Jang Toh Restaurant

There used to be a time when Garden Grove was a really popular hangout for Koreans living in Orange County. Weary of the long drive to LA, most of the FOB's and hipsters would find solace and comfort at one of two locations in Garden Grove - Past Memories AKA Min Sok Chon and this establishment called Jang Toh. I was honestly surprised to find out that this place actually still exists, since it takes me back in time when things were a lot more simpler in my life.

If I had to compare this place to Past Memories, this venue is longer, meaning that it's shaped like a decent sized hallway, with tables along both sides and the kitchen being in the back. Past Memories has more of a wider dining room layout. For a Friday night around 11pm, I was kinda shocked that this place was so empty.

There was a table with 2 Caucasian gentlemen watching K-Pop on the flatscreen and drinking Hite beer like there was no tomorrow. A separate group of Vietnamese chicks were catching up and having a great time, smiles all around. A duo of Korean girls were gossiping and sharing thoughts that seemed to be intimate as close friends should always be. It's good to see that non-Koreans are comfortable with the venue like it was their own, cause it wasn't really like this years ago when it was predominately Koreans calling this place their main hangout.

As for your expectations, tread lightly and come with the thought that it's great for larger parties, with food being shared family style. There's generally about 2 workers overseeing the venue at one time so expect service to be average and be glad that there's a bell at each table. The food isn't spectacular, probably a slight bit less in quality than Past Memories, but more than adequately does the job with lots of variety to choose from. It pays to check out their menu. I suggest the Chicken (fried, grilled, spicy wings, gizzard) cause that's what they're known for. Always has been, always will. I still see TAKE OUT orders for chicken when I come by.

DAILY SPECIALS
Everyday between the hours of 5pm to 12pm, they have daily specials of 1 entree and your choice of a bottle of soju, makgeolli, or draft beer for $15 to $18. Goes to show that they really push for you to just grub and drink as much as you can. Think simple dive bar with good food options and you just can't go wrong.

CHRIS EATS HERE
the quest for the ultimate korean bar

YUM! The place was dark, and I didnt dine it. I had ordered take out.

-I ordered a mixed casserole (feeds 2-3) It comes with ramen noodles, hotdog, sausages, kim chi, tofu, It was really good, and not watery like some places. a lot of flavor.
-seafood pancake
-cheesy corn which is really good here and not too oily !

They even have Korean style grilled chicken with the broiler. They have a korean bar vibe with korean music and alot of soju, the peach flavor soju here is yummy.

I am a simple man. Give me some fried chicken, a bottle of soju, and girl's generation music videos on the tube, and I am happy. It was my first time here, but this place made me happy.

I like this place because it is cheaper than Past Memories and the food quality is much better than Road King. The only thing, is that the portion sizes are noticeably smaller. But that's not really a bad thing because you can always order a few more items. Overall, this is just another korean drinking spot with some pretty good food. And it's always nice to have another option when it comes to these types of places.

A really good place to get some drinks and eat some good food!

I ALWAYS get the fried intestine and tripe it's the best combo with beer! You're shaking your head no .but seriously you have to try it and ask that they make it extra crispy ! Everyone I've taken there loves it and we end up getting another order :)

Popcorn chicken , grilled eel, and I've also have the blood sausages there bomb!

I think their hours of operation is 5pm-1am

Looking for some late night Korean style munchies?? Well look no more, this place has all of the best dishes found.around Garden Grove. And its open late night with beer and Soju.

I ordered the popcorn chicken, its one of my favorites. The chicken is very juicy inside and crispy on the outside. It comes with a salad made with spicy mayo and cabbage. Sounds so good already right? But wait they also have a really good dipping sauce, and it taste kind of sweet and spicy. Perfect sauce for the chicken.

I've tried the Korean blood sausage (Soon dae) here and its pretty good. The color looks wierd, however once you taste it the meaty sausage will make you crave for more. I recommend the Soon Dae Bokum which translates to: stir fry blood sausage. It's spicy and is served with some glass noodles mixed together in a spicy sauce.

