Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » Tofu House – San Diego
Tofu House - San Diego
Photo from Tofu House
Tofu House at a glance
San Diego Kearny Mesa
- 🥢 Korean Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 103 of the guests
#684 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#10 Korean Restaurant out of 11 in San Diego
Average
4.9 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
641
Reviews
42%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Quick service
- Good food
Frequently criticized
- Poor value
- Rude staff
The restaurant, Tofu House, is a popular Korean restaurant located in the vibrant Kearny Mesa neighborhood of San Diego. If you’re searching for delicious late-night food, this spot has you covered.
You can enjoy a cozy and casual atmosphere, perfect for a relaxed meal. Whether you’re dining in, grabbing takeout, or opting for delivery, Tofu House offers convenient service options to fit your schedule.
Overview: Introducting Tofu House
Tofu House offers a dining experience where the culinary offerings generally hit the mark, with many appreciating the flavorful preparations. However, some guests have noted inconsistencies in the overall value and the attentiveness of the staff.
The quickness of `food speed` is often highlighted, alongside the `cleanliness` of the dining space. While the core dishes are often well-received, there are occasional concerns regarding `pricing` for certain add-ons and the general `service` approach.
Many find the `atmosphere` pleasant, contributing to a comfortable meal, but some experiences suggest room for improvement in guest interactions.
Average
4.9
out of 10
641
Reviews
42%
Satisfaction
328
negative
44
neutral
269
positive
Tofu House registers an overall score of 4.9 out of 10, placing it in the average category. Customer satisfaction stands at 42%, indicating a mixed reception among diners.
This assessment is drawn from 641 customer remarks, with 269 positive observations contrasting with 328 negative ones, suggesting a noticeable split in experiences. Looking closer, the Food (5.4) and Ambience (5.5) topics generally receive favorable marks, with food being a significant point of discussion.
However, Service (4.2) and particularly Value (3.2) show areas where guests often find room for improvement, reflecting some of the mixed feedback.
What people like
- Fast food delivery
- Flavorful soups
- Clean atmosphere
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service
- Questionable value
- Parking challenges
With a recommendation score of 5.1, Tofu House presents a somewhat balanced proposition. If you prioritize flavorful Korean dishes and appreciate a quick meal in a clean setting, it could be a suitable choice for you.
However, be mindful of potential inconsistencies in service and value, which might impact your overall experience. It’s a place worth considering for its culinary strengths, but perhaps with tempered expectations regarding certain operational aspects.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Tofu House
Food (5.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 94% of the guests
When it comes to the food here, many diners have found things to love! With 181 positive remarks out of 366 total, folks often praise the comforting hot stone dishes and flavorful soft tofu soup. The banchan and crispy rice also get a lot of love, contributing to a generally positive, though somewhat mixed, experience with a customer satisfaction of 49.5% and an average score of 5.4.
However, it's not all glowing reviews, as 159 negative comments point to areas needing improvement. Some have encountered issues like burnt rice or overcooked galbi, while others found the flavor bland in dishes like japchae. Concerns about small portions and greasy japchae also pop up, suggesting a need for more consistency in execution.
Food
366
Reviews
49%
Satisfaction
159
negative
26
neutral
181
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Hot stone dishes
- Flavorful soft tofu
- Complimentary banchan
What people don't like
- Burnt/bland food
- Small portions
- Greasy dishes
Often praised
- foodI've been coming here for years, and while most of the food is still good, more and more items now come with additional charges. For example, eggs are extra, and they don't offer complimentary ice water like most restaurants; you have to pay for bottled water.
- side dishesI also appreciate how the side dishes were filled when we finished them.
- FoodFood, service and atmosphere are all as excellent as I remember!
- riceThe thing that sets this restaurant apart is the hot stone bowls that continue to cook your food. You can let the rice get as crispy as you like and even crack an egg right onto your meal!
- seafood soupthe Chef Special (seafood soup). Just super flavorful
- tofu soupI ordered the tofu soup and my friend had bulgogi rice. It was absolutely delicious.
- Galbioption K1 which was the Galbi
- banchanIt's my favorite tofu house in SD <3. They have nice spicy banchan, fantastic soup, and meat!
- banchansgave us banchans. That was a nice surprise
- brown ricebrown rice is a good option
Frequently criticized
- foodfood just take 1 minute after ordering. It comes with half cold half hot, half burned!!!!
