Gaesung House of Tofu
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
47 Reviews for Gaesung House of Tofu
I've been here quite a few times through the years. The decor was always a draw - a calm, clean and contemporary. The food was consistently good until my last visit. Now - I'm not good with the names of Korean foods, but I ordered a soup with short ribs that ended up being a big disappointment. The soup was bland and the beef looked like a boiled piece of meat. Not appetizing.
The banchan is good - especially when you're hungry and want something to munch on before the meal arrives. I love the seaweed, boiled greens - and those itsy, bitsy little fish.
I'm not crossing them off my restaurant list, but I'll probably order the bi bim bap next time I'm there.
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Clean. It was empty when we went in close to noon so was a bit concern and suprised. Maybe it's the location? It's in a small strip small with plenty parking.
Anyway, limited menu so deciding what to have was not difficult. I had the tofu with kimchi and beef and asked for EXTRA EXTRA spicy, but alas it wasn't. The paste they provided was more sweet than spicy. Further request brought out a small dish of chili powder - I give up. Nonetheless, it was good.
The little dishes they brought out were ok - great that they keep refilling as asked. Two items I had not seen in other restaurants in the past - one is broccoli and the other is shredded beef. Others were more the standard items - kimchi, seaweed (wasabi flavored), daikon, bean sprouts...
I havre a love hate relationship with this place. Banchans are tasty.
Tofu soup pots are is excellent and is what you should be ordering. The kimchi beef tofu soup is great. If you're eating here, don't order anything but the tofu soups.
I really don't like the service. It's extremely completely lacking. The waitresses just do enough to get by. To echo another yelper, getting tea refilled is almost an impossible thing to do here.
The place isn't at all busy. Laziness I guess.
So tasty! Go there. it's affordable, fast and different. How many places that you go to is actually different.
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I've been here twice. The first time was pretty good but a bit too long ago for me to write an accurate review. Came back for dinner tonight and was not so impressed. I gave it two stars for the clean, calm atmosphere and the generous number of little dishes (kimchi, etc.) that come with your meal. The mung bean pancakes were awful--they tasted like flour and stale oil, and that's it. The chap chae (sauteed glass noodles) was weirdly dry. And the soup didn't really have much "soup" going on--mostly a big mash of broken-up tofu.
Also, the service was surprisingly bad considering my friend and I were the only customers in the restaurant. Aside from taking our order and bringing the food out, the two waitresses pretty much ignored us and had a really nice, long chat in the back the whole time we were there. I approached them once, asking for more tea about an hour after my cup had first been filled; they said, "yeah"; and the tea never came. So I went up, grabbed the tea pot, and helped myself a few times. Also, I say "tea" but what we were drinking was actually pale green water.
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Very few Korean joints taste like shit. It's hard for a Korean cook to mess up when there's crack salt, dahshidah (MSG), next to their spatula. But take the magic powder away and watch the cheaters get stuck in the sifter. And who's left? Gaesung House of Tofu.
Not good, but a GREAT Korean restaurant that doesn't cheat with flavor and truly cares about feeding their patrons food straight outta da Land of the Morning Calm. Their beef broth, the basis for most of their soups, tastes like hours of simmering and method, not crack salt. The banchan is thoughtfully made. The haemool pajun (seafood pancake) is fresh and beautifully fried.
The owner's care extends to the meticulously calm decor. The servers are professional and thorough.
You know, as I write this I have a strong desire to meet the owner. I truly respect her business and integrity that shows in the food, service, and decor.
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i met a friend for dinner last night thinking i'd never been here before but when i pulled up, i realized i had when i lived in the south bay because i recognized the store front.
i was not impressed with the banchan here, particularly the kimchee. there was a lot of variety but none of them tasted that good. the combination soondubu was ok and the seafood pajon was fine.
there are too many other good korean places in the sunnyvale/santa clara area to go back to this place. i hope helen starts eating land animals again soon so we can go to seoul gom tang.
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Very good authentic Korean restaurant in the area.
Recommended by my wife's friend who is Korean and knows what's good Korean food, and confirmed she was absolutely right.
If you happen to like, say, Tofu Cabin, which is another good Korean restaurant in the area, I am sure that you will enjoy this restaurant better.
I was pretty disappointed in the food. The place was very clean and the pan chan was okay, but nothing amazing. My bulgogi was good during the first couple bites, but the rest tasted dry and hard. The soondubu broth was not too salty, but nothing spectacular either. The prices here are a bit high in my opinion for this area. I mean $11.50 for tofu soup and $22 for kalbi is a bit pricy I think for a tofu house. My stomach kind hurts now too. Boo. The service was super slow and not very good. More a 2.5 star.
seong, i'll eat gomtang, b/c i don't care if i drink the soup...i just won't eat the meat!! anyway, i got the seafood tofu here last night, and it wasn't bad. i thought the seafood pancake was supposed to be really good here, but it was ok...i don't think there was much seafood in it. i think i ate more green onions than anything else. there was a good variety of panchan.
the restaurant itself is really clean. most of the clientele didn't show up until well after 8, so the place must close at a reasonably late hour.
