Gom Ba Woo in Annandale - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

My absolute favorite spot for (Spicy) Galbi Tang. The meat is tender and comes right off the bone and the spice mixes in well with the broth - the good kind of spicy that tastes good. It's a bit of a hole in the wall with some elderly folk who mainly speak Korean but speak enough English to get you what you need. If you're ever craving the home touch and/or the warmness of Galbi Tang I'd highly recommend this place.

Too many homeless nearby, aggressive in parking lot and camping outside

The owner is very kind, and the seolleongtang is delicious.

Yesterday, my best friends and I stopped by Gom Ba Woo for an early dinner and boy did we have a time! Upon sitting, the hostess stopped by our table to ask if we’d like tea or coffee. We ordered japchae and fried dumplings to start. The japchae was flavorful and the ban chan was well flavored with a balance of acidity, spice, and sweetness. My main course (unpictured) was the sundubu, which was incredible. Even better than the amazing food was the loving care and service. The Korean grandmother with glasses who cooks greeted my table with hugs and offered many stories about her life in Korea, even sharing photos of her granddaughter to connect with me and my friends. I felt her love pouring through the experience in a way that is still sitting with me. Although I visited from out of town, this restaurant is saved on my list to return to when I’m back in the DMV. Thank you (consamida) and may your business be blessed.

This place is incredible! Incredibly sweet service and the food is so flavorful. I particularly loved the JapChae, Dolsot Bibim Bap, and Kimchi JaeYuk Bokum. Ask them about being featured by WETA PBS!

This restaurant hold a special place in my heart. I was introduced to this wonderful place by my late brother. Since then, I been coming here for 25 years. Evrry time i come here, i always feel so familiar and comfortable. The foods quality is always top notch and if you have the pleasure to meet the owner, she's the nicest person you will ever meet.

The food and service were excellent! Nice peaceful vibes. 🙏

Excellent seolleongtang that has a more traditional taste than Shin Chon. The broth is less milky but the meats and banchan are better. They serve more than just kimchi/kaktugi, and they give you soy sauce/Wasabi to dip meats in. The modeum (special) seolleongtang is great, but if you don't like tripe/offal/tendon, don't get it. Great hole in the wall and chill vibe. Also, I like that they don't serve water in plastic bottles like Shin Chon does.

Ordered the pan fried dumplings and the bossam, and it was simply one of the worst tasting ones I ever had in my life (NOT exaggerating).

It opens early in the morning, so it's great for breakfast.

Amazing service! Food was just sadly too bland.

People who don’t rate this place highly have no idea what they are talking about. This has been my favorite seolangtang place for the past ~6 years, and is the closest to the ones I used to eat in Korea. The homey atmosphere combined with the kind, caring staff makes this place one of the best places to eat in Annandale.

We happened on this small place in the search for Korean food in Annandale. It's a cute very authentic seeming restaurant run by a couple of aunties. They served us very nicely despite their limited English and it seemed like they had a number of regulars come in as well. The food was great and very filling, couldn't finish everything. My favorite was the seafood pancake (haemul pajon).

Came in on a Wednesday night and it was empty. The Gal Bi Tang for a cold night, but I will admit that the turnip was a bit too salty and the meat was a bit too fatty. However, that does make the soup more rich. The rice was a bit hard for some reason though--not the usual fluffy texture that I'm used to. The ban chan was great, especially the radish. It's run by a couple of older, Korean woman, and they were very nice and fast with our order. While this place on its own is pretty good, relative to the area, it is pretty standard.

This place will make you feel like you’re in your grandmas house! Korean seafood pancake is delicious! It’s thinker then the typical Korean pancake and it’s just full of flavors. What I loved the most is that the owners makes the pancakes from scratch (made to order). They don’t even pre make the batter! Come visit this place!

The wine is so so so expensive.

Came here for bossam 보쌈 and it was amazing! We also ordered the soondoboo soup, but definitely coming back for the bossam. The service was great too, super friendly korean lady!

