4.5
Superb
78 Reviews
8685 Irvine Center Dr, Irvine · 5.87 miles
Customers’ favorites
- Soondubu Jjigae - Combo
- Hot Stone Beef Bibimbap
- Kimchi Pancake
“Heard there was a new soondubu spot in OC, so I swung by over the weekend- turns out it was their soft opening. I was surprised to learn they're already a well-known brand with a strong rep in the midwest & east coast, and that their OC debut was actually highly anticipated. They started us off with the complimentary banchan which are always my favorite. The standout for me was the fishcake which perfectly seasoned and surprisingly fresh and I also really enjoyed the corn dish. For food, my friends and I each got a soondubu and shared the seafood pancake, galbi ribs, and a pork katsu bento. Every single dish was mouthwateringly good. I can't handle a lot of spice, but their mild soondubu was a true mild with just the right amount of seasoning with a gentle kick. The portions here are also more generous than BCD's...the bowl was loaded with tofu and that rich, flavorful broth. Nothing was watered down and every bite was just tasty, umami bliss. I also really loved the galbi ribs, they tasted out of this world and not overly greasy. The portion size was generous too! One thing that stood out to me was how clean and inviting this space was, you can really feel the care and thought that is put into every corner. Atter a meal at BCD, I usually want to head out right away as it's more of a get in & get out experience. But dining at SGD was the opposite! It felt warm, modern, and homey. The vibe makes you want to linger (and also because the service is excellent). For the quality and portions, everything here feels like such a steal. i'm so glad this spot opened close to home, l'll definitely be back!”