Soon’s Tofu and Korean BBQ

The food was pretty good and the service was really good. I would come back if I crave korean while in foster city.

Went there for lunch and ordered the lunch special BBQ short ribs. They were delicious but so much smaller than the regular, which is only $ 3 more. When we brought this up with the server she said she couldn’t do anything but we were welcome to buy the bigger one in addition. It’s not a special if you charge only$ 3 less for half the portion size as regular. She also never brought us more water or checked on us at all. Terrible service, I will find somewhere else for my Korean BBQ. I won’t be back.

I came here to grab some dinner on a cold Friday night. Tofu soup sounded like it would hit the spot. And hit the spot it did. However, almost everything leading up to that turned me off to this restaurant.
We walk in and the place is fairly large. We notice many open tables so we figure we will be seated shortly. We are standing next to that generic «Please wait to be seated» sign. 10 minutes later and we still have not been seated. Nobody is paying attention to us and the people who notice us look away like «not my job.» The place was not busy or anything but I started seeing signs of disorder right away. It is very apparent there was no structure in place or they’ve never run a restaurant before. We got fed up and just sat down at a table we wanted and grabbed menus ourselves making our presence felt along the way. We should have taken this as a sign to turn and run away, but we have trusting souls.
We figure out what we want and try to flag down a waiter. Again, another 15 mins or so before anyone addressed us. Not even a «we’ll be right with you.» Nada. We put in our order and I get absorbed into the Warrior game. 30 mins later we did not have water, bon chon, or any food for that matter. We ordered a seafood pancake and tofu soup. The pancake should have been the first thing out after the bon chon (which we had to ask for). Bön chon is a standard at Korean restaurants. We shouldn’t have to go out of our way to ask for them. They are always presented at the table when we are seated.
At this point I’m visibly upset. One waiter finally notices we haven’t gotten anything and rushes over to apologize for pretty much everything. He knows there is disarray all over, we weren’t the only ones experiencing poor service. We saw many tables around us filing complaints.
We got our seafood pancake and it was the best seafood pancake of my life. Huge chunks of seafood with a crispy bottom. Not dry at all. The tofu soup was also good.
We couldn’t even pay for another 15 minutes. I got fed up and walked up to where people were just socializing and made them swipe my card to pay right then and there. No more messing around. Our waiter must have apologized 20 different times. That’s fine and all but if you don’t fix anything I don’t want to hear it! We will not be returning here.

I love this place! Always well attended to and short waits.

We came here for the first time after a weekend afternoon of shopping at Bridgepointe with the girlfriend. She had been craving Korean food and this place showed up after a quick search on Unilocal.It was nearby so we decided to give it a try.
This place looks run down, with dirty floors in parts of the restaurant, but slightly better than your typical hole in the wall. Against our better judgement, hunger took over and we decided to still eat here. The place was busy for diner, and was reflected in their slow service, just to finally take our order. The person taking our drink order only asked if we wanted water or tea… then left.
Really??? Is there no other option for any other beverages for them to bother with when they are busy? We were also sitting in plain sight of a refrigerator containing several types of drinks.
As far as the food, the food was more expensive then other places we been to, unfortunately the portion size did not reflect the price of their BBQ dishes. Their tofu soup on the other hand was better. The worst part of our meal was the japchae, which was really really really wet that it was sliding around in water on the plate it was served
far as tastes it wasn’t anything to disregard the prices. The food falls more along the lines of just ok. They also didn’t even give us all the rice that was suppose to come with our meals. The menu clearly described we should of had 4, but only gave us 2, and it was a weird purple type rice.
Also the staff after dropping off food and water, didn’t bother to check on us, and seem to be a consistent thing while watching other tables, that after you receive your food, you have to try to flag them down unless you are still eating and they decide to give your bill already. Seriously??? You don’t ask if I want desert, or ask if I wan’t to order anything else, as if they are probably hinting for you to hurry up and eat and go.
I will not be back!!!

Decent Korean food, conveniently located next to Asian supermarket.
We ordered a pork bulgogi (³⁄₅), Kim chu tofu soup (³⁄₅) and seafood pancake (3:5). Food was alright. Service was prompt and we got our food fairly quickly.
The side dishes are pretty good. Love the cucumber Kim chi, Kim chi and seaweed.
Lots of parking available which is great. They have an Asian supermarket two doors down which is a good opportunity to walk off the food we just gobbled down.
Overall, decent Korean Asian but at a price point higher than some other Korean places around.

Stopped in for a late lunch on the weekend. We were looking for vegetarian options, and they have a vegetarian menu. We decided on the kimchi sundubu (tofu stew) and the kimchi dolsot bibimbap (we like kimchi!) which aren’t on the vegetarian menu. We asked the waitress if both dishes are vegetarian and she said yes. Someone from the kitchen (the owner?) came out and warned us that the kimchi contains some fish sauce (I guess that’s why it’s not on the vegetarian menu). We said that was fine, but I’m glad he let us know. Both dishes were good and I recommend the red pepper paste for the bibimbap! The only disappointment was they don’t have a brown rice option.

