretty stuffed and satisfied! my favorite meats were definitely the pork belly and collar, which had the perfect amount of fat without tasting too greasy. it is probably my favorite bite of pork belly of all time! i also love how sookdal has a "tutorial" to show you the 7 best ways to enjoy the meat with all of the side dishes and sauces, and my personal favorite way was with the garlic oil sauce! it was a pretty unique and fun experience, and i would definitely come back! read more

Sookdal - combo d - Korean Near Me - Garden Grove, California

Is this what dreams are made of? Intoxicating aroma of caramelized pork, umami flavor, juicy meat, and perfectly charred edges? Must be! The pork jowl and pork belly are DIVINE - clearly high quality. Workers hand us a sticker with specs about the preparation and aging process, which is oddly charming and shows how much pride they take in their meat. The staff even cooks everything for us, so we can sit back and stuff our faces. The sides are great too. Tangy pickled or fermented veggies, sweet pineapple, mushrooms, and soups help cut through all that richness from the fat. The pork and kimchi soup especially hits - it's super comforting and balances out the meal. This is also a great alternative if you're craving BBQ but don't have the stomach space for AYCE. These portions leave us full and satisfied every time. Overall, an amazing spot for a casual, pork-centric feast! read more

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I've wanted to try this place a while back, but never had the time to do it. We finally came here for dinner on a Saturday night. Arrived at 5: 20pm and there was only two parties ahead of us. Not bad! We were seated and from the way the table was setup, it gave an authentic Korean restaurant vibe. We went ahead and ordered their Combo B meal ($69) which had three types of meat, kimchi soup, and a soup of our choice. Restaurant staff were friendly and attentive. Pork Jowl tasted tender and the cooks were able to prepare it just right. Skirt meat was also tasty. Portions were just perfect for a party of 2. We had a great time dining in here. Will definitely come back again. read more

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We're visiting friends and they took us out to dinner to this place in Garden Grove. It's located in a small strip mall with some parking along the front. There's several combo options as well as other kinds of meat. The food came with banchan which was freely replenished and two kinds of soup. The meats were first class and the aged pork was sooo flavorful. I've never had pork jowl before and it was deliciously fatty. Our hosts ordered the cheese risotto- at first it sounded kinda strange to have it in a Korean Bbq place but wow!! It was so good. You MUST order this! The meat is cooked for you by the staff which is a nice touch and my clothes didn't get smoky. They must have good fan and ventilation. The staff was very nice despite the place being super busy. Recommend this place for quality Korean bbq! read more

Sookdal - Korean Near Me - Garden Grove, California

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First samgyeopsal spot I've tried in the US and Sookdal really did a great job. Sookdal focuses heavily on pork, and you can tell that's their specialty, though they also offer some beef options. The menu is set up with different sets you can choose from, each giving you a variety of cuts. Once you order, the servers handle the grilling for you, which makes the whole experience super smooth and relaxed. What stood out most to me was the huge selection of banchan (sides) and sauces they bring out. It's not just a side detail - it genuinely elevates the meal. You can mix and match different sauces and sides with each bite of pork or beef, which keeps every bite feeling different and prevents the meal from getting repetitive. That's especially important with kbbq, where things can sometimes start to taste the same halfway through. Special note: order the risotto - phenomenal. read more

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My favorite kbbq in the area. I wish they had a yelp waitlist because the wait can be long around dinner time. It's loud and they seem understaffed but the food makes up for it. The pork belly was juicy, crispy, and delicious. All of their soups are refreshing and yummy. I want to bring everyone I know here. read more

Sookdal - Korean Near Me - Garden Grove, California

Sookdal is a great spot if you're trying to upgrade out of AYCE and into a higher quality option for meat. Sookdal is also great if you're trying to understand premium pork belly, compared to your standard pork belly. The meat here is aged, flavorful, and tender. I think what makes this place especially good is the variety of banchan, or side dishes. Pickled garlic leaves were my absolute favorite! There are so many combinations that you can make throughout your meal to make it interesting and fun. The servers are also very attentive about cooking the meat for you so that you don't have to worry about anything other than enjoying yourself. Wash everything down with an ice cold beer and you're in for a good time! Parking is plentiful in the plaza, and wait times are pretty manageable without a reservation, even on weekends for dinner. read more

