SGD Dubu So Gong Dong Tofu & Korean BBQ — Restaurant in Hackensack

After we ate dinner at the restaurant on Dec. 15 (see below), I returned to So Gong Dong today to order takeout, and asked the man at the register (who took my order) for extra panchan or side dishes that are served with Korean Tofu Soup and other entrees. I ordered two tofu soups and a Seafood Pancake (a total of $39.42). The wait was long, about 25 minutes, and when my order was finally ready, the man at the register said, I gave you extra panchan. But when I got home, there were only a total of four containers of cucumber and cabbage kimchi in the bag. The restaurant serves six free side dishes and replenishes them if you ask, so giving a takeout customer so little is a real disservice. I also didn't receive an itemized bill. While I was waiting for my order, I noticed how fast the servers and other staff were moving, even though the restaurant wasn't full. Maybe, the place doesn't have enough staff to keep up with orders. The kitchen has only one door, but miraculously there were no collisions.

From our Dec. 15 visit: Open less than a month, this Korean restaurant has proven too popular. Although I believe So Gong Dong in Hackensack takes reservations, we saw more than 15 people standing inside the restaurant waiting for a table on the Saturday night 3 of us ate there. We arrived at 5 p.m. and the restaurant filled up quickly; service became more rushed and when we got the check there was an error of about $20 in the restaurant's favor; I caught it. When I wanted to take home what was left of my soft tofu and noodle dish, the container dropped at the table was too small, and food spilled over. It's a shame, because food preparation here is better than the original, So Gong Dong in Palisades Park, which we patronized for more than 10 years. Six complimentary side dishes or panchan to share are served with entrees, and it took some doing to get the servers to give us a second set of the panchan. By the time we left, the noise and crowding detracted from our meal, and I'm not sure I would go back for dinner again. The restaurant doesn't deliver so take-out or lunch may be our...

Consistency. That's how you can describe So Gong Dong. I've been here multiple times and experience the same thing over and over, which is a good thing:

consistently good Korean food. People will use the word "Standard" - this is pretty accurate. I've never been disappointed, but nothing to write home about. However, whenever we want a comforting bowl of soondubu (bubbling-hot tofu stew), we come here.

consistently quick, efficient service. Your order will be taken quickly upon sitting down. Banchan (side dishes) will be brought to your table 5 minutes afterwards. Your soondubu or bibimbap (spicy rice bowl with veggies and your choice of protein) will be brought out 5 minutes after that by a waiter pushing a cart stacked with orders. Your water glass will always be kept full. Although they are efficient, I've never felt pressured to leave so that they can turn over my table, as I have felt in other places.

We ordered don katsu (fried pork cutlet with rice, salad and sweet sauce/curry on the side) and seafood soondubu. As usual, you can choose your protein and spiciness level.

The banchan was good. However, I felt like the kimchi was a little too fresh and not fermented enough. The spiciness had not yet penetrated into the cabbage, which I prefer. The don katsu was good - standard. The salad dressing, however, didn't have a lot of character, I tasted nothing other than mayo. The soondubu was good - as mentioned: standard. These are minor criticisms for an otherwise good meal.

The atmosphere is bright, clean with elegant and non-distracting nor overbearing decor. Although, there are ample tables and booths, this place is popular so I often see one or two families waiting in the wings during peak hours.

SGD is worth a visit when you need a comforting Korean meal. It will be as good as it was when I visited and will be the same...

Update: To be fair to this establishment, I returned during the dinner time hour @7. I wanted to see if the experience would change. It did.

I was hot offered tea immediately. Also, no one rushed me or made me or my guest feel uncomfortable. The staff was very patient with us. We noticed the one female server there stays very busy, as she tries to accommodate every table. She handles the pick up orders too. Hence, I understand her exhaustion & impatience at closing time better. She must be exhausted after an entire day's work!

Most mportant, the food was absolutely delicious! The side dishes were delicate, tasty and abundant. Though the first visit near closing time was a bad experience, I can now say it was probably due to the hour we arrived, and it is not their standard.

They redeemed themselves. Excellent Korean restaurant! DON'T GO NEAR CLOSING TIME!!! My date and I entered at about 8:25 p.m. We were given rushed service that boardered on being rude at times. Staff removed sauce items from our table while we were yet eating, and the waitress got pushy about me signing my bill while eating. The food was good, but the services makes me not want to return here. ...