Sun Nong Dan Reviews

Give it a 3.5 stars. Extremely popular place for Korean food. We got a party of 5 people and it was a long wait. It moved fast. We got our name called for our table, but they asked us to ordered our food. So we got the Galbi Jjim and Galbi tang soup along with brown rice and side dishes. The Galbi Jjim is a big portion. The waiter takes a blow torch and lid the dish on fire to melt the cheese. The oxtail meat is very tender. However it's too rich and heavy for me. It goes well with the galbi tang soup. It cuts through the Galbi Jjim. Drink the soup while you eat the cheesy dish. There is valet parking in the lot. However be mindful that your car can get stuck because they triple parked other cars too.

When I go somewhere and I hear that they have a dish that they really hang their hat on, I want to order that dish. At Sun Nong Dan, it's the Galbi Jjim. I was immediately impressed with their efficient waiting system: they have a paper sign up at the door, and when it gets close to time to seat you, a staff member takes your order so that you don't have to wait too long after sitting down to get your food. The banchan here rivals the banchan of any Korean restaurant that I've been to. The Galbi Jjim is sweet, spicy, savory, and has a ton of different textures, thanks to the deliciously soft meat and rice cakes. I ordered the smaller of the two sizes and it was more than enough for my girlfriend and I.

Expect a wait outside the restaurant. Once called in you will be asked to "pre-order" so check out the menu. Service is attentive and friendly. Expect only beef soups and stews, their Korean speciality, along with some good side dishes. Most order the Galbi Jjim, a beef short rib stew with potatoes, carrot, spices and few greens - good, but a lot of potatoes. Do not order the expensive large size unless you have a big group (over six). Due to over-ordering, the most popular order here is a to-go bag. Typical Korean strip mall setting atmosphere with no alcohol. Sun Nong Dan is one of Korea Town's most popular restaurants with Korean locals, but it did not make a fan out of me.

Firt try of their Galbi Jjim , order the spicy one and it was super delicious . Galbi Jjim is a braised beef short ribs , it was slightly sweet and spicy (you can choose the level of spicy) . Please be careful on the size , they have small and large portion. The portion itself is huge , you can share the small portion with 3-4 person. The oxtail soup is also good and also must have . The place is always packed and there’s always a line, so be prepare for que.

Sun Nong Dan offers very decent customer services at a decent price. Food was great, and they open 24 hours. At Sun Nong Dan, it's the Galbi Jjim. I was immediately impressed with their efficient waiting system: they have a paper sign up at the door, and when it gets close to time to seat you, a staff member takes your order so that you don't have to wait too long after sitting down to get your food. The Galbi Jjim is sweet, spicy, savoury, and has a ton of different textures, thanks to the deliciously soft meat and rice cakes. I ordered the smaller of the two sizes and it was more than enough for my girlfriend and me.

Sun Nong Dan offers very decent customer services with decent price. Food was great, and they open 24 hours.

Visited the KoreaTown outlet. Food was very good as many have commented. Staff worked with amazing efficiency. BUT.. it ain’t appetizing when the tray liners that you used on your tables is stored in the ladies’ washroom. I wonder if that infringed food hygiene standards for public health. Washroom should not be used as storeroom for things you used in your part food preparation.

You need at least three or four people to share the meal so be prepared. The lime was long but the foods worth it.

Went there again on Sept 26, 2019, for breakfast. Had one of there specials which they have daily, but the couple next to us went all out and ordered Koh Galbi Jjim. That looked so delicious wanting me to return and try that. The couple said they liked it and came back again to order it again.

We actually went to go to the restaurant next door to them. But they had a lineup and over 45min wait in line. So we went next door. And I do not regret it. Ordered the oxbone soup. Best thing ever! My sister ordered the bulgogi and glass noodles. Fanfreakintastic! we shared the dishes and almost died of happiness! Would visit every day if I lived there.

This was my first visit and plan on coming back because of their specials. It's hard to find places of great value and not sacrificing food quality. We came here just in time before the line started. Cheap eats on the specials but other dishes are like any other places.

