I arranged a visit to Lighthouse Tofu based on the excellent reviews, and this place did not disappoint! Despite an unassuming exterior, the atmosphere inside is almost magical with beautiful Korean decor and charming scripted wallpaper. Our waiter kindly reviewed the menu with us and made some recommendations when we let him know we were first-time visitors (and half of us were newer to Korean food), and we were all able to make choices we were very happy with. I chose the combination (beef, mussels, and shrimp) tofu soup, mild spicy, and was delighted with the flavor profile and consistency. To me, this was so perfectly flavored and comforting that the meat and seafood weren't even needed. Next time, I'd be content trying the mushroom soup! Our table also split a pancake with pork, which was also delicious. The pancake arrived after our main dishes, and I wish it had arrived first as some of us in the party were too full to enjoy it. Everyone else in our group ordered bulgogi, and those that did said it was delicious as well. My husband, who cooks bulgogi, was thrilled with it, and our friends who hadn't ventured further than Trader Joe's bulgogi were enchanted with the real thing. Overall, great experience and great prices for an absolutely delicious meal. I hope to come back and try more dishes! read more

Lighthouse Tofu - 2. Combination Dinner - Korean Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

We are always on the hunt for great Korean food and Lighthouse Tofu was a restaurant that kept coming up in recommendations.  We headed over and found a very large and spacious dining area which was simply decorated but very light and clean.  We ordered the seafood pancake to start.  The small pancake was actually pretty large!  It easily fed 3-4.  The pancake was nice and crispy and was one of the favorite things we ate although there didn't seem to be too much seafood.  No matter - yum!  We then had the bibimbap which was tasty but as it wasn't a dolsot bibimbap, it didn't have the crispy rice that is so delicious.  We still enjoyed it.  The Jeyuk Bokkeum was tasty although the meat seemed a little stringy and all interconnected so it was hard to get a bite's worth without dragging a huge clump off of the plate.  We were looking forward to sampling the combination tofu soup which is one of the dishes most often mentioned.  As people said, it came to the table bubbling like lava!  Wow!  It was so hot that it steamed up by camera lens and when we cracked the egg on top, it started to cook right away.  The wait was for it to cool down so that we wouldn't burn ourselves. Though it was tasty, it didn't have as much flavor as I had hoped.  We ordered it medium spicy as we were warned not to have the spice overwhelm the taste of the broth (we like spicy so it wasn't a matter of degree of heat.)  We brought some home as leftovers so we will see if it has a little more oomph after resting for a day.  The service was good and quick and we appreciated that extra utensils, napkins and to go containers were really easily accessible.  The lot is small when compared to the number of tables inside.  But, as the sign on the door states, you can park at the church across the street. read more

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I wasn't planning on doing a review, which is why I didn't take any pics. This was a spontaneous lunch with a friend, who was recommended this place for some good Korean soup. The particular soup is soon dubu, which is silken or soft tofu stew. And it was a great flavorful soup. I went with medium heat which was good for me. Enough to have spice without overpowering. We went around 2p on a Saturday, and while busy it was not crowded. We had no wait. The small parking lot can get full, but a sign says you can park at the church parking lot across the street. Wooden tables all around in what is a much bigger space than you would expect from what you see on the outside. There are bigger combos for groups, or individual combos if you want the stew plus a protein (bulgogi, kalbi, jeyuk (spicy pork), etc). We each got a combo and split everything except our soups. We got kalbi and jeyuk. We also ordered a small kimchi pancake as appetizer. I will say the soup is great. Everything else, is just ok. The banchan offered 4 small dishes: traditional cabbage kimchi, cucumber kimchi, vinegary sliced radish, and sauteed bean sprouts. All were just ok, nothing special, and wish there were more banchans. The kimchi pancake was slightly overcooked, but nothing crazy. The kalbi was sliced very thin, and had good flavor. The jeyuk had good flavor. But quantity was not a lot for the kalbi or jeyuk. We ate well for a nice lunch for two. But it's overpriced. We did order a lot for a lunch, but we didn't get an unbelievable amount. And it came to $92.92 before tip for 2 people. I would probably rate 3.5 given the price level, but I'll round to 4. You can get a $15 lunch combo during the week. Or $18 individual combo and be perfectly fine. So maybe don't go crazy like we did. read more

