Dawa kitchen
About This Spot
Stepping into Dawa Kitchen feels like slipping into a quiet corner of Garden Grove where the hum of daily life softens, inviting you to slow down and savor a moment of comfort. Nestled in a modest plaza, the restaurant’s cozy, unpretentious space sets a welcoming tone — somewhere that is unassuming yet thoughtfully alive with subtle energy. It’s not a grand stage but a warm nook, where familiar Korean flavors and generous portions come together to form a relaxed, neighborhood experience.
The pace inside Dawa Kitchen is easygoing, marked by a subtle buzz of friendly chatter and the occasional clink of dishes, as friends and families gather to share hearty plates. The atmosphere hints at celebration without overwhelming, striking a balance between casual ease and the quiet satisfaction one finds in meals made with care. Though the space is intimate, it welcomes groups as well as those dropping in for a simpler solo meal, creating a sense of shared enjoyment.
What makes the visit memorable isn’t just the food itself, but the way it surrounds you with flavors that feel like an embrace. Dawa Kitchen delivers dishes steeped in the comforting richness of home-cooked Korean fare — from tender pork belly slow-cooked to softness, to crispy fried chicken that beckons with its signature sauce, and vibrant sides that bring a refreshing contrast. The meal unfolds in generous servings, perfect for passing around the table and discovering new favorites with each bite. There’s an honest warmth in the way these plates arrive, inviting you to explore traditional tastes with a touch of cozy familiarity.
Though the hospitality might capture moments of quietness, the staff’s approach leans toward considerate — quietly attentive and making room for you to feel at ease. It’s a place where the rhythm of the service doesn’t rush the experience but rather complements the calm atmosphere.
For those who have grown up around Korean dining scenes or newcomers curious for a taste grounded in comfort and rooted in genuine flavors, Dawa Kitchen offers a quietly confident space — familiar enough to feel like a return visit but distinct in its own down-to-earth charm. Here, the joy is found both in the flavors shared and the simple pleasure of a meal that invites you to linger a little longer.
What’s Available Here
-
Delivery - Takeaway
- Dine-in
- Fast service
- Serves local specialty
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Comfort food
- Healthy options
- Small plates
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Seating
- Table service
- Toilet
- Casual
- Cosy
- Trendy
- Groups
- Tourists
- Accepts reservations
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Free of charge street parking
- Free parking lot
- Parking
Location & Hours
| Monday | 12:00 PM - 09:00 PM | |
| Tuesday | 12:00 PM - 09:00 PM | |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | 12:00 PM - 09:00 PM | |
| Thursday | 12:00 PM - 09:00 PM | |
| Friday | 12:00 PM - 10:30 PM | |
| Saturday | 12:00 PM - 10:30 PM | |
| Sunday | 11:30 AM - 09:00 PM |
Guest Reviews
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LG O 05 Dec 2025
First off the food was great. The pork Katsura with curry sauce, the beef b, the pork belly cooked for 10 hours was all great. The atmosphere was ok. Typically Korean restaurants are known for great hospitality. The first man who helped us was nice but he went away quick and the other guy was like trying to shake a tree to get some nuts in the middle of winter. So yes go overall I hope you get a better server though..
Allen Green 04 Dec 2025
Tried Dawa Kitchen recently and overall it’s a solid Korean fusion comfort food spot. The menu leans heavy on hearty, filling dishes, and the portions are definitely generous, which makes it good for sharing or going with a group. We ordered the giant chicken katsu, army ramen, braised beef hot stone, and garlic su yuk. The garlic su yuk was my favorite — the pork belly was really tender and had a clean, rich flavor without being too heavy. The chicken katsu is huge like everyone says, crispy on the outside and still juicy inside, and the curry pairs well with it. The braised beef hot stone was also good, especially if you’re into that sizzling, comforting style of dish with a lot going on. Everything felt pretty straightforward and satisfying. Nothing overly fancy, just well-executed comfort food that hits when you’re in the mood for something filling. Definitely a place I’d come back to when craving Korean comfort classics with a fusion twist.