This place has lines outside from 1030 AM till the evening. I love their system when making reservations. Add your name to the list and come back every 15 minutes to check on your table. People aren't fighting to grab a seat and you have a bakery or bar within a couple of steps to kill some time. I came here with some friends and we ordered the galbi jim with cheese and the Wonkitang #20. Between 8 of us we could not finish the food it was a lot with the ban chan. The oxtail, tendon, brisket, pork and beef ribs were plentiful and extra generous. The galbi jim is medium heat and the Wonkitang had a rich miso like broth. We left stuffed and still had plenty of leftovers. If your in Korea town and looking for some authentic soups this is the spot!

Ate at the new Western Ave place. Nice new construction. Food was great. Service attentive. Enjoyed our meal and will come back

I visited this place 3 times within a 2 week stay in DTLA! And that was in 2016. It’s so good that I still think about it! I recommend it to everyone I know is visiting the area or passing thru! It is amazing. One dish well worth the wait and price and would have you coming back for more is the Galbi Jiim! Super good and highly recommended! Enjoy the pics!

#galbejjim Probability the most famous Korean restaurant in LA. The beef w cheese makes it totally irresistible!!! —— LA無人不曉的韓國料理。有點小貴，但真的好吃哭。而且份量大到我們5個女生分（配吃到飽小菜）。 但要平日中午去不然排到懷疑人生。 #katesfunzone #凱特瘋閣

Popular Korean spot for short rib plates. It’s been featured as a top LA Times Spot/Jonathan Gold fave and the crowds reflect that distinction. No reservations are accepted. There’s valet parking or you can try your luck with street parking, but you’ll have probably have to walk a bit. Credit cards are accepted. Single occupant bathrooms are available in the back by the kitchen. Indoor dining and takeout are available (no outdoor alternatives). Note that the tables are really close together; you can go with a bigger group, but I think six would have to be the absolute max. You put your name on the paper and then you’ll get called to place your order so there’s the food is ready for you by the time you get seated. We opted for the galbi jjim with cheese (extra cost). A medium size fed four hungry girls perfectly. You have the option of either white or brown (purple) rice, and can customize the spice level. Get the purple rice. You also receive a couple of appetizers (kimchi and greens in our case) in addition to a sauce. The meat was bone-in and the dish was very flavorful - I can see why people would wait an hour for food.

You truly get a taste of traditional Korean Comfort food. Everything is so fantastic here it’s always busy and there’s always a line.

Went to Korean town to look for this restaurant. At 6pm, there is a small crowd queuing and even after we finished at 8pm, there is still a small crowd queuing. Restaurant is not big, about 40 seats. We ordered a mixed beef broth and oxtail broth. The broth are fresh and flavorful. We order a medium sized beef galbi with cheese flambé. The beef galbi portion is very generous. Three of us can only finished half of it. It can actually share among 5-6 people. The beef galbi is flavorsome. Beef is tender and not over cooked. It’s the best beef galbi Korean restaurant I have ever eaten. Service is good and the price are reasonable!

Their Galbijjim is great, just like in Korea. Always so busy and you have to wait in line after you put your name on the waiting list. We got medium sized Galbujjim for 65USD and it was really deliicious. We loved the food but the restaurant is small and hectic. The restroom is a bit dirty and overall it needs to be taken care better. That said, I'd go back for the food, unless I go to Korea and have better ones for a bit less money.

Tiny, packed,not nice environment place . This is not restaurant. Too long waiting outside and absolutely no service. Very rude service man taking order outside before going to inside. Food soo average , You can find these foods from any korean restaurant. Soup comes with plastic spoon :(

We waited in line for almost 40 minutes, not bad for a friday night. Expect to order a good 20 minutes before you get to sit down. Before ordering we did a little research and read a review by the late Jonathan Goldberg, who said that no matter what you should get the spicy stew. Beware before you do this, we are from Mexico and completely able to eat pretty spicy food, but this was waaaayy too hot to enjoy. Between the fact that the stew comes piping hot and the heat from the sauce, we had a hard time eating it, besides that the food is super tasty and service is pretty good too. Next time I visit I will definitely order medium spicy.