A year ago, I thought it was a little lacking, but we held a meeting here again after a long time. However, both food and service improved again. Boiled pork, buckwheat tray noodles, rib soup We ordered several things and shared them. It's been a long time since I had such delicious food in America. Boiled meat can be eaten warm It came out in a steaming bowl, but it was soft and really delicious. Buckwheat tray noodles are made with egg crust. It was served in a whole bowl, so it was generous and moderately spicy. I think the Seolnongtal soup is really the best. Highly recommended.

Love everything about this restaurant. My family and I have been visiting off and on for a long while. The ladies that work here are attentive and warm. The food is delish!! We ordered seafood and scallion pancakes, marinated ribs, marinated thin slices of tender beef rib eye, stewed meat of ribeye bone in hot broth and bibimbap and fried dumpling. So good. I haven’t been into Korean food previously, yet you will if you visit here. If you do visit, come with an appetite 🥳

Great food! Everything I tried here is amazing

The food was delicious and it felt like going to your grandparents home. They took care of my 9 month old while I ate. It’s a bunch of grandmas and the food felt just like that comfort you’d get from your grandparents. Highly recommend

Wonderful food and those running the restaurant were exceptionally friendly.

The ladies who work here are so friendly and the galbi tang was soooo good and just what I needed on a cold day.

Taste great, service was even better!

The price of gomtang (beef bone soup) suddenly skyrocketed at GomBawoo. While the taste remains satisfying, the steep increase in cost has become burdensome. It seems to be the priciest spot in the neighborhood for both soju and seolleongtang (ox bone soup), considering the quantity provided. Despite the excellent taste, friendly service, and overall positive aspects, the frequency of visits is hindered by the steep pricing.

Decided to eat here while visiting Alexandria. The service was awesome. The ladies who worked here were very nice and welcoming to their restaurants. The food was good. We ordered 3 different kind of dishes and all of them were edible and yummy. Restaurant can get very busy and the emmonie will forgot some of the request but overall still good service and recommend to eat here. Thr banchan was good especially the fish cake.

Its my first time here at this restaurant for their Galbitang. We came early on Thursday evening and the place wasn;t pack (yet). The food came in really quick and had a great service. My partner had seollontang and we shared the seafood pancake. We both agreed that their seafood pancake is the best by far we ever had. It's crispy (and not so oily), flavorful and a packed with seafood. My Galbitang was great and I really enjoyed it as well. My partner said his meal was great as well (both of us consistently ordered the same dishes at any korean restaurant).

The seolleongtang soup wasn't hot and I know it's expensive, but the amount of meat was very poor. Only 4 or 5 pieces.

Wonderful service and even better food!

Comida, servicio, y ambiente familiar. 10/10! Food is 🔥! The food came out very quickly. The servers were extremely attentive. This was my first time eating here and will definitely be returning.

Everything about this place is so welcoming. From the food to the atmosphere- definitely a hole in the wall place with amazing flavors. Had their hangover soup, packed FULL with tons of veggies and meat. The seafood pancake was the best I've had in the area. Amazingly crisp and made to order fresh!

Authentic Korean restaurant. Looks a bit shabby on the outside but inside is a cute oasis. Food was better than other Korean in the area.

I am complaining about both food and service. The beef soup tasted really bad. It looked like they cooked it a few days ago or used bones that went bad. When I complained, the owner refunded but said: sorry it sometimes happens... What does that mean??? I was shocked by his careless remark. Just don't go.

My favorite place for 도가니탕 and their radish kimchi is fresh and crunchy

This is our favorite Korean restaurant to order from. We always order the seafood pancakes as an appetizer and get bulgogi. Everything is always great

The food is so-so, the service is not good, there is still a lot of food on the table, I am still eating, I only sat in the store for 30 minutes, the waiter rushed me to pay with a check, I didn't rush to pay, she came to rush me Quick checkout, very rude, very bad feeling, I only tipped 18%, will not come again.

I would leave a zero stars if I could. I saw a rat enter and when we notified the owner, she ACTED shocked. Almost as if it's been a problem before. Not even one minute later, I found PLASTIC in my food. A safety and health hazard. I was so excited but now I wont eat Korean food again. Go somewhere else guys.

