Cho Dang Tofu House

Having previously tried virtually all of the other restaurants at H Mart’s H Market Eatery food hall in Irvine, we had skipped Cho Dang Tofu House (aka Chodang Tofu) – in part because it felt the least unique to the area, and in part because we had so many other places to visit first. As one location in a small local chain of Cho Dangs that alternate between Tofu House and Tofu & BBQ names, this traditional Korean restaurant serves naengmyun, beef or spicy pork bulgogi, kalbi, tofu soups, and savory pancakes.

Across locations at both of Irvine’s latest H Marts, the single biggest draw here is the ability to enjoy a traditional Korean meal without leaving a supermarket. Prices range from $16 to $30 for entrees, and include four banchan side dishes per person, which is comparable to a (not super generous) standalone restaurant. Portion sizes, banchan, and prices are better balanced at nearby BCD Tofu House, but Cho Dang’s choices are arguably better suited for solo diners.