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Definitely one of the better Korean restaurants in the area. The decor and atmosphere is really nice, kind of like modern Korea w/ a traditional flair to it.
The service here is really good. The servers are prompt, friendly, and attentive to your needs. They don't make you wait for all the small side dishes either after you order. And oh how good those side dishes are. The marinated potatoes are so addictive, don't be surprised if they run out if you eat here late night.
The food itself is awesome. This place probably serves the best Jap Chae I've had. It's served at the perfect temperature and has a slight hint of pepper that just enhances the flavor. The Gal-Bi is also amazingly good. Marinated and cooked to perfection. Their hot tofu is nice and spicy and full of fixings that are bound to make you full. What I really like about their tofu too, is it's not flaming spicy that you need to down a tub of water, but rather spicy enough to provide a good kick and taste.
I will say that it is kind of pricey here, but the extra few bucks you put in compared to other Korean restaurants are definitely worth it. I wish the location was a bit better though as it is in kind of a dumpy strip mall . . . At least that means there's plenty of parking : ).
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In reading the previous reviews, I realized that some clarification may be necessary: Korean cuisine varies by geography, just like Chinese food can be Mandarin, Cantonese, Szechuan, Hunan, etc.
Gaesung is an area of Korea in the north, where the cuisine is renowned for light, less spicy, "more refined" taste. So if you're used to firehouse Korean food, typically from the southern part of the country, you may be disappointed by this restaurant.
That being said, this restaurant really excels at Gaesung specialties, such as bossom kimchee, pumpkin jigae, soon dubu (soft fresh tofu stew), seafood green onion pancake, fresh snowman duk kuk, and their pan chan (side dishes) are truly superb. It isn't a barbeque joint, though my son is always happy to eat their galbi.
I've eaten here many times with friends and family, and the restaurant has never failed to please. You can tell by the number of Korean clientele, especially Korean businessmen who are entertaining on weekday evenings, that this restaurant has a strong following.
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Went here on a Wednesday night with my fiance. The first thing we thought when we sat down is, "this has got to be one of the cleanest tofu places we've been to."
He got the sukkuh soon dubu and I got the soon dubu chigae. We both enjoyed the side dishes and the tofu very much.
The service was pretty typical of any asian owned/run restaurant. They were friendly and helpful. Our glasses of tea and water were always full.
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I just had a farewell dinner with my friend who's going back to Hong Kong. I enjoyed the plentitude of dishes that filled our table and all for two girls. I love being busy... talking, munching, and reaching to all the banchan trying to grasp things in my awkward chopsticks hold. I just wasn't feelin one with the 'sticks tonight.
There were 11 side dishes, yes I counted, hana, dul, set, net, dasut, ... The fine black seaweed and gakduki (radish kimchi) were the tastiest to me. We ordered the seafood pancakes, kimchi jigae, and BBQ pork bulgogi.
Seafood pancakes had a lot of egg and I've never eaten it like that. But, then again, this kind of food is from a certain region in Korea (Gaesung is a city in North Korea). Kimchi jigae was pretty up to par - sour and rich in flavor, lots of kimchi. The pork bulgogi was a little on the sweeter side and meat had a lot of fat. I don't think I would order that again. I've also had the bibimbap before and thought there wasn't anything special. They only gave tiny pieces of meat with it.
It was cool to have our privacy, but our water glasses were never refilled. Luckily my mouth wasn't on fire.
I'd definitely come back for some jigae when my kimchi at home isn't ripe enough. Maybe I'll request them to kick it up a notch with the heat.
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Being Korean, been here more than 20 times and have been a lot of Korean restaurants around the area, I have to say this is one of the best Korean restaurants in town. Banchans are superb, almost all restaurants in sunnyvale, santa clara area have less than mediocre banchans. Main dishes are also very good. Although service is sometimes a bit rude, and the food being served late sometimes.
I may have ordered the wrong thing (original tofu soup and dumplings) but I wasn't overly impressed with the food. Also I got food poisoning afterwards...
Mediocre overpriced soong tofu casserole and horrible service. Definitely not worth my time.
I will keep this as succinct as possible. I've tried pretty much every tofu house in the South Bay, and visited Gaesung sometime in early 2007. I usually order a veggie soondubu (spiciest possible) at any tofu house, but at the time I wasn't really impressed with what Gaesung had to offer. I recently went there again last week (July - 2007), and had a different experience. Their seaweed broth soondubu (for vegetarians) was really tasty, and I found the soup to have real depth and flavor.
