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    Somisomi

    4.3 (346 reviews)
    Open 12:00 pm - 10:30 PM

    Somisomi Photos

    Business Info

    SOMISOMI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Somisomi

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    Upside down ahboong with nutella filling and Earl Grey soft serve...almost forgot to take a photo
    Teresa G.

    We love this place for the variety of soft-serve and for their taiyaki which is a cross between a pancake and a waffle. We've tried several soft serve flavors over time: black sesame, Earl Grey, matcha, ube, and sakura berry. The smooth, light, fluffy swirls of whipped ice cream is always a treat. One can have it different ways - ahboong (fish-shaped waffle cone), upside down ahboong, in a cup, or cold brew float. The taiyaki is a perfect pair to the soft serve and I recommend you try it with different fillings. Service is quick after putting in your order in a self-service terminal at the counter. There are plenty of outdoor seating on South B street which is the pedestrian friendly area of downtown San Mateo. I don't think I will grow tired of this place.

    Upside Down Ahboong -  Matcha & Banana Pudding Soft Serve, Strawberry, Biscoff Crumble (R) & Ube Soft Serve, Strawberry, Fruity Pebbles (L)
    Mike L.

    Between all of the great things I had heard about them and how long they've been sitting on my list of bookmarks, I can't say I have anything close to a good excuse for taking so long to finally come here. What's worse, it's not like I'm hardly ever in San Mateo either. However, in my defense, this technically wasn't my first time trying Somisomi. It's just that since I had only tried a couple of bites of their tayaki with red bean, it didn't feel like I had gotten a proper experience! With their location right in the heart of the downtown/3rd Ave area of San Mateo, it's not the least bit surprising that this Somisomi can draw a fairly steady crowd. Besides how busy the neighborhood can get, they're a terrific option for an afternoon treat just as much as for an evening dessert. Their menu is pretty simple, consisting of two main things - soft serve, which comes in a half dozen permanent and a handful of seasonal flavors, and taiyaki, which comes with your choice from eight different fillings - that you can order separately or together as part of their signature ah-boong dessert. -- UPSIDE DOWN AH BOONG with Ube Soft Serve Topped with Strawberry, Fruity Pebbles, and a Taiyaki with Matcha Filling Pretty solid overall. The soft serve had a surprisingly strong taste of ube to it and it wasn't overly sweet. As for the taiyaki, I liked how crispy it was on the outside and how soft it was on the inside, but the matcha filling was a little underwhelming (really subtle and gloppy). -- UPSIDE DOWN AHBOONG with Matcha & Banana Pudding Soft Serve Topped with Strawberry, Biscoff Crumble, and a Taiyaki with Black Sesame Filling Of the two, I liked this one better. For one, I thought the flavors in the soft serve balanced each other really well (the matcha helped tamper the sweetness of the banana pudding), but I LOVED the black sesame filling in the taiyaki. It tasted so good, I wish there was more of it! As far as service goes, there's usually not much to note at a place like this, but I thought the workers here were great. The girl at the register did a good job of making sure folks knew there was a second table to the side tat folks could order from and happily answered the questions that the group in front of us had. Perhaps more importantly, they're pretty efficient with everything, as they seemed to get orders out at a steady pace. Besides how much I enjoyed the desserts here (did I mention I love their black sesame taiyaki?), the other thing that I like about Somisomi is how they stay open so late (11:30pm). Quite welcome, considering how most dessert shops in the area close so much earlier, but also because it just means I don't have to worry about rushing here to get more of the black sesame taiyaki before this place closes! FOUR AND A HALF STARS rounded down for now.

    Line on a Saturday
    Shih Fa K.

    The taiyakis here are pretty much made to standard. I tried the Dubai Chocolate for the first time, and it was good. The service was fast and friendly. And the ambiance was typical of SomiSomi

    Upside down matcha and ube with black sesame filling
    Sho R.

    I stopped by on a weekend afternoon. The place was not too busy. Black sesame filled fish was my favorite. Matcha custard filling was good too. I went for an upside down matcha and ube with black sesame filling and an ahboong milk and strawberry with matcha custard filling. Both flavors of softserve was good.

    Sakura berries
    Anthony N.

