Dong San

I've been looking for a genuine korean restaurants in central london as I'm quite a fanatic about korean food myself when I stumbled into Dongsan restaurant. It moved to Charing cross road not long ago, but the taste and the quality of food still has not changed.

However, I just want to point out some of the reviews regarding raw beef sashimi. (comments about it being served frozen and that the taste is gone or ruined) In truth, raw beef sashimi should be served frosty and slightly frozen. This is to allow the meat to melt in the mouth along with cucumbers and pears which are served together. Then, you will be able to experience the real taste of raw beef sashimi. Only place i know that serves such delicacy as well as other korean dishes in their true authenticity is Dongsan (espacially Charcoal Rib & Steamed Pork)

I have been going to Dongsan for over a year now and I feel at home as the manager as well as the employees remember me and treat me with much hospitality. I would recommend Dongsan to anybody who's in search of genuine korean cuisine in London
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Sandro Mejias
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Very surprised by some of the longest reviews and asking how genuine they are.

We went to Dong San a couple of weeks ago and I must say although the atmosphere is pleasant and the service ok (nothing to get excited about though), we were hugely disappointed by the food. The variety of the dishes was great and mouth watering on paper but when it came to our table we all wondered about the freshness and quality of it. Some of the food was watery (such as the spicy pork bulgogi), and had more vegetables (mainly onions) than meat; the seafood pancakes were uncooked and we all questioned the freshness of mussels and other seafood; the beef sashimi came out frozen - taking away all the taste of the meat.

Overall food was very disappointing and for that reason would not recommend it.
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Clare Marley
4 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Thursday, July 14, 2011

My friend and I were stumbling around Soho looking for a place to eat and wandered in here, our curiosity piqued by the mix of Korean and Japanese on the menu. Turns out that's just a facade. When I ordered the Chicken Teriyaki, our friendly waitress told me: "You don't want that. It's Japanese". Highly amusing, but her recommendation that I get the Korean deep-fried spicy chicken instead was an excellent one. My mate's sashimi was also very good, and it's all quite reaonsably priced.
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Rooksx
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Sunday, October 03, 2010

Had a good time here but it's more because of my friends, rather than the food or service.

Waitresses were sweet but inefficient.

Food was nice but nothing amazing (don't order the spicy pork bulgogi, its watery and had more onions than meat- very disappointing)

Have been to nicer Korean restaurants eg Woo Jung, so I'd only come here if other choices have been exhausted!
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Anon
6 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Monday, September 06, 2010

I went to Dong San last Sunday with my girlfriend .We went there to celebrate our anniversary. For starters, we ordered kimchi , the main meal was bulgogi, and the dessert was rice cake .The food was exquisite . The kimchi was very spicy and fresh. The bulgogi was gorgeous . It was like a pudding. The staff were polite and friendly. There was a romantic atmosphere. It was fantastic. The bill came to £30 for 2, we ate a lot, but it was cheaper than I thought . It was reasonable.
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Jason Kim
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, May 27, 2010

My boyfriend and I stumbled across Dong San one night a few weeks ago when we were looking for a place to eat in Soho that did both sushi and hot food. It was the first time we'd eaten Korean and it was absolutely delicious, two thumbs up! We ate ourselves silly and with drinks, the bill came to just over £30, absolutely bargainous.

I'm now pestering my boyfriend to go back asap.
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Antonia
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Friday, April 30, 2010

I've been to Dong San three times with my mum who tends to be picky when it comes to Asian food. I have to say that so far, Dong San is the best Korean restaurant I've ever been to in my 21 years. And she agrees.

The staff is friendly and attentive, and although some speak limited English, they try their best to explain the menu to you.

Location could be better, but the interior is very nice and airy, and it's clean as well. Now, let's go to the food. The food that we've tried are:

1.seafood pancake - this is a must, it's really crispy and tasty, complete with a tangy sauce. I ordered it every single time I've come. However, the third time it was rather disappointing because the dough was still fluffy and a bit uncooked so I'll probably not order it anymore because it left a bad experience. But the first two times it was SOOOO good... so 2 out of 3, I'd say it's worth a try!

2. kimchi - again, the best kimchi I've tasted for a long time. It's the perfect blend of sweet, sour and hot. The only downside is the portion is so very tiny, it's not worth the £2 it costs. But taste is great!

3. dolsot bibimbap - The best one I've tasted! Bibimbap tends to be bland for me but this one has got a lot of taste. Try the one with the beef sashimi, very yummy!

4. bulgogi - My favourite dish from this restaurant. You have to order this, it comes in generous amount and plenty of taste, with the beef oh so tender.

