Authentic hole in wall homestyle Korean joint. Side dishes were all great especially the kimchi. Fried saury and kimchi bibimbap were delicious. Would love to come back for the marinated crab!
Kai L.
Authentic Korean food, with an amazing atmosphere and fantastic customer service highly recommended.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bibimbap, Soup
Kat N.
Came on a weekday night for dinner, walked in with no wait. There were two to three other parties in the restaurant through the night. We had the bossam and short rib soup and both were spectacular. I've had bossam before and wasn't impressed but having it here, I'd definitely recommend. The soup was perfect as well: 3 ribs in there, large chunks or radish, and the clear noodles in a perfectly seasoned broth. The bossam came with two sides of purple rice and fermented soybean soup as well. The purple rice is the most unique one I've had in all my years of eating a K-town as it comes with a plethora and variety of beans in it. A deviation from the norm but not bad at all. We were just a party of two so there was loads of leftovers available for the meal the next day. The portions here are typically Korean so meant for a party of four or more I'd say. I had originally bookmarked this place to try the raw marinated crab and am looking forward to returning and exploring more of the menu... although that bossam will be so tempting to get again.
Becky T.
I came here for the spicy marinated crabs as my friend said it was really good and it did not disappoint!! Definitely spicy though. The portions are really big here, we had a lot to take home. The bibimbap was super flavorful though, I love that they added the mint leaves which gives it more flavor. The lady that served us was super sweet and attentive :3
Bingsu_cafe.11 K.
Got the Dolsot Nakji-Bokkeum (돌솥 낙지볶음) it was pretty good! Side dishes were pretty good too. Everything is a bit on the more expensive side, but portions are big.
Leah D.
AUTHENTIC Korean food in Garden Grove. I came here for one thing - marinated crab. I had seen videos of this dish all over social media and had to try it for myself. It was $30 , and I split with another person. Juicy, refreshing, sweet , spicy. It was excellent. I don't like eating a lot of raw food, but this was really good. I also ordered bossam- I've had better elsewhere. Would not order this again. Everyone else in the restaurant seemed to be Korean grandmas and grandpas , ensuring that I made the right choice to eat.
Howie C.
Tired of "waiting" at the other more well known busy Korean restaurants on Garden Grove Blvd, I ventured to Gaenali Bon Ka which is at the end of the main drag. Consistently good food and I've never waited more that 5 minutes for a table here!They have many different dishes, like soups, mandu and rice cake soup, galbi tang, grilled fish, bossam, bokum, seafood pancake, bulgolgi, and grilled short rib and chicken. Their panchan comes in metal tray, similar to the type of tray that you'd get in a Korean church after service lunch line. They mix it up a bit on different days but there are always five sides. Kimchi, kelp with red dipping sauces, boiled cabbage with bean paste, bean sprouts, greens, marinated radish are some of the things you might get. Bulgolgi Dolsot - I am often here by myself so I get this stone pot rice dish. I like to mush the rice into the side of the flame hot stone bowl sides so that it can get crispy. Then after a couple minutes of sizzling, I add in the gochujang and mix the bulgolgi (marinated beef) and the veggies (carrots, mushrooms, bean sprouts, white onions, green onions, mint) with the crispy rice. The meat quality is good and the bulgolgi has good, sweet and salty flavor. It's a lot of food. Sometimes I can finish the whole bowl, other times I can't. The do a great job on this Korean standard. The stone rice bowl also came with a side of soybean tofu soup. Steaming hot, not spicy. Service is good and friendly, the food comes out fast. If you want satisfying Korean food without the wait, Gaenali is awesome for that! They also do to go orders and they have their own parking lot with plenty of parking at dinner time.
Helen Hwang
The grilled fish and forsythia set meal is just the right amount of meal to eat for breakfast, with sweet and sour side dishes, savory soybean paste stew,Also, go there when you miss the clean indoor atmosphere and the taste of mom’s cooking.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bryan “odibo” H옹
Still a delicious place. In particular, the steamed monkfish, bibimbap on a stone plate, stir-fried squid on a stone plate, and grilled cutlassfish (grilled fish) are especially delicious.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Grilled Fish, Hot Stone, Ban Chan, Monk Fish w Bean Sprout & Spicy Sauce
Jocelyn E.
I thought I had written a review a year ago but here's a long over due one .10/10 mom and pop store , we love coming here and are regulars!The food is amazing and very flavorful, if you're looking for a quick bite alone it's comforting the restaurant, A group of friends it's also the spot with large portions. We always see the same employees and they're so sweet and nice to us.You definitely have to try the bibimguksu , make sure to stir it all up , my favorite thing on the menu I once ate it 4 times in a week.Their meat dishes are really good we like to ask for ours crispy, and the soups are very flavorful !
Stopped by this place after Disneyland and it was literally the perfect end to a perfect day. This is a small little hole in the wall spot that is now our new favorite Korean spot. We ordered the yuk gae jang and the marinated crab. They were both so flavorful and the best marinated crab we've ever had. They were also very generous with the side dishes that paired really well with everything we had. The service was also impeccable and they were very attentive in refilling our waters and sides. Food: 10/10 would definitely come back whenever we visit OC Service: 10/10
L R
We love gaenali! Most dishes are great, especially
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kimchi
Quentina W.
This place is really a hidden gem! I was craving soup in the area and happened to find this place due to its raving reviews. I ordered the galbi tang and honestly it was the best galbi tang I had. This place is a mom & pops shop and all the ahjummas were so adorable!
David Park
Good Korean food, try their seasonal spicy sweet marinated raw crab, it's a treat!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Charles An
One of the best Korean restaurant in Orange County. Reminds me of Grandma dishes that I used to enjoy in childhood. Side dishes are always fresh and authentic.
