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Welcome to Soy Tofu

At Soy Tofu, we celebrate the heart of Korean cuisine with a focus on exceptional tofu dishes that cater to every palate. Founded by the ever-dedicated Grace, our restaurant is a community staple where warmth and hospitality thrive. With a menu offering diverse vegan and vegetarian options, each dish, from the spicy soondubu to the handmade noodles, reflects passion and authenticity. Guests enjoy not only delicious meals but also personalized service that feels like coming home. Our unique ban-chans and free ice cream make every visit memorable, reinforcing our commitment to quality, flavor, and the joy of sharing good food with loved ones.

Soy Tofu: Reviews & Ratings

Tiffany C.
Tiffany C.

I've been coming to Soy Tofu since I was a senior in high school. I've gotten to know the owner, Grace, throughout the years of coming here. I recently went back after like a 4-year hiatus, just because I got busy and moved. Let me first say that the hospitality that Grace provides is unbeatable. She's the most hardworking owner that I know along with her husband - she works in the front while her husband works in the back. It's not uncommon for her to say hi to other locals and returning customers. That goes to say how much people love her and the restaurant. My go-tos: Soondubu - any soondubu, you can ask her for a combo that isn't on the menu like beef and mushroom and she'll make it for you! I always get medium, i feel like that has the perfect flavor. Pork Katsu - I get this occasionally, and the portion she gives is HUGE. you can really share this with another person. Fried perfectly and has that great crunch. Mandu - Comes out juicy and soft. Lots of flavor and the skin isn't too thick or thin. Her ban-chans are also amazing. I love that she rotates them and offers different staples that you normally don't see when you go to a soondubu chain restaurant like BCD. She'll give like glazed potatoes, cole slaw radish, etc. She also has a tub of ice cream by the front door for free. Don't forget to get your free scoop! I would 100% come back here over going to another soondubu restaurant because this place just feels like home when you eat here, like eating a home- cooked meal. She also remembers my name after all these years and I was really surprised that she did!

James S.
James S.

Good place for vegetarian korean food, is not that expensive and the owner is a nice lady. You get free ice cream

C. B.
C. B.

This is exceptional Korean food. There are plenty of vegan options. I went for lunch and there was immediate seating available, quick service. I had vegetable bibimbap and vegetable potstickers. Everything was perfect, to the degree that a friend who joined me for lunch stayed back, trying to get the owner's business card.

Timothy T.
Timothy T.

This was my Fiancee's go-to spot for Korean tofu soup growing up, so she decided to take me here when we were in the area. Wow, the service and hospitality were top notch! You could tell that the locals really love the restaurant, and Grace (the owner) really makes you feel at home. She knew almost everyone in the restaurant by name and even remembered my Fiancee after over 5 years. The food was delicious. Make sure to ask for purple rice! Pork Katsu - Large serving, fried to perfection. Mandu - Comes out piping hot, tons of flavor, and extra juicy. Bulgogi and soup combo - what more can you ask for?! Such a great staple and combo of Korean food. You can also help yourself to free ice cream at the end of your meal. They had cookies n cream and rocky road during my visit.

Mypang T.
Mypang T.

I'm very glad we stumbled on to this spot. Best Korean meal in awhile for us! It was 15-20 mins from where we were at on our way home but the reviews made it sound worth it! It's better than BCD and we enjoy BCD, lol. The diverse banchan was amazing. It was such a treat and the best we've had! Each banchan tasted unique. I felt like i can taste the love in it. Bf loved the cucumber kimchi and kimchi so much he asked if we can order some to go. Lol. Unfortunately, they weren't able to lol. We ordered the spicy pork and tofu soondubu soup combo and the vegetable pancake. Both were delicious! Bf ate all the bbq! He says best spicy pork bbq he's had at a Korean restaurant. He was very impressed and has been spoiled with quality Korean meals. We ate everything up and packed leftovers of the vegetable pancake. The pancake and dipping sauce were ok. It seemed a little undercooked and could be crispier. I usually prefer my sauce less sour, maybe saltier and sweeter. It's a win when bf and I can enjoy authentic meals together accommodating my meatless meals. The complimentary self serve ice cream was the cherry on top. Service was great, prompt and very friendly! Cute decor. Def a mom and pop shop and we love to support local gems! 5/5!!! Definitely will return again!!!