Sookdal - banchan (sides) top to bottom -- pickled garlic leaves, pickled cabbage, pickled cucumber, pickled radish - Korean Near Me - Garden Grove, California

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Sookdal has been on my saved list for awhile, and I've finally got a chance to visit during special occasion. I'm usually a bit skeptical about having just pork BBQ, but high quality pork does make a big difference. The store is clean with strong smoke fan. The staff here are really nice and intentive, always cook the meat to perfection. We got ourselves a pork combo along with Risotto with Cream Sauce and Grilled Cheese. Though aged pork could be really fatty, the fat was firm and didn't feel too much. Besides the high quality and tasty pork, the risotto was also surprisingly good and not too creamy. And you can't go wrong with pieces of cheese grilled to perfection. One of the side dishes we loved the most was the pickled garlic leaves which went so well with pork, or any cut of fatty meat. Overall, my experience here was really good with lots of delicious food. High quality, aged pork really made such big differences. Can't wait to visit again! read more

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We came to Sookdal with a larger group and we ordered two combos, I believe it was combo c and e. It ended up being just enough food for everyone, which worked out perfectly for our party size. One of our combos included ribeye, and it was so delicious. It was so tender and definitely the highlight of the meal for me. The meat quality of this restaurant is excellent. I would definitely come back for read more

Sookdal - Korean Near Me - Garden Grove, California

Solid Korean bbq with a twist. They age their pork 8 days to give it a little different taste and texture. Pork belly and Jowl was my favorite. In Korea tried a 30 day aged pork belly, this had slight similarity but can't taste the aging distinctly with only 8 days but it does something to make it taste better for sure. Service was GREAT. Legit grilling techniques. Would def be a regular stop when in OC read more

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I recently visited Sookdal Garden Grove and it was definitely worth the wait! We put our name down on the old-school pen-and-paper waitlist and waited about 45 minutes, but it went by pretty quickly. Once seated, they started us off with a great selection of banchan, including kimchi, pickled radish paper, and fresh collard greens. We ordered Combo C, which they said feeds 3-4 people, and it was the perfect amount for our group. It came with pork collar, pork belly, jowl, stew, and cheese--we chose the kimchi soup for our stew option. Everything was delicious. The meats were juicy, tender, and full of flavor, especially paired with the bean paste and the variety of sauces they provided. Service was attentive throughout our meal, and the bathrooms were clean, which is always a plus. Overall, a great KBBQ experience. I'd definitely come back! read more

Sookdal - combo C - Korean Near Me - Garden Grove, California

Came here with my bf on a Wednesday night around 7pm - the store wasn't very crowded towards later in the night when we were there. The store was clean and servings were all set up when we got there. We got the Combo B with pork belly and soybean soup which was delicious. Our server cooked each type of meat super carefully, pork jowl was cooked just right with the right crispy edges but the skirt meat was a bit tough. We also ordered the cold noodles - but we were not a fan. Too sour and not enough flavor compared to other spots. Id skip this! We were recommended the cheese risotto by family so well be trying that nice time. Very solid pork belly spot I'd recommend & great for big groups!! read more

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Saw this place on a whim and was pleasantly surprised. They specialize in aged pork BBQ and let me tell you now, it was delicious! Their waiter cooks for you, so definitely a plus, which makes the meat so tender and the fat, mouth-watering. Together with banchan, it was THE perfect joy for my mouth. It's tucked in a very small business complex so parking can be a nightmare and get there early because it will get crowded for dinner. It is not AYCE but their combo gives you plenty of meats along with their choice kimchi stew or bean paste stew, and a very light pork broth, and also their unlimited banchan - heaven! It is a small restaurant as well, so seating is limited and tight but if you time it well before dinner rush, you'll be seated right away to enjoy their fatty aged pork! Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Price: 5/5 Parking: 4/5 read more