Sometimes I get a craving for soondooboo and when that itch needs to be scratched, we head to Lighthouse in Annandale. My standard is the seafood soondooboo, medium spicy. There are two difficulties - the soondooboo arrives boiling hot, and you gotta crack the egg perfectly so no bits of shell get into the stew, then you gotta wait patiently while it cools down so you don't burn your tongue. Play it right, and you get a perfectly delicious broth of spicy, seafood-y stew. Lighthouse is still the best soondooboo in the area, and I'm sure I'll be back soon. If you haven't tried it yet, you're missing out! read more

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Been here a number of times and their food is consistently good. I get the beef and pork tofu soup extra spicy almost every time. It comes sizzling hot, bright red, with an egg to crack in and cook with the soup. Rice comes with the dish as well as a bunch of yummy banchan. You get the choice of water or hot barley tea. Satisfying and filling! The galbi is also not bad here, flavorful, if not a little bit tough. Decorated well inside with plenty of seating. Clean space. Quick service. Plenty of parking in the lot outside. read more

Lighthouse Tofu - Beef and pork tofu soup (extra spicy) - Korean Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

My girlfriend and I were craving BCD tofu which unfortunately is not on the area. We discovered Lighthouse Tofu and were excited to try it in a suddenly cold weather evening. The returning interior had a homey traditional asian ambiance. We ordered a Combo ( clam, shrimp, beef) and Beef and Pork Tofu Soup as well as a seafood pancake. Both soups were rich in flavor and umami. We appreciated the delicious side dishes, especially the kimchi which was on the sweeter side. We were able to order 3 rounds of sides. The pancake was crispy and had had plenty of seafood filling. The service was good but nothing special. The highlight of the meal was the tofu. They were soft, silky, and incredibly satisfying. We will be back to Lighthouse Tofu. BCD Tofu and here have a fierce competition. read more

Lighthouse Tofu - Korean Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

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Still yummy as always. Glad to be back again and again for some hearty homey food. I really appreciate the vibes and staff. read more

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Top tier for soup season honestly and I get an oddly specific craving for this soup every now and then. Any of the soup varieties are great but I usually order kimchi & beef or combination shrimp. Their pan fried dumplings are delicious and if i'm feeling really hungry i'll add them to my order. Banchan side dishes are perfect I wouldn't change what they already offer and I love the offer of free refills on these of course. + the egg given for the soups. Notes: Service is usually really quick and they have plenty of seating. Parking isn't necessarily limited but the parking lot is kinda ugly with potholes all over the place so be careful. Make sure to ask/grab toothpicks on the way out by the door, this WILL be stuck in your teeth. read more

Lighthouse Tofu - Pan Fried Dumplings - Korean Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

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Such a great place and worth it if you are driving in from DC! It's very relaxed and affordable prices. Portions are big so recommend splitting with people! Service is attentive and the vibe is welcoming but modern. read more

Lighthouse Tofu - Seafood pancake - Korean Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

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One of my absolute favorite spots in NoVa. The Kimchi sundubu is always so consistent and flavorful, and a huge portion that always leaves me with at least half to take home. They have a variety of spice levels, and the medium is the perfect amount to get a little spice without overpowering the flavors of the broth. The banchan they offer for every table is limited but some of the best I've had. They're simple but perfectly compliment the flavorful soup, and are good at cutting through the richness. The vegetable pancake is delicious and pairs well with everything, but kind of a pricey add on with a large portion size if you're alone or with another person so I often skip it even though I love it. It's also a small building so it can get kind of loud inside and feel a bit crowded during peak hours. But it at least stays very clean despite the amount of people coming through in such a small space. read more

This spot is such a hidden gem and just writing this has my mouth watering! You walk in and are asked in you want water or hot tea - forewarning, the hot tea is served in a water glass, and it can be hot to hold. The service itself is very quick and the menu is easy to read. We ordered a potato "pancake" as a starter (the small is pictured and is recommended for 2-3, but I would say 4 given it has 4 large slices). You are then served your soup sides and an egg for cracking in your soup if up would like. The soup comes to your table boiling hot--be careful because it is boiling. I recommend cracking in your egg and letting it sit while the heat cooks it. Then, go at it! The soup is flavorful and delicious. I ordered the kimchi tofu and beef, as I don't eat meat, I just ordered the tofu only. They are able to accommodate vegetarian diets quite easily based on the meal. I will warn that the appetizers may leave you with soup leftovers. If you don't want to take any to go, just order the soup. Overall, the food, service, and environment were great. I highly recommend if you're craving and amazing bowl of Korean soup. I will also add with our app and two bowls of soup, our total was $57 before tip. read more

