While debating what to enjoy for Christmas dinner, we decided to visit a Korean restaurant in Garden Grove that’s been gaining attention as a local favorite. From the moment the dishes arrived, the visual presentation was undeniably impressive—carefully plated and appealing, setting high expectations for the meal. One of the strengths of the restaurant is its use of hot stone plates, which help keep dishes warm throughout the meal—a thoughtful touch, especially for winter dining. The brisket dish, reminiscent of traditional Korean galbijjim, delivered satisfying flavors. The meat was tender, generously portioned, and offered good value for the price, making it one of the more successful dishes of the evening. However, a few menu items gave us pause. The curry pork katsu, for instance, fell short of expectations. I personally enjoy tonkatsu for its crisp exterior, but here the cutlet was completely soaked in curry sauce, leaving it soggy and devoid of crunch. Serving the sauce on the side would have preserved the texture and significantly improved the dish. The tteokbokki was flavorful but overly seasoned, leaning too salty and heavy. If this were an izakaya or late-night drinking spot, the bold seasoning might have made sense. Yet on this particular evening, the dining room was filled with families rather than drinkers, making the intense flavors feel slightly out of place. Overall, the restaurant delivers strong visuals and generally appealing flavors, but dialing back the salt and intensity just a notch would elevate the experience considerably. With more balanced seasoning, this spot has the potential to move from “good” to truly memorable—especially for family dining occasions like the holidays.

All the banchan tasted fresh and tasted like it was made by a korean mom. The food was good, clean and simple. The seafood pancake was crispy and on point. The beef soup with the glass noodles was delicious 👌 pair with lemon Jinro sochu. You'll thank later. The portions of food they serve are out of control but the quality and taste is by far worth the price which is very reasonable. I would recommend of you are visiting from oit of town, must try. Service is above and beyond and the attention to detail is incredible as well.

I had such a great experience at Dawa Kitchen! The food was delicious,especially the bibimbap, which was flavorful, well-seasoned, and came in a generous portion. All the dishes tasted authentic and comforting, just like good Korean food should be. However, the fried chicken didn’t stand out for me The restaurant itself isn’t too big, but the space feels cozy and welcoming. Our food came out surprisingly fast, and the staff were friendly and attentive throughout the meal. If you’re craving Korean food in the area, I definitely recommend checking out Dawa Kitchen. I’ll be back to try more dishes for sure!