- riceMy experience at this restaurant was pretty bad. The amount of food for the price was crazy, but the rice was burnt on the bottom of the meat party hot stone. I was also not informed that there is no free tap water.
- side dishesside dishes seemed skimpy and like they’ve been sitting out for too long
- GalbiAlmost offended. I didn’t know we had the technology to cut Galbi that thin. I also didn’t know we had global onion shortage.
- Korean food맛이 없어요 (It's not tasty). I know the difference between my Korean food. The only thing that was good to eat was the kimchi cucumber (김치 오이).
- tofu soupTo make matters worse, both the waiter and the owner were extremely rude to customers. If you are looking for real tofu soup, I strongly advise you to do not visit this place.
- bibimbapmy bibimbap even when I went right to mixing my rice was very burnt and tasted burnt
- galbithe galbi was the biggest disappointment—they arrived slightly burnt
- portion sizedid not align with the portion size
- tasteDoesn’t taste Korean authentic
If you're craving comforting hot stone dishes and flavorful soft tofu soup, this spot might hit the mark, especially with its well-liked banchan. However, be prepared for a potentially inconsistent experience, as some dishes can be bland, burnt, or feel overpriced for the portion.
Service (4.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 65% of the guests
When it comes to service, there are definitely some bright spots! Many customers rave about the quick food delivery and how attentive and friendly the staff can be, making for a super fast experience. With 47 positive remarks, its clear some folks had a great time, contributing to an average 4.2 score.
However, the service experience isnt always smooth sailing, with a poor 34.6% customer satisfaction. A significant 85 negative remarks out of 136 total highlight issues like rude staff, poor customer service, and sometimes long wait times. Some found servers unfriendly, leading to frustrating encounters that really impacted their visit.
Service
136
Reviews
34%
Satisfaction
85
negative
4
neutral
47
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Quick food delivery
- Attentive, friendly staff
What people don't like
- Rude, unfriendly staff
- Poor customer service
- Long wait times
Often praised
- servicethe service was pretty great, in that aggressive Korean way
- staffThe folks that work here are friendly and very nice.
- ServiceService and atmosphere are all as excellent as I remember!
- food speedOur party of two was exhausted and needed fuel ASAP. It was absurd how fast we got our food. As soon as we got to the front door, I blinked and I had a hot stone bowl steaming in front of me.
- seatingMy experience at this restaurant was quite positive. We were seated pretty quickly as it wasn’t too busy. For our meal, we ordered the Bibimbap (without meat) and the Kimchi Soft Tofu Stew.
- serverI got the crispy rice meat party and I can definitely recommend it. The server had a sixth sense in when we needed to re-up on our sides. Every time I grabbed the last piece of daikon from the bowl, this guy would pop up beside me and say, "CAN I GET YOU MORE OF ANYTHING?
- wait timebe patient, they will get to you fast
- billThey brought out the bill once the meal was served which i 100% appreciated
- customer serviceThe servers and staff are always friendly and quick. Even though the lunch hour can get busy, the food is always fresh and the customer service is great.
- food deliverytheir service model is based around very fast food delivery
Frequently criticized
- serviceI would have brought it up, but I was hungry, tired, and everything else tasted decent enough. The service was lacking, but it was pretty busy with only two people serving and bussing tables.
- serverHowever, the service was quite poor. When I inquired about a kids menu, the server was surly and unhelpful, simply gesturing towards the menu wall and mumbling. The bill also presented an issue; the handwritten total was lower than the final printed amount, which was significantly more than just the tax.
- waiterthe waiter (a cambodian guy) and another waitress lady (not friendly) we’re not patient to answer and argued
- staffWe ended up leaving without ordering any food. The staff has been unfriendly before, and I was embarrassed when I brought my friends for the first time. I do not plan to revisit.
- ownerowner is a real jerk and yells at the employees
- rude staffmarred by rude staff
- waitressthe waiter (a cambodian guy) and another waitress lady (not friendly) we’re not patient to answer and argued
- Asian man with glassesThe Asian man with glasses was extremely rude
- Korean employeeshad a hard time with Korean employees there. 무례합니다.
- ServerServer didn’t really have a personality
If youre looking for lightning-fast food delivery and potentially friendly staff, you might get lucky. However, be prepared for a mixed bag, as many experiences point to rude staff and poor customer service. Its a bit of a gamble on the service front.
