Buk Chang Dong Soon Do Bu
It's been a little cool and rainy lately, so making a decision on what to eat for dinner was not a difficult one. I initially felt like having some Korean food, and soon du bu sounded just right. I was actually on my way to So Gong Dong when I decided to take a detour and stop here instead.
I had passed by Buk Chang Dong quite a number of times, and if I'm not mistaken, this hole-in-the-wall spot used to house So Gong Dong. Anyone?
When I arrived, it was quite late -- almost 9:30 pm. It's a good thing this restaurant was open until 10:00 pm. Clean and bright, I sat on table number 2 right near the front door. There was only one other party in the restaurant, a group of Japanese nationals, that were enjoying some soon do bu as well.
After placing my order, the ban chan arrived at the table -- seven little dishes in all.
Top photo: Clockwise from top - sukju namul (mung bean sprouts), sweet potato roots (I thought it was doh rah gee, but I was told that it wasn't.), won bok kim chee, radish kim chee.
Bottom photo: Clockwise from top - nokdu muk (green pea jelly), odeng (fish cake), cabbage.
I decided to order the bi bim bap + soon do bu combo (US$9.95). First to arrive was the bi bim bap.
A bowl of hot rice was garnished with vegetables -- mung bean sprouts, mushrooms, cabbage and sweet potato roots -- and some pieces of marinated beef (bul go gi) before being topped by a sunnyside up egg that had been sprinkled with some sesame seeds. Add a liberal amount of kochujang sauce, mix and eat. The combination of flavors and textures in the bowl are was really make this enjoyable to eat. This bowl of bi bim bap was no exception. The quality of the ingredients, not to mention the perfectly cooked egg, make this worth eating again.
Shortly after the bi bim bap was delivered, the soon do bu arrived at the table bubbling hot.
Large chunks of soft tofu floated within the pot that also contained pieces of beef, thinly sliced onions and mushrooms, and a light sprinkling of chopped green onions. There was a lot of the soft, silky tofu in the pot and the stock was just the right spiciness for me. In fact, it was so spicy that I could just make out the beefy undertones of the stock. This was the perfect dish for a rainy evening dinner.
At US$9.95 for a combination set, the price here is definitely a bargain. The food is fiery and well prepared, and the portions are sized just right. The food arrived at the table promptly and the service was friendly. Given all of the above, it should be no surprise to discover that Buk Chang Dong has been added to my rotation of favorite dining spots.
Buk Chang Dong Soon Do Bu
1518 Makaloa Street Unit B
Telephone: 808.953.2299
Hey..Reid,
I thought it was a place for eating and selling bak chang..hahahha!! so i'm mistaken..! i was so hoping.. .you were gonna get some pictures of bak chang for me.. heheh!!
Posted by: Big BoK | October 08, 2005 at 07:52 PM
Hi Big BoK,
LOL! =) I'll try to find some bak chang for you to look at OK? I'm actually wanting to eat some right now. I actually think I'm going to have some dim sum tomorrow for brunch!
Posted by: Reid | October 09, 2005 at 03:12 AM
Ooh, I'm practically drooling over my keyboard already! The bibimbap and soon dubu sound really gorgeous, and they're very generous with their banchan too. 7! Most places I've been only give up to 5 side dishes. This place is really value for money!
Posted by: Julia | October 09, 2005 at 05:23 AM
Hi Reid - I always crack up when you mentione how "cold" it is....LOL! Sounds like a nice warmig meal.
Posted by: Kirk | October 09, 2005 at 06:10 AM
WOW one of my favourite comfort foods! mmmmm! It looked really good Reid. Julia is right the amount of banchan is generous. :D
Posted by: milgwimper | October 09, 2005 at 07:19 AM
Oh yum! I've always gone to So Gong Dong for soon do bu but it looks like I'll have to stop by Buk Chang Dong next time! Do you know if they also serve bi bim bop in the hot stone?
Posted by: Kathy | October 09, 2005 at 12:26 PM
hey reid, have you reviewed Gomaichi? It's right around the corner from Buk Chong Dong, and they have really yummy ramen there...it's my favorite!
Posted by: monika | October 09, 2005 at 01:10 PM
Hey Reid, that's what I call a soon du bu! I just wish I had some soon du bu in Seoul last week to see how it really is done over there.
The list of restaurants keep growing for me...;-) Mahalos for your reviews and awesome pics!
Posted by: 808650foodie | October 09, 2005 at 06:09 PM
Hi, Reid. Just a quick note to confirm your suspicions. That space was indeed the old So Gong Dong. Right across the street from Tower Records, right?
Posted by: Ryan | October 10, 2005 at 08:47 AM
hi reid, meal sounds so wonderful...the soon do bu especially, looks really really savoury, not to mention devilishly hot...looks like the ultimate in hot pepper highs!
Posted by: J | October 10, 2005 at 09:51 AM
went to this restaurant tonight after reading this review. the food was good but i was extremely disappointed with the service! we weren't offered all the pan chan (side dishes) -- i had to ask for the other ones. also, the waitresses never refilled our drinks or asked us if we wanted refills of our pan chan. there were japanese tourists in the restaurant as well, and they received much better treatment. very disappointing!
Posted by: disappointed | October 10, 2005 at 11:08 PM
Hi Julia,
The bi bim bap and the soon dubu were really good. In fact, I'm going to be coming here as often as possible. =)
Generally speaking, most Korean restaurants here will give quite a good selection of ban chan. I normally see between 6 and 8 dishes and sometimes even as many as 10! All refillable, of course.
Hi Kirk,
Actually it's not cold...but I have to make up an excuse. =)
Otherwise, I wouldn't have a valid reason to be enjoying soon dubu, now would I?
