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Thanh Son Tofu
Categories: Food Specialty Food Ethnic Food Restaurants Vietnamese Food Grocery Ethnic Food, Vietnamese, Grocery [Edit]
118 12th Ave(between Yesler Way & Fir St)
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 320-1316
- Hours:
Mon, Wed-Sun 9 am - 6 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
About This Business:
The Essential Market is a family operated market serving downtown Seattle by offering an eclectic range of items for your essential needs. We focus on… read more »
19 reviews for Thanh Son Tofu
Review Highlights
"This place have frest tofu and soy milk everyday."
(in 6 reviews)
"fast service, also great selection of Soi (sticky rice."
(in 6 reviews)
"...of the fresh stuff (which is still warm when you get it."
(in 3 reviews)
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19 reviews in English
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Review from Edward N.
Seattle, WA
1/31/2012
Decided to stop by and pick up some Xoi on the way back from a normal day at the office. I heard they made it good, so I thought to give it a try. I ordered a Xoi Bap (corn) and Xoi Man (salty) to go. Both are very good, I ordered them at the end of the day, probably after they have been sitting there all day. Just microwave if you are ordering to go to keep it warm. Definitely better to get Xoi here than at Seattle Deli, although Seattle Deli has good sandwiches.
I also noticed quite a bit of people buying their soy bean milk, so that is probably good too, I will probably pick up a bottle next time I am there. Good place!
Oh and the Xoi is $2 a box, and a box is pretty filling. -
Review from Christine C.
Seattle, WA
10/17/2011
if you're willing to go a little out of your way to pick up tofu & other goodies this is definitely worth it. they have all their usual fried tofu that you can pick up at other chinatown grocery stores-- but if you come here to their 'hq', it's fresh and you won't be wondering when the tofu was made or how old it is, b/c it's typically that morning/day. super plus for me.
i've also picked up other yummy bites here-- they have alot of the typical get your diet in trouble vietnamese desserts (sticky rice in every color, che, banh da lon, banh bo nuong, etc), fresh soy milk, rice noodles, the bread to make your own banh mi. if they happen to have & you're feeling adventurous, try their sausage. it's not they typical lap cheong, it has mint/vietnamese herb taste to it, but it's something different and a good mix up from the usual.
cash only, but cheap cheap cheap. and they're super friendly despite language barriers and willing to let you try stuff or tell you what's in it if you ask nicely. -
Review from Jon L.
10/10/2011
I am a big fan of the fried tofu from Thanh Son. Especially the onion and lemongrass varieties. Only problem is that these two kinds are not always a given to be available at the stores I frequent to buy them.
So rather than take your chances, why not just go to the source? Thanh Son's retail operation is not far from the I-District on 12th Ave. It is a fairly easy place to find parking too, though the area is kind of seedy looking.
The store has a lot of products, albeit not much of it was familiar other than the tofu. They have a good selection of fried tofu varieties, including the onion and lemongrass that I find at the store. Except these lie in large trays on top of a heat lamp rather than in a package.
They have produce plastic bags to place your tofu pieces in. Though I wish they would offer boxes instead on some, especially the chili tofu. Using a plastic bag just doesn't seem right. Picked up a bag of lemongrass tofu ($2.30/lb.) and a piece of fried tofu ($.80) for just under $2.50. Cheap and fresh.
If you are looking for a specific variety, go directly to Thanh Son and save yourself from potential disappointment buying it elsewhere.Listed in: The Grocery List
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Review from Eva M.
Seattle, WA
1/3/2012
Their fried tofu with lemongrass is sublime & I am kindly reminded each time that it is spicy. I always get a big bag for a very small price. If I am lucky, it is still warm! You can't get much fresher & I look forward to branching out one day to try their other tofu offerings.
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Review from Lolia S.
San Francisco, CA
8/3/2011 3 photos
Packed to the gills with Asians, Thanh Son Tofu makes its own tofu and much more. It's a Vietnamese deli with fresh tofu, soy milk, banh mi (made and wrapped), che, Vietnamese yogurt, pate chaud, sticky rice, baguettes, sausages, leaf wrapped Vietnamese tamales, etc. It's in the middle of an industrial area but people certainly know about it.