Sookdal - Pre game - Korean Near Me - Garden Grove, California

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if youre looking for a different type of kbbq, sookdal is the place. they specialize in pork and it is soooo delicious. the staff cook it for you and they are pros - always perfectly cooked. you will smell like meat afterwards but totally worth it. i love their pork belly and pork jowl here. they also have rice if you ask! there is a small lot in front of the restaurant but parking usually isnt an issue! read more

Sookdal - pork shoulder mushrooms cheese - Korean Near Me - Garden Grove, California

Sookdal is an absolute pork lover's heaven. The quality of the aged pork here is top-tier, and having it barbecued to perfection right in front of you makes the experience even better. Every cut was incredibly tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. The pork pairs perfectly with the sauces and side dishes, making every bite feel intentional and well balanced. Service is brisk and attentive. The staff keeps things moving and makes sure the grill is always handled properly. Ambiance is your typical KBBQ joint: lively, casual, and all about the food. The only downside: you and your clothes will smell like BBQ for the rest of the day. Pro tip: leave your expensive bag and jacket at in the car unless you want them permanently scented like grilled pork. Still 100% worth it. Would happily come back again and again with the pork-loving foodies! read more

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Hands down the best Korean BBQ I've ever had. We arrived at 6:00pm on a Thursday and didn't have to wait. By 7:00pm, the waitlist was full. Just sign in outside and staff will call you when your table is ready. For starters, we had salad, delicious kimchee stew, and bean sprout soup. The banchan was fresh and perfectly marinated, and every time we ran out of a side dish, it was immediately replenished. For the main course, we opted for the pork belly and ribeye, which was perfectly portioned for two. Our server explained that some meal selections feed 3-5, while others are meant for pairs. Our server cooked our food for us, which I truly appreciated. The accompanying sauces complemented the meats and really enhanced the flavor. There are a few beer, wine and soju options. I ordered the black raspberry wine, and it was slightly sweet, tart, and a great accompaniment for the steak. The price was beyond reasonable for the quality and quantity of our dinner and the table side service. $87 for the meal, $15 for the Bokbunjaju wine, and $9 for a Cass beer. I will absolutely return again - Sookdal is just incomparable! read more

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Sookdal Korean BBQ in Garden Grove absolutely lived up to the hype. Everything about this meal felt high quality and well thought out from the banchan to the main meats to the soups. We ordered a pork combo and the cuts were beautiful: thick, juicy slabs of pork belly and pork collar that were clearly high-grade and grilled to perfection. The meat was incredibly tender, flavorful, and rich without being overwhelming. You can really tell they take pride in the quality and aging of their meat. Watching it sizzle on the grill was already mouthwatering, and the final result did not disappoint. The banchan spread was generous and fresh--kimchi, pickled radish, pickled cabbage, greens, and other sides were all crisp, well-seasoned, and perfect for balancing out the richness of the BBQ. The steamed egg was silky and comforting, and both soups we had were fantastic--deep, savory broth, piping hot, and super satisfying. Service here was too notch as their cook all of the meats for you. Everything felt premium and thoughtfully prepared, from the presentation to the flavors. The experience overall was clean, modern, and very this was probably due to their wet aging of their meats, it was enjoyable. If you're looking for top-tier Korean BBQ in OC, Sookdal is a must-visit. We'll definitely be back. read more

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We came on a Wednesday evening for a birthday celebration. Sookdal doesn't take reservations, and we were lucky there was no wait. The ambiance is rustic and warm, with wooden tables and chairs and a large, open dining area. Staff set up the table with side dishes upon seating. We opted for Combo C, which included pork belly, pork collar, skirt meat, pork jowl, plus stew and cheese. The waitstaff grilled and sliced the meat for us at the table. The quality of the meat was excellent: our favorite cut was the pork jowl, which was deliciously crispy. The skirt meat was more mixed, with some pieces being a bit chewy. The side dishes, including a generous bowl of spring onion salad, along with the stew and clear soup, were all excellent. Service was top-notch throughout. Overall, good value for money and a very pleasant experience. read more