Lauren Ali Akleh 01 Dec 2025
Delicious with amazing portions for prices. Our family of 4 shared the huge katsu chicken curry and fried dumplings. My husband also got the jap-cheu and was impressed. Plus the banchan sides were so bomb. The place is in a small plaza so parking is hit or miss. Definitely adding to our local list.
Colin Tran 14 Nov 2025
Lived in Garden grove for a majority of my life and thought I’d journeyed to a majority of Korean restaurants, but this was a gem in a very inconspicuous plaza. When we came in the restaurant gave vibes of party and an amazing time! The restaurant is a bit on the smaller side but since we got there early it wasn’t too wild yet. The server was very accommodating to our party of 7! We were seated very quick, and we were able to place our orders in quickly with turn around of it coming out just as quick! The pictures of the food do it a disservice, you are better actually eating it! We ordered the Dawa chicken, garlic su yuk, Korean pancake with bulgogi, and the curry chicken katsu. Everyone dined in so quick I was only able to get a photo of the hot stone bulgogi rice. ALL of the plates ordered were amazing, the house special dawa chicken was flavored well with just the right spicy and sweet, the garlic su yuk had pork belly that was just break apart in the mouth with mildly spicy but full of flavor. The curry was semi spicy, and when paired with the chicken was great mix, albeit the chicken was a bit thin. The bulgogi Korean pancake was the best I’ve ever had in terms of how crispy and flavorful it was. I’m definitely coming back for more in the future! Let’s go!!
Kiyubi 04 Nov 2025
I had such a great experience at Dawa Kitchen! The food was delicious,especially the bibimbap, which was flavorful, well-seasoned, and came in a generous portion. All the dishes tasted authentic and comforting, just like good Korean food should be. However, the fried chicken didn’t stand out for me The restaurant itself isn’t too big, but the space feels cozy and welcoming. Our food came out surprisingly fast, and the staff were friendly and attentive throughout the meal. If you’re craving Korean food in the area, I definitely recommend checking out Dawa Kitchen. I’ll be back to try more dishes for sure!
Terry Sung 29 Oct 2025
While debating what to enjoy for Christmas dinner, we decided to visit a Korean restaurant in Garden Grove that’s been gaining attention as a local favorite. From the moment the dishes arrived, the visual presentation was undeniably impressive—carefully plated and appealing, setting high expectations for the meal. One of the strengths of the restaurant is its use of hot stone plates, which help keep dishes warm throughout the meal—a thoughtful touch, especially for winter dining. The brisket dish, reminiscent of traditional Korean galbijjim, delivered satisfying flavors. The meat was tender, generously portioned, and offered good value for the price, making it one of the more successful dishes of the evening. However, a few menu items gave us pause. The curry pork katsu, for instance, fell short of expectations. I personally enjoy tonkatsu for its crisp exterior, but here the cutlet was completely soaked in curry sauce, leaving it soggy and devoid of crunch. Serving the sauce on the side would have preserved the texture and significantly improved the dish. The tteokbokki was flavorful but overly seasoned, leaning too salty and heavy. If this were an izakaya or late-night drinking spot, the bold seasoning might have made sense. Yet on this particular evening, the dining room was filled with families rather than drinkers, making the intense flavors feel slightly out of place. Overall, the restaurant delivers strong visuals and generally appealing flavors, but dialing back the salt and intensity just a notch would elevate the experience considerably. With more balanced seasoning, this spot has the potential to move from “good” to truly memorable—especially for family dining occasions like the holidays.
Jesse Sanchez 03 Oct 2025
This place was amazing. Great service from the staff, beginning to end, made sure we were well taken care of. Then there is the food, and it did not disappoint. Very healthy portions and the flavor profiles were next level. Safe to say everything that hit the table was delicious. My friend and I spend a lot of time going to different food places and doing reviews, and this is one of those places we will be referring our own family and friends to. So if you have not checked it out, I highly suggest that you do. It's worth the while and the prices are more than fair. You definitely get the bang for your buck here.