5. kalbi - Although the manager/owner clearly prefers it to bulgogi (perhaps from experience with other customers?) and kept recommending it to us, I'd say the dish is very very VERY tasty but, I was kinda put off by the oily texture of the ribs. However, I still say it's great.

6. tempura - Simply the best tempura I've tasted. The prawn is not overwhelmed by the flour, which usually is the case with tempura. Their tempura is sooo crunchy and delicious that will leave you wanting more.

7. sweet and spicy chicken stir fry - Another good dish, not the crappy sweet and sour sauce you usually encounter in typical chinese restaurants. But easily not the best dish of this restaurant.

8. Gyoza - I didn't care much for it. It's good but a bit bland since no sauce was served with it.

Overall, Dong San is a great restaurant. Everything is cooked perfectly (with 1 exception of the seafood pancake we ate the last time) and taste wonderful. I really really really really recommend this restaurant. Trust me, once you visit Dong San, you won't even want to try other Korean restaurants.
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Jess - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, April 27, 2010

I'm a huge fan of korean food and booked this restaurant to celebrate my husband's birthday based on all the positive reviews given. However, I was sorely dissapointed with the quality and quantity of the food presented to us on the evening of March 21.

We were a large group of 13 people and ordered almost everything on the menu.

To start, we had gyozas, kimchee and seafood pancakes as well as the mixed kimchee and spicy beef soup. The pancakes were quite bland and the gyozas tasted like they were the freezer type variety.

For mains, we ordered, dolsat bibimbap (all 3 varieties on the menu), bugolgi, spicy pork bulgogi as well as an array of bbq meats such as ox tongue and beef rib. The bibimbaps were bland and tasteless, the bulgogis were served on a sizzling plate (minus the sizzle) and was mediocre at best. I actually thought they would cook the bbq meats at the table (like in all other korean restaurants i've vistied) rather than precook them in the kitchen??

The ox tongue was sliced too thick and was too tough and rubbery to chew. To top it off, our beef 'sashimi' came out still frozen (my husband and I bit into a chunk of rather icy meat) and when I sent it back to the kitchen and explained it to the waitress, she simple nodded, looked somewhat confused and took the dish away. 20 minutes later, she reappeared with the same dish, but only this time the meat was thawed! I was appalled that beef 'sashimi' as they had called it, was served frozen and not fresh as sashimi should be served. Needless to say, I told her to take it back as it was unacceptable to re present a dish we had originally sent back to the kitchen.

All in all, whilst the service was attentive and polite, it lacked alot in the taste department.

Similar to a previous diner, the owner (or what appeared to be the manager) was overly eager to provide suggestions and almost forced upon us his suggestions on what to order. There is a clear distinction between subtle recommendation and downright forcefulness.

Definitely left a bitter taste in our mouths and we won't be hurrying back anytime soon.
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Oz_Gastronaut - View all reviews by this user
6 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Tuesday, March 23, 2010

My wife and another couple visited Dong San on a Satuday night.

It was busy, without being crowded. More importantly, the lay out (in the back section) was open and tables and chairs had ample room between them.

The service was very good and our waitress was very keen to assist us with various combinations.

The food itself was great. Gyoza, kimchi, spicy chicken etc made for a filling entre. Main was the BBQ at the table with various condiments. All the food was very fresh (no wilting greens - hooray!), and the level of spice and chili not excessive.

The bill was relatively modest for 4 people as well as drinks (£105).

A great alternative to some of the lesser Asian restaurants in the area.
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Z
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, February 15, 2010

My boyfriend and I loved this restaurant so much the first time we tried it that we decided to bring my family there when they visited for Christmas. While the food was as excellent as it had been the first time we were extremely irritated with the service. The man who appears to be the owner sat us at our table and acted as our waiter initially. While both my boyfriend and I eat Korean food often, my family was less familiar with it so we appreciated the owner taking the time to tell us about some Korean specialties. However, the suggestions bordered on boorish when we ordered our food and he tried to suggest other menu items. When I ordered he said that I should actually get a different dish but I said to him that I had already eaten and enjoyed the dish in the past and also that I didn't eat meat (as he was suggesting a meaty option). He persisted in this behaviour to the point where we had to tell him to lay off. Ironically, his energy was focused so much on telling us what we should be eating, he forgot to place the order for my sister's dish and when we pointed it out he admitted he had forgotten it!

While we still love the food at Dong San we found this element very disappointing. We were the customers and should have been able to order anything we wanted on the menu without harassment. We will consider returning to Dong San but hope that we will get a different waiter!
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North_Londoner
7 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, January 05, 2010