The restaurant located at 691 Bloor St W is officially known as Buk Chang Dong Soon Tofu, a legendary Toronto institution famous for its traditional Korean soft tofu stews.
Menu & Dining Experience
- The Specialty: They specialize strictly in soon tofu (soft tofu stew) served bubbling hot in traditional stone pots. Popular choices include the Combination Soon Tofu Soup (loaded with beef, shrimp, and mussels), dumpling stews, and vegetable stews.
- The Ritual: Every meal comes with four traditional banchan (side dishes like house-made kimchi and seasoned bean sprouts) and a separate stone pot of hot purple japonica rice (heukmi bap). Diners love cracking a raw egg into the boiling broth and later pouring tea or water into the crispy rice remaining at the bottom of the stone pot to make a traditional rice porridge (sungnyung).
- Pricing & Customization: Entrees are highly affordable, typically ranging from 16.95 CAD to 25.00 CAD. You can fully customize your meal with five distinct spice levels ranging from completely plain to extra spicy.
Pro-Tips for Visiting
- Expect a Crowd: The vibe is very casual, cozy, and "cheap and cheerful," making it incredibly popular for college students, families, and solo diners. Because it's an iconic Koreatown spot, expect a brief wait during peak dinner rush hours or on cold winter nights.
- Parking: Paid street parking is available along Bloor Street, though finding an open space can be difficult during peak hours.
- Accessibility: Please note that this specific second-floor location (#201) does not have a wheelchair-accessible entrance.