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Always love lighthouse tofu! My all time favorite is their tofu soups and this time I ordered seafood soup. You get to choose from 9 different options as well as the spicy level. I sometimes go for medium but I find it pretty spicy, so depending on how I feel, I also go for mild. My other favorite is the combination that comes with both beef and seafood. I also highly recommend their Korean pancakes. They have one of the best Korean pancakes, these are always freshly made, crispy on the outside and fluffy in the inside. We usually order their kimchi pancakes but this time we had a seafood pancakes. It was absolutely delicious! Parking could be a challenge sometimes but their service is always quick and efficient. Will definitely come back when I'm around this area! read more

Lighthouse Tofu - A. Pa Jun Seafood - Korean Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

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My wife, two sons, and I have enjoyed this place as our "go-to" spot for Korean soon-dubu. In January 2026, we visited on a chilly day (when hot soup restores the soul). Lots of pluses at this Annandale location. First, service is good when you first arrive, but you may need to flag your waiter to place an order if it's crowded. Second, the restaurant vibe is casual (lots of family and friends) and feels spacious. Third, the mushroom soup (medium-spicy) and beef soup (medium-spicy) are wonderful especially after you crack an egg and add it. Fourth, he crispy mandoo makes a nice appetizer besides the small plates (banchan) offered. The only downside is that parking can be difficult in the small lot in front of the restaurant. But additional parking spaces are available across the street. read more

Lighthouse Tofu - Interior is spacious. - Korean Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

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Best for Tofu soups. Galbi delicious. Pancakes are yummy definitely a must ! Put into your meal rotation...

Hands down the best sundubu spot in the Annandale area! The beef + seafood sundubu is my usual go-to. I order it medium or hot depending on my mood. The medium isn't very spicy and just has a slight kick, while the hot/spicy is perfect if you can handle more heat and want that extra spice. Keep in mind!!--the soup comes out scorching hot on their stone bowl, and spicy food always tastes way spicier when it's steaming hot. Beef + Seafood Sundubu - 5/5: Comes with some beef, one shrimp, and a couple of small mussels. Always solid. Seafood Pancake: Fresh and hot, served on a griddle so it stays warm. It comes with their pancake sauce--on its own the pancake doesn't have much flavor, so I usually drown mine in the sauce. Service is fine, they dont stop by to check on you like American restaurants do; but thats ok because theyll come by if you just flag them down! The shop itself has a small parking area, or you can park across the street. The shop is cozy and quiet, with plenty of tables so its great for just a date or to bring a large party. FYI, they offer Vegan options as well so that's super awesome if you have any Vegan friends! Just make sure you ask for mushroom based broth when ordering! read more

The price of a container of Kimchi has skyrocketed to $22 from $12. The owner's greed is obvious, and I refuse to pay such an outrageous amount anymore. read more

I came here on a cold winter day and it hit the spot. A small Korean establishment that serve delicious tofu stew as well as other sides. The service is pretty good despite how busy it gets. read more

Lighthouse Tofu - Tofu stew and Pan Fried Dumplingsdumplings - Korean Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

The best tofu soup (soondubu) in the DMV! It comes out piping hot with an egg that you can cook in it. Personally I don't like tofu but this place is a special exception, especially in the colder months. The tofu almost has a custard like quality in the soup and its super flavorful. Paired with the rice tea as a flavor balancer and this place really hits a special spot for me. read more

Growing up in Annandale, Lighthouse was the place for Soondubu Chigae. After moving away and coming back, it is still good but nowhere near what it used to be. The quality of the banchan has fallen, and the dumplings are a very cheap frozen variety. The soondubu is pretty ok, so we will probably be back when we crave it. Pro tip: ask for ground jalapeño to add to your soup for a fresh taste. You now have to request the stone pot rice, especially if you're not Korean. Today we saw that they gave all the non Korean tables regular rice. If they know you're Korean, then they will bring you the stone pot rice. I saw a server turn around to put the regular rice back as soon as she heard the customers speaking Korean. If they don't think you're Korean, you get just regular rice, so ask for the much better stone pot rice. read more

Lighthouse Tofu - Oyster soondubu - Korean Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

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A popular soon tofu spot in Annandale, Virginia. Service is always fast and the banchan, soup, and pancakes are always consistent. read more

