New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Da.Wa Restaurant brings Korean fare to West Haven
A West Haven restaurant space once known for American/Southern barbecue is now home to Korean barbecue, and many more flavorful, spicy specialties.
Da.Wa Korean Restaurant opened in late March on Saw Mill Road, in the former Uncle Willie’s Smokehouse building. It’s the first Connecticut restaurant for owner Nam Ju Jeong, said his son, Richard Jeong. Nam previously owned and operated two sushi restaurants in New York.
“What we’re trying to do is let Korean food be known to others, [to] spread the culture,” Richard said.
The Jeong family acquired the space in 2019 and began building it out in November of that year, but COVID-19 “threw a wrench” into their opening timeline, Richard said, as building materials and other necessities took longer to ship. They finally opened the restaurant about two weeks ago, offering dine-in and takeout options.
Da.Wa presents an extensive menu: Korean barbecue, noodle and rice dishes, stir-fried grilled dishes, soups and stews, in addition to sushi and sashimi, including rolls and hand rolls.
Early on, guests have gravitated to the Korean barbecue menu, Richard said, with grilled proteins ($24.99 to $38.99) like galbi (marinated short rib), bulgogi (marinated thinly sliced ribeye) and brisket, chicken and pork options. He said it’s often a good entryway for diners who haven’t yet tried Korean cuisine.
Appetizers ($4.99 to $18.99) include edamame, shrimp and vegetable tempura, pajeon (a seafood and scallion pancake), mandu (fried dumplings with pork or rib meat) and fried chicken wings, with garlic, soy or spicy sauce. Tteok bokki, or Korean rice cakes in spicy red pepper sauce with fish cake and vegetables, are “Korean comfort food,” Richard said.
He also recommends dol sot bibimbap ($15.99 to $18.99), a rice dish served in a sizzling hot stone bowl with vegetables and choice of meat, seafood or tofu. The heat of the bowl crisps up the rice, adding a different texture to the dish, he said.
Da.Wa’s tofu-based soups ($14.99), featuring broth made with soft tofu, are “Korean soul food,” Richard said, with seafood, mushrooms, kimchi, beef, vegetables or oysters. Other special entrees include bo ssam ($23.99), or pork belly with raw oysters and spicy kimchi; kan pung gi, a dish of deep-fried chicken with spicy garlic pepper sauce, and yook hwe, with raw beef tenderloin and vegetables.
Sushi and sashimi selections come courtesy of Nam’s years of experience in the field, offering another option to the expansive menu. Da.Wa offers sushi and sashimi entrees and a la carte pieces, along with a variety of rolls and hand rolls.
Richard Jeong said many of Da.Wa’s first customers have been familiar with Korean cuisine, but those who are trying it for the first time also express their enjoyment.
“Everyone loves the food. It’s good to hear that affirmation from locals who haven’t really tried Korean food,” Richard said. “It’s been a positive response.”
Lunch specials are available Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a wide variety of Korean barbecue, bibimbap, noodle and rice dishes, soups and sushi options. Da.Wa also offers beer, wine, sake and soju, which is Korea’s most popular liquor.
Da.Wa is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 9 p.m. The restaurant is closed Mondays through April. 475-238-7512, dawatofu.com.