The service here is excellent, I recommend you try the food here. And have a few drinks while doing it. All the food at Jang Toh is really good, and they also have special deals everyday. A+

Most peeps don't realize that Orange County's got the BEST mix of Asian food all within a 15 mile radius. Starting in central Vietnam (aka Bolsa to locals) you've got Vietnamese with Chinese, Thai, Japanese, and Korean cuisine fanning out from there. Within a few blocks from Westminster you can find yourself smack dab in the midst of K-Town where Korean BBQ's litter every block of Garden Grove Blvd. from Brookhurst to Beach and back. The little hidden gems are what I'm always on the lookout for and Jang Toh K-bar's been one of those mainstays that I dine at time and time again. Here's why:

What nhau food is to Viet peeps, Kbar is to Koreans. Think greasy, fried, crunchy, chewy, cheesy bites washed down with peach soju and finished off with a nice, cold glass of Hite. Oh yeah baby, I can feel the slimy, spicy squid tentacles dripping off my chin right about now. Not for the faint of heart, definitely develops to an acquired taste.

Can't miss: Cheesy corn baked on a skillet with mozzarella. Such a simple dish made stellar by the loads of butter they broil this baby with. The mozzarella oozes between every nook and cranny and runs for miles from spoon to mouth, yet I always find myself attempting this dunk sans disaster. Alas the corn wins and I'm left with cheese running on the side of my face, in my hair, around my mouth, and right onto my #ootd. Corn-1, Julie-0. Owell, another corn comin' right up! Did I mention we ALWAYS get 2? One for appetizer and another for dessert! Yup, LOVES me some of that cheesy fo-sheezy!

Other notables: Chicken gizzard (crunchy and chewy, my ultimate combo). Military Stew (total comfort food, like a high-class cup o'noodle but huge and feeds a friggin' army). Duk bok-kee (Seafood sautéed in a spicy/savory/sweet red sauce served with warm rice noodles).

*Insider's tip: Jang Toh is a total dive bar so don't expect anything beyond your typical wood bench seating with a modest staff speaking mainly Korean. But it really is the perfect spot for getting together with your homies enjoying home-made comfort Korean food, family-style. I always like to book casual birthday dinners here since it's really accommodating for groups and right around the corner from some of the coolest Karaoke bars in K-town. When in Rome, right?*

Bon Appétit my beauties!

Perfection. Poetry in action. A ballet of epic proportions. Great Korean food epitomized.

Literally tucked away in the corner of one of the oldest plazas on Garden Grove, you might never notice this sparkling gem. Jang Toh refers to ye olden days of outdoor markets that was mostly utilized to eat and drink. When you walk in, it reflects this notion with each booth having thatched roofs and wooden backs.

The service here is phenomenal. Grace and Helen are the nicest people you'll ever meet who will remember your face and always go the extra mile to make you feel welcomed. Every time we catch up and they are amazingly attentive. I can't say so much for the guy manager. But fuckem! The staff here are amazing.

Soju...they have every kind and usually have some sort of special going on. One for 4.99. First one 9.99 second one $1. Always something.

Food... the food is AWESOME!!! I just can't say enough how much I love their food. So let me break it down for ya'll.

Gohpchang - fried cow intestines in sesame oil with whole garlic and onions. It seriously is the best thing in the world.

Johg-Bahrl - Pigs feet. It's actually pork leg. Or something. Whatever. It has the texture similar to head cheese but really delicious concentrated pork flavor that you eat with brine shrimp sauce.

Oh-Jing-Oh-Tang - Octopus stew. Super subtle with just enough spice and love to make it extremely refreshing. Not to mention the octopus is not chewy.

Soon-Dae Bohgum - Stir fried blood sausage. It's the soondae (vegetarian blood sausage) fried with lots of veggies and spice. Spicy, filling, and overall goodness.

Juhnge Tohngdak - Grilled whole chicken. Moist on the inside but crispy and not greasy on the outside. It's the perfect harmony of textures and flavors.

Dahg Dong Jeem - Chicken anus. Yes. Chicken anus. It's fun to pop into your mouth like popcorn chicken. It's pretty good. Fried with onions, garlic cloves, and sesame oil. Gotta try it even for the novelty value.

Hehrl Murl Kimchii Pah-Jun - it's a giant pancake of kimchii, veggies, and seafood. It's spicy enough with amazing exploding seafood flavors.