Would never come back! Took undeserved 50% tip!!

I always love their Galbi Tang beef stew with glass noodle! It’s my go to comfort food during winter and still during summer. They always make the best banchan.

A small Korean food restaurant. I love their fooooood and lovely Korean grandmas 💓 The ice water (barley tea I guess) was a good start for my asian stomach. All came with several homemade sides, including kimchi, radish pickles, potatoes, zucchini, bean sprouts. Love! We ordered cold noodles, Galbi Tang w/rice, and LA gal bi. The portion of cold noodles was so generous that I think I could feed 3 girls🤣 and it just suited the weather. Gotta mix the rice with Galbi Tang (beef bone broth)!! It tasted just RIGHT. We ordered LA Galbi cuz it was also grandma's meal time and it smelled too good we couldn't resist 🥴 Would def be back soon.

You know this place is legit when everyone who comes here is Korean, the TV is playing Korean dramas, and they serve barley tea. I got this place suggested to me as the place to take Koreans for an authentic Korean food experience, and my friend was impressed! This is the place to go for Surlongtang which is a sort of beef stew that uses alot of different beef parts. Almost like a Chinese congee in terms of the vibes you get eating it.

Great food, spicy and tasteful. I got the spicy pork with vegetables. My partner kimchi soup, we were super full. It was about 50 dollars so super cheap and I felt I ate same quality as a michelin. The place needs remodeling or updating, but as is it does make you feel at home. Great experience overall. Sometimes it was hard to get the servers attention to get drinks, but she was super nice once she saw me.

Food was delicious! Enjoyed the seafood pancake and bone broth soup. Staff was very friendly.

너무 친절하시고 맛있는 음식 이었고요 강력히 추천합니다!

They would be one of the best Korean food in the area. Wide array of MSG free food. Sound are just awesome

밤 8시 넘어 가서 그런가 곰탕국물이 모자라서 물을 타서 내왔는지 물을 탔다면 너무 많이 탔고 오래동안 끓인 국물은 절대 아난 40년 부엌 살림으로 알겠더라구요 지인들에개 멀 안해줄수가 없었네요

Terrible experience. We had been several times pre COVID. I'm not sure what happened but the food quality has gone down, the prices way up and the service is terrible. Will never return

Food quality was very poor and overpriced. Pancake: consistency and toppings were off. Soups: heavy and tasteless. Mandus: dipping oil and tasteless. Meat: came without cabbage/lettuce. Side dishes: tasteless and poor variety. No service. The owner/server didn’t refill our cups or checked on us. And she gave us attitude. At the end she got upset with the tip and chased us in the parking lot to demand cash. It was beyond embarrassing and rude.

It was really great but now anymore. So sad.... broth is too light. Most soup should perfect with kimchi but both radish kimchi and napa kimchi were too salty and too bland. No more my favorite place. Credit card machine was broke too..

이제 옛날 곰바우가 아니네요.. 물가가 많이올라 가격이야 그렇다고 해도 설렁탕에 고기도 그렇고 김치는 왜이리 맛이 없는지 ㅠㅠ

Love this place: food is fresh and locals are generous with recommendations.

Bossam, Sooyuk, and BooDae JunGol done right. An original Korean restaurant in Annandale before Korean BBQ stormed the country and made people believe that Korean food is just Korean BBQ. So many items on the menu that have a homemade taste.

Best Seolongtang/galbitang place in the state. If you go there in the morning, you see the chef boiling a huge pile of beef bones to make the broth. He does this every morning. I visited around 9am, and saw him carrying out a huge pile of boiled cow bones which made me drop the jaw. The broth, whether you choose the white or the red type, is perfect. It cannot get better than this. I have no idea what happened in the past year with bad reviews, but I'm leaving this here so that people know that this place is still a jackpot. I noticed that the price doubled here with the inflation, but the price now makes sense - it was just priced way too low before, and the owner must've had a tough time keeping up with the evermore increasing cost. The chef served my food today (who I think is the owner too), and he's just a very lovely and funny guy. He's like the cool uncle I would love to hang out during the holidays. I love this place, and would travel a long distance just to visit here.