    This place was good. I got the sakura berry and i wish i could go back for more. It was a reallly good combination of floral and fruity. I think the ice cream is really creamy and tasty too. I think everyone needs to give that flavor specifically a try.

    Inside
    Kayee C.

    Love the texture of the taiyaki, crispy on the outside and chewy and soft on the inside. Dubai chocolate is extra $1.95 per taiyaki, overpriced and not that great. The mint Oreo just reminds me of Andes chocolate. Minimum order of 2 ($5) or also comes in 5. Has 2 tablets for ordering, calls name when the order is ready. Has self serve complimentary water and napkins.

    Taiyakis in red bean and black sesame flavors
    Irene L.

    I walked past a Taiyaki place called Somi Somi while walking around Downtown San Mateo. Though it might be a good place to stop for a treat. I ordered the Taiyaki with black sesame filling and the other with red bean. It was nice that you can see them make it fresh and hot when you get it. It took about 10 minutes to receive. The texture was crunchy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside with just the amount of filling. It wasn't too expensive which is 2 for about $5. I preferred the black sesame because of the taste and goes well as a overall dessert. The place looked pretty modern and simple. The staff was pretty quick in getting your order ready after ordering at the kiosk.

    Anh P.

    Wait I'm surprised it actually hits! Why do I discover this place so late, like I walked pass Somi Somi multiple times without thinking about giving it a try but now I'm obsessed!!!

    Justin F.

    I feel as if Somisomi is really consistent no matter what location. Today I ordered an Upside-down Ahboong which is what I usually get because it's more mess-free than if you were to have it handheld. I feel like you get a generous portion of ice cream for the amount paid which is awesome. The mixed flavor they had was Ube & Milk Tea and it was really excellent. I got the custard filling in the taiyaki with oreo & biscoff dust as well as Fruity Pebbles. The line was moderately long but it felt like I ordered and got my dessert in no time.

    Ube and milk tea
    Tiffany P.

    Been coming to somi somi for years since their Cupertino location opened in the bay. It's hard to resist when I pass by since their soft serves and taiyaki are so yummy. This time I got the ube and milk tea swirl w/ fruity pebbles and oreo taiyaki. The taiyaki is made fresh so the outside is hot and crispy while the inside is mochi-like. The Oreo is whatever. I think the other fillings are better. Red beans probably my favorite. The ube is strong and overpowers the milk tea completely since the tea flavor is quite mild. Cold ice cream paired with a hot pastry is one of the most amazing combos. I also love how most flavors are lactose-free :)

    I keep hearing a collective 'Waaaaaaaaaaaah' when I see these...
    David C.

    This was definitely grab and go for us but the wait was a bit. Nice day in the bay area so there were many people out and about. We had gotten a few things to go to try a few flavors. While we waited, there was a water dispenser inside and some benches conveniently located outside as well. It was quite warm within the store at the time. I did like that there were kiosks just to put orders through though I did wish there was some way to better estimate time for things to come out. We had gotten a 5 pc taiyaki (cheese, custard matcha, and redbean) as well as a strawberry milk. Each flavor was pretty good. I'd say I was surprised I liked the cheese as much as I did. Nothing was too overly sweet which was great. The strawberry milk was well balanced but the fruit tasted fresh and there was a good amount of strawberry chunks to go with it. I'd definitely stop by again to try out the soft serve and eat the taiyaki on the spot.

    Julie N.

    Had their taiyaki with fillings such as oreo, nutella, matcha, and custard. You can order a set of 2 or 5 taiyaki at a time. It takes a while for the employee to make your taiyaki but it will come out hot. Their taiyaki is good snack for sure. Will definitely get their ice cream in the taiyaki. This place is cardless so you will have to order your soft serve ice creams or taiyaki through the tablet. Then the employees will make your snacks.

    Alexis M.

    Visited SomiSomi after dinner for a quick sweet treat and was surprised by how busy it was on a weekend night. I've been here before and since it's a chain, I appreciate how consistent the quality is across locations. We went with their soft serve; it was decent, nothing special imo. The store is also on the smaller side, with most people standing and eating. Since downtown San Mateo closes the street for outdoor seating, there are plenty of tables outside too. Overall, a solid spot for dessert if you're already in the SM area!

