The dishes were amazing a must try! Thanks to the chef for making it a positive experience. read more

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Food was amazing! For the first time, we opted for the top half of the ten recommended items, and I can say honestly, there are no misses! They have ice cold Korean beer that paired nicely with meal. Will definitely be coming back :) read more

Woowa - Ddukgalbi and Sujebi - Korean Near Me - Gardena, California

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Bomb as fuck. Great service, chill vibes, insane food. Strongly recommend. Showed up on a Friday with no reservation and sat down at the bar instantly. Get the oji sujebi and the pork belly. read more

Woowa - Oji Sujebi - Korean Near Me - Gardena, California

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A great new spot in Gardena, and probably the only place we can name that does Korean-Italian fusion. We got the sodduk sodduk as an appetizer, then the toowoomba ramyeon cream risotto and japaghetti with pork belly for dinner. Between the chef / owner's creativity, the tastiness of the food, and the overall friendliness of the staff, this is definitely a spot we'll be visiting again soon! read more

Me, my bf and my siblings went here for dinner. We had the corner of the restaurant for us. The owner is the one serving and cooking at the same time. Their kitchen is open concept so you can see him making your food. We wanted to try everything from the menu since it all looks good. Portions are pretty good as well. We ordered 5 dishes: kimchi fried rice, kimchi pancake, Rose Gnocchi, French Fries, some type of fried chicken (I forgot). We thought the portions are really big so we only ordered 5 dishes, it was all good. Especially love the Rose Gnocchi, Kimchi Pancake and Chicken. But everything was really good. Portions are good for sharing at least 2-3 people to share a dish, depends on what you get. Waiting time for the food does take awhile since he is the only one serving and cooking at the same time but the wait was worth it. We were the only ones left by the time we finish and we got to talk to the owner/ chef. He was very nice and told us about his background and asked us how we found the place. Told him, me and my bf have had this spot for a while on our go to eat spots, and that night was the night we were able to finally go and try it. Definitely will come back and try the other dishes. They have a variety of food you can try, may it be a for brunch, lunch, dinner or even late night snack. Their menu is really good. Already thinking about when to go back and what to order and try next on their menu read more

Had such a great experience at Woowa in Gardena! The food was absolutely delicious, especially the Korean BBQ and side dishes. Everything tasted fresh, flavorful, and authentic. The staff was very friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere felt cozy and welcoming. Definitely one of my favorite Korean spots in the area -- I'll absolutely be coming back again soon :) read more

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Woowa is a nice Korean/Italian located in a small strip building on the corner of Marine and Western Ave. Street parking is available and also about 8 parking stalls around back. The owner is a nice fellow and tonight when we for dinner, he was a one man show. Hosting, waiting and cooking and did everything really well. He took the time to explain the menu and even gave great recommendations. We made a reservation and highly recommend that as they get pretty busy even other yelpers suggested it. Overall a great dining experience! read more

Woowa - Korean Near Me - Gardena, California

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Always passed by here, looked mysterious and wanted to give it a shot! Came here on a Thursday night with some friends. There's a few parking spots in the back and street parking. Inside there's a couple of tables and bar seating. We shared: Pancake: (3/5) least favorite dish. Feel like it wasn't very hot, flavor was decent though Fries with beef (5/5) beef was so tender, sauces were good and it was good ole crispy fries Rose pasta with meatball (4/5): wish the sauce was more flavorful, was definitely more garlic forward. the meatball was more like a patty and was slightly sweet which was good. Beef with salad/rice (5/5): beef was nice and tender. Same beef they used on the fries. Nice it came with their salad too. Service was really friendly, it was one guy who I think may be the manager or owner. Would come back to try the other dishes! read more

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This is a hidden gem in Gardena serving really great food. Very polished Korean fusion dishes, and you can tell they put a lot of heart into everything they make. If some of the dishes sound a little weird at first, try them before you judge them. Highly recommend the pork belly -- you don't fully realize the quality until you take a bite and immediately know this is some really good meat. The flavor is spot on, and it goes perfectly with beer. Rose paste sujebi: very good. The rose flavor is creamy without being overwhelming at all. The texture is perfect -- soft with a really nice chew. The salami on top worked surprisingly well. It could be a tiny bit salty for some people, but overall I really enjoyed it. Kimchi jeon/pancake: crispy on the top layer and soft in the middle. Great kimchi flavor with a really perfect balance overall. Soy garlic chicken: this is not the traditional heavily coated sauce style, which I actually liked. The quality of the chicken itself is very good, and the lighter sauce lets that stand out more. Perfect beer food. Also recommend trying the Krush beer. Expect around a 30-minute wait for now since the place is getting popular, but I could see it getting faster later once things settle down a bit. read more

