Do Hwa Korean Bar & Restaurant

(212) 414-1224

55 Carmine St
New York, NY 10014 40.7299 -74.0042

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Neighborhoods: West Village, Downtown

DOHWANYC.COM

Hours:

Monday 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Tuesday 12:00 PM - 10:30 PM

Wednesday 12:00 PM - 10:30 PM

Thursday 12:00 PM - 10:30 PM

Friday 12:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Saturday 3:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Sunday 3:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Last updated 1.13.12

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Romantic Dining

Cuisine:

Korean

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Do Hwa Korean Bar & Restaurant

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – The stylish, starkly designed space has a vaguely cinematic theme. Expanses of black wood, white screens and oversized tables give it a comfortable modern feel. Service is friendly, hip and understated, quite suited to the sleek downtown crowd. Extras, like a film series, DJs and occasional celebrity sightings, keep the atmosphere dynamic. – – The Food – The Korean dishes here are a bit more delicate than the potent fare found 30 blocks north, but the kitchen is hardly pulling its punches. Fresh green chile peppers stuffed with seasoned ground beef make a…

Editor's Tips

What to Drink:
The full bar features soju--the Korean sweet-potato vodka--both straight and in a variety of cocktails. Sake and beer are available as well as specialties-- a perennial favorite is cold ginger-cinnamon tea with (or without) Maker's Mark.
ambiance
98.17999839782715% positive
  1. “The food and ambience was so impressive that I took my date there the following week.”
  2. “Funky, hip, fancy, darkly lit, modern decor, with a nice breeze flowing through the large window at the front of the restaurant.”
  3. “The whole look of the place is definitely catering to Westerners, but it's still a hot place with a really nice ambience at happy hour and afterwards.”
  4. “Do Hwa has the chic yet friendly atmosphere to accomodate a romantic date or large party.”
  5. “They bring in such a modern,cool, chic ambiance without it feeling too rustic or too cold.”
  6. “Amazing food and great restaurant decoration.”
  7. “The music they play is good, not loud and obnoxious, and the artwork and decor are awesome.”
  8. “The atmosphere is authentic and yet still speaks of New York chic.”
  9. “Also love the atmosphere.”
  10. “But this place is great for a downtown Korean restaurant - delicious food, good ambience, fantastic bartenders, and rarely a wait.”
  11. “also love the modern decor as well as the terrific service.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “The Kimchi Pajun (kimchi pancake) , Dduk Boki (spicy rice cakes), and Sewoo Tigim (fried butterfly shrimp) are my favorite appetizers.”
  2. “They have a delightful ginger iced tea, and their desserts are all terrific.”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “They also have a great drink menu.”
  2. “They have a delightful ginger iced tea, and their desserts are all terrific.”
  3. “Also, they have a great bar with specialty drinks that are amazing!”
  4. “You have to try their great drinks too!”
  5. “Cool place to hangout with your friends cause they got a nice bar in the side.”
  6. “Don't be deceived by the happy hour specials because those yummy cocktails on the menu are not included.”
food quality
96.89999580383301% positive
  1. “All the flavors are authentic but they don't make the dishes that might make some Westerners feel squeamish so order away you really can't go wrong.”
  2. “This is the best place for korean food outside of Korea Town.”
  3. “(although the grill dishes were very good, too!)”
  4. “The spicy squid is also a favorite of mine; it is spicy and sweet with out being to oily and the squid is soooo tender.”
  5. “Dohwa is, no doubt, the best korean food restaurant I have ever been to.”
  6. “All in all, yummy food, good service and average pricing (comparable to K-Town).”
  7. “The entree, a seafood soup, came out steaming hot and the flavor was perfect.”
  8. “Bottom line: yes, a bit pricey but great food in a great environment!”
  9. “Amazing food and great restaurant decoration.”
  10. “Also, the cosmopolitans I had were delicious.”
  11. “On the up side, this place doesn't grill their meat on tables, so you won't be smelling like your dinner on the way out with your date (it's a great date spot).”
  12. “The restaurant is gorgeous, the staff are terrific and friendly, best of all the food is absolutely the best.”
  13. “Great food without the typical craze of korean restaurant”
  14. “I've always loved Korean food and have eaten at all different Korean restaurants in the tri state area.”
  15. “The food is great, for meat lovers, the BBQ is always fresh and great tasting.”
  16. “This is the best korean food in the city!”
  17. “The atmosphere is authentic and yet still speaks of New York chic.”
  18. “Expensive food, but as a Korean-American, I can tell you that the BBQ ribs and spicy seafood soup were excellent.”
  19. “We had never had Korean food before and it was AMAZING it was the best dining experience in about 10 years.”
  20. “The food & service was great!”
  21. “My wife and I just moved to NYC from Jeonju, South Korea and have found it quite difficult to find any authentic Korean food.”
