So Gong Dong
UPDATE: November 2005
So Gong Dong has relocated.
A couple of weeks ago, I drove past this place and saw quite a line outside. I had never been here before and I was curious as to the type of food this place served. Tonight, it was a little cold and slightly rainy when I drove past. Again I saw a few people waiting outside, so I decided to take a chance and have dinner here.
So Gong Dong is located on Kapiolani Boulevard fronting Ala Moana Shopping Center. Upon entering the restaurant, I was pleasantly surprised to see the place full of not just Koreans, but lots of Japanese tourists as well. I guess they (the tourists) found out about this place before I did.
After looking over the menu and placing my order, the food started coming to the table quite quickly. First to arrive were the ban chan (side dishes).
Steamed (?) Gai lan (Chinese broccoli).
Marinated fern shoots.
Won bok (Chinese cabbage) kim chee.
Mung bean sprouts.
Daikon (white radish) kim chee.
Each of the different side dishes was wonderfully fresh with my favorites being the marinated fern shoots and the daikon kim chee. What I really liked was that they were each prepared a bit differently. The daikon kim chee and the won bok kim chee were slightly spicy. The gai lan and the bean sprouts were plain, and had very little seasoning. The marinated fern shoots, on the other hand, were a bit sweet and savory.
Next came the kalbi & meat jun (US$7.99)
There were two pieces of local-style kalbi here. The meat was tender and the marinade just a little sweet. I would have preferred the meat to be "charred" just a little more as I really like the crispy bits. The meat jun was quite delicious as well. Here the egg coating was not too thick or greasy. In fact, there was a bit of "crispiness" to the egg coating covering the meat.
Finally, the restaurant's specialty, the original soondubu chigae (beef & pork soup/stew, US$6.97)
The pot arrived at the table hot and still bubbling. I let it bubble for a few minutes before attempting to dig into the spicy broth. Here you'll find lots of minced beef and pork, slivers of mushrooms, soft tofu and chopped green onions. In a way, this dish reminded me of mapo tofu. It wasn't as spicy as I had expected it to be and the broth had a fairly "beefy" flavor to it. It's quite difficult to describe the texture of the tofu, but just know that it was soft and "quivering" and easily slipped down my throat as I took each bite.
How does this look?
All in all, this was a satisfying meal. The prices for a majority of the menu items are reasonable, although a few of the items such as the kim chee pancake and the chop chae were a little pricey (over US$10.00). The service was excellent especially since the food appeared at my table in under 10 minutes even though the restaurant was practically full. I enjoyed the food here so much that I've already planned my next visit and have already invited a few friends.
So Gong Dong
McCully Shopping Center
1960 Kapiolani Boulevard
Telephone: 808.946.8206
Glancing over the name of the place real fast, I almost mistakenly thought I'd read "So darn long". But after looking at all of the yummy pictures, I take my off-the-wall comment back. That's one of the things I really miss about Hawaii and that is the Korean restaurants. Haven't eaten at a bad place yet. Will have to try that place the next time besides Kim Chee II. Thanks for the tip Reid.
Posted by: Clinton | July 23, 2005 at 06:26 PM
Oh Reid,
That looks so good! I love Soon Dubu jigae (soft tofu soup), and the kalbi looked awesome also. Oh so you like Kaktugi (romanisation is so awkward) the white radish kimchi huh...Hmmm would you like a recipe for it? it isn't very hard to make it. Well depends on how much you make I suppose. I think the greens (yol mul) or gai lan, looks like it has been either steamed or blanched then the excess water squeezed out and marinated in sesame oil or was it simply dressed plainly? It looks like the meal was evenly balanced. *sigh* Next time you come to the bay area we'll have to eat soon dubu jigae together! it's one of my favourite comfort foods.
Posted by: milgwimper | July 23, 2005 at 06:54 PM
Hi Clinton,
I really like Korean food and it really amazes me as to the sheer variety of dishes that we can find here. That said, there are so many dishes that we cannot find here that I would love to try.