Sookdal - Combo C - Korean Near Me - Garden Grove, California

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Was craving pork belly and kbbq in general so we decided to try Sookdal for the first time! It took about 20 mins of waiting on a busy Saturday night for our party of 2. Once seated, the service was fast and efficient. The staff cooked our meats to perfection which paired so well with their recommendations and unique banchan. Combo A was the perfect portion for 2 and we also added another soup on accident. The pork belly was really good quality and had a good chew. read more

Sookdal - Korean Near Me - Garden Grove, California

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Arguably some of the best Korean BBQ I've had in the states. Came around 7 and put our name down for a table of 5 and waited not too long (20ish minutes). When we were sat we were given ample time to order and ended up with the Combo C, an order of brisket, Spicy cold noodles, two risottos, and grilled cheese (really recommend this). Their pork is dry aged and even comes with a sticker that tells you when and how and who it was prepared by. The quality of the food here is simply just so good. The service is also incredible. We ordered a soju and the owner/manager gave us the bottle in the house because he apologized for the wait. At no point did we feel like the wait was long but that locked in my appreciation for Sookdal even more. I'm in rancho now so it's a bit of a drive but absolutely worth it. For how much food we ordered it came out to under $200 before tip which is insane. Left full and will happily be back soon. read more

Sookdal - PORK BELLY - Korean Near Me - Garden Grove, California

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Delicious place for pork belly/korean bbq. It's not all you can eat but I was so full from the set we ordered and we ordered a few extra meats too. Everything was delicious. The staff cooked the food for you and they do it well- everything tasted delicious and nothing was burnt. The place is clean and smells delicious because it's smells like bbq. Staff is really nice, didn't have any problems finding parking the day we went. They had a big space for our family's big party who ate separate from us which was convenient. My only wish is the cheese was bigger slice or more bc it tasted good with the pork belly! read more

Saw good reviews about Sookdal and this restaurant was broadcasted on tv in Korea that we wanted to check it out! We got combo A. Comes with pork belly and brisket and stew. The meats were fine... didn't wow us at all. The pork belly was tough and chewy. The side dishes were all pickled which was fine because it goes well with pork but they were all on the sweeter side. would have been nice to have a bit more variety. We got an order of pork Jowl and that was probably the best meat out of the three. Don't think I will be back. Not worth the one hour wait. I would personally go elsewhere read more

Sookdal - Pork belly - Korean Near Me - Garden Grove, California

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I think this was a decent spot with amazing quality meat but I wouldn't say it's the best best overall we have gone to. The brisket they served is on the leaner side (which is good or bad depending on what you are looking for). One of the dishes that stood out to me was actually the risotto... I would totally order that for myself. Service is good but felt slightly forgetful -- we had to remind a couple times even though it was not as busy. I think the servers mainly speak Korean so it could have been lost in translation as well. read more

Sookdal - Korean Near Me - Garden Grove, California

KBBq is deeply rooted in my culture- we eat, meet, celebrate eating this meal. Also KBBQ has different specialty within itself. Sookdal specialize in pork. Venue: quiet quint but can accommodate large table. Food:I got combination pork meat- pork belly and skin. Also ordered some beef brisket and steak as well. Both meat were high quality and so delicious. Great ban Chan. Service: great service. Price: typical kbbq price, not cheap but you will leave happy. I also loved their cold noodle! Palate refreshing cutting the richness of the meat. read more