Late night grub. Got the Combo with Galbi. Really a bang for your buck. 10/10 would go again to try other items. Servers were nice as well read more

Lighthouse Tofu - Spicy 11. Tofu and Galbi Combo - Korean Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

This place is really good! The soon tofu jjigae is really authentic, has a nice kick to it, and delicious. If you are looking for delicious authentic Korean food, I highly recommend! The banchans were also so good! read more

Lighthouse Tofu - Combination Soon Tofu - Korean Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

Our party of six stopped in for dinner on a cold evening and overall enjoyed our experience. I'd been once before for their seafood soondubu which was hearty and flavorful. This time, we tried the seafood pancake, galbi, octopus stir-fry, and other soondubu varieties. We enjoyed the banchan, especially the radish. The non-soondubu portions were small and there was barely any octopus (we counted about four small pieces); most of it was vegetables. If I came back I would probably opt for just the soondubu. Service was efficient and neither friendly nor unfriendly. read more

Lighthouse Tofu - 19. Stir-Fried Baby Octopus 14. Galbi - Korean Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

Great comfort food! Loved the seafood tofu soup and kimchi pancake. The soup had a great depth of flavor and not watered down. I don't believe you can make a reservation but the restaurant is pretty big. We went on a Saturday night and had no problem getting a table. Ample free parking in the back of the restaurant and across the street. read more

Lighthouse Tofu - Seafood Dinner (tofu soup) - Korean Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

Back in the day, Korean silken tofu soup was really good. It's been a while since I visited here, but I think this place is going downhill now. Ingredients are almost unable to be eaten, and they used really bad and low-quality seafood for the soup. Back in the day, Korean silken tofu soup was really good. It's been a while since I visited here, but I think this place is going downhill now. Ingredients are almost unable to be eaten, and they used really bad and low-quality seafood for the soup. Disgusting. Service was friendly, but they still need to fix these issues big time. Disgusting. Service was friendly, but they still need to fix these issues big time. read more

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I have been coming to lighthouse tofu for many years now. In terms of food taste, there have been minimal changes and they have been consistent. They serve Korean soft tofu dishes called sundubu. It is served with a raw egg that you crack into the boiling broth and you eat it with rice and the side dishes. While the food taste is consistent, the service has been lacking. When I placed a pickup order over the phone, the person who picked up didn't speak english that well and messed up my order. If it is a Korean restaurant, they should have someone that can speak both English and Korean attend to the phone. I ordered a beef sundubu and a beef/pork sundubu. When I went to pick up my food, they made seafood sundubu... They said to just take it, but I told them to make the one that I wanted. The cleanliness and upkeep of the utensils and bowls are not good. There are cracks in the stone pots, lots of stains in the utensils and bowls. read more

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For the area? Decent Generally? Alright Big portion in the seafood pancake and it was also delicious. The soondubu was just as rated above. It's popular for a reason. Bulgogi was dry and bland read more

Lighthouse Tofu - Cozy, Comforting, and Perfect for a Chilly Evening After an afternoon of cutting up a fallen tree branch with my girlfriend and her family, we decided to warm up with dinner at Lighthouse Tofu. Now, I'll admit -- tofu isn't usually my thing, but everyone in her family was raving about this place, so I was game to try it out. It was a chilly evening, and the moment we walked in, the warm, homey vibe of the restaurant felt like the perfect spot to relax. The service was quick and friendly, which is always a bonus when you're ready to dig in after a long day. We went with the Special Combo C and Special Combo D, which came with a spread of soups and Korean BBQ staples. I stuck mostly to the bulgogi, galbi, kimchi, and cucumber salad. The bulgogi was tender and flavorful, and the galbi had that nice balance of sweet and savory. The sides, especially the kimchi and cucumber salad, were fresh and tangy, cutting through the richness of the BBQ. While everything was solid, I wouldn't say it blew me away -- but it definitely hit the spot after all that outdoor work. If you're a tofu lover or just in the mood for a warm, hearty meal with comforting flavors, Lighthouse Tofu is a great choice. While I didn't fall in love with tofu, the experience -- good food, cozy vibes, and sharing the meal with family -- made it all worthwhile. read more

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So many other good reviews brought me here. However, I found that the food was bland and flavorless. Disappointed with the kimchi and tofu soup. Korean pancake was ok. Overall, I've had better. Service was very fast and friendly. Restaurants ambiance was shabby and dark. Dirty bathroom with overflowing trash cans. read more