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    Love this place! I enjoy the flavors and toppings. You place your order thru the kiosk and it's pretty quick.

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    Page 1 of 9

    Ask the Community - Somisomi

    Is there dairy free &/ or lactose free options?

    Yes there are. If you go to their main website, at the bottom of the page there is a link to allergen information which will show which flavors have lactose and which ones don't. Since some flavors may rotate I'd also suggest contacting in case to… Read more

    Is the milk pasteurized? We asked one of the employees and he said no! i'm pregnant so we are considering abt it. We love somisomi but if its not...:(

    Hello Quinn, All of our dairy products are pasteurized.… Read more

    Do they have black sesame or chocolate flavors? Seems like they used to but now the selection has been cut way back to just a few flavors. The corporate website for SomiSomi has way more flavors than I see on the menu here. Thanks!

    Hello Neela, Yes, we have those flavors but availability in the stores vary per season. Right now… Read more

    Are they still out of the milk flavor?

    Hello, Alex We sincerely apologize for this flavor's unavailability. Rest assured that we have… Read more

    Hi! Is this place open now? I don't have instagram so I haven't seen any updates. Thanks!

    Hello Jeannie! SomSomi San Mateo is currently not open, but it's coming soon!… Read more

    When is this place opening? Love soft serve but ill be sad if it's like that lobster roll place that never opened in that same location lol?

    Hello, Maia Thank you for your interest!… Read more

    When is the grand opening?

    Saw on their Instagram that this location opens this Friday, February 3, 2023!

    View All 10 Questions

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    Chingu - Fried chicken

    Chingu

    4.0(177 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    Quality/Quantity - More of a bar than a restaurant. Us young…read morehip cool people come here to drink and hang out. And of course, we have to get some Korean Tapas while drinking. LOL. But today, my daughter wanted a quieter place, so we decided to go to Mala Town Express instead; sorry. Be back next time with a younger hipper crowd than my daughter, lol. HH available; see picture or their website. HH very simple menu; see their website. Decent size regular menu. Ambiance - Small local business. Counter table and regular table seating. Music blasting, think night club. Very limited metered street parking. Free parking on weekends. Open 6 days a week from 5pm or 6pm to 10pm, midnight, or 1am. Again, think of a bar scene. Service - Very welcoming. Good service. Cracked a few jokes. Price - Reasonably priced. Especially during happy hour. Do keep in mind that these are tapa size portions. And while drinking, it can add up... Owner Comment - Congrats on your success since 2024; look forward to coming back.

    Annyeonghasayoh my chingus, let's talk about Chingu! It means friend in Korean. And what a great…read morename, because I came here with my friend after a flight to SFO. We came by at around 8:30 on a weeknight, and we were sat right away. The small restaurant is designed like your typical loungey club-like Korean drinking spot, with dark walls, simple decor, and vibey music. Bar food and Korean staples are the name of the game here at Chingu, so that's exactly what we got. I got a dolsot bibimbap, which is the hot stone pot mixed rice, and my friend got the Korean Fried Chicken, opting for a combination one with two flavors. I think Korean Fried Chicken has been solved, because the average chicken I have at these places is pretty stellar in general. Great thing to get if you want something tried and true. I also really liked my bibimbap. Pretty standard stuff, with bean sprouts, mushrooms, bulgogi, carrots, etc. Something super familiar that I think most folks would be totally cool with! We're not huge drinkers, but that would be THE thing to do here too, so if you're hankering, this is the spot for you!

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    Olhso House - Table grill firing up OLHSO wagyu beef.