Based on the tablemats, Gaesung is obviously looking to entice the non-Korean clientele (colorful placemat describing the health benefits of tofu, etc). The only issue I had was the service, which was practically nonexistent. I went at 11 AM, right when they opened. The waitresses there must also eat lunch at that time. Even the one who served me seemed preoccupied with her workmates and food than serving me. I had to ask for everything - once even having to get up and call for her, since she was so busy with her colleagues on the table at the far back of the restaurant. Pretty unimpressive service.
Bottom line: better than expected veggie soondubu. side dishes were also very tasty (especially the kimchi). The radish side dish was not tasty at all and even smelled a bit stale.
Give it a shot - I think you'll like it!
This is my first review so here it goes. I have been to Gaesung House of Tofu for lunch many times and their food is excellent if you order their specialty Tofu soup bowl with seafood/beef/combination. Why I say this is because I have tried their other dish on their menu like udon (noodle soup) and bento box(Salmon); I would rate these items three stars rather than four. I think you are asking to be disappointed if you order other than what their specialty is which is tofu.
It's a nice little restaurant, but I always forget about when running through list of places to grub on El Camino.
But when I do... snowman dukk. I'm a sucker for rice cakes and a super sucker for foods shaped like something else. Hence my childhood love of Lucky Charms, Nutter Butters, Gummi Bears/Worms/Cola Bottles, et al. Also seems like I sure did love the sugar.
to be con'd.
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I was brought here by my Korean friend and it has since been one of my favorite Korean restaurant. My favorite thing about it is the large amounts of quality appetizers that come for free.
ATMOSPHERE: Casual
SERVICE: Great - very polite
MENU: A little cryptic for those not familiar with Korean food, but has good variety. Great for vegetarians.
FOOD: Awesome. Great taste that has me coming back for more. The jap chae is just OK here though. The tofu soup is great but sometimes does not have that extra punch in the taste.
VALUE: Very good - it's very affordable considering how much extras you get.
OVERALL: What can I say - I love this place. Those little dishes satisfy anyone with A.D.D.
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The jap chae was delicious, especially when topped with their home made spicy sauce as it complimented it deliciously. They also have a wide variety of small free dishes to keep your mouth happy and I was totally all over the dried anchovies and peanuts. I definitely did not like the mung bean pork pancake, so if you like korean pancakes, maybe try something else as this one was heavy and did not have much taste. The only thing I liked about it is that they garnished it with 2 pieces of edamane.
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very homey korean food. not overseasoned, not over spicy, just right and fresh. love the tofu salad.
I truly cannot comprehend why other reviewers rated this place so high. Price-wise it was not cheap $11 for tofu soup, are you serious?
They also dont have the tofu soup & meat combo that SOO many other places do.
Soup was hot and spicy, but definitely lacking in the flavor department.
Would not come back here again.
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Their hot melting-lava tofu soup is absolutely best in the bay area, so far. The place is neat and has nice atmosphere. It serves good appetizers and awesome tofu soup.
My fav is combination Soon Dob tofu soup.
Yummy!
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I've only ordered the kim chi chigae (kimchi stew/soup) here before, though I've tasted a few other dishes like tofu and naengmyun.
I think overall the food there is decent. I'm sure this place can't compare to the Korean food places in LA area, but out of the bay area spots, this is one of my favorites. they also have more of the home-food on their menu, which i like.
the kimchi chigae with zucchini is my favorite that i order every time there, probably because it reminds me of my grandma's cooking. she is actually from Gae sung herself. i like hers better of course, but this will do.
they do have some gaesung specialties like bossam kimchi.
interior is also clean, they tried to for more traditional setting. they could go for prettier chairs, but it's fine. ;P
price range-wise, gaesung food is considered more of a delicacy along with jeonju and seoul region food, and tends to be more expensive.
i would recommend this place to both koreans and non-koreans, and would/do go back.
This is the best Korean restaurant in Northern California...not like that means much because it pales in comparison to K-TOWN LA.
But anyways, the soon tofu is good and the mul nyeng myung (sp?). The ban chan is plentiful and the back private room for the roudy crew of twelve is a good idea.
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Bland tasting soft tofu soup. Not much in the bowl except for tofu. I expected beef and clams but I only got a few spoonfuls. Thought I was going to have a hard time deciding between this and SGD after reading on Yahoo reviews, but SGD Tofu down the street blows this place away like Tera Patrick. The waitresses are mean looking and not too jolly. Nice looking place inside, and lots of side dishes, but I was really disappointed by the tofu soup. I only gave it 2 stars because the pancakes were fairly good. Go to SGD!
very good soon tofu & bulgogi!!! super clean & nice place! and they give u lotsssssss of side dishes which is a big plus! would def. go back sometime soon!!!
