OKDONGSIK Honolulu

The food was very well prepared. We got all three main dishes and nothing disappoints. Cold noodle got the best icy soup I have ever tasted, strong but balanced sesame flavor. Pork soup was clean and comforting. Pork katsu was incredibly juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. The katsu left no greasy feeling after. Will definitely go back and get all three. But if I have to choose one, it would be the cold noodle in the summer.

Visited Okdongsik for a weekday lunch. The dwaeji gomtang (pork bone soup) lives up to the hype—clear, light broth that's savory without being heavy, topped with tender pork slices, rice, and fresh green onions. The lard donkatsu was a standout choice: crispy exterior, juicy pork inside, served with cabbage salad and dipping sauce. Last, we tried the ok donggeurangttaeng side dish. This 2-piece fish cake was delicious, just not a dish I would go back to order. Kimchi was so fresh and flavorful; the fermented gochujang paste added nice balance. The space is bright, airy, and counter-only seating gives it a casual, focused vibe (think watching the open kitchen action). Staff were efficient and friendly during my visit, though it can get busy—reservations via Resy are a must to skip the wait. We arrived early since we didn't have a reservation. Prices are fair for the quality (gomtang around $18, donkatsu $21). It's not your typical heavy Korean BBQ joint; it's restrained and refined, which makes it refreshing in Honolulu.

After hearing about this small Michelin star restaurant called "Okdongsik" on Culinary Class Wars on Netflix, and finding out they have a location in Honolulu, I had to try it out after eating at a Michelin star restaurant for the first time last year and wanting to try another. Chef Ok Dongsik became famous for his Dweji Gomtang, which is a Korean comfort food. The clear broth has more pork flavor than I’ve tasted in any broth or soup I’ve ever had. And the gochujang paste on the pork itself gave it the perfect kick. All this with white rice on the bottom totally makes for a perfect comfort meal. On top of that, they have the best kimchi I’ve ever had. If any friends ever visit Honolulu I definitely recommend stopping here!

Despite recent fame from Netflix's Culinary Class Wars Season 2, we were able to get a walk in spot with <30 minutes wait before the Saturday night rush. The ambiance was very minimalist and tasteful, and the menu options were very intentional and simplistic as well. Food arrived pretty quickly, and was as amazing as we hoped! Highly recommend, but perhaps with a reservation if you're hoping to go.

Okdongsik in Korea is a wonderful restaurant that sparked a fresh wave of excitement in the pork gukbap scene, which had started to feel a bit stale. It’s not a Michelin three-star place, so it would be a stretch to travel all the way to Korea just for Okdongsik. But after trying the Hawaii location, I found the flavor comes remarkably close to the original. Like Okdongsik’s food, Korean cuisine is healthy, thoughtful, and refreshing. It’s not only about being spicy—Korean food also has depth and a bright, clean finish. Cheering for the Hawaii location—keep it up!

The place was completely packed at 5:30 p.m. on a Tuesday—like, completely packed—so definitely call for a reservation. The staff is friendly and professional, and there is an open kitchen. Only 40 donkatsu are available per day, so make a reservation early. The pork soup is what they’re famous for, but everyone ordered the donkatsu. Would recommend both!

After watching Culinary Class Wars, I had to try the clear pork soup. It was incredibly delicious and packed with umami. Even without a reservation, the chef was generous enough to find me a seat. Easily one of the best Korean restaurants in Honolulu!