    Olhso House

    4.2(350 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$$$
    Locally owned & operated
    Minority-owned & operated

    I came to Olhso twice recently - once for my birthday, and I liked it enough to bring my dad for…read morehis birthday. Service has been great both times. I called with some questions and happened to be picked up by one of the owners, who gave a very thorough explanation of their menus and recommendations which was very helpful. The interior is also very spacious and didn't feel crowded. We tried both the grill table and the kitchen fired/non grill table. For the tableside grilling, we did the Signature set and the staff made it a great experience, explaining each cut and what to pair it with. Each meat was tasty and super tender, and came with some vegetables grilled too. The beef tartare was fun, with a waffle cone that gets crumbled on top to eat it with. The kitchen-cooked items were great too, and came out perfectly cooked and tender. My family liked the seafood pancake and how much seafood was in it. For birthdays, they also give a bowl of seaweed soup if you ask! The stews and soups surprised us - the meat was equally good in those and the broth was very flavorful. This was one of the nicer KBBQ experiences I've tried in the peninsula and I'm looking forward to coming back.

    Came on a weekend and it wasn't busy however they were unfortunately short staffed that day and so…read morewe had to wait a bit. The server cooks for you here and each piece is cooked perfectly according to cut. I loved the sides they provide: shiso, lettuce, radish, kimchi, bean sprouts, dipping sauce etc. We ordered one set of wagyu beef and one of pork and both sets were delicious. All the cuts were good and we didn't need to order additional. The soups were also very rich and so tasty! The server/owner was very nice and patient with us. The decor is so nice with the art projected on the walls. This restaurant is perfect for spending time talking on date night while slowly enjoying your food.

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    Han Sang - Gal Bi Jjim

    Han Sang

    4.2(481 reviews)
    4.5 mi
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    I heard a lot about Han Sang in Millbrae before, a solid Korean place. And my experience was indeed…read morereally great, everything we ordered hit, there were no bad dish at all! I went around 8pm on a weekday and place was packedddd, but the service was impressive. All of our dishes came out all at one, within 5-10 minutes after ordering. What I had: Yuk hwe (beef tartare with pears and egg yolk): If you're hesitant about raw beef, please don't be. It's honestly just like eating sashimi. Wagyu meat was incredibly tender, sweet, and melted in my mouth. It was mixed with some kind of seasoning sauce and egg yolk, so savory and addictive I couldn't stop. Highly recommend you should try it if you can eat raw food Bossam: Great but I found it a bit too fatty (meat-to-fat ratio was like 50:50 ). My favorite way to eat was wrapping it in lettuce with garlic (extraaa), jalapeno, kimchi, and ssamjang. It also went well with rice. Big bite was super satisfying Galbi tang: Something we ordered to balance things out (2 previous dishes was just heavy), and it was a perfect decision. The soup was light, clean, and deeply comforting. Beef short ribs were super tender. I like to eat with a big spoon, ribs, rice, kimchi then dipped in the warm soup, perfect!!! I also appreciate that they serve complimentary warm tea, which was perfect for a cold day like today. Portions are generous, we had plenty of leftovers. Would definitely come back.

    I have been a fan of Han Sang as an alternative to Daeho in the past for the Kalbijim. However,…read morethis time we decided to try other dishes for lunch. The hubs ordered their soon tofu soup and I order the bibimbap. The food was that flavor wise, it was decent. The bad, and reason for low rating, is due to the portions and lack of ingredients. For $25 per dish, you would expect the same amount of protein, veggies, etc as other restaurants. We were shocked seeing how little beef and other ingredients were in our meals. Literally, the skirt of beef in my bibimbap was less than one spoonful. It was made up by increase amount of veggies either. I know inflation is causing everything to be more expensive, but this feels a bit ridiculous. We'll probably not return, at least not for those items. Perfects the noodle dishes and soups still have hearty portions?

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    Rin-Tei - Sizzling Wagyu Loin

    Rin-Tei

    4.7(1.1k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Takes reservations

    Every time I visit this restaurant, the service from the staff is consistently excellent. I always…read moreorder the same Vietnamese beef pho. The noodles are delicious, the broth is rich yet not greasy, and the beef slices are incredibly tender and smooth. It is almost impossible to find any flaws. If I had to point out one area that could be improved, it would probably be the choice of beef chunks. They are still very tender, but the texture feels just a little dry at times. Even so, this small issue does not take away from the overall experience. Overall, I highly recommend this modern pho restaurant. They also offer many other dishes with great value for the price. Strongly recommended to everyone. 每次去拜訪這家餐廳,服務員的服務都非常得好,我始終點一樣的越南牛肉粉,好吃的麵條,濃郁的湯頭也不油膩,加上超滑嫩的牛肉片,無可挑剔。硬要說一個能改進的地方,唯一美中不足的部分應該就是牛肉塊的部位挑選,感覺也是非常嫩,但是口感始終有一點柴。但是瑕不掩瑜,整體來講,我非常推薦這一家好吃的現代河粉店,裡面還有非常多性價比非常不錯的餐點,強力推薦給各位。