They make three kinds of tofu and they're all medium firm: plain, green onion, and lemongrass and chili. The tofu can be purchased uncooked or fried (fried tofu sold by weight). I think you have to ask for the flavored uncooked tofu slabs.
* Plain tofu ($1.25): medium firm slab, still warm, very fresh, dense, creamy and firm without being chalky or dry, the moistness and pronounced bean flavor is divine
* Fried cubes of green onion tofu: the cubes are quite large and lightly fried, I like how you can taste the soy flavor still, cooked simply to enhance the flavors of the soy and green onion
* Fried cubes of lemongrass and chili tofu with shallots: mildly spicy and the most flavorful of the tofu offerings, but you can still taste the soy flavor, excellent
* BBQ pork banh mi ($2.50): okay, the roll was too soft and not chewy enough, with dry ends, there wasn't enough meat, pickled veggies were average, good value but I'll stick with tofu in the future
Cash only.Listed in: Space Needle City
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Review from Tan Lo S.
8/2/2011
FRESH TOFU.
sooooo cheap for their tofu. I just remember buying 2 big bags full of their stuffed tofu (with bean thread noodles and mushroom) for under $10.
There's nothing bad to say. FRESH tofu seriously. any kind you want. mainly the fried ones. but they also have fresh frozen egg rolls and other stuff to buy. i love how fresh it is. super cheap, super tasty.
i love this place. seriously. it's the best. once you've had their tofu, all else fails. Forreal! :) -
Review from Yvonne D.
11/8/2011
This place have frest tofu and soy milk everyday! it's super cheap too for half a gallon of fresh soy milk it's about $2...I think...anyway it's cheap and fresh. Most of the time when I pick up my soy milk it's still warm. Definately a place to check out.
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Review from Zach L.
Seattle, WA
1/4/2012
Hot soy milk, that's how fresh it is. If they only took credit cards instead of that "ing ATM...
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Review from Becky N.
Olympia, WA
All I can say is WOW! It doesn't get any better than this for me. This place reminds me of the days of going with my mom to Santa Ana, CA (AKA Little Saigon). This place is family owned and is seriously a hole in the wall. It sells a nice selection of Vietnamese deli style food. Everything is prepared fresh daily. They have a variety of prepared tofu as well as plain. My favorite is the fried tofu, stir fried with lemongrass. Euphoria overcame me when I picked up a bottle of Soybean milk and soft tofu and noticed that they were still warm..........yummy! Half their deli counter is filled with a variety of Che (Vietnamese desserts). While the other half displayed fresh soi (Vietnamese sticky rice) varying from sweet to savory. They also have gio lua and cha lua (Vietnamese pork loaf), they even make it with chicken!!! Make sure you read the labels carefully. Their soybean milk comes sweetened and unsweetened. You will also find dried shredded pork meat and a variety of different sweet snacks along with freshly baked French bread. I bought and tasted everything I mentioned in this review and can truly say that everything was fresh, delicious and authentic. I live about 60 miles from this place, but that will not deter me from returning. I love this place!!!
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Review from annie b.
9/28/2011 3 Check-ins Here
This place is always packed. Dingy on the inside and out but my family gets our sweet and sticky rice here. Lots of options, great taste and makes good leftovers also. Price is great too.
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Review from Adela Y.
Seattle, WA
5/30/2011
1. They make fresh soy milk and tofu daily.
2. They give out samples for all their variety of sticky rice.
3. They make the BEST TOFU FA EVER!
4. And comes with cheap, CHEAP prices! -
Review from The-Hoa H.
Bellevue, WA
7/3/2011
It's like every other Vietnamese deli, but instead of carrying the generic delicious banh mi, goi cuon, banh uoc, banh cuon, etc....they specialize in...TOFU! and it's delicious! everything is dirt cheap of course....fast service, also great selection of Soi (sticky rice).....close by my Church too so I love stopping by!
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Review from Alice S.