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Ambiance: it's a cozy restaurant like a hole in the wall, private parking in the rear, limited seating inside, good for late night hangout Service: super friendly and attentive, patient with requests, cleaned table and refilled water adequately Food & Drink: classic Korean bar food with some creative ideas Ttoek Galbi Meal Set - ***** mix of Korean style salad, beef cube, and rice, very tasty, highly recommend Redondo Seafood Pancake - **** crispy squid pancake, good with dipping sauce, recommend Terra - *** light bottled bear Price: moderate portions and reasonable prices, expect $30~$35 per person read more

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I hate trying a new restaurant and hating what you ordered. I wish the menu was more descriptive because if it were, I surely would not have ordered the 'spicy' pulled pork fries and rice cake and sausage skewers. What I got was ground pork on top of cold fries w/ Greek yogurt on top (I think??) and little smokie sausages with some type of white discs w/ a sweet sauce. Other patron's dishes looked and smelled good, so I would imagine other dishes were tasty. What I ordered was just a supreme miss for me and justifies the one star :( read more

Woowa - Korean Near Me - Gardena, California

My husband and I have been coming here for a while, and it has officially become our go-to for lunch, dinner, and late-night cravings. Our favorites are the oil sujebi, pork belly, pork jowl, and shrimp salad, but honestly, everything we've tried has been a hit. They also rotate in new dishes from time to time, which keeps things fun. My husband even hosted a birthday dinner here for 15 people, and the team handled it perfectly. Every dish was great, the service was top-notch, and no one ever had an empty cup. Bonus: they offer zero corkage fee for one bottle. Can't recommend this place enough. read more

Woowa - Spicy - Korean Near Me - Gardena, California

I've been wanting to try this place for a long time now. At the time of writing, it's rated 5/5 stars on Yelp, and it always seemed like there had to be something special about this place to earn that kind of rating... ...and oh boy, this place is definitely special. Everything we ordered was unique, came in a big portion, and was very, very tasty. Here's a quick overview of what we got: Hongdae meatball sandwich - MUST TRY I'm a sucker for a good sandwich, and this one definitely fits the bill. My friends and I have a debate about whether the bread or the filling is the most important part of making a sandwich "good" (I'm firmly in the camp that bread wins all), but that debate is irrelevant here because everything in this sandwich is SO delicious. The sourdough bread, the slaw, and the definitely-homemade meatball (more like a meat patty) all come together to make one of the best things I've eaten recently. If I had to nitpick, my only gripe is that it's messy and could probably use a skewer or toothpick to keep it all together -- otherwise, I'm 100% getting this again, and you should too. Spicy pork kimchi tofu - feeds you, your family, and everyone who lives on your street This thing is massive. It almost looks like an entire block of tofu was battered and deep-fried, then topped with a literal mound of spicy pork and kimchi. Honestly, when I got this I thought it would be more about looks than taste -- but man, was I wrong. Woowa is open late, so I could totally see this being a great dish to share with three friends over beer or soju. Ramyeon risotto - goodness gracious I was chatting with the owner and learned that his culinary background is in Italian cuisine, which he studied in Korea. I would have never guessed based on the Yelp photos, which focus primarily on the sandwiches -- but a big part of the menu leans into Korean-Italian fusion. If the risotto is any indication of what the other Italian dishes are like, every single one of them is sure to be excellent. It's a pretty simple dish, but it's executed so well: mild spiciness from the ramyeon, richness from the butter and cream, all soaked into a really great base of rice. I'm still thinking about this dish. Truffle fries - the kind of good fries that go with anything You know how fries can sometimes be soggy and a little undersalted, but you're going to eat them anyway because they're potatoes? These are not that at all: light, crispy, well-seasoned, and they go down easy. I could see myself eating a bowl of these alongside literally anything else on the menu. If I had to gripe about a couple of things: the interior is very dark and the music plays pretty loud. Honestly, that vibe is kind of nice for late-night eats, but when I'm having lunch around 1pm, it feels a little strange to be sitting in the dark -- especially on a sunny day. The other thing is that the menu is almost too overwhelming. I wanted to try everything, but the sheer number of options made it hard to choose. If you find yourself in the same position, just order the Hongdae meatball sandwich and a side of fries. If you like it, come back and try one of the Italian dishes. It was seriously that good. All in all, I can't wait to come back and bring some friends. Thank you for reading this essay.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ read more

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The restaurant had good energy and music from the moment we walked in. We were quickly attended to and served. Every dish was so flavorful and well thought out. Joon took great care of us! Will definitely be coming back! read more

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I came here today with my friend. My friend is strongly recommended here the food!! The food was great And the food?? Yeah !!! I shocked the food taste is really good And the owner is very friendly!!! read more

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What an amazing little place! The server and chef are killing it. We tried the Korean meatballs, pork belly and seafood pancake. Amazing! Everything tasted great and was perfectly cooked. Can't wait to come back and try it again. There is parking in the back and a red door. The ambiance is wonderful. This is a small place that's worth going to! read more

