By Hannah Park
Overlooking Magnolia Street is a small Korean restaurant, its warm brown sign inviting passersby to visit “Bon Tofu & Grill.” Nestled behind hotspots like Subway and Ding Tea, this eatery offers no fewer than 12 varieties of 순두부 (soft tofu soup) and the whole gamut of Korean classics.
Humble at first glance, the tiny restaurant packs a punch with its spicy kimchi, plethora of foods and its in-person, to-go and delivery service through DoorDash. It’s one of the few authentic Korean restaurants in Fountain Valley—and approved by native Koreans (aka my parents).
With delicious favorites like 갈비 (Galbi, beef short ribs) and 불고기 (Bulgogi) to hidden gems like 고등어 (Grilled mackerel), it’s no surprise that Bon Tofu is rated 4.5 stars on Yelp. It’s also on the more affordable side, with two dollar signs ($$) on the website: prices range from $11-30.
1. Atmosphere and Interior: 9/10
I ordered to-go for this meal, but Bon Tofu is an amazing place to have a cozy dinner with friends. The last time I ate inside, I recall watching the sunset from the floor-to-ceiling window and the soft conversations of the other customers. You can’t help but feel warm inside while you slurp hot soup, watch the sky grow black and hear the tinny music of chopsticks clinking against metal rice bowls.
The restaurant is on the smaller side, with only one or two active servers at a time and fewer than 10 tables. However, they have the capacity to seat both small and large parties.
*Note: all dishes came with rice and 반찬 (side dishes) included.
2. 갈비 (Galbi): 9/10
Garnished with green onions and shining with a delicate layer of grease, the 갈비 looked utterly irresistible. The meat had black grill lines, cooked to perfection, and there was very little excess fat.
Bon Tofu’s bite-size pieces have a little bit of bone attached and make for a convenient dining experience. The meat was sweet and warm, and sang with all of its barbecued glory. The texture was chewy, but not overly tough: a few pieces were sprinkled with sesame seeds, which lent the meat extra crunch and a nutty flavor. Be careful, though—they tend to get stuck in your teeth!
There are 12 pieces included: perfect for a solo diner, or to share between two people.
3. 해물 순두부 (Seafood Soon Tofu): 8/10
Bon Tofu’s soon tofu soups are high quality, given the fact that the restaurant is named after them! They all come with a customizable spice level (Plain, Mild, Medium, Spicy and Extra Spicy), and have well-sized portions. Personally, I stick to Medium, and warn against getting the Plain: you do risk losing some of the flavor dimension with a milder soup.
This particular soon tofu comes with a wide variety of seafood: octopus, mussels, shrimp, oysters and clams all float in the pretty, orange soup. The warm soup is great for a chilly day, and the soft white chunks of tofu resemble icebergs rising out of an orange sea.
The smell and flavor of the soup is quite complex, with tongue-tingling spice mixed with the salty tang of the ocean. I combined my rice with the soup, whose soft, grainy texture contrasted with the jelly-like tofu (the plops of the tofu into the soup are too cute!) and the crunchy octopus. The salt was not too overpowering, but I scored the soup an 8/10 due to its briny taste. Seafood lovers will probably rate it much higher!
4. 닭갈비 (Chicken Galbi): 10/10
I could find no flaws with this delicious chicken. Its neat, uniform slices, all toasted a light brown, seemed otherworldly. Moreover, the smooth appearance of the meat was hardly deceiving: it seemed to melt in the mouth. It also came with sesame seeds sprinkled on some of the pieces, which added a satisfying crunch.
With not a single burned piece in sight, each piece was well-cooked and just slightly pink on the inside. The smoky taste was similar to the beef galbi, but the smoothness of the meat, uninterrupted by chewy tendons or oily fat, was unparalleled.
There is enough chicken to share with a friend…or gobble it up all on your own.
5. 반찬 (Side Dishes): 8/10
There are a total of four side dishes that come with your ordered meal. In the restaurant, they provide free refills! Overall, they were a little spicy and sweet for my taste, but all four were delicious regardless.
숙주나물 (Bean Sprouts): This is an extremely healthy side dish, and includes carrot and squash strips alongside bean sprouts. It generates a loud crunch, and the mildness of the vegetables can cool your tongue after abusing it with spicy food. The glossy sprouts are very refreshing.
오이 (Spicy Cucumber): The cucumbers are crunchy and cold, and float in an orange-red sauce. They have a fresh, sharp taste, and are quite spicy! Be sure to have rice on hand.
김치 (Kimchi): The napa cabbage kimchi is quite sweet, but it is spicier than in other restaurants. However, the texture was perfect. The green leaves are delicate, like tissue paper, and the white part of the cabbage was crunchy. It’s moist and sets your mouth on fire (in a good way)!
어묵 (Fish Cake): Just a disclaimer, this isn’t a cake with frosting or bread! It’s a spicy, sweet and stir-fried dish that involves thinly-sliced fish cakes. It has an almost doughy taste and leaves a sticky sensation in the mouth.
Conclusion
Overall, Bon Tofu had a strong showing with all of its meals. There are very little faults with its cuisine, and I love to eat at this restaurant regularly. The location is a huge positive factor for Fountain Valley residents: we don’t have to drive all the way to Garden Grove to eat quality Korean food.
Although I rated the Seafood Soon Tofu less highly, I think the soon tofu in general is the strongest part of their menu. There are so many varieties, and my two favorites are the beef and the mushroom soon tofu. Surprisingly, all of them offer a unique experience despite having a similar soup base: the beef is richer, the seafood is more complex, and the mushroom is chewier! I have yet to try all of them, but I hope to in the near future.
We wholeheartedly recommend Bon Tofu to all Korean food aficionados! You can find it at 17900 Magnolia St A, Fountain Valley, CA 92708, and order from its website here.