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This is my favorite Korean restaurant. Really, really good. I love the salad with chicken and they have great oi kimchee, which I love and can never find. I found the service to be very friendly and capable. If you like neat and clean little Korean restaurants, this is the place.
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On the self-embarassment scale, it's definitely one of the more aesthetically presentable hangook establishments in Santa Clara (the alternative restaurant being Chosun MyunOk. Boas in Cupertino is nice, but tries too hard to be shi-shi). That's why Gaesung is top of mind when it comes to escorting out of town guests and non-korean friends to simple, but great northern style soon dubu chigae (hence, "Gaesung"). Order the sukkuh soon dubu (assorted seafood)!
As other Yelpers have noted, the selection of salads are not to be missed.
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My family and I like to eat out, and since moving out to the Santa Clara area we haven't tried this place. So, one night we decide to try it out.
The side dishes were too sweet, and the main entree's that we ordered looked good, but wasn't seasoned to taste. We had to ask for salt, and other ingredients.
the biggest turn off of this place was how to cook kept sneezing... It sounded like she was dying... And the way they dried their spoons with a rag... AND the biggest turn off was how the waitresses didn't seem to get along. They kept arguing about something and it just ruined the idea of eating in peace.
first impressions are everything...
Pretty good soon tofu, plus they give you a lot of side dishes. We had ten different ones for two people. I really liked the kimchee. The soup is really spicy and flavorful. The waitstaff was fast and friendly. Make sure you are very hungry if you go here, because they give you A LOT of food.
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I come here quite often for lunch, the wait staff is very friendly. Service is fast, and the restaraunt is very clean.
Bulgogi is OK, not great, but the different soups are excellent. Be careful ordering spicy for the soup.
A good friend who knows his Korean food took me here and I've returned a few times since. Their food is super-authentic and well presented. The table service isn't exactly going to compete on the debate team soon, so be prepared to repeat yourself. Otherwise, great place.
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Nice charming little place even though it's in a strip mall. Much more ambiance than most Tofu joints. The tofu soup itself is decently spicy but not as spicy as say Tofu House. The side dishes are plentiful and the old ladies that run the place are very friendly . After a spicy meal head over to the bakery down a few doors for a dessert to finish up your meal.
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Finally ate here after all the times I pass by it. I was suprised by the decor, very fresh, clean (except for my laminated placemat). The prices here are really high, especially dinner. $11 for tofu soup??? I came here just to try the soup. We ordered a tofu soup w/seafood & grilled beef w/onion. The soup was good but not as flavorful blue stones restaurant (huhuhu I don't want to come back there anymore 'cause of the hostess). We were given an egg to crack into the soup instead of having it already cooking. I like it better when it's already in there 'cause it get cooks better & probably safer. The beef was weak too, the portion was small & it didn't sizzle long enough on the plate. Luckily we were charged w/the lunch prices so I didn't feel rip off.
The hostess was cold when we walked in but it got better. There were 6 side dishes. I really like the one w/beansprout & some other stuff. The seaweed-like dish was good too. I would have prefer more side dishes though.
This place is ok. I might come back but not very likely, especially not during dinner. .
Dominique N. is my fiancee, but I'm afraid that with respect to Gaesung House of Tofu, as with the alleged inappropriateness of yelling at the television during college football games, we will have to agree to disagree. I have been to this restaurant perhaps half a dozen times and ordered a variety of dishes (various tofu or dumpling soups and the seafood pancake, primarily), and have always been very satisfied. Admittedly, I'm not Korean, but I feel that the virtues of the seafood pancake, like those of the Dollar Store, can be appreciated across cultures. The only downside for me was the fact that I smartly attempted to eat my soup while it was still gurgling like a lump of molten lava and woke up the next morning feeling like my tongue had been blasted by a power sander...Oh, and the fact that Dominique spent the night in the bathroom, convinced that she had been poisoned by the waitress. I guess Gaesung won't be catering the wedding...
This is my favorite korean restaurant in south bay...and I am Korean.. :-)
Don't get discouraged by the exterior or the rather greyish atmosphere of the stripmall where this is located. Once you get inside, the ambiance is fine, very clean and calm.
Their food is very tasty - traditional and sophisticated, and you feel the quality / clean / lightness of home foods.
You may like SGD tofu house's tofu soup better, but you get the better variarity and great value considering all the yummy side dishes. Definetely worth to try if you haven't !!
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i love this place. i have been frequenting this place for more than 6 years. consistency, flavor, tasty side dishes make me drive from sf to sc,(ok, so maybe i "stopped by valley fair mall or the giant DSW or santana row, on my way..) to eat here. I've tried many items, all yummy, but the soon tofu, any flavor, kim chee chi gae, bi bim bop, slices of pork w/ tofu remain my staples.
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