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
Comment on this reader review

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.
Comment on this reader review

Clare Marley
4 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Thursday, July 14, 2011

This is the first time writing any reviews on anything so hopefully this review can somehow honest feelings about the restaurant.

One of my closest friend suggested we have a dinner and karaoke party before the halloween and we were scavenging for good restaurants that has both dinner AND karaoke. I thought it would be difficult to find both as most restaurants don't do both BUT we manage to find this awesome place just off Oxford Street! Without hesitation we booked a party of 35 and we waited patiently with anticipation.

So the night came finally and we were asked whether we would like to order seprate dishes or have what the restaurant recommended. After a long discussion we decided to go with 20 pounds a head set. I can't remember all the food we had that night but i shall outline some of those that sparkled our night.

At the beginning we devoured on fried dumpling, Beef with Glass noodle (which was incredible) and seafood/kimchi pancake. Some of us were vegetarians and we were given completely different dishes which some were better than the original dishes!

For the main we were served with Korean BBQ dishes such as Bulgogi, Galbi (exquisite dish recomend for everyone) Dolsot bibimap (another must try dish)

Some of us had grilled mackerel and eel which were fantastic as well. A dish that everyone ordered again were Galbi , Deep Fried Spicy Chicken and the beef with glass noodles. They were just so irresistable.

After all the food and drinks we were given the microphones and blew our time away. it was just a great night where people who doesn't drink can come out and enjoy it as well . There were most of the songs we wanted to sing and the service was fantastic as well. Especially the care given to our vegetarian friends.

I thank the manager and the waiter/ waitress for making our night such a success.
Comment on this reader review

julian johnson
10 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, November 16, 2010

i have been to dongsan more or less once every week for the past 4 months. The reason is simple. There is no other place that cooks like here.

Last saturday i took my colleagues from work (about 20) to show them something different than pastas and pizzas that we've been eating.

I wanted to order basically everything on the menu but the manager suggested we order in terms of head count ( so 10 pounds per head gets you this, this and that and 20 pounds per head gets you more) we asked for 25 per head course and i must admit the manager was spot on. Everyone had the best time of their lives at dongsan.

we had gyozas (dumplings), beef with glass noodles, raw beef sashimi, deep fried spicy chicken (GOOD!) seafood pancake, kimchi pancake, sweet sour pork, seafood dolsot bibimbap and raw beef dolsot bibimbap.

I was slightly hesitant to order gyozas as i wasn't sure whether they made them here or they bought some and cooked it instead, but he did mention that they make everything here even the gyoza skin. They were absolutely delicious.

I recommend raw beef sashimi, it came out slightly frozen but as soon as the waiter cracked open that yolk, happiness melted that ice right away, it was the best raw beef i've had so far.

For people who has never tried korean food it's a must to try out the dolsot bibimbap, it came out in a stone hot pot with rice, carrot,beef,courgette, and they mixed it with this chilli sauce and the rice was so crispy it was unbelievable.

Everything was just so perfect, but obviously it was crazy busy saturday so we knew we had to wait and we also knew the food was going to be a bit slower than the other days, but the waiter gave us mixed fruit selection from the menu as compliments and apologized sincerely that the food was late.

I couldn't be any more happy to be honest. if you want to try, enjoy, adventure and have really good food with excellent service. This is the place you want to be.

We're having our monthly gathering at work again at Dongsan.
Comment on this reader review

Jamie Rowley
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, October 11, 2010

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.
Comment on this reader review

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!
Comment on this reader review

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.
Comment on this reader review

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.
Comment on this reader review

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.
Comment on this reader review

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've been introduced to korean food last year and i've been searching everywhere for a place to have decent korean dish in london. Finally i came across Dongsan from this website and i have been a regular eversince then.

When i went to the restaurant with my wife last night, the owner/manager came and suggested some dishes to us politely and since only dishes that i knew were bulgogi, Bibimbap and kimchi, i let him decide our menu for that night. Needless to say, it was brilliant. The menu he recommended were Seafood Pancake, Raw beef Sashimi, Galbi, Deep fried spicy chicken and Dolsot Bibimbap.

It was my first time trying the Seafood Pancake and i honestly thought it was lovely. pancake was crispy till the core and with a bit of soy sauce, it was great. Raw beef sashimi was fresh and it was yes, slightly frozen but he did mention that it was eaten that way to allow it to melt in the mouth along with sweet pear, it was a new experience. For the BBQ menu, charcoal grilled rib (galbi), the plate was sizzling with clouds of smoke and the dish was absolutely brilliant since it still was juicy with slight scent of charcoal. I simply couldn't resist and had to order another portion. and what he called BBQ accompaniments which were shredded spring onions, garlic, chilli and lettuce. I think everyone should try this dish!!

Deep fried spicy chicken wasn't as spicy as i thought it would be but it sure was Crunchy. It was coated with breadcrumb (i believe). At first i thought there were just too many meat dishes, but all these meat dishes had vegetables in them which was quite amazing. Dolsot bibimbap, which was the highlight of the night came out in a big hot stone pot looking beautiful with many vegetables, beef also fresh yolk. Since my wife and I can take our spice, we were about to pour all the chilli paste into our pot, the waitress came and suggested that with small amount of chilli paste, the dish wouldn't be too blend and we would enjoy it much more.

overall our night was beyond outstanding and i would recommend anyone who's in search for some real Korean food. Service was great as well as the food and i'll be back in no time.
Comment on this reader review

David Sullivan
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Monday, April 05, 2010