Very authentic Korean food. My goto place for Korean soup on a rainy day.

So, so place, price is higher versus quality.

This placed used to be good. But today it was really lacking and lackluster. It’s too bad. Maybe costs are too high and inflation but would not recommend.

15불받는설렁탕이 물을타서 완전맹탕에 이런음식을판다는게 화가나네요. 누가 이런걸 식당서사먹습니까? 깍두기에선 군둥내나고 김치는 너무짜고 최악이었음.

직원분들 너무 친절하세요. 육개장 특히 맛있고 밑반찬도 다 좋았네요 👍

곰바우가아니라 물바우라고 생각한다 진짜 세사람다 맛없었음

Amazing food, friendly staff and pretty nice quiet place to have dinner.

It's not the first time my family & I ate here- But, it's my first time eating their signature dish, Gombawoo Seollongtang. (I always ordered Spicy Soft Tofu Stew, Soondubu Chigae.) I've been sick recently and was told that Korean soups made with bone broth would be beneficial. I took the sliced meats out of mine & gave them to Hubby. The owner actually saw me do this & asked why I'd give away the precious meats. Hahaha! Although green onions are expensive these days, there were plenty of sliced green onions. I added an extra spicy paste. There was a generous amount of rice. Kind of like when I push down the rice into the bowl before giving it to my kids. The side dishes were fresh & delicious. I got a second serving of the radish kimchi. These large radish kimchi reminds me of my childhood. My parents poked the big chunk with a chopstick and gave it to me to eat- Good memories; A bit disappointing was the regular napa kimchi. It wasn't very good. I believe kimchi has to taste good in a Korean restaurant. Because everything else was delicious, I'd give it 95 out of a 100. An interesting fact is this restaurant opens at 6 a m. Breakfast here is a better choice than something greasy & regretful. All in all, my first time trying out the Gombawoo Seollongtang was fantastic. I didn't even leave a drop. Highly recommend this place.

Just really disappointing and weirdly expensive for the area. We had very bland galbi-tang, old stale rice, and still frozen vegetables in our bibimbap and will not be returning.

Unkind and dirty. Stir-fried squid is well cooked.It's cold. The staff tells me that onions are not ripe and delicious. She's crazy.It's only nice to male guests. 나는 김치찌개와 오징어볶음을 시켰다. 김치찌개는 너무 짜고 오징어 볶음은 철판에 나왔으나 요리를 했나싶을 정도로 차가웠다. 오징어도..양파를 비롯한 야채도..웨이츠레스에게 이 이야기를 하는데 뒤에서 서빙하던 여자가 일부러 안익혔단다. 그래야 야채를 씹는 식감이 좋다고..정말 미친거 아닌가..그러면서 반말로 나에게 협박한다. "왜 기분나빠?"라고..정말 제 정신이 아닌것 같았다. 더러운 식당..더러운 서비스..더러운 음식..비싼 가격..난 이 미친 식당에서 $60썼다. 참..그 여자는 외국사람.남자 손님들한테는 아주 친절했다..지금도 역겹다. ..