This review is overdue. I’ve been here at least 4 times by now. My review is probably a lot more accurate since it’s not a «one time» experience.
What I love the most is their kimchi jigae and of cos, BULGOGI is AWESOME.
The owner is very friendly and you can see that all the servers are very hardworking.
I would recommend this place!

As a big fan of Korean food, We had a chance to stop by one of our favorite places again and they proved themselves to be best around the area.
Things may seam a bit disappointing when the owner is not around but, overall this place offers the best korean food experience with a very friendly stuff .
We shall definitely come again !

Service is very good. We have been regular customers since they opened. Simon (the Owner) is friendly and warm to everyone. The menu is extensive. We’ve had Birthday, Anniversary and Family lunch and dinners here. The food never disappoints and is always fresh and tasty. We keep going back for more!!!

My wife and I ordered dukbokki (or as they call it, topokki) from here a couple weeks ago. We ordered from Soon’s mainly because it was $ 1 cheaper than the other Korean places in the area.
When we got there, they told us that their online menu prices were out-​of-​date and that they had raised their prices. This is the second business that I’ve encountered recently where the online prices don’t reflect the actual prices. It’s incredibly misleading. Frankly, it’s bullshit. It would be one thing if I found the menu on some other third-​party site. But I found it on their own fucking website. There’s really no excuse for this.
To Soon’s credit, the cashier said that he would give us some Korean banchan (sides), even though dukbokki usually doesn’t come with them since it’s technically an appetizer.
The shit cherry-​on-​top was that the dukbokki was oily as hell. It was swimming in oil. It was mind boggling, since my Korean wife told me that oil usually isn’t even an ingredient in dukbokki. She had to stop eating it. I managed to finish the dish, but only after pouring off most of the oil and sauce.
I gave them an additional star for the free sides. But otherwise, this was truly a 1-​star experience.
Maybe their tofu stews are better? I doubt we’ll be back to find out.

This place smells! I’ve been here 4 times so far and I can comfortably tell you that you will smell like burnt cooking oil when you leave this restaurant.
I do like Korean meal a lot and it is one of the better restaurants in this area. But the smell… It won’t go away. You have to take a shower and wash all your clothes. Even if you left your clothes outside to air for a day, it’ll still smell.
Okay, now let’s talk about the important stuff, the food:
Kalbi: I love Kalbi in general. But here they burn the meat and no longer tastes that good. Also the portion is smaller than comparable places.
Chapchae: the worst, never get it. They don’t even put meat in it and it’s soggy and watery.
Bulgogi: the typical bulgogi. Not bad.
Yuk Gae jang: typically this is my favorite, but they don’t really make it too well.
Kalbitang: simmered beef ribs. This soup was actually good.
Cha jang myun: it tasted how it’s supposed to be. It’s good to have it once in a while
2. Service: I presume the guy that is always there must be the owner. He’s sometimes pleasant and sometimes rude. He should learn to act consistent. I know people have bad day, but it’s service industry. Also, they are under staffed. During dinner time they get super busy. And the owner has to do everything. No wonder why he’s cranky at times.
One time we were turned away because he said they needed to close early for some construction or something. Super disappointed.
This is probably the only place you can eat Korean in the vicinity, the food isn’t bad, just not good.
Definitely not a dating place as you’ll stink after eating here.

TL;DR: Overpriced, undertrained kitchen and wait staff, meh food.
Waitress (with the purple hair) kept approaching us from behind to drop menus, plates, dishes off, expecting the host to do all the work at the table. Lazy? Rude? Oblivious? Who knows…
Tasteless Bi Bim Bap. Hard to this screw up. Did not provide the paste. Had to ask for it.
Godeungo Gui was raw inside. Rookie mistake. Sent it back. They should have brought out a new one or at least made it presentable. Instead it came back looking like a different species.
Didn’t come by to refill water or check on us even once. Just took the order and dropped off food. That’s it.
Kalbi Tang was okay. Meat was a bit tough. Nothing special.
I’ve had good experiences here when the boss lady was around. Maybe everyone was taking it easy because she was away.

Soon’s replaced the old Chipotle location I used to frequent and is also next to 99 Ranch supermarket. I hadn’t tried Soon’s until very recently but I’ve known that they’ve been around for awhile now.
I came in with my parents a few weekends ago for dinner. They really worked with the old Chipotle space! It looks much better as Soon’s and the space makes more sense. There was too much seating for a Chipotle, but just enough for a tofu place!
We ordered: dak bulgogi (BBQ chicken), spicy pork bulgogi + ham/​sausage tofu soup combo, and jap chae (glass noodles). More than enough food for the three of us. Plus we got the usual side dishes and bowls of rice.
We also wanted to order some flavored soju but they were out of the one we wanted. But the waiter gave us and a few others at other tables free samples of the watermelon soju he had left.
Food came out hot and fresh. I didn’t like my BBQ chicken that much, wish it had more flavor??? Not sure what was really missing. But I really enjoyed the spicy pork and jap chae. The ham/​sausage tofu soup was interesting in that I think they used Spam! It was yummy.
Quick and straightfoward service. Nothing to complain about. Would come back. Just a little bit pricey, but it’s standard Korean food prices, I feel.