Authentic hole in wall homestyle Korean joint. Side dishes were all great especially the kimchi. Fried saury and kimchi bibimbap were delicious. Would love to come back for the marinated crab!
Authentic Korean food, with an amazing atmosphere and fantastic customer service highly recommended.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bibimbap, Soup
Came on a weekday night for dinner, walked in with no wait. There were two to three other parties in the restaurant through the night. We had the bossam and short rib soup and both were spectacular. I've had bossam before and wasn't impressed but having it here, I'd definitely recommend. The soup was perfect as well: 3 ribs in there, large chunks or radish, and the clear noodles in a perfectly seasoned broth. The bossam came with two sides of purple rice and fermented soybean soup as well. The purple rice is the most unique one I've had in all my years of eating a K-town as it comes with a plethora and variety of beans in it. A deviation from the norm but not bad at all. We were just a party of two so there was loads of leftovers available for the meal the next day. The portions here are typically Korean so meant for a party of four or more I'd say. I had originally bookmarked this place to try the raw marinated crab and am looking forward to returning and exploring more of the menu... although that bossam will be so tempting to get again.
I came here for the spicy marinated crabs as my friend said it was really good and it did not disappoint!! Definitely spicy though. The portions are really big here, we had a lot to take home. The bibimbap was super flavorful though, I love that they added the mint leaves which gives it more flavor. The lady that served us was super sweet and attentive :3
Got the Dolsot Nakji-Bokkeum (돌솥 낙지볶음) it was pretty good! Side dishes were pretty good too. Everything is a bit on the more expensive side, but portions are big.
AUTHENTIC Korean food in Garden Grove. I came here for one thing - marinated crab. I had seen videos of this dish all over social media and had to try it for myself. It was $30 , and I split with another person. Juicy, refreshing, sweet , spicy. It was excellent. I don't like eating a lot of raw food, but this was really good. I also ordered bossam- I've had better elsewhere. Would not order this again. Everyone else in the restaurant seemed to be Korean grandmas and grandpas , ensuring that I made the right choice to eat.
Tired of "waiting" at the other more well known busy Korean restaurants on Garden Grove Blvd, I ventured to Gaenali Bon Ka which is at the end of the main drag. Consistently good food and I've never waited more that 5 minutes for a table here!They have many different dishes, like soups, mandu and rice cake soup, galbi tang, grilled fish, bossam, bokum, seafood pancake, bulgolgi, and grilled short rib and chicken. Their panchan comes in metal tray, similar to the type of tray that you'd get in a Korean church after service lunch line. They mix it up a bit on different days but there are always five sides. Kimchi, kelp with red dipping sauces, boiled cabbage with bean paste, bean sprouts, greens, marinated radish are some of the things you might get. Bulgolgi Dolsot - I am often here by myself so I get this stone pot rice dish. I like to mush the rice into the side of the flame hot stone bowl sides so that it can get crispy. Then after a couple minutes of sizzling, I add in the gochujang and mix the bulgolgi (marinated beef) and the veggies (carrots, mushrooms, bean sprouts, white onions, green onions, mint) with the crispy rice. The meat quality is good and the bulgolgi has good, sweet and salty flavor. It's a lot of food. Sometimes I can finish the whole bowl, other times I can't. The do a great job on this Korean standard. The stone rice bowl also came with a side of soybean tofu soup. Steaming hot, not spicy. Service is good and friendly, the food comes out fast. If you want satisfying Korean food without the wait, Gaenali is awesome for that! They also do to go orders and they have their own parking lot with plenty of parking at dinner time.
The grilled fish and forsythia set meal is just the right amount of meal to eat for breakfast, with sweet and sour side dishes, savory soybean paste stew,Also, go there when you miss the clean indoor atmosphere and the taste of mom’s cooking.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Still a delicious place. In particular, the steamed monkfish, bibimbap on a stone plate, stir-fried squid on a stone plate, and grilled cutlassfish (grilled fish) are especially delicious.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Grilled Fish, Hot Stone, Ban Chan, Monk Fish w Bean Sprout & Spicy Sauce
I thought I had written a review a year ago but here's a long over due one .10/10 mom and pop store , we love coming here and are regulars!The food is amazing and very flavorful, if you're looking for a quick bite alone it's comforting the restaurant, A group of friends it's also the spot with large portions. We always see the same employees and they're so sweet and nice to us.You definitely have to try the bibimguksu , make sure to stir it all up , my favorite thing on the menu I once ate it 4 times in a week.Their meat dishes are really good we like to ask for ours crispy, and the soups are very flavorful !
Restaurantji Recommends
Stopped by this place after Disneyland and it was literally the perfect end to a perfect day. This is a small little hole in the wall spot that is now our new favorite Korean spot. We ordered the yuk gae jang and the marinated crab. They were both so flavorful and the best marinated crab we've ever had. They were also very generous with the side dishes that paired really well with everything we had. The service was also impeccable and they were very attentive in refilling our waters and sides. Food: 10/10 would definitely come back whenever we visit OC Service: 10/10
We love gaenali! Most dishes are great, especially
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kimchi
This place is really a hidden gem! I was craving soup in the area and happened to find this place due to its raving reviews. I ordered the galbi tang and honestly it was the best galbi tang I had. This place is a mom & pops shop and all the ahjummas were so adorable!
Good Korean food, try their seasonal spicy sweet marinated raw crab, it's a treat!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
One of the best Korean restaurant in Orange County. Reminds me of Grandma dishes that I used to enjoy in childhood. Side dishes are always fresh and authentic.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bibimbap