Sookdal - K BBQ table - Korean Near Me - Garden Grove, California

One of the incredibly rare instances where I eat Korean BBQ that *isn't* AYCE and I am always reminded every time about how much more superior non-AYCE places are over AYCE places (well, duh obviously). Boss treated me and a couple coworkers out to dinner and I couldn't be more excited after looking at the menu the night before. It's like all the delicious pork belly and KBBQ reels I've seen on IG finally coming to life right before my eyes. The boss ordered a ton of pork belly and I wasn't complaining one bit. They were the thickest I've ever had at a restaurant and a perfect balance of meat and fat. Really great quality pork belly. I really enjoyed the assortment of different pickled vegetables, especially one in particular that I didn't get the name of. The worst part about the whole experience was waiting and listening to the sweet sizzling music and salivating. It was nice having the server cook for once, not that I mind doing it anyway, but it is nice. Speaking of which, the server was friendly and the quality of service overall was great. No complaints! Actually maybe just one minor complaint, kind of. The seafood stew was a bit bland, but honestly now that I'm typing this, I'm kinda realizing that it might be better that way considering how rich the pork belly was, especially when you dip it into the salt. The light stew/soup was a nice contrast. Since we only got pork, I really want to order beef next time. I saw the beef quality from the other tables and it looks very promising. I will definitely be back soon! read more

good meat. i like this place more than honey pig and their combo of pork belly + cheese + pineapple is great. they also give you stew on the house which is nice . we got the combo c and all the meat cuts were tender and yummy. i like that they also give you a handout of different ways you can eat the meat. the best option is dipping the meat in their garlic sauce or wrapping it with the picked veggies in my opinion. the waiters also grill the meat for you so i feel like the kbbq smell that lingers on you after eating is less potent than other restaurants. read more

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SO GOOD! The cheese (?) with pork paired surprisingly well, every bite was tender and savory. Will definitely be back

Wow. Had this place on a Friday night and it was PACKED! However, services were great and our server was attentive and grilled all the meat for us. We got combo B and it was great! We ordered a couple more meat and a side of cold noodles as well! Such a great combo! Meal came out to aboit $250 for 4 people and I'd say it left us feeling very full read more

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I asked my friend what's his favorite kbbq restaurant in OC and he took me here. All I got to say is wow everything was delicious! The waiters cook everything for you and all of the meats were premium quality. The wild chives really go with the pork belly. I also surprisingly really like the chilled noodles. The coolness of the noodles contrasted the warm meats which enhanced the overall eating experience. The restaurant was also pretty modern and clean. I think this place is a must try! read more

Sookdal - Korean Near Me - Garden Grove, California

There wasn't even any customers when we came and the workers kept rushing us and putting the meat on the grill even when we told them to wait. read more

You need to make a stop here if you're in the Garden Grove area and craving some good quality KBBQ. This really made me feel like I was back in Korea. I believe that this is the only location in the United States. They specialize in "wet-aged" pork. I tried the pork belly, pork shoulder and the pork jowl. I think my favorite was definitely the pork jowl. It was so tender and a little bit fatty. What's so special about this place is that they include different kind of pickled veggies to eat with the meat -- it really elevates the flavor! You have a server that will grill the food for you (just like in Korea). They also have your classic alcoholic drinks that you can pair with your meal Including Korean beer and Soju. The service was very fast and very efficient. It's a smaller restaurant so I recommend coming here with maximum four people for a table. This is NOT all you can eat, and it comes in the style of a "set", where you get the side dishes, a set amount of different meats, cheese (just trust on that one lol it's SO good), and your choice of kimchi or soybean paste stew. You can also order à la carte if you are still hungry! read more

Sookdal - Korean Near Me - Garden Grove, California

I had heard a LOT about this place from many friends, Korean or otherwise. I was fully expecting to wait quite a long time, but on a Thursday night, our large group was able to get in pretty quickly. It's a simply decorated restaurant that you'd expect from a Korean BBQ place. Can't say much beyond that, because...well that's not the point. Onto why you're here: the food. Pork is king here. They have some really quality stuff. It's wet-aged (?) which I think is supposed to develop some more intense flavor. I didn't have anything to compare it to at the time in the moment, but what I CAN say is that it was absolutely bustin! Juicy, flavorful, and charred. It was the perfect experience. You gotta eat it with all the stuff they give you too, like cheese, garlic, onions, kimchi, etc. It's Korean BBQ, you get the drill. Gotta take advantage of it! Also, the staff does all of the cooking, so you can sit back and relax! Great for a night out with the boys, girls, and anyone! read more