몸이 안좋아 거의 몇주 동안을 미음과 죽 혹은 작은 양으로만 식사하던 아내에게 간만에 영양식을 먹으면 좀 나아질까 하는 마음에 오후 1시즈음에 이 식당을 찾았다. 식당내부는 한가했고 일하시는 아주머니 세분이 사담을 나누고 계셨다. 아내는 조금 일찍 도착하여 음식을 시켜 놓았는데, 본인은 우거지갈비탕을 시켰다. 우거지갈비탕보다는 설렁탕이 조금 영양가가 있지 않을까 생각했지만 이미 주문했기에 어쩔 수 없다고 생각했다. 한참 먹다가 아내는 우거지갈비탕에 고기가 너무 없고 그대신 우거지가 너무 많다며 우거지를 젓가락으로 들어보인다. 역시나 우거지는 너무 많았고 고기는 너무 적어 보였다. 평소와 다르게 아내는 가격대비 적은 양에 대해 말을 해야겠다고 하는 걸 어색한 것이 싫어서 말렸다. 그런 얘기들을 나누고 있는데 아주머니 한분이 눈치를 채셨는지 필요한것 없는지 물으셨다. 아내는 조심스레 고기의 양에 대해 말씀을 드렸고 나이 지긋한 그 아주머니는 너무 미안해 하시면서 고기 몇점을 더 가져다 주셨다. 참으로 감사한 일이다. 그렇게 먹기를 10분쯤. 다른 한 아주머니가 우리의 불만이 맘에 안드셨나보다. 큰 소리로 "미국 식당에 가면 아무 소리 못하고, 주면 주는 대로 먹으면서.." 설마 우리에게 하는 말이었을까 했다. 설마 저렇게 대놓고 말을 할까? 아니겠지. 밥은 거의 다 먹어가고 가격을 치렀다. 차를 타고 시동을 켜는데 비쩍 마른 아내가 안쓰러웠다. 그건 우리에게 한 말이 아니야, 아니 우리에게 한 말이야를 추리하는 우리의 모습이 처량했다. 그 아주머니 말대로 미국 식당이든 한국 식당이든 주면 주는 대로 먹었던 우리가 가격이 비해 너무 작은 고기의 양에 한 마디 한 것이 그 아주머니의 심기를 건드린건 확실해 보였다. 아내에게 괜시리 미안했다. 매번 같은 것만 먹는 아내를 위해 조금이라도 보양이 될 만한 것을 먹이려 했는데 속은 더 아프게 되었다. 직장에서 그 식당에 전화를 했지만 사장님은 안계신다고 한다. 시인 김수영의 시처럼 이런 일에 올졸하게 화를 내는 나 자신과 보양식 먹겠다고 온 식당에서 평생 처음 식당의 음식에 컴플레인을 한 아내와 미국 식당에선 아무 소리를 못하면서 한국식당에서는 잘도 말한다는 아주머니의 뒤통수를 치는 날카로운 목소리 사이에서, 이리저리 마음에 갈피를 못잡는 나의 마음이 애처롭다. 2022년 6월 17일 1시 방문

여긴 진짜 최악이다. 이건 외국인이 이걸 한국음식이라고 생각하는게 화가 날 정도의 수준이다. 몇되지도 않는 밑반찬은 이게 몇번을 올랐던게 아닐까 의심스러운 정도이며 하물며 밥까지 군데군데 설은감까지 있었다. 화장실 위생상태도 최악이다.

Food is pretty mediocre & overpriced, unsure why this place is so popular

여기 음식 하시는 분이 한국분이 아닌 사람으로 바뀌신건지 모르겠는데 맛이 너무 없어졌네요. 김치류는 먹을수도 없이 맛이 없고, 곰탕에서는 냄새나고, 요즘 인플레이션으로 가격 올리는건 알지만 곰탕에 tax해서 거의 15불은 아닌것 같네요..

설렁탕과 모듬설렁탕을 먹었는데 너무 맛있게 먹었습니다. 깍두기와 김치도 맛있었어요 미국에서 이정도 맛이면 저는 만족합니다

Authentic Korean food, very friendly staff, hot soup (in more than one way). The missing star is the missing salt on the soup, but I definitely going back.

Authentic Korean dishes, I had one the best Bibimbap ever here.

My first experience with Korean food was a decade ago. I was hooked. I would make the trek from OC to K-Town a couple of times of month for Korean food. The Korean food in Northern Virginia is really good. We stopped by Gom Ba Woo for dinner and had a great dining experience. The portions were generous and everything was amazing. The staff were polite and friendly.

Had a mixed Solungtang. Food was delicious and Ggadugi was tasty, well harmonized with soup. Also, the staffs were friendly and clean inside.

Just like foods that my mom usually made for me in Korea

I lowered it one notch as I found the food quality deteriorated. In addition, I found the prices are incomprehensibly wrongly assigned.

After fasting for four days, I had cravings for bone soup. It was delicious and very nice owner.