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Tried a new spot today, Woowa in Gardena, a Korean-Italian fusion restaurant, and it was really delicious. We went around 5pm and had the whole place to ourselves, which made it feel really relaxed. The owner, Joon, is incredibly kind and even came over to chat with us, which made the experience feel extra welcoming. We ordered the tteokgalbi set (served with rice and salad) and the rose sujebi. The tteokgalbi was delicious -- the meat was perfectly seasoned, juicy, and paired so well with the fresh rice. The rose sujebi was super flavorful, and the sujebi itself had a really satisfying chewy texture, almost like rice cakes. Overall, we had a great experience and will definitely be back to try more dishes. Excited to see this spot grow! read more

Woowa - Rose sujebi - Korean Near Me - Gardena, California

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So glad to have eaten here! They offer unique Korean fusion foods It made me think of a haiku :9 Delicious woowa Risotto and Sujebi I am satisfied read more

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Ordered the Oil Sujebi, tteok galbi meat, and N pork belly. Food and service was a 10/10, highly recommend! read more

Woowa - Korean Near Me - Gardena, California

Small hole in the wall restaurant that is doing Korean food with a twist. Got the rose sugebi and kimchi fried rice and they were both tasty. Talked with the owner and he seemed cool. Service was quick as well. read more

Woowa - Korean Near Me - Gardena, California

Came in on a sleepy Monday night to find a beautiful old school Korean-style interior and a very enthusiastic chef you could watch work in the open kitchen. We came in for sandwiches - which is only available through the lunch menu - but the dinner menu is much more expansive and the chef is more than happy to make recommendations. He works deliberately and brought everything out himself, and I must say it was an unforgettable experience. We ordered the Tteok-Galbi, a Korean Galbi sweet marinated beef meatball and were blown away by how juicy and rich they were. We also took a chance on the Chicken Pancake and were surprised by the unique take on a chicken parm with Korean flair. The portions are generous and meant to be shared, Korean Pocha style. The chef himself is friendly and passionate about his new restaurant, he's from Korea and got his degree in Italian cuisine. I can't sing his praises nearly enough, so I have to ask whoever is reading this to trust me and go support an incredibly talented young chef opening his dream spot. read more

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Was excited to try out this new pub like Korean restaurant in Gardena! We got their pork belly, tteok galbi, and garlic parm French fries. Everything was pretty decent... the fries were nothing really special. The galbi had good flavor to it, the pork belly though was disappointing. We saw him make the food and usually when you serve it in the stone pot, the food should be hot but it was not. Not too sure how the food was not warm at all. All the foods would have been better if served hot. There were only two tables when we dined in so we were taken care of well. Kind of a pricy place for the food but Overall place was okay read more

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What a gem in Gardena! Woowa serves amazing dishes with such delicious flavors. The owner/chef/waiter is very personable. He greeted us as we came in, chatted us up a bit and check in on us often. He was Superman taking care of five parties himself. The space is cozy with nice chill music playing. The dishes we had were excellent and we can't wait to come back and try the rest of the menu. read more

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Came on a Friday lunch, right when they opened. Lots of parking in the back! The owner, Chef Joon, greeted us and we sat anywhere we wanted to. We ordered the tteok galbi plate and the jjapagetti with grilled pork. When the jjapagetti first came out, I was like "I can make this at home!" But then when I tasted how good it was I said to myself, "Okay, I haven't been able to make it taste THIS good." Haha. The instant noodles were al dente and he did something special to the sauce because it was so addicting. The pork on top was grilled nicely. I kept eating it because it was there and I couldn't stop. The tteok galbi plate came with fluffy white rice with furikake, a leafy green salad and the galbi meatballs. The meatballs were so good-- not the typical Italian ones, but these were irregular pieces and crispy and charred on the outside. The salad had a good dressing and was nice to have to cut the grease from the meat. We killed that plate too. It's just a one (or maybe 2?) man show for now while he looks to hire more staff, but overall would definitely come back to order the tteok galbi, jjapagetti and try other dishes! read more

My 2nd review.. they finally started their dinner menu a month ago!! We've been to Woowa 3-4 times since. The dinner menu is 5 pages long! So many options and everything we've tried were delicious! I really can't say enough nice things about their food! And Joonho, owner/chef, is the nicest man! Our favorites: cream gnocchi with shishito peppers, pork jowl with kimchi in sizzling pot, ramen risotto, moochin mandoo, fries with hot Cheetos (kids fave)! Can't wait to go back to try more stuff! Always easy parking, no reservation necessary (for now.. I have a feeling this place will be packed soon). Soju, beer and wine available. They also have fun drinking games! No take out available right now for dinner, just lunch. Check it out! read more

