DAO'N Korean Modern Restaurant — Restaurant in Houston

After seeing this restaurant blow up on TikTok, I was eager to see if the hype was worth it myself. I came here on a late Friday night since they are open with late hours. I expected it to be super busy however, there are more open chairs than there were people there which led us to be seated fairly quickly. However, out of all the seats, they could’ve sat us at, they seated us next to the only other visible table which was interesting.. also the tables, chairs, and ground felt sticky and seemed like the cut costs on furniture.

They have two ginormous fans blowing in lieu of AC, I’m assuming which is perfectly fine. However, it is about 9 PM and the sun is fully set and I have a giant fan blowing directly at me leading to myself literally freezing in this restaurant.

I ordered the steak diane pasta and the soy salmon. The pictures on the menus are vastly different from the final product. The presentation for the salmon was horrendous. I tried to give it the benefit of the doubt and allowed the flavor profile to shine however, there was no shining. The salmon was cut into ridiculously large chunks and it felt like I was eating a salmon fillet on a bed of lettuce. The steak pasta looked a little better presentation wise however it feels like they bought their steak from Walmart, and the quality and cook of the steak had us chewing the entire meal. Additionally, the price in general were insane. The steak diane pasta and soy salmon were $28 and $24 respectively, which given the quality is not worth it at all.

Overall, I was highly disappointed with the only positive being that the employees are nice and eager to serve us. However, I don’t see myself coming here again, unless something...

I came here on a Friday night around 9 PM and it was surprisingly very empty. Here is a list of things that were ordered: Soy Salmon over Rice Spicy Brisket Soup Gochujang Pasta

The soy salmon over rice is a great choice if you’re looking for a dish that’s on the lighter/refreshing side. The fish was marinated well and I loved how the creaminess from the salmon and egg yolk was balanced out well with the greens and purple rice. Not to mention, the fried garlic chips added a boost of flavor

As for the spicy brisket soup, at first I thought the broth was a little lackluster in flavor but to be honest, after eating the soy salmon and banchan (side dishes) that were slightly more salty, that could be why. Because when I ate the leftovers the next day, I thought it was perfectly fine. I also loved how there was more beef underneath the sliced brisket so I appreciate how they’re not skimping on portions! Not to mention, the beef was tender and juicy.

Last but not least, the gochujang pasta. I honestly don’t know if I could distinctively taste the gochujang but it was still delicious!

The service was friendly, attentive, and quick- I also appreciate them boxing up our leftovers. In terms of decorations, the exterior and interior are well-designed and the bathrooms were also very clean.

Overall, Da’On is a little more on the pricey side but the quality of food was solid, the presentation was great, and I hope to come back and try...

I came upon DAO’N as one might stumble upon a thing fated yet unforeseen, its name heralded in the flickering light of an instagram advertisement. The place itself bore no mark of grandeur nor of meanness but was assembled with evident intent, a structure wrought for the satisfaction of appetite and the commerce of flesh and grain.

I took to the cheese bites first, golden and crisp, their innards molten with the corruption of dairy rendered sublime. Thereafter, the skewered pork, lacquered in a honeyed sheen, bore within its fibers the sweetness of earth’s bounty and the ghost of the beast from which it had been hewn. The gochujang pasta was a convergence of disparate worlds, the fire of red pepper and the lull of cream entwined in a ceaseless contest upon the tongue.

There is a truth in all things, even in the manner by which men choose to nourish themselves, and in this DAO’N is not found wanting. Whether by providence or mere chance, I would return, for what is fate but the circling of a thing back...