Some days, I just feel like Korean soup and this was one of the few Korean places on the Peninsula that I haven’t tried yet despite my mom going to Ranch 99 almost every weekend. We came here on a Saturday afternoon and to my surprise, it wasn’t super full. The layout is really open and it was kind of cold inside on a rainy day. Luckily, they have soup that will warm you up. We got the Seafood Tofu Soup and Bibimbap combo to share among 3 people. The portion is kind of small (probably because of the combo), but the 6 side dishes helped to fill us up a little bit. The food was good, but it pretty much tasted like Korean food that you can get at any other Korean restaurant around here.
Overall, the food is decent, and we probably should have ordered more for 3 people, but Korean food is pricey!

***** UPDATE*******
So i just an email from the owner:
Subject: Your Review
«Thanks for the public humiliation. I guess that is what Unilocal is for right. To cut those people who work so hard to keep people fed and happy with negative ratings.
Research shows that your 1 star review will reject 50 customers away from my restaurant. Thanks!»
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1) let me lay this out: (so you can read this better)
Thanks for the public humiliation
Well Sir, first of all, Public Humiliation!!! ??? you don’t clearly see why your place has a bad reviews, if i was you sir i would work on my cooking skills that you work so hard vs emailing me and crying.
2) I guess that is what Unilocal is for right
you guess it, yes Unilocal is for people to know so they don’t wast there hard working money
and I am SO thankful for Unilocal for letting us voice our opinions.
3) To cut those people who work so hard to keep people fed and happy with negative ratings.
are you sure you are working so hard to fed the people? wow i didn’t know we had the honor to be in your presence.
Are you ashamed– just an FIY we work hard as well to fed our self as well :)
4) Research shows that your 1 star review will reject 50 customers away from my restaurant. Thanks!“
you are more then Welcome
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Unilocal, i wish i could give 0 review !!! Eek!!! Methinks not and more!!!
this place is the worst place i could eat Korean food EVER!!! over priced, over priced and OVER PRICED!!!
.
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I ordered:
1) appetizer — pan fried dumpling (i could have got better dumpling at 99 market)
2) clear soup with rice cake and dumplings
(what am i eating!!! my kids Loves rice cake and the didn’t want to eat it)
3) za jiang mein with chicken — a huge let down– this is not a Chinese Korean style Za Jiang Mein (it ZA Jiang Ra man paid LV price!)
over all they need a new cook or something!!!
also thanks for the bathroom runs! :(

The restaurant is… okay. I would come back here if I need a quick Korean food fix in that area.
Pros:
— restaurant is clean
— staff is pleasant
— food is decent. Their soondubu jigae is on point.
Cons:
— the meat and fish selection are extremely limited (restaurant doesn’t offer any type of jjim!!! No samgyupsal!!! WTF??? Blasphemy!)
**UPDATE** (03-​oct)
They DO offer samgyupsal… with kimchi bokkeum. Thanks for the clarification, Mr. Choe! I will have to try this dish next time!

Me and my girlfriend were excited for this new restaurant in Fostercity since we were both Korean food lovers. But we were soon disappointed by the poor food this place serves. It coulda been for me who had grew up in the southbay (San Jose) and alot better choices, but to think this place was worst then the Korean tofu cabin next to marina was shocking.
1. Seafood pancake $ 12.99 is over priced with utterly no seafood but thick bread, very disappointed.
2. Soon tofu + galbi combo 18.99 I think. Worst Kalbi ever under marinated and low quality. The Tofu the waitress brought was plain white soup she never asked us the spicy level we wanted, we had ask them to remake it.
Overall service was poor mainly our server food was terrible worst 40 dollars I’ve spend in a looooong time and I made a Unilocal account Just for this review.

I’ve visited Soon’s Tofu a couple of times now and nothing really stands out to me as amazing. It’s definitely the go to spot when you want Korean in Foster City as there aren’t very many places that serve Korean food.
When I visited last week, we ordered the beef tofu soup, a half order of Korean bbq ribs, and their ramen. The korean soup was pretty standard. It came with an egg, The Korean bbq ribs were very fatty and diffiicult to cut/​chew. I’ve never tasted ramen noodles at Korean restaurant and found that the noodles resembled the top ramen noodles you buy at the store for less than a dollar.
Our total came to about $ 40. Although the food was just ok the service was great. The waiters were very attentive and came by to ask us if we needed anything periodically.

I’ve been here twice for dinner and I was not disappointed. The place is very clean. Very generous portions and well priced. Great place, friendly and courteous service and good food. The owner/​waitress always seem to be in a good mood.
I recommend the spicy tofu soup it’s delicious. Also love that it came with the purple brown rice. The ban chan side dishes were actually plentiful, fresh and tasty. Loved the Kimchee. The Galbi or grilled short ribs are perfect marinade and very tender. The Soldat Bibimbap was amazing. Great for vegan and vegetarians. The veggie soup bowl with mushrooms was also delicious. Don’t forget to save room for ice cream. Yum!
I would love to come here again as this is a cute little Korean restaurant in Foster City.