Hi Milgwimper,
Oooh, it really was delicious. I sure hope you get to come in December. I'll be sure to take you to all my favorite Korean restaurants....
Hi Kathy,
I'm really not sure if they serve dolsot bi bim bap or not, but I will check on it the next time I'm there. I'll let you know OK? =)
Hi Monika,
Thanks for stopping by!
I haven't done a write up of Gomachi yet, and it has actually been a while since I've been there. Maybe its time for me to pay the place a visit. Thanks for the suggestion.
Hi 808650foodie,
The soon dubu here is good, but not as good (or as cheap) as what you would find in Korea. Most often times, the soup is a bit too mild for me. This time is was really spicy, just the way I like it.
You're welcome...I'm glad you enjoy the blog and the write ups!
Hi Ryan,
Long time no hear!
You're correct. It is located right across Tower, right next to Elim II.
Hi J,
I don't know about you, but I really like spicy food. I guess that's why I enjoyed most of the food that I ate in Singapore.
BTW...the meal was delicious!
Hi disappointed,
Welcome to my blog!
I'm sorry you received bad service when you visited Buk Chang Dong. When I was here, the service was exceptional. I guess it was because it was almost closing time. Was it busy when you were there?
If you do visit again, I hope the service is better.
Thanks for commenting.
Posted by: Reid | October 10, 2005 at 11:53 PM
Hi Reid
This looks yummy, love korean mmmm
Posted by: clare eats | October 11, 2005 at 03:23 AM
Reid, the best soon du bu I've had here was in Seoul Garden in SF Japantown, but the price is in the double digits around $12 IIRC. I like my soon du bu on the thick side with nice, firm tofu and spicy, beefy broth. I should try Myongdong Soon Du Bu in Sunnyvale as I hear it's the best in the Bay.
Posted by: 808650foodie | October 11, 2005 at 10:39 AM
::examines the soon dubu photo and sniffs:: Looks a little overseasoned to me... ::snickers:: HA
Posted by: Jo | October 11, 2005 at 07:39 PM
Foodie,
Myongdong Soon Dubu is pretty good, but I had such bad service there I don't go there any more. (The waitress ignored our requests and them chased after us when we did not give her a tip. This was years ago.) It could have been an isolated event, or they could have changed, because I really did enjoy the food there. Hmmm Maybe I will give them another chance.
Jo,
PBBBHHTTT!!! Still have to go for soon tubu soup with spices before you leave.
Posted by: milgwimper | October 12, 2005 at 06:43 AM
ACK! ::laughs & ducks:: Yea we do! Speaking of which, why don't we ditch the guys with the kids and go to the "Chasing Waitress" just in case we can chase her right back? ::wiggles eyebrows invitingly::
Posted by: Jo | October 12, 2005 at 05:02 PM
Hi Clare,
I love Korean food too. Do you have lots of good Korean food places in Sydney?
Hi 808650foodie,
If you like it thick and spicy, then you'll like it here. It was spicy enough, but I can take more heat, so maybe next time I'll ask for it to be a bit spicier! Whenever I go away, I usually don't eat Japanese or Korean food as I think we have excellent options here, but I might have to try some Korean food places the next time I'm in LA.
Hi Milgwimper,
If you're still coming, we can go for soon dubu when you're here! =)
Hi Jo,
I'll make sure to Fedex a bowl of soon dubu to you in North Carolina if you don't get a chance to "experience" it while still in the Bay Area! *wink*
Posted by: Reid | October 13, 2005 at 12:05 AM
sounds like a great place to try since i <3 So Gong Dong.
Speaking of which, anyone know what will happen to them and Super Pho when Nordstroms takes over the whole place?
Posted by: myn | October 13, 2005 at 11:27 AM
Yum! That bi bim bap looks good. It's one of my fav Korean food.
Posted by: boo_licious | October 13, 2005 at 12:42 PM
Um there are a few, it tends to be on the more expensive side..... of meals which is sad :P but I just discovered a great and close by place to get Kimchi!!! Happy days :)
Posted by: clare eats | October 14, 2005 at 03:42 AM
Reid,
I am praying hard I get to come over in December! Yes we will have to get soontubu chigae! YAY!
Jo,
I am not so sure I want to try that place right now, but maybe sometime soon.
Posted by: milgwimper | October 14, 2005 at 11:36 AM
Hi Myn,
I think SGD is moving to McCully Shopping Center. At least that's what someone posted previously.
As far as Super Pho...are you talking about Taiyo Ramen? I believe Super Pho is in Kaimuki.
Hi boo_licious,
The bi bim bap was delicious. I like it too. Next time, I think I'm going to look for a place that has dolsot bi bim bap and try it. It's been a while since I've had that.
Hi Clare,
Happy days is right if you found a source of inexpensive and delicious kimchee! =)
Maybe...if you and the boy visit sometime, I can take you to eat some yummy Korean food.
Hi Milgwimper,
I'm praying for you too. =)
Posted by: Reid | October 16, 2005 at 12:40 AM
Hi Reid. Love your blog, I've been lurking about and using it as a resource to help plan my upcoming visit to Oahu this Christmas. Thanks! =)
But back to this post - do you know whether BCD has a seafood soon do bu option available for the combo meals?
I wanted to take my mom to try some Korean food in Honolulu and her preferences in dishes lean toward seafood soon do bu, pork bulgogi, and spicy barbeque chicken. In light of that, would you reccommend we try SGD over BCD or vice versa?
Posted by: Debbie | November 06, 2006 at 08:03 AM
For soon du bu (tofu soup) fans, there's a new place that opened up at Piikoi next door to I Love Country Cafe. It reminds of SoGongDong's original location on Makaloa, which I loved better than its later two locations.
Posted by: Rob | February 21, 2007 at 08:53 PM