  22. “The quality of the food, the scope of the menu, amazing.”
  23. “But this place is great for a downtown Korean restaurant - delicious food, good ambience, fantastic bartenders, and rarely a wait.”
  24. “What an authentic Korean restaurant, one that understands there is more to Korean food than BBQ!”
  25. “Don't be deceived by the happy hour specials because those yummy cocktails on the menu are not included.”
  26. “As a Korean who grew up eating Korean food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the food here is good, consistent, and reliable.”
  27. “For these prices--and this place is NOT cheap--I was expecting delicious--if Westernized--versions of my longtime faves.”
  28. “The food was exceptional and the staff was so attentive.”
  29. “The food and ambience was so impressive that I took my date there the following week.”
  30. “like Korean food and I have been to several korean food restaurants in NYC and other cities in the US.”
  31. “Do Hwa offers authentic korean taste without the bright flourescent lights of ktown.”
  32. “And the food is amazing!”
  33. “recommend the short ribs, watercress and Kimichi pancake.”
  34. “Yes, the BBQ beef (bulgogi) is a little too pricey but the food overall is delicious.”
  35. “No compromise on authenticity while using fresh ingredients.”
  36. “If you want good food.”
  37. “I'm a big believer in authentic cuisine and the food in Do Hwa is just that.”
  38. “Go to one of the restaurants on the East 30s, where you will get good service and food that's as good or better.”
  39. “The Kimchi Pajun (kimchi pancake) , Dduk Boki (spicy rice cakes), and Sewoo Tigim (fried butterfly shrimp) are my favorite appetizers.”
  40. “The food was great.”
  41. “the food is always fresh and delicious.”
  42. “As for whether the food is authentic, I am Korean and I think it's pretty darn authentic as well as delicious!”
  43. “It's a good place to go if you have vegetarian buddies who want to try Korean food or if you want to introduce someone wary of "ethnic" flavors to Korean cuisine.”
menu variety
75.0% positive
  1. “Do Hwa has a full menu with a variety of flavors that will suite any palate.”
  2. “They also have a great drink menu.”
  3. “Don't be deceived by the happy hour specials because those yummy cocktails on the menu are not included.”
  4. “The quality of the food, the scope of the menu, amazing.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “You actually feel like you are in a nice New York restaurant as opposed to a greasy spoon.”
  2. “Amazing food and great restaurant decoration.”
  3. “But this place is great for a downtown Korean restaurant - delicious food, good ambience, fantastic bartenders, and rarely a wait.”
  4. “Do Hwa is the best Korean restaurant I've encountered so far in NYC.”
  5. “Do Hwa is a great restaurant.”
  6. “this is hands down my favorite restaurant!”
  7. “what a great place.”
  8. “Dohwa is, no doubt, the best korean food restaurant I have ever been to.”
  9. “Funky, hip, fancy, darkly lit, modern decor, with a nice breeze flowing through the large window at the front of the restaurant.”
  10. “It's a good place to go if you have vegetarian buddies who want to try Korean food or if you want to introduce someone wary of "ethnic" flavors to Korean cuisine.”
  11. “My favorite restaurant in the city!”
  12. “This is the best place for korean food outside of Korea Town.”
service
100.0% positive
  1. “love this place because it's big enough to get together with a group of friends for lunch or dinner, the bartenders are great, the waiting staff are very friendly and efficient.”
  2. “the staff is amazing, very friendly and genuine.”
  3. “The food & service was great!”
  4. “The restaurant is gorgeous, the staff are terrific and friendly, best of all the food is absolutely the best.”
  5. “Do Hwa has the chic yet friendly atmosphere to accomodate a romantic date or large party.”
  6. “bit upscale, but with a friendly staff.”
  7. “Our waitress (with a cool tattoo on her arm) was cute and friendly!”
  8. “All in all, yummy food, good service and average pricing (comparable to K-Town).”
  9. “also love the modern decor as well as the terrific service.”
  10. “But this place is great for a downtown Korean restaurant - delicious food, good ambience, fantastic bartenders, and rarely a wait.”
  11. “I've been to Korean restaurants all over NY and this place not only tastes great but their service is awesome.”
  12. “Go to one of the restaurants on the East 30s, where you will get good service and food that's as good or better.”
  13. “Brian the manager was so personable coming over to the table to even recommend a lounge in the area.”
  14. “The food was exceptional and the staff was so attentive.”
  15. “the bartenders are great and there is always room enough to hang with friends or even for a date.”
  16. “The staff is attentive and friendly.”
value
80.0% positive
  1. “Bottom line: yes, a bit pricey but great food in a great environment!”
  2. “The prices are great too for the quality they give you.”
  3. “For these prices--and this place is NOT cheap--I was expecting delicious--if Westernized--versions of my longtime faves.”
  4. “Yes, the BBQ beef (bulgogi) is a little too pricey but the food overall is delicious.”
  5. “All in all, yummy food, good service and average pricing (comparable to K-Town).”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/01/10