Ambience (5.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 37% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot has some definite upsides! Many guests (30 positive remarks out of 66 total observations) appreciated the cleanliness and found it to be a cozy place with a generally great atmosphere and pleasant decor. While the overall score for ambience sits at an average 5.5, and customer satisfaction is a mixed 45.5%, theres a clear appreciation for the comfortable and often not-overcrowded dining experience.
However, its not all sunshine and roses. A significant number of comments (28 negative remarks) point to challenges, particularly with parking options being difficult to find. Some also noted a smoky atmosphere due to ventilation issues, and the loud music or general noise level was a concern for others, occasionally leading to an unpleasant experience.
Ambience
66
Reviews
45%
Satisfaction
28
negative
8
neutral
30
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Spotless clean environment
- Cozy, pleasant atmosphere
- Appreciated decor
What people don't like
- Difficult parking access
- Smoky, poor ventilation
- Loud noise levels
Often praised
- atmosphereThe atmosphere was pleasant.
- cleanlinessvery clean, including bathrooms
- placeThe place was clean and pleasant
- AtmosphereAtmosphere are all as excellent as I remember!
- ambienceAtmosphere: 4
- cleanthe place was nice and clean
- cozy placeA small cozy place to have a meal
- decorthe dining area space and decor was much larger
- dining area spacethe dining area space and decor was much larger
- experienceOverall great experience
Frequently criticized
- parkingParking was horrible. really have hard time find a parking
- atmospheredark, and unpleasant atmosphere.
- KPOP musicKPOP music is also cranked up a little on the loud side
- Korean restaurantIt doesn’t look like a real Korean restaurant
- Parking spaceDifficult to find parking
- ambianceThe ambiance and service need work though
- chopsticksChopsticks had mold
- cleanlinessDidn’t seem clean either, walking in
- empty tablesthe restaurant has 2-3 empty tables, not too busy
- experienceexperience is 20% lower
If youre looking for a clean, cozy spot and dont mind potentially hunting for parking or a bit of a lively, loud atmosphere, this place could be a good fit. However, if easy parking and a quiet, smoke-free environment are deal-breakers for you, you might want to consider other options.
Value (3.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 39% of the guests
When it comes to value, a few diners found the prices fair for the quality and quantity, especially if you snag a combo deal. Some even felt the price was good and the pricing not bad, making for a comforting meal that was worth it. However, the value proposition faces significant challenges, reflected in a poor score of 3.2 and very low customer satisfaction at 15.1%.
Out of 73 comments, 56 were negative, highlighting issues like unexpected charges for water or bottled water, unclear receipts, and hidden service fees or automatic tips. Many felt raised prices and small portions meant they wasted my money.
Value
73
Reviews
15%
Satisfaction
56
negative
6
neutral
11
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good combo deal
- Fair prices
What people don't like
- Pay for water
- Unclear bills
- Small portions, high price
Often praised
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was that of a comforting meal. The portion size was fair, and the taste of the food was worth the price. It's a no fuss place to have a meal, with no need for the one-hour wait found at other restaurants in the area.
- pricesThe prices were fair for the level of quality and the quantity of food
- combo dealThe combo deal is way better than getting the galbi alone
- pricingnot bad pricing
- valuevalue is good
Frequently criticized
- priceI was disappointed with the quality and taste of the food. The Kalbi order was a tiny plate, overcooked (burnt), and overpriced. The Seafood soup was small and tasted underwhelming.
- waterIf you ask for water they will give you a Costco Kirkland bottle and charge you
- bottled waterI've been coming here for years, and while most of the food is still good, more and more items now come with additional charges. For example, eggs are extra, and they don't offer complimentary ice water like most restaurants; you have to pay for bottled water. Combined with the recent price increases and the less-than-friendly service, it's simply not worth it these days.
- billIf they miscalculate your bill, (very likely), who knows.
- checkthrow you the check before you start eating
- pricesThe prices have continued to increase
- receiptthey don't have a print out receipt but still a hand writing receipt, no idea how calculate the cost and tax.
- service feeI was also not informed that there is no free tap water. It's insane how they charge for a 20% service fee. I will not be going here again.