But seriously....just close your eyes and point because everything is amazing. Nothing...NOTHING beats amazing food and a cold bottle soju. This place is my nirvana. This place is perfection.

This is not really a Korean bar, and not really a Korean restaurant. It is a restaurant that serves large platters of food to be shared with friends while you drink pitchers of beer and talk away the hours.

It is more like a Salaryman's bar in Japan or Korea, where you go after work and socialize. Except here in the O.C., you get together with friends. There is a large HD TV blaring Korean variety show and K-Pop star DVDs to keep the vibe.

For instance, for food, you could order a tofu kimchee dish. What you get is a large platter of kimchee piled high in the middle, mixed with some pieces of bulgogi (beef), and surrounded by slices of tofu. This is obviosuly not for a dinner, but for an appetizer shared by a group with other dishes with beer.

The restaurant is owned by Mr. Kim, and his wife Sunny, less than a year. They took over from the previous owners (same restaurant name), did a little touch up, and try to stress good service (which can be spotty in some Korean establishments, with brusk service). They are open late, until 1:30am (and one of the few restaurants in the Korean O.C. that does it legally. That is, there are many that stay open late for "certain VIP" customers without the license to do so).

Besides the appetizer like fair, (there are no standard BBQ restaurant dishes like Bulgogi, Bi Bim Bop, etc), there is a selection of Soju and other beverages, including Miller Light (switching soon to Coors Light) on tap, with bottled Korean beers, like OB.

There are a dozen booths with a faux roof to have semi private drinking/eating sessions with your friends. You won't find many Sa Jang Nim or Sa Mo Nim in here, mostly all Koreans, some young, some older.

If you want to get something to eat or drink later in the evening in this part of the O.C. (like after 10pm, when most everything is closed) drop by this place with some friends and snack and drink together.

Easily beats a rendezvous at McDonalds's and the liquor store for food and booze.

I'm a regular at this establishment since I have a weakness for cheap booze. I would not necessarily call this place a restaurant since people usually come to drink vast amounts of soju and beer.

Parking: Plentiful. Just be careful not to park next to a big work van or truck since most likely some old guy is drunk off his ass and will probably ding your doors on his way home.

Atmosphere: The crowd has definitely changed at this place in the ten years I've been going here. It is usually very quiet and a good place for conversation. Once in awhile you might see some thugged out youngsters or a really loud drunk that cannot handle his liquor, but that is probably every drinking establishment's drawbacks. By the way there is only 1 toilet for dudes and 1 for the ladies and a bush out front for the brave.

Customer Service: Exceptional if you are a regular like me. If not then you may get a cold shoulder once in awhile, it is kind of common in a lot of Korean establishments in Garden Grove, especially if you look very young. So get to know your wait staff, leave a nice tip and it will benefit you when you come back. Of course you have the mighty waitress button that will immediately alert someone when your glass gets empty. 2-3 waitresses on a busy night may result in some waiting.

Drinks: Do not expect a selection like at Yard House and it will get expensive if you go with imports. You have your beers and spirits. Beers if you just want to relax, soju if you want to get drunk fast, "somec" (50/50 soju, beer mix) if you want to take the one way train to drunksville.

Food: It is not cheap and you want to stick with the classics. Whole rotisserie chicken, fried chicken, marinated pork ribs, kimchi stew, corn cheese, etc. Typical Korean drinking foods and I guess after a few bottles of the "S" anything tastes good.

Overall:
Kind of pricey if you drink a lot, food tastes decent, plenty of cheap quality booze, and it's quiet. Not outstanding, not fancy, just your run of the mill Korean drinking establishment.

You OC people have been away from Ktown for too long. Banchan was old and sad. We asked for tea and got a tea bag that would not change the color of the water. The stew's broth was thin and watery. Dough flakes were over-cooked and broken apart. There was barely any veggies in the soup. It's no Chunju Han-il Kwan. It's the difference between boeuf bourguignon and prison gruel. The San Francisco Bridge or a 2x4. Clint Eastwood or Gary Busey.

A few minutes into our dinner, the owner walked in with an entourage. The guys came squawking in like a flock of birds with their leader making grande gestures and shouting to no one and everyone. Then he did some shots with the one table of girls and stumbled away like a professional.