Not as good as expected. Recommended by a friend of mine. Food was good, service was below average. From entering the famous Korean BBQ restaurant, till checking out and leaving, we didn't see any smiling face and didn't feel any welcoming attitude. We were not greeted by any waitress or waiter during dinner. We were not asked if we needed any more BBQ sauce or kimchi. My chopsticks were sticky, indicating they may not be cleaned properly. read more

Sookdal is one of the best pork belly restaurants in socal! + The employees cook the meat for you, so you can eat without having to worry about cooking. + The side dishes to pair with the pork belly was great! I loved all the pickled veggies. + The pork belly is high quality (you even get the tag with information about the cut of meat). The only downside here is that the restaurant is small and there's not a lot of tables that accommodate large parties. The parking lot is also kind of small. read more

Ordered the Combo E which came with choice of pork between the poke bowl or pork belly, & ribeye with a choice of soup between kimchi or soybean paste. Everything was so yummy here. Love that they have a unique banchan choice. Service is good too they cook your meat for you. Ambiance is nice with enough seating thankfully wasn't as busy when we tried to dine in cause the rain! read more

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Best pork belly I ever had!! This place definitely lives up to the hype and is worth the wait! Went during dinner on a weekend and there was about a 30-45 minute wait. Got the Combo C which comes with pork belly, pork shoulder, skirt meat, and pork neck! The pork belly was definitely the star of the show, it is wet aged so you can taste how juicy and tender it is. The other meats were also really good tho, you can taste the high quality in all their meats! I loved the side of grilled cheese, it unexpectedly paired really well with the pork belly! Also comes with your choice of kimchi or soybean stew, we got the kimchi which was a little salty for me. I say the combo is good and filling for 3 people to share! They cook the meat for you here in front of the grill, which is really nice because all you have to do is relax and enjoy the food! read more

Sookdal - Combo C - Korean Near Me - Garden Grove, California

I drove my this place many times and decided to try it out. We got the combo D to try. It offered pork and beef. The sides are very basic. Kimchi was very good. It didn't not come with lettuce salad but green onion salad. Also came with a soy bean paste or kimchi soup. The meats were flavorful and tender. The portion is kind of small. $97 Service was ok. They do all the cooking for you so which was nice. Plenty of parking. We only waited 10 mins for a table on a Saturday night. Overall the meat was pretty good. I will definitely come back again. read more

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Best kbbq in OC! Quality and service is literally unmatched. Even after a year of going here, everything is still very good. The pork belly is my favorite cut of meat, and it goes exceptionally well with the seaweed wrap and cold noodles. It is also one of the cleanest kbbq places I've been to. The only complaint is the long wait time during peak hours, but it's so worth the wait. read more

Sookdal - pork belly - Korean Near Me - Garden Grove, California

This is hands down the #1 place in OC when I'm craving quality pork belly. The service and ambiance align well with what the restaurant is trying to deliver. Most importantly, the food is consistently good--meat, banchan, and kimchi noodles included. Everything tastes solid with nothing disappointing to note. I did try the risotto this time. While the flavor was good, it was slightly overcooked and the texture was a bit off. I don't regret ordering it, but it's probably not something I'd get again. One side note unrelated to the food: the floor is extremely slippery and the music is quite loud. I've been here countless times and notice this every visit. The volume was so high that I had to raise my voice just to talk to the person across from me, and my throat actually started to hurt. That said, I'll definitely continue coming back--for the food alone, it's worth it. read more

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My brother took me here for dinner. The pork belly and jowl were very good. The tofu soup was really good, probably better than bcd. The food is cooked by the servers, which is cool because i don't know how to properly cook it for best taste or best practice lol. I would come back! Supposedly the pork belly is aged, I'm not sure how true it is though. read more

Sookdal - Korean Near Me - Garden Grove, California