Phil C.
Phil C.

I'm a fan of Soy Tofu! It's another local gem. The service is kind and attentive, the dining area is clean, and the vibe is pleasant. The decor is simple and homey. I've dined here several times, and each time was fantastic. My current favorite items: - Soon Tofu (soups) - mushroom and beef+seafood with black rice - The Tofu Combos - if you're a little more hungry, I recommend the BBQ short ribs with the tofu soup - Dumplings - fried or steamed, they are both excellent! - The complimentary ice cream! When you receive the boiling hot tofu soup, immediately add the raw egg and stir it a little. I also added some rice as I ate to provide additional texture. There are many ways to enjoy the Soon Tofu. Vegetarian and vegan options are available on the menu or ask the server. If you're in the area, try Soy Tofu. It's in a plaza with a Korean market and many other good restaurants. There's usually plenty of parking in the public lot.

Daro H.
Daro H.

Amazing traditional Korean food in a very discrete location, tucked away in a strip mall in La Palma that's worth a long drive if you're 5-10+ miles away. We had the seafood pancake, bibimbap, and the grilled chicken, tofu soup, and along with the amazing banchan, this was plenty for 2 adults and two small children. The staff were super nice and attentive, even when the place got busy. Everything was extremely tasty and the seafood pancake was loaded with meat, while the chicken and tofu soup made the entire meal interesting with the banchan to kebitevery bite interesting. We help ourselves to the free ice cream as well and will definitely be back soon.

Natalie T.
Natalie T.

Food is delicious. Very flavorful. Unlimited sides; I can eat the sides alone! Free self served ice cream. Excellent service. Easy parking. Highly recommend

Luke L.
Luke L.

*** Closes on Sunday *** On the outside, this soon tofu restaurant doesn't look that glamorous; however this restaurant received #1 on the Yelp's Top Places to Eat in Orange County in 2023 (https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzKgvjaJWyt/). This place is so good that ... I came here twice in recent months. [Parking]: Fairly easy parking as the parking lot isn't always packed. [Service]: Very limited staff and only one person (most likely the lady owner) serves the entire restaurant on Saturday lunch, but she was friendly and met all of our table's needs (including refills on side dishes). [Menu]: Not as many tofu combo meals as other soon tofu restaurants (4 combos), but sometimes less is more. The menu also includes 9 different types of bibimbap. Each tofu or tofu combo come with white or purple rice as well as complimentary side dishes (banchan). *** [#1 BBQ Short Ribs + Tofu (grilled galbi over diced onions + #3 seafood tofu with shrimp, clam, oyster, baby octopus, mild spicy - $34]: Excellent galbi with great meat quality and flavors. Their seafood tofu was one of the better seafood tofu soup I've had - it had baby octopus and did not go stingy on shrimps & oysters. [Side dishes]: All side dishes were really good, but I will say kimchi and fish cake are on a more spicy side so be prepared. Glazed peanut tasted absolutely addicting with slightly sweet aftertaste. *** I am not sure why Soy Tofu isn't more popular & more packed whenever I come here because I really think this is one of the best soon tofu restaurants in LA / Orange County. Hey I ain't complaining because that just mean I won't have to wait to enjoy delicious side dishes and soon tofu! P.S. - FREE self-serve ice cream at the front entrance! Limited selection (only two types of ice cream), but hey they are freebie!

Emi H.
Emi H.

