So Gong Dong Tofu & BBQ

Fast serviceCleanlinessFood is deliciousSeafood pancake is yummy!Great if you don't want to cook your own

Lively and busy atmosphere with great and attentive service. They worked quickly to get you seated and even during busy hours, they try to make it so you wouldn't wait too long. Restaurant itself is nice and clean and not too loud (I could still overhear conversations next to me without trying). The food was solid and good but not so out-of-this-world fantastic that I would go rave to people about it. It's a place I would frequent if I regularly went out to eat but if I'm frugal and choosy about where I go during the few times a month I do go out, I'd probably look elsewhere. With that being said, I've been here several times if that helps paint a picture of where this lands in my book.

So Gong Dong is SO my favorite spot to get tofu soup in Suwanee. It may be a chain restaurant but it's not related to the So Kong Dong on Buford Highway. While I'm super appreciative for the newer and closer location in Duluth now, this location was my first and dearest experience with soondubu kalguksu and complimentary plastic bibs (upon request). The menu is pretty straightforward. Get your tofu soup straight up, with kalguksu noodles or ramen noodles, then add your protein/"ingredient". Standard is seafood beef but I usually order oyster. Other Korean restaurants offer "combo" options but the Korean bbq meat is a la carte at So Gong Dong. Ordering LA Galbi (the beef short ribs) is usually my way to go. And if that's not enough, I like to order the seafood pancake, although I've had better. I may not be in this location as much as I used to, but from time to time if I can't think of where to grab food in Suwanee, So Gong Dong is an easy go-to option.

Food: I usually order their tofu soup and it's good. But today I ordered their hot stone bibimbap and it was saurrrrrrr good. Hot stone made the rice crunchy munchy and ooooooou let that bimbim sauce caramelize! I was pleasantly surprised by their banchan refills too. Barley water/tea is free and has a nice subtle sweetness!Service: nice waiters and they checked on us frequently! One waiter saw my friend struggle to crack an egg and she helped him lol. So sweet. Ambiance: standard. Decor was ok and seating was clean.

So Gong Dong Tofu & BBQ has always been on my radar for the longest time. Today, I finally made it happen and try it!We got their [Beef Short Ribs], [Spicy Noodle Soup], and their [Spicy Tofu Soup]. My girlfriend and I both chose the 'Kimchi (with Beef)' option![Beef Short Ribs]- sweet and savory is the best way to describe this delicacy. it is pippin hot when served and the meat itself is tender, 10/10[Spicy Noodle Soup]- probably one of my favorite items, noodles were thick and al dente, broth was flavorful and the tofu were soft and delicious, 15/10[Spicy Tofu Soup]- similar broth and tofu as the spicy noodle one but this came with white rice in a hot stone bowl, the bottom of the rice is crispy whereas the grains above is fluffy and soft, 9/10.This location offers free and unlimited appetizer refills, will most definitely return due to the amazing food and good customer service!

Nice neighborhood Korean tofu place. I like this place because it is simple, low key and by the river with beautiful views. They have been in this location for years and appears to be family owned.I usually get the lunch special which comes with tofu soup (I get seafood and beef in mine) with egg, rice and customary sides like kimchi, spicy cucumber salad, picked spouts and little cakes. The cost comes out to about $20 per person. Food is spicy and gluten free - I like that!Service is usually good. It's a family owned place. They are kind and get to know you after a while. Their hot stone bibimbop is pretty good too! Strongly recommended for a low key outing.

Grabbed a quick dinner alone here. Was immediately greeted with a warm smile and hello and seated. Food came out quickly and tasted delicious. Love that the rice for the sundubu jjigae comes in a dolsot, so that the rice gets crispy. The mul mandu were really good and I love the size - so cute!

So Gong Dong Tofu & BBQ has the BEST soondooboo, also known as Tofu Stew, in the entire area. My favorites to order here are the kimchi soondooboo, mushroom soondooboo, and the Kimchi Dolsot Bibimbap, also known as Kimchi Hot Stone Bowl Bibimbap. This place is incredible Togo and to dine in. (I order like 5 tofu stews togo and drive long hours to take these back home to Florida. Still delicious!)They are usually generous with their portions. As a Korean restaurant, you get their side dishes (the cucumber kimchi is the best here, sooo good). Then you can order your food. The soondooboo all have different spice levels and can come with ramen, rice, or other noodle options. If you get it with rice, it comes in a hot stone bowl. Here you can take the rice out and ask for hot water to be put in. They will pour hot barely tea (caffeine- free, kid-friendly, and often drank in place of water in Korean Culture) into the hot stone bowl and the rice on the edges will crisp up. It's like soup with rice and it's soooo comforting to the soul. The service here is always nice. I tell them that I take a bunch Togo to drive to Florida and they package is EXCELLENTLY! They also are genuinely nice and put effort to communicate in Korean and in English. The restaurant has lots of seating and is kid-friendly! They have high chairs, plastic silverware for kids, and styrofoam cups with lids. A great kid soondooboo option is their "white soondooboo."

My goodness, what can I say, delicious, delightful, authentic, attentive, friendly, I could go on with more for another few minutes but it's not going to do them justice. Don't expect it to be spicy if you order it spicy tho lolol jk sorta. I got them to make it spicier than they've ever done before and it was mild for me, but I'm a huge pepper head, so that's no knock on them. I got the pork bulgogi and the scallion pancake. The scallion pancake is as good as my mother in laws, and the pork bulgogi was the best I've ever had! If you're looking for a truly delectable and authentic Korean culinary experience, you'll not be disappointed here! Oh! And they've got an EPIC bakery as well! I got these phenomenal little pancake things that I wish I could remember the name of for you guys but there's a photo attached.

I love to eat Korean when I travel & found this restaurant near my hotel. Restaurant was clean. Waitstaff fast & friendly. Restaurant looks similar to many I dined in while in Korea. Food was plentiful & came out as fast as fast food restaurants. Food was tasty, but just a bit shy of delicious or special. I ordered Beef Bibimbap. Some of the beef pieces were tough. I was disappointed they don't have Kimbap on the menu. ButI left full & have enough leftovers for later. The place was busy at lunch with a host of Korean Americans dining there, so it's authentic enough to draw the local crowd, and the wait staff and kitchen seemed to keep up with their fast, friendly service. This is a chain with a variety of locations in the US & Korea. I almost gave 3 stars b/c the beef was kind of tough, but overall, I was pleased with my experience.