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My husband's coworker recommended this place a few weeks ago, and we finally got a chance to try it -- I'm so glad we did! We ordered the Tteok Galbi Meal Set (Korean beef meatballs with rice and salad) and the Oil Sujebi with clams and zucchini. We enjoyed both dishes; the flavors were great. I especially enjoyed the texture of the sujebi, and they did such a great job cleaning the clams -- I didn't chew on a single grain of sand. A+! Parking was easy on a Thursday, and they have a private lot in the back. The service was also excellent -- very attentive and helpful with menu explanations. We'll definitely be back soon! read more

Woowa - Oil Sujebi - Korean Near Me - Gardena, California

This place is truly delightful. I came with 3 other people. We ordered 6 entrees total- 3 at first and then 3 more - because literally everything was so delicious! If you haven't been here, get here. Now. You will not be disappointed. read more

Woowa - Arugula cucumber salad - Korean Near Me - Gardena, California

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Everything was so delicious! Woowa~ Every dish was full of flavor and made with so much care. We especially loved the warm atmosphere and friendly service. There are still so many delicious things on the menu we want to try next time! We can't wait to come back again soon for another amazing meal. read more

Woowa - Kimchi Jeon, arugula cucumber salad - Korean Near Me - Gardena, California

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Not only is the service great but the food is even better. If you're looking for a place to kick it with friends/family. This is the spot. The story behind this spot is an ever better reason to come. It's a story inspired by his child to bring joy and a pop to the world. 12/10 recommend read more

Woowa - Korean Near Me - Gardena, California

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I came here several times And the owner is always friendly Also the food?? Yeah the food is always good The owner cooked all the times You gotta try delicious food here I highly recommend here !!!!! read more

Woowa - Korean Near Me - Gardena, California

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We went for a walk then ended up devouring everything we ordered! Honestly, price seemed little high for small restaurant. I was wrong...worth every penny! Will be back again later! read more

Stopped in for lunch after hearing about it from a friend who raved about his place. The tteokgalbi is very good and portions are great for the price. Also got a dak attack sandwich which I recommend eating quickly because the bread will get soggy fast with the sauce dripping over it. The service and hospitality from the the owner Joon was amazing! Overall a uniquely nice Korean fusion spot to add to the South Bay food roster. read more

Woowa - Tteok galbi and chuncheon dak attack - Korean Near Me - Gardena, California

We went on a Monday night around 8:30pm for late dinner because we didnt want to cook. Had ddeok galbi meal set, rose pasta with chicken and cucumber arugula salad. The portions were large and the food was all delicious. Reasonably priced also. 3 items were too much for the two of us but glad we tried all 3 items. The restaurant was clean and nicely decorated. It seems like a good spot for dinner with drinks but we were out on a Monday night so no drinks for us. Will definitely go back to try other items read more

Super chill place. Not crowded and you can just sit. The food is good! Very tasty items. The host and chef is quite chill as well. read more

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Love this place!!! So glad this town has a place like this. Very unique dishes, they all taste amazing and NEW. All prepared by professional chef (you can see him cook!). I'm on a mission to try every dish on the menu. AND they open til 2am! Not too loud, good music, perfect place to chill with friends on a friday night. read more

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We got the hangover pasta and it was delicious! My husband and I devoured it. The chef was so accommodating and understanding with our request for no mussels. He even made the dish to our spiciness liking. We will definitely be returning when we are in the South Bay area! read more

Small restaurant but with a big heart!! The service was great and the food was amazing. First time dining here but it will definitely will not be our last!! Definitely recommend it... you will not be disappointed!! read more

Woowa - Red Tteokbokki!! YUM! - Korean Near Me - Gardena, California

Unique and delicious! The distinguished young chef here has something special that I have not ever tried before. Worth a stop and share with some folks, the portions are generous and filling. read more

Woowa - Huge Risotto after slick presentation - Korean Near Me - Gardena, California

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My husband discovered this spot on Yelp and decided to stop by for lunch. From the outside, it looks pretty unassuming, but once you step inside, the music sets a great vibe. The food was so good that we ended up coming back later that same night to try the dinner menu. We tried several dishes, and my favorites were the Hongdae meatball sandwich and the rose pasta w/seafood--both were absolutely delicious. The owner, Chef Joon, was incredibly welcoming, provided excellent service, and personally prepared all of the dishes himself. Needless to say, we'll definitely be coming back again and again to try more items on the menu. I also love that they're open late since we tend to eat late. Be sure to check them out and show them some support! read more

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This place has amazing food! Such a hidden gem and I hope more people find it :) Although the place seems to be run by just one person; the food came out super quick, tasted amazing, and he was super kind! They place some nice music without it being disruptive at all! read more

Woowa - tteok-bokki (pink) w/ Beef Belly and Corn Cheese - Korean Near Me - Gardena, California