- $$You can tell the rice is NOT Korean rice and it doesn’t taste Korean authentic. Overall, it was not worth the $$. I would skip this place and go someplace else.
- PriceOverpriced
If youre looking for good value, this might not be the spot for you. With many feeling they wasted money' due to unexpected charges and small portions, you might find better bang for your buck elsewhere.
How are the prices at Tofu House?
You’re looking at roughly $26 per person – reported by 103 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Korean Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most folks here tend to spend between $11–$30, showing a clear sweet spot for value, though a few adventurous diners do splurge a bit more.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 103 reviews.
How this San Diego spot stacks up against similar restaurants in terms of value for money.
Overall, we think the pricing feels pretty fair for a Korean restaurant. It seems to hit a sweet spot for many diners.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Tofu House
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Large Group
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
1
Terrible Korean Food and Service
My experience at this Korean restaurant was the worst I've ever had. The side dishes were a joke, less than my leftovers. We ordered a combo with spicy tofu, but our whole table's tofu came all non-spicy.
The Korean short ribs arrived burnt like charcoal. The service was bad, and the food was bad.
- side dishes1
- spicy tofu1
- Korean short ribs1
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Service Intent
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Large Group
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
3
Rude Hostess, Good Food
My experience at this restaurant was mixed. While the food was good, scoring a 4 out of 5, the service was a major letdown. The hostess was inattentive, impatient, and rude to our table and others, making it feel like they don’t care about paying customers.
This significantly impacted the overall experience. Additionally, the lack of parking is a considerable issue, with the potential to spend 20 minutes circling the lot. Given these service and parking challenges, I wouldn’t go back.
- food8
- service2
- hostess1
- paying customers1
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Visit Type
- Dine-in
6
Good food, moldy chopsticks
My experience at the restaurant was mixed. The food was good, though a bit oily, especially the vegan bibimbap. The service was very friendly.
However, a significant issue was finding mold on the chopsticks.
- food7
- service9
- vegan bibimbap4
- chopsticks2
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
3
Underwhelming Food, Average Experience
My experience at The Tofu House was largely underwhelming, with several dishes failing to impress, leading to an overall average dining experience. The boild tofu was initially comforting due to its warmth, but the broth lacked the expected depth and richness, resulting in a flat flavor. The galbi was the most significant disappointment; it arrived slightly burnt, which unfortunately overpowered the marinade and resulted in a tougher texture than desired.
The dumplings were merely serviceable and entirely forgettable, lacking the crispness or savory punch that would elevate them. While the service was polite and the atmosphere comfortable, the food itself did not meet expectations, making it a place that fills a need rather than one I would purposefully seek out again.
- boild tofu5
- dumplings4
- service7
- broth3
- galbi2
Service Intent
- Regular Visit
Visit Type
- Dine-in
9
Amazing Hot Stone Meat Party!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The hot stone meat party was the best, and I absolutely love coming here. The service was straightforward, with no fuss, and the food was great.
The atmosphere and food both received a perfect score of 5.
- hot stone meat party10
- food10
- atmosphere10
What Tofu House offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Tourists
- Groups
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Late-night food
- Healthy options
- Beer
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Table service
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Usually difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of dining experience can you expect at Tofu House?
At Tofu House, you can enjoy a cozy and casual atmosphere perfect for lunch or dinner. The restaurant offers comfortable table service for dine-in guests, making it a great spot for a relaxed meal with friends or family.
Does Tofu House offer accessible options and parking?
Yes, Tofu House is fully accessible with a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and restroom. For parking, you’ll find free street parking and a free parking lot, though spaces can sometimes be difficult to locate.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Tofu House?
Tofu House has an overall Restaurant Score of 4.9 out of 10, indicating an average experience. Customer satisfaction is at 42%, suggesting a mixed reception. While Food (5.4) and Ambience (5.5) are generally appreciated, Service (4.2) and Value (3.2) often receive lower marks.
How is the service at Tofu House?
Service at Tofu House receives mixed feedback. Many customers praise the `food speed` and `attentive server` for quick seating and refills. However, some experiences mention `rude staff` and `unhelpful server` interactions, indicating inconsistency.
Are there any concerns about value or pricing at Tofu House?
Yes, value is a common concern at Tofu House. Customers have noted issues with `overpriced` items, charges for `bottled water` instead of complimentary tap water, and occasional discrepancies with the `bill`.