Ahhh, but I guess I'll just have to visit Korea then.
By the way, they have quite a few of these soondubu type restaurants in the LA area. If you're looking for a recommendation, let me know.
Hi Milgwimper,
I thought you'd like this one! =) Can I tell you that in all my years, this is the first time that I've eaten soondubu chigae? I normally eat kim chee chigae. I found this quite nice especially since the broth had a really nice beefy taste.
The greens were actually very dry with no flavoring on them whatsoever. I guess that's why I liked them so much. You are so right about this meal being balanced. I guess that's really why I like Korean food. =)
BTW...perhaps you can take Jo to eat soondubu chigae. Do you think she could handle the "mild" version?
Posted by: Reid | July 23, 2005 at 09:06 PM
Hi Reid,
One of the highlights of a Korean meal is always the banchan! With the exception of cabbage kimchi, the others dishes are usually rotated. Love the surprise element.
The fern shoots are very interesting. I've never seen them before. I've yet to try soon dubu, but looking at what you had, I've gotta try it out soon!
Posted by: Julia | July 23, 2005 at 09:29 PM
Reid,
I have already taken Jo to eat soon dubu chigae, but I have to confess the color of her chigae and mine were worlds apart. I have never seen soon dubu chigae served white, as the tofu. >nudging Jo< I think I shall take her there again and up then ante...;P Whatcha think Jo? Think you can stand a couple more chili flakes? *wink*
Reid, yeah I love it when the side dishes have several different types of banchan and not just spicey or mild or well you get the picture. I hate mono banchan! LOL Well I hope you get the chance to go to Korea, and come a visit here soon. Thanks so much for the soon dubu post, I think I will have to go get some soon!
Posted by: milgwimper | July 23, 2005 at 09:39 PM
ooh this looks great :) I love all the different kim chees....mmmmmmmmmm
Posted by: clare eats | July 23, 2005 at 10:19 PM
This meal really look good .. Reid..! i'm drooling again..!!
Posted by: Big BoK | July 23, 2005 at 10:25 PM
Reid,
You got me going on Korean foods so I visited a large popular Korean store in Torrance called Hannam Market. I guess I went hog wild and bought things I was hungry for like a large bottle of napa kim chee, sliced frozen ribeye for bulgolgi, pickling cucumber, and a bag of crushed red pepper. I saw a recipe in the Honolulu Advertiser for cucumber kim chee the other day and decided to experiment. Wish me luck on my first attempt to making kim chee. Was always cheaper for me to buy the stuff but your pictures got me inspired. PS...I forgot to buy some gum for later!
Posted by: Clinton | July 24, 2005 at 04:25 AM
Clinton: Good Luck, and Tasty eatings!
Posted by: milgwimper | July 24, 2005 at 06:29 AM
Hey Reid - Looks good! Wouldn't you know that I had Korean food last night as well. It's nice that Gosari was included in your panchan - I've hardly ever encountered those fern shoots. Hey Clinton, I use those Listerine Strips....LOL!
Posted by: Kirk | July 24, 2005 at 07:08 AM
Hi Julia,
Asian food is my favorite with Korean being something that I eat quite often. I like the fact that there are always vegetables served with the meal. It makes it seem that much healthier. If you like tofu, you definitely should try soon dubu chigae.
Hi Milgwimper,
What?!!! White soon dubu chigae? You're kidding me right? I thought that Jo might be able to handle a little spiciness.
Yes, you definitely need to take her again, and I definitely need to visit Korea again. It's been many years since I've been there.
Hi Clare,
This was so good. If you've never had soon dubu chigae, it's a definite must try. The selection of ban chan is always what makes a Korean meal special.
Hi Big BoK,
This was really good. Do you get Korean food out your way?