Vancouver, WA
7/1/2010 1 Check-in Here
OH MY GOD. I am so lucky I live so close to this place. I'm a vegetarian who loooooves tofu, but I'm poor, so I rarely buy the overpriced fried kind from the grocery store. The tofu here is DIRT ASS CHEAP, delicious, and they make it themselves! As I type this, I am eating an onion kind and a saffron kind, warm and fresh.
The kind woman there offered to trade in the not-warm unflavored kind I was buying for something warmer and fresher from the back, but I was just going to go home and stick it in the fridge anyway. She was very nice and helpful with me, the naive white girl. I was a little worried when I realized they don't take cards, because I only had $5 cash and though "Darn, I'll have to put something back", but then she told me the total was $3 and I almost crapped myself.
I have just finished eating the tofu I bought for immediate consumption and my belly is immensely pleased. If I weren't too full to stand, I might just walk back there and buy some more. -
Review from Stephanie C.
Lynnwood, WA
6/26/2011
love. fresh. tofu.
What more can I say? It's cheap, it's bulk, it's warm... it usually never makes it home! :) They provide tofu to many of the local Asian grocery stores in and around Seattle. If I remember correctly, it's cash only. -
Review from Lisa N.
6/20/2010
I'm really not an expert on Vietnamese food, but my parents totally swear by this place so I figure that means it's good ;)
They make super fresh, amazing tofu-- you can get it fresh or fried or prepared in some other way with yummy flavours. Like any other Vietnamese deli, they also have containers of dried shallots, freshly made fish sauce, banh uot noodles (these are the fatty rice noodles that don't get sliced up thin), cha lua (Vietnamese pork sausage), che (Vietnamese dessert soup), and a ton of varieties of xoi (sticky rice!! mmmm) as well as a wide selection of other freshly prepared Vietnamese deli foods. Their prices are great-- my family can grab dinner to go for under $10 and it feeds the four of us.
Lastly, I have to say I really looove their freshly in-house made soy milk. If the bottles that are out on the floor aren't warm, ask for a fresh one-- trust me, it's amazing! -
Review from steve c.
Denver, CO
1/27/2009
God, what did I do to deserve so many local food distributors within walking distance of my house? (I'll keep doing whatever I'm doing; I promise!)
Thanh Son is the tofu you'll find in most stores in Seattle (and probably a good number of restaurants). They have uncooked and cooked varieties to choose from (cash only) and it's LOCAL! This past weekend, I picked up a good chunk of cooked, flavored tofu and it was $2.75..........not $10, not $2.89, but $2.75! I'll never buy tofu at the grocery store again...........if I need milk, I'm going straight to the cow, baby! -
Review from Gary C.
Everett, WA
5/15/2011 1 photo
It's like a mini market. Fresh homemade soy milk and tofu daily, and they are awesome cheap price! Best tofu fa (tofu pudding) ever! I dare you find a cheaper and fresher tofu store.
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Review from Amara D.
3/9/2010
This tofu is amazing... seriously I opted for Tofu over meat until it was gone. I will be asking about the varieties they carry next time... because this tofu was cheaper than the packaged stuff and much more delicious.
I will have to inquire about the lemongrass tofu... it is currently making my mouth water. Seriously if you are complaining about Thanh Son Tofu, you obviously know nothing about the word delicious. -
Review from Gina C.
Seattle, WA
3/24/2010
Best tofu ever. And coming from a vegan that eats lots of tofu, that's saying something. You can purchase a block of the fresh stuff (which is still warm when you get it!) or one of their fried flavors. Either way you can't lose because it is delicious. It's so good, in fact, that you can eat it plain.
It's cheaper than buying tofu from the store. We bought a block of fresh tofu and 2 pieces of fried tofu for a total of $1.50.
The staff is great! I didn't realize it was cash only, so I got some money from the in-store ATM, which charges you $1.75 per transaction. At check-out the man told me not to ever use that ATM and if i don't have cash, just pay him back next time. Seriously. That's customer service!
It may be a bit of a journey to get there, but I'll never buy tofu anywhere else!