Happy to have found a place close by to satisfy my soondubu cravings! This is a mom and pop restaurant located next to a Korean supermarket in a somewhat busy plaza. The owner was so friendly and hospitable. After we ordered, she brought out the banchan and sauces. She asked if it was my first time and took the time to explain each of the banchan to me. The selection of banchan was huge - 8 to be exact! A few of them I've never had before, like the marinated peanuts and seaweed with cucumbers. All of them had different textures and flavors so they complimented the overall meal. Here's what we ordered: Tofu Combo #4 ($27) This combo came with Spicy BBQ Pork, our choice of protein and spice level for the tofu soup, and either white or purple rice. We chose mild clam soup with purple rice. The Spicy BBQ Pork came sizzling on a stone plate and the clam tofu soup was bubbling out of the stone bowl! It came with an egg on the side for us to crack into the tofu soup. The soup was comforting with just the right amount of heat and it was loaded with clams! The BBQ Pork was tender and marinated well with a nice kick of spice - a perfect pairing with the fluffy purple rice. Seafood Pancake ($25) This was a great appetizer to share as the pancake was huge! It was lightly crispy on the outside and the inside had small pieces of shrimp, clam and octopus throughout. It came with a dipping sauce on the side. Overall, the food was delicious and the service was exceptional! I appreciate the owner for making us feel at home and checking up on us periodically to make sure we were having a good meal. She even packed up our leftovers for us. She also told us about their complimentary self-serve ice cream station that they had by the doorway. They had strawberry and rocky road and it was a refreshing way to the end of our meal. I will definitely be back!

Location

  • Soy Tofu
    4961 La Palma Ave La Palma, CA 90623 Hotline: (562) 924-8289

If you seek a food haven that encapsulates the warmth of Korean hospitality, look no further than Soy Tofu in La Palma, California. This charming eatery has gained a loyal following for its authentic Korean dishes, particularly its celebrated tofu soups, or soondubu. With a commitment to quality and a passion for flavor, owner Grace and her husband create a dining experience that feels more like a welcoming home than a conventional restaurant.

Located at 4961 La Palma Ave, Soy Tofu offers a myriad of options for both meat-lovers and vegetarians, emphasizing their versatile tofu dishes. The menu presents an array of choices, including:

  • Beef and Seafood Tofu - A rich combination for flavor seekers.
  • Kimchi Tofu - A spicy and tangy delight, perfect for those who crave authenticity.
  • Plain Tofu - For purists who appreciate the simplicity of tofu.
  • Vegetarian Tofu - Bursting with garden-fresh veggies, including broccoli, zucchini, onion, and carrots.

Reviews reflect a deep affection for this locale, as patrons rave about the generous portion sizes, vibrant flavors, and the graceful hospitality provided by Grace. Many diners, such as Tiffany C. and James S., highlight the incredible soondubu soups and the crispy pork katsu, which offers a delightful crunch paired with hefty portions that are perfect for sharing. The mandu or dumplings also receive high praise for their juicy filling and impeccable cooking.

Soy Tofu doesn’t just offer a meal; it provides a culinary journey marked by memorable experiences. Guests can enjoy notable benefits such as:

  • Vegan and vegetarian options ensuring inclusivity for diverse dietary choices.
  • Complimentary self-serve ice cream as a sweet ending to your experience.
  • Outdoor seating with a casual, friendly atmosphere that’s great for families and groups.
  • Availability of reservations, catering, and takeout to suit your needs.

This beloved spot boasts an array of features, including wheelchair accessibility, happy hour specials, and Wi-Fi for diners. Its welcoming atmosphere draws a steady stream of regular customers, many of whom share affectionate anecdotes about Grace’s remarkable ability to remember their names and favorite dishes.

In conclusion, whether you are a longtime fan or a curious newcomer, a visit to Soy Tofu promises a fulfilling experience rich in flavors and genuine connections. With its excellent service, hand-crafted dishes, and inviting environment, it's no surprise that this restaurant is cherished within the community. Grab a friend, enjoy a hearty meal, and don't forget the free ice cream—it’s a tasty cherry on top of a wonderful dining experience!