Hi Clinton,
Good luck with making the cucumber kim chee. My grandfather usually makes his own and it's much better than store bought IMHO.
Don't worry, I forgot the gum too. LOL!
Hi Kirk,
How funny is that? We both had Korean at the same time. I like the fern shoots and they seem to be quite common here for some reason. I've also had them at Million and at Korea House.
Posted by: Reid | July 24, 2005 at 10:33 AM
All right now, I was to busy to protect myself and while I was gone you were picking on me again!!!
::hollering to an imagined waitstaff:: HAMACHI Tempura and "Blonde" Soon Dubu Chigae right here please! DON'T FORGET THE KETCHUP AND A SIDE OF GRITS!
::wink wink::
Posted by: Jo | July 24, 2005 at 05:07 PM
Unfortunately no.. Reid..:(
Poor me.. eh..??
Posted by: Big BoK | July 24, 2005 at 05:59 PM
SLURP!!!! i had some korean ginseng chick soup recently and i was kinda dissappointed with it. will check out other shops.
Posted by: babe_kl | July 24, 2005 at 08:19 PM
Every weekend, after a dosage of three back to back episodes of Jewel in the Palace, I crave for Korean food. Somehow we don't end up eating it as we always have something on. Guess I just have to content myself with looking at your lovely pictures!
Posted by: boo_licious | July 25, 2005 at 01:15 AM
Hi Jo,
Me? Pick on you? Never!
Hi Big BoK,
OK. I would never be able to live without Korean food. I feel so bad for you. =(
Hi babe_kl,
Korean ginseng chicken soup? I never had it myself, but I did see a woman eating it at this same restaurant and it looked quite tasty. I think I'm going to have to try it sometime.
Hi boo_licious,
Are there a lot of Korean restaurants in KL? I assuming that 'Jewel in the Palace' is one of those K-dramas huh? All the girls in my office are crazy about 'em.
Posted by: Reid | July 25, 2005 at 01:35 AM
Korean foods...Korean K-dramas...arg-h-h-h! Both are driving me nuts! Korean foods I like...but those K-dramas are relegating me to the back room to watch TV like a depraved human being. My wife and her girlfriends are being taken over by that sinister, mind-controling plot to take over this world! I think it's a Commie plot if you ask me?
Posted by: Clinton | July 25, 2005 at 04:54 AM
What a perfect meal for a rainy day. The soondubu chigae looks particularly comforting.
Posted by: tara | July 25, 2005 at 05:50 AM
What a perfect meal for a rainy day. The soondubu chigae looks particularly comforting.
Posted by: tara | July 25, 2005 at 05:50 AM
Hey, Reid - What a coincidence! We had soondubu just the other night! Soon dubu was very comforting during foggy nights in SF and yes, it's strangely comfy here in the 80 degree Honolulu weather. Anyway, I thought it was strange that there was no raw egg in the soon dubu, but I overheard the tourist couple eating nearby asking for an egg in theirs! How they know that?! Next time, gonna ask for an egg to make the *tiny* bowl of soup more substantial :)
Posted by: Lajja | July 25, 2005 at 09:01 AM
OMG, you all know so much about Korean food! I'm jealous.
Great photos, Reid. I'll be back for sure.
Posted by: cookiecrumb | July 25, 2005 at 02:44 PM
hello! nice mouth watering korean! i love korean too!!
i went to a korean restaurant a day before you went in melbourne so i TBed from your blog.
thank you..
Posted by: ponzu_7 | July 25, 2005 at 09:55 PM
Won bok Kimchi?
never heard of that
that is 배추 김치 Baechu Kimchi
Posted by: algol | July 26, 2005 at 01:36 AM
and the radish in 깍두기 is 무 mu, not daikon, daikon is Japanese.
You would offend Koreans if you call mu daikon
Posted by: algol | July 26, 2005 at 01:47 AM
You offended Mills?
Posted by: Jo | July 26, 2005 at 07:53 AM