    This is such a cute and unique place! Came here on a Friday at 7pm for 4 people and waited like 20…read moreminutes. It's a smaller dining space that's why. The outside has a cute little garden walkway. We got the soy milk pho - such an interesting dish that I was dying to try! It was actually really good since the broth was light. The pho was a little sweet from the soy milk. The original pho broth flavor is subtle. The noodles were cooked perfectly chewy and I lovedddd!!! The wagyu skillet was tender and juicy! My friend and I both thought the meat tasted like al pastor for some reason lol. Not a bad thing.

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    OLHSO Truck

    OLHSO Truck

    4.7(38 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    Large group friendly
    Catering service

    I've been wanting to try OLHSO Truck since it opened and finally had my chance during a catered…read moreevent. The concept of having Korean food cooked in a robotic food truck is interesting to me. Since the food was catered, unfortunately I was unable to see the robots cooking in action, but fortunately was able to taste the final products. I was able to try the Wagyu galbi (short ribs), dak galbi (marinated chicken), Seoul food bowl (stir-fried pork belly and shrimp), and japchae, served with their corn salad, kimchi, and white rice. The Wagyu galbi was very flavorful with a good amount of vegetables; though I enjoyed the inclusion of lotus root, the veggies seemed like borderline filler to skimp out on meat. The dak galbi was also flavorful though spicy, and again the inclusion of rice cakes seemed like filler. The pork belly and shrimp were delicious, and I liked that the pieces of pork belly I had didn't have an overpowering amount of fat. The japchae was pretty standard and was nice to balance out the meat. I enjoyed the corn salad because it added a creamy component to my meal. The kimchi got lost in the mixture of food in my bowl and the rice was cooked perfectly by the robot. Overall, I enjoyed the food prepared by OLHSO Truck. Unfortunately, since the food was catered and already prepared when I arrived, I cannot comment on the service or wait times provided by the staff. I would consider ordering food from the truck if I am craving Korean fusion type of food and am too lazy to dine in at a local Korean restaurant. If the food from the truck is a good representation of the restaurant in downtown San Mateo, I am more inclined to try the restaurant for a nice sit down dining experience.

    Ordered à la carte since the $10 extra for meals didn't seem worth it for a little bit of sides and…read morerice. One thing that is a bit annoying is that there is no way to schedule or get an estimate of your order until after you pay. After clicking the deliver now button, the final eta was actually closer to 70min, but then was actually delivered in 30min. Ordered the Wagyu Galbi, Dak Galbi, SEOUL food, and japchae. The wagyu galbi was nice and tender. The Seoul and dak galbi had similar flavor profiles with the latter being a bit spicier. Note, when you look at your order details, it WONT list any of the sides (e.g. Japchae), which is very confusing. However, it is listed on the final receipt.

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    Kajiken - Homura Aburasoba

    Kajiken

    4.4(1.4k reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$

    I've come 4 times now and it still hits every single time. Almost always a line, but it moves…read moreextremely quickly. Service is good, interior is well-lit and clean, and the food is just amazing. Make sure you get the hot tea as well! Noodles are so fresh and perfectly cooked. FOOD: Wagyu Roast Beef Aburasoba (9/10) - My personal favorite! The roast beef is extremely tender, and the yogurt sauce pairs perfectly with her. Pro-tip, add a little bit of vinegar - tastes even better Nikumori Aburasoba (9/10) - Slightly spicy with a ton of pork inside. The sauce coats the noodles perfectly - amazing!

