News Summary
Young Dabang, a South Korean street food chain, has opened its first location in Irvine, California, specializing in tteokbokki. The restaurant allows customers to customize their dishes with varying spice levels and offers a variety of toppings including grilled brisket and yaki mandu. The unique flavors of their tteokbokki, known for its smoky and slightly sweet sauce, are set to appeal to both Korean cuisine enthusiasts and local diners seeking comfort food in a cozy setting.
Irvine, California – Young Dabang, a South Korean street food chain, has officially opened its doors in Irvine, marking its first and only location in Orange County. This restaurant specializes in serving tteokbokki, a beloved Korean dish known for its chewy rice cakes and spicy savory-sweet sauce.
The centerpiece of Young Dabang’s menu is, of course, the tteokbokki. Customers can customize their dish by selecting one of three spice levels: mild, hot-mild, or spicy. A review of the restaurant highlighted one popular ordering option—a tteokbokki dish with grilled brisket. This dish is served in a charming shallow steel pan and topped with an assortment of ingredients, including thinly sliced brisket, fish cake, fresh vegetables, instant ramen, a fried dumpling known as yaki mandu, and a boiled quail egg.
The sauce for the tteokbokki is described as hot, smoky, and slightly sweet, featuring key ingredients like gochugaru, a type of dried red pepper flakes commonly used in Korean cooking. This thoughtful blend of flavors and textures caters to those who enjoy hearty and comfortingly rich dishes. A small portion of tteokbokki is priced at $16, while a larger serving costs $26.99, both of which provide a generous amount of food for patrons.
In addition to the signature tteokbokki, Young Dabang offers a variety of appetizing options that allow diners to explore different flavor combinations. Choices include cheese waterfall tteokbokki, which incorporates melted mozzarella, along with dishes featuring whole fried squid, original tteokbokki, spicy chicken, pork katsu, bulgogi, and a unique creamy carbonara version. Diners may also request a “rosé-style” tteokbokki, prepared with a creamed sauce.
The rich history of tteokbokki dates back to its origins in royal cuisine. Over the years, particularly after the postwar period, the dish transitioned to a spicier adaptation that gained widespread popularity. Korean cooking authority Maangchi has discussed numerous versions of tteokbokki, showcasing the versatility of this dish, which can include dumplings, cabbage, cheese, and noodles. Maricel Gentile, an accomplished chef and author, has credited Ma Bok-rim with the popularization of gochujang in tteokbokki recipes during the 1950s, cementing its status as a staple in Korean cuisine.
Located within the Diamond Jamboree Shopping Center at 2750 Alton Parkway, Young Dabang joins a diverse mix of eateries such as Sul & Beans, Yigah, and Pepper Lunch. The restaurant not only caters to Korean cuisine enthusiasts but also serves as a spot for local residents seeking comfort food that is both hearty and satisfying.
As the culinary landscape in Irvine continues to expand, Young Dabang’s authentic approach to tteokbokki is poised to attract food lovers eager to experience the dynamic flavors of South Korean street food. With its inviting ambiance and delicious menu, the establishment aims to make a lasting mark in the vibrant dining scene of Orange County.
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Additional Resources
- Koreaboo
- Wikipedia: Tteokbokki
- Love Food
- Google Search: tteokbokki
- Food & Wine
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Gochujang
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