Lighthouse Tofu - Korean Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

Our go-to place for sundubu which is a korean tofu soup. There's another location in Centreville but we prefer the Annandale location for its better food and service. Saw another review on the Centreville location telling about a mean lady server who we did experience. Anyway, while I don't eat sundubu (rest of family does and love it here), their galbi (korean bbq ribs) is really well marinated and taste great. You can order sundubu with all kinds of toppings (i.e., kimchi, mushrooms, seafood). All orders come with banchan (korean side dishes) of pickle radishes, cucumbers, bean sprouts and side soup. Highly recommend their special combos. We usually order the combo with two tofu soup, galbi and large dumplings. read more

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This place has been a staple of my family for years. With the weather getting colder, a piping hot tofu stew is all you need to warm yourself up. The stews are spicy and filled with soft tofu and other goodies. This spot definitely does it the best in the area and is worth a visit! Apps: Seafood Pancake Entrees: Seafood and Kimchi Tofu Stew read more

Lighthouse Tofu - Korean Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

I have been coming here for several years and this is the only place I would go to get tofu soup. The ambiance/place is nice with good service. I would recommend this place. read more

Lighthouse Tofu - Seafood pancake - Korean Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

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My girlfriend loves this place so I came back to try it again and the soup was alright. I just may not have the taste buds for this particular soup. The staff is always friendly and they move quick to make sure you get what you need read more

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Lighthouse is my favorite spot for Korean comfort food in the area. Their soondobu (tofu soups) are flavorful and perfect for a cold day. I highly recommend getting one of the combo meals - the Galbi or Bulgogi - which are tender and delicious! The banchan/side dishes are always fresh and tasty. The service is quick and friendly even when it's busy. If you're craving a hearty, satisfying meal, Lighthouse is a must visit! read more

Lighthouse Tofu - Galbi, Kimchi Tofu Soup, Pan Fried Dumplings - Korean Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

This is by far my favorite spot for soondubu! The main feature of this restaurant is the Korean tofu stew of course, which you can customize with your choice of toppings and level of spiciness. I prefer the spicy and mixed toppings with beef and seafood. The broth itself is intensely rich and loaded with umami, which is perfect with a bowl of rice. The bubbling pot comes loaded with toppings and tofu, and left me satisfyingly full. Highly recommend this spot! read more

Lighthouse Tofu - Korean Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

Always a good eating at Lighthouse Tofu, whether their hot pot seafood soup or their kimchi pancake!! They're always quick and courteous. The ambience is always like walking into a hotpot shop in Korea. Perfect place, if you haven't tried it go try it now!!!! read more

I've been hearing about the Korean food scene in Annandale for many years, and finally had the opportunity to make it out. Despite the overwhelming heat, I was in the mood for soondoobu, and Lighthouse seemed like a safe option. The exterior and interior of the restaurant both feel a bit clinical without being unpleasant, and the focused menu suggests that they focus on mastering their namesake dish. I enjoyed my mushroom soondoobu (medium spicy) and the soup was comforting, although I mostly just tasted the gochugaru in the broth. Their house made kimchi and banchan were probably the best part of the meal. read more

Lighthouse Tofu - Korean Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

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I love lighthouse tofu for their iconic kimchi jjigae. I love the addition of you being able to crack your own egg into the boiling hot bowl. It adds some extra interactiveness similar to kbbq when you cook your own food. Their seafood pancake is also very crispy and delicious. I love the serving plates that they use with the clay pot style ceramics. It keeps the food very hot and fresh. It's perfect for a cold winter night when you want something comforting. read more

Lighthouse Tofu - A. Pa Jun Seafood, beef bulgogi and some banchan - Korean Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

This place is in a 2 story brick building and you would miss it if you didn't know it was there. You know it's good Korean food when a majority of the diners are Korean. The tofu was excellent and the soup was perfect for a rainy night. Service is quick and the food was delicious. A nice evening with friends. Definitely will visit again. read more

Lighthouse Tofu - Entrance - Korean Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

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Loveeee the food - absolutely amazing, fair warning the menu may be limited for certain folks standards. Known for their sundubu because it's stellar! Fair warning- their spicy spicy is not that spicy... so do with that what you will. Their kimchi however is the best that I've tried across all stores and packaged items. They sell their kimchi by itself because it's slightly sweet and spicy. Definitely a return spot in NOVA! read more

Lighthouse Tofu - Noodles Stir-Fried with baby octopus! - Korean Near Me - Annandale, Virginia