Hodori Korean Cuisine

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  It was a dark, cold evening, my sinuses were clogged, and I needed something with a little heat to get things going again. I  wandered into this place after a brief drive through downtown Closter. Hodori's lights were on, and the windows had evidence of something steamy going on in the kitchen.
  
  This isn't some dimly lit giant hall of tables with personal BBQ grills and a sushi bar.  It's a comfy, clean, bright little place where you can sit and eat and watch a little bit of TV. The menu is a wide variety of home cooked staple dishes. Prices are very reasonable for the amount of food you get.
  
  I was greeted immediately by a friendly server and ordered Duk Mandu Guk (Dumpling and Rice Cake Soup) to go. They offered me a seat while I waited so I wasn't standing there hovering over the counter.
  
  Once my order was ready, the servers were nice enough to explain to me how to use the condiments added to my order, which I thought was very sweet and considerate of them (I should probably explain that I'm white and while I myself am not new to Korean food, I find that lots of non-Korean people find Korean food a bit unfamiliar and maybe even intimidating).  
  
  I got home to find a big bag full of my hot soup with some very fat dumplings, some generous banchan helpings, and the aforementioned condiments. So much food in fact, that even I was unable to finish it.
  
  To sum it up: clean, friendly, good food, big portions. I'll likely update my review after a return eat-in visit, but for now I'm a fan!

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  Posted on 02.13.13 Andrea T.

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  I was in the mood for authentic Korean food and, thanks to yelp, I found Hodori in Closter.  My wife and I went for lunch.  I ordered the kimchi sundubu and my wife ordered the hot bimbimbap.  It was exactly what we were hoping for.  First they brought out the table appetizers that are included with the meal.  Plates of tofu, acorn, salad, spicy kimchi, as well as other dishes.  The waitress, who turned out to be the owner, made sure we enjoyed everything and brought extra dishes when we were done with the first round.  She was great and made us feel very welcome. Needless to say, it was a lot of food for lunch.  Everything was GREAT!  We will definitely go back to Hodori soon.

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  Posted on 02.07.13 Justin P.

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  I don't get why this place isn't as doing well as Spring () restaurant.
  1. It has a larger variety of food
  2. It's cheaper (as in terms for price paid for amount of food = huge portions)
  3. More banchan (side dishes include fried egg, mackerel, etc.)
  4. Free scoop of ice cream for dessert
  
  Aside from that, the food tastes pretty solid and some dishes I would recommend are the donkatsu, fried rice, and the spicy noodles. I've been living in the area for about 10 years now, and indeed, the location has been cursed as 5+ restaurants went bust at the exact same spot. I really don't want to see another one close down just when I start getting acquainted with it so please... SUPPORT

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  Posted on 09.01.12 Nick K.

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  I come here with my gf and sometimes with my gf's little brother. The portions here are huge pretty tasty.
  
  They do give you a pan fried fish with your free small plates. Just becareful with the fish. It's not gutted or fileted. You also get a fried egg too. I wish it was more runny so I can eat it with my rice.
  
  I usually get the spicy squid with noodle. My gf usually get umorice (Korean fried rice) or the rice cakes with red sauce.  
  
  This place is still not as good at Spring restaurant.
  
  I want to try the fried chicken. The other location has alcohol so fried chicken would make better sense to get there.
  
  Also, Free scoop of ice cream.

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  Posted on 07.06.12 Far Eats M.

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  I had my first Korean meal tonight and it was tasty!  We were referred to this place by a Korean gentleman in town and he was right.  Expect a lot of food (in addition to your meal you will get many appetizers, soup, and mango ice cream).  We recommend the hot stone with rice and beef!  The prices were reasonable (about $60 for 4 people) and the staff were friendly, attentive and helpful!  This place is much nicer on the inside than the outside might suggest and we liked the casual atmosphere.  I would definitely go back!

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  Posted on 09.18.11 Kelly M.

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  First of all, I thought this location was cursed.  It had about 5+ restaurants come and go in the past 4 years, and it's no wonder; Closter has fierce competition in its Korean small business category, namely nail salons, hair salons, and restaurants.  It's hard for a small business to open up and stick around for more than 2 years, but Hodori undoubtedly has the potential to stay.
  
  Having eaten at the Hodori in Palisades Park, I can say that the food tastes the same, which is great.  But what I love most about this restaurant chain that separates it from the dozens of other nearby Korean restaurants is the size of the entrees.  Getting the donkatsu (pork cutlet)? You're going to have to man up and eat two strips.  Getting the nengmyun? Good luck trying to finish this bowl deeper than the volcano in Mordor.  Cheese dukboki? prepare your taste buds.  Just about every dish you order there will be good enough to feed two.  
  
  They also give a lot of banchan (complimentary assorted dishes to whet your appetite), including fish to share and an egg for each customer.  And to top it off, you're given a small scoop of ice cream.  It's more "ice" than "cream" in the sense that it's not very smooth, but its complimentary, and I'll take what compliments I can get.

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  Posted on 08.12.11 Andrew K.

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  I haven't been to the original location in Palisades Park (ironic because that's where I reside), but I have been to the Closter location three times int he past two months.
  
  It's your typical Korean boon-shik restaurant, but what separates this from the other nearby Korean restaurants is the sheer size of the entree for a not so inflated price.  I've gotten the JamBong (spicy seafood soup noodle), the dukboki (spicy ricecakes & fishcakes), and the jayukbokeum (spicy pork & rice).  All the plates were enough to feed two.  I don't think anyone I've gone w/ has finished their plate alone.  The ban-chan is pretty good too.
  
  At the end of the meal you'll be offered a small ice cream, it's not the best, but it's free.  Though the first time I went the texture of the icecream was (for the lack of a better word) sandy.  The last time I was there the staff had given us "service" of two dukboki for the table, that definately sealed the deal for a 5 star review.

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  Posted on 08.08.11 Brian S.

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