    I was in San Mateo, and I was hungry. I checked Yelp and Google, and there were so many places to…read morechoose from, I didn't know what to pick. I checked Michelin, and it help me narrow it down to Kajiken. As I walked to Kajiken, I knew I was getting close because it was the only place that had a line-up outside. There were probably 12-14 people waiting, and I wondering if I should find another place because I didn't want to wait. Fortunately, as a single diner, they sat me right away. I ended up ordering the Original Aburasoba and it came in about 5 minutes. It was good. Great texture, good flavours, and a reasonable serving size. Service was fine but minimal. Dining area is typical of modern ramen places. Overall, a nice quick meal. Maybe closer to a 3.5 or 3.75 as it was good, but I was also very hungry. I would consider returning.

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    K. Grill & Tofu House - Banchan

    K. Grill & Tofu House

    4.1(889 reviews)
    6.4 mi
    $$

    I was in San Bruno today and was craving Korean food. Korean cuisine ranks high on my list due to…read morethe awesome variety of flavors and textures you get with your meal. K. Grill and Tofu House is an excellent, family run establishment that serves up delicious food. The space is very nice and the service is very friendly. I ordered a Dolsot bibimbop because I love food that comes to your table and it's still cooking! I also love that your entree is served with several Banchan (appetizer) dishes. One thing I love about any dining experience is getting a lot of different flavors and textures in one meal. The banchan here had seven different dishes! Of course you get your kimchee, bean sprouts, fish cakes and then some other pickled fruits and veggies. They also gave me what seemed like a roasted sardine? In any case, it was delicious! The Dolsot Bibimbap was a hit! Crispy rice, vegetables, beef and a fried egg on top. Plus, some gochujang sauce to go on it! So yummy! I feel like the prices here are pretty standard for the area, but I do think it's 100% worth the money. Check them out if you're in the area!

    Great neighborhood spot. My parents love it here. We usually get the soondobu, pancake, japchae,…read moredol sot and bulgogi (or galbi). The fish cake banchan is so good and we get at least 3 refills. Service is good put parking is annoying in the area because its not free! Wth, San Bruno Ave... Anyways, a solid 4 stars, no frills type of place!

    Photos
    K. Grill & Tofu House - Indoor ambiance

    Indoor ambiance

    K. Grill & Tofu House - Banchan

    Banchan

    K. Grill & Tofu House - Galbi $38

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    Galbi $38

    Myung Dong Tofu Cabin

    Myung Dong Tofu Cabin

    3.6(880 reviews)
    2.6 mi
    $$

    Had lunch here a few days ago as this place was within walking distance of my hotel…read more It was colder than I like in the SF area so a warm tofu soup was what I was wanting to eat to warm me up. I came here during a weekday lunch and the place already was pretty full, which was a good sign. I was seated quickly and then ordered from the screen available at my table. My banchan and drink came quickly and oh my there was so much banchan! Just with the banchan alone, I could have just feasted on this. Waitress was nice and brought me the purple rice and also white rice as there was only probably not a full portion of purple rice remaining. She also brought a raw egg too. Shortly after, my seafood tofu soup came. Waitress came over and cracked my egg into my soup for me. I had a really nice meal here and enough leftovers for another meal. Everyone else eating here all asked for doggie bags as portions are generous here. Service was very friendly and for less than $30 with drink, tax and tip, I ate like a queen and enough to have another meal. I'd definitely come back when back in this area! Good quality and value meal here!

    This has been our go-to Korean restaurant for many many years, and we've always enjoyed the food…read more Unfortunately, our visit tonight was a bit disappointing. We ordered the beef tofu soup. The beef had a slightly fishy/off smell and didn't taste fresh. The soup also tasted slightly sour. We order this dish almost every visit, so we definitely can tell it's different from what we've had here before. When I brought it up, the server explained that it might be because there was more beef in the soup which made the smell stronger, and I might just be more sensitive to it. I wasn't asking for anything or looking for a replacement. I simply wanted her to pass the feedback to the kitchen. Her explanation didn't feel convincing at all. We hope this was just an off night. If the ingredients are not at their best, they probably shouldn't be used in the dish.

    Photos
    Myung Dong Tofu Cabin
    Myung Dong Tofu Cabin - Japchae in the banchan - so good

    Japchae in the banchan - so good

    Myung Dong Tofu Cabin - Galbi Half order $28

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    Galbi Half order $28

    Somisomi - icecream - Updated May 2026

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