직원은 친절하셨고 음식도 나쁘지않았다..참고로 도가니탕을 시켰는데 너무 물컹거려 식감은 좋지않았다

Seollongtang is alright, but that's all I've had. Service is good.

Just had breakfast here and felt compelled to leave a review. The owner was what you would get if you mixed your favorite uncle and your grandpa—the Korean version of what Uncle Joey is to the Irish. I had the galbi-tang and it was excellent. (It’s not the clear type that’s more prevalent, but the doenjang (miso)-based version.) When I was a young boy growing up in Korea, whenever I visited my grandpa he would get on his bicycle in the morning to go buy haejang-guk (hangover soup) to feed me. It tasted just like that. If you want to taste real Korean soul food, this is it.

오늘은 뜨끈한 곰탕이 먹고 싶어, 어디로 갈까 하다가 전문점 탕집으로 가기로해 친구와 같이 곰바우 설롱탕집으로 갔다. 가마솥에 푹 끓여낸 곰탕맛은 역시 일품이였다. 나는 친구와 양이 많다고 하면서 먹다 남길것 같다면서 결국은 한그릇을 다 먹었다. 곰탕 한그릇 다먹고나니 그런지 몸에 기운이 났것 같다면서 말하고 그 다음날까지 튼튼함을 느꼈다.

When we got there just about every table ordered the seafood pancake. It did not disappoint. It's not your typical thin pancake, it's pretty thick! I had a craving for Bo Ssam, so we wanted to try it at this restaurant. The ratio of lettuce to meat is off, but I'm sure you can ask for more. We also got two soups. The kalbi soup and tofu soup. They were delicious. The service was good considering how busy they were when we were there. The restaurant is fairly small but cozy.

Very friendly service and home style food.

Amazing traditional Korean soups! Very authentic

Simply delicious. Very affordable. I went with the yukgaejang and it was phenomenal!

Small, intimate place to have tasty Korean cuisine.

Great food. I like to order the beef galbi soup. It is the best. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone. They’re open for dine-in or carryout.

Fantastic food. I have been coming for years and it fills all my cravings for korean food especially the ox bone soup or beef galbi soup. They’re open for both dine in or carry out. Excellent service and food 5 stars.

맛을 상중하로 한다면 중정도...일하시는분은 친절하셨어요.

I love Korean food like my mom used to make. So if you prefer an authentic more Northern, spicy flavor with the sweetest Ladies, this is the spot to come! Amazing dishes with great prices!

Best seollangtang place in the area. Service is always fast and friendly and the food is delicious. The ambience isn't fancy, but cozy. It makes me feel like I'm back in Korea

It's always excellent excellent excellent excellent service all senate Korean doesn't get any better than their

I went there with the girl friend and the food was great. We had the sea food pancake and bbq ribs. Everything was great, the service was great the server was patient with our questions and once we ordered everything came out quickly.

If you want the best tasting Korean food this is the place to go to. Very friendly service and fast and authentic. A+++++++++++ Old school restaurant. The best in annandale!

This is our spot. Love the atmosphere; the motherly waitresses and the food is great. Seafood pajun is great, sometimes stuffed with so much seafood it is slightly undercooked (but no matter, is great out of the toaster oven a day later) but many solid options; mostly broths which is perfect for us since we don't eat as much meat. Wife couldn't stop eating their banchon when she was pregnant; kimchi was super crisp.

You want delicious beef broth based soup? You want homemade dumplings? They make them right here and at a ridiculously good price. We always take some soup to go and eat it again within a day or two. Very delicious and a great value.

Always fresh and hot with the smells of food making you hungry. As much as you can eat and more, something for literally everyone. Desserts are not so out of this world but they are there and plentiful

So and so...I guess not recommend to you...

I absolutely love this place. The best ox tail soup. Don’t let the outside fool you, it’s nice inside and great food.

Favorite korean soup shop. Gotta try the Galbitang and Dumpling soup.

미국에서 설렁탕 이정도로 하는곳은 찾기 힘듬. 남 사장이 아침부터 나와서 뼈 곱기 시작. 서비스 별로. 여사장 별로.직원들 별로.

Owner was so friendly, good service mind but new waitress not