Heaven

by MCapone at Citysearch

I adore DoHwa. The restaurant is gorgeous, the staff are terrific and friendly, best of all the food is absolutely the best. I have been all through Ktown, and have to say, the restaurants there pale in comparison to this gem on Carmine Street. It is very comfortable inside, the decor is so tranquil. The deji bulgogi is my favorite-I am addicted to it. And the mandu gui (dumplings) are the best! They have a delightful ginger iced tea, and their desserts are all terrific. I wish I could eat here everyday. My favorite restaurant in the city! Kudos to you all at DoHwa-keep up the excellent work. I love you!

  • Pros: Ambiance & Deji Bulgogi
  • Cons: NONE
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/10/09

Fun place....

by Foodie75 at Citysearch

Haven't been to DoHwa for awhile so popped in last week. Glad to see this place hasn't lost it's edge.

Tried some of their new dishes (tuna tartar and squid bibimbop) yummy!

Will definitely be returning!

  • Pros: Awesome Food
1 Star Rating: Poor

02/05/09

Very Disappointing

by mojo51 at Citysearch

I was upset after leaving this restaurant. When we arrived, the place was completely empty and yet it took 10-15 minutes for the waitress to take our drinks order (she gave us a song and dance about how she had a hard night or something), and later the waiter pushed my friend and I out even though half the tables were still empty (maybe the end of his shift? That's fine--it's okay to tell me that, but not to insult me and give me some BS reason to leave).

I've been to MANY Korean restaurants in NYC from inexpensive to upscale. Don't go here. Go to one of the restaurants on the East 30s, where you will get good service and food that's as good or better..

  • Pros: Good food
  • Cons: Terrible service
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/02/09

THE BEST EXPERIENCE--DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS PLACE

by robnsteph at Citysearch

We had never had Korean food before and it was AMAZING it was the best dining experience in about 10 years. The food was exceptional and the staff was so attentive. Brian the manager was so personable coming over to the table to even recommend a lounge in the area. This is a place to go for a dining experience like no other. ENJOY--we can't wait to return. Thanks Brian and Staff

  • Pros: The whole experience/ the perfect ambiance
  • Cons: NONE
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/26/08

my favorite place!

by nycfoodie1 at Citysearch

this is hands down my favorite restaurant! i go just about once a week to get my fix. the food is always fresh and delicious. they just changed over to their summer menu and i am so happy with the seasonal items they have added. the staff is amazing, very friendly and genuine. the drinks are the bombs. i love sitting at the bar here. the bartenders are great and there is always room enough to hang with friends or even for a date. and i almost forgot, i am always impressed by the music they play here. i always leave here better and happier!

  • Pros: the new kalbi, ginger kamakaze (and the eye candy behind the bar!), great energy
  • Cons: nothing except when you show up on saturday without a reservation

The Details on Do Hwa Korean Bar & Restaurant

Place Categories:

  • great korean food
  • friendly waiting staff
  • love place
  • great new york restaurant
  • good terrific service
  • obnoxious music
  • nice great bar
  • authentic pretty darn
  • great bartenders
  • incredible korean bbq
  • yet friendly atmosphere
  • authentic flavor
  • authentic korean restaurant
  • pricey food
  • better good service
  • love modern decor
  • cool chic ambiance
  • delicious cosmopolitans
  • very good grill dishes
  • fresh ingredients
  • terrific desserts
  • great happy hour
  • yummy cocktails
  • best dining experience
  • impressive ambience