I chose this restaurant based on recommendations from a food journal were some chefs recommended it. There was a waiting list even at midnight. The Banchan were really good and there was a nice variety. However the soup I got was bland and the meat was still tuff. Maybe I ordered the wrong dish. Maybe they were having an off day.

I'm assuming this place is a victim of its own success. We went by this place earlier in the evening and it was pretty packed. Even when we came in on a Tuesday night at 2am, it was still pretty busy. We both got the tendon soup aka Do Ga Ni Tang (도가니탕). The food came out rather quickly, but we quickly noticed the color of the soup was rather clear. We took a quick taste and could immediately tell they had not cooked it nearly long enough. Maybe they didn't expect the crowd they had earlier and ran out of their soup, but you shouldn't just dump a bunch of water, boil it for a little bit then serve it. Also, for a price that is almost double other places, I expected much better.

When you are craving for some good food at 3AM...this is what happens!!! The ox bone broth here is sooooo good! Jonathan Gold was right, this place makes bubbling cauldrons of goodness !!!

Didn’t have high expectations here but I did notice the high reviews, also didn’t expect a big line but I get it the location is not that big and its very cramped. It was a cold Monday evening around 745pm, height of dinner when patrons are hangry but all worked out the head waiter did well in making sure everyone didn’t wait very long – at first it seemed most stared into space (* get out of your head – write your name down and number of you party) You will then be called and asked to look at the menu and place your order, they don’t Bull$%^$ around yo , get your food, eat your food and go on get outta here! I would’ve like to sit a bit longer after the meal but you know how the restaurant business gets! The food itself - YOLO why not get the Galbi Jim for $95 - $115 out the door with tip for 2 people. First off, this is enough for 4 people. If you know you eat a ton, like crazy amount, cause you bench 350 then yeah enough for 3. Goodness, we took half of the order to go, can anyone tell me why they can’t make a single serving of this? Would’ve loved to try other items. The banchan were of high quality, premium yuup all in the taste! Didn’t get the cheese, I’m not sure what people see in it but I would’ve rather had it the authentic way – maybe I’ll try and make a small bowl w cheese with the leftovers. Overall – great service, delicious and great quality food, would recommend in a heartbeat!

Spurred on by the recommendation of Eatery L A, we tried this place that offers traditional Korean fare. On site, we had second thoughts, but decided to trust the critics (mistake!). We had been looking for Korean BBQ, but this is not that type of place. This was our first foray into raditional Korean food, and it was disappointing. Average quality and flavors, and I guess this type of food has more gristle and sinew associated with it than what we are comfortable with. Only beverage choice is water! Not nearly as tasty as Chinese, Thai, or Vietnamese food. It was also very expensive, for what you get. We are still be looking for a place to satisfy our longing to try Korean BBQ!

The galbi jjim is one of the great dishes in LA. Try it with the cheese— it’s that good. The flavors are so layered

If you were introduced to Korean food via galbi and/or bulgogi, but you also enjoy spicy food, this is the next logical step for you. If you come to SND, do yourself a favor and get the spicy galbi-jjim (매운 갈비찜). They have four different spice levels (soy, mild, medium, and spicy). We ended up getting the spiciest one and it was perfect. On top of the spice, the food tends to be on the sweet side (due to the galbi being marinated before being tossed in a spice marinade) so keep that in mind. Also, there are two sizes, the small and the large. The portions are huge, so err on the side of ordering the smaller size (as the food is not cheap either). The food keeps well the next day and tastes good reheated. The kimchi is very good, especially the radish (깍두기) and the chive kimchi (부추 김치). Also, if you like having soup, try the ox tail soup (꼬리 곰탕). It pairs well with the galbi jjim. Aside from the above, keep in mind this place is almost always packed so try to avoid rush hours like lunch time and dinner time unless you're ready to wait for over an hour on line.