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

03/20/12

Best Korean food in Manhattan.

by Winexprt

My Korean born wife and I have eaten here more than 15 times over the last 5 years. We absolutely LOVE DO Hwa.

The Kalbi and Bulgogi BBQ are simply the BEST I (and my wife) have ever had, anywhere in nYc. The cuts of beef are exceptionally tender and flavorful (due to an extra long marinade we believe) and the portions are quite generous.

The Banchan are always fresh, varied and creative and all are delicious.

The soup you receive as a side was very fresh and delicious. My wife remarked it was the most authentic Korean soup she has ever had in the United States. Very very close to what her grandmother used to make back in Korea (that should tell you something).

The service is always very good; attentive without fawning over you.

As you can imagine, I have eaten in an ungodly amount of "Korean" restaurants in nYc, and probably sampled just about every kind of Korean food available outside of the ROK, and DO Hwa is simply the best I have ever had.

DO Hwa isn't the cheapest, but like most things in life you get what you pay for.

HIGHLY recommended!

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/01/10

Heaven

by MCapone

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

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

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

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

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
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