A Tale of Two Tofus: BCD Tofu Restaurant vs. BCD Tofu House
The New York Times Dining section today had a story on “New Tofu on the Block.” Of course with all things Korean I read with great interest and was confused by the review of the new “BCD Tofu House,” a chain of Korean restaurants started in Los Angeles with its purported first outpost here in NYC. You see, down the block from me in Sunnyside is the “BCD Natural Tofu Restaurant,” with an eeringly similiar menu. The familiar menus ring synonmous with Galbi-marinated short rib, seafood pajeon, bibimbap, and their speciality; Korean traditional tofu soup with rice cooked to perfection in stone bowls. The “BCD” in both cases stands for “Book Chang Dong” which sounds like it could be city in Korea, maybe it’s famous for soft tofu.
The Sunnyside BCD is actually a branch of one in Flushing and both are highly respected by the most discerning soft tofu diners: the Koreans. The FLushing outpost was awarded Village Voice’s “Best of 2008 – Korean” award, “Book Chang Dong plies diners with plenty of banchan and all manner of bubbling, silken soondubu (tofu stews), the best of which combines pork, kimchi, and mushrooms. Ask for it spicy.” One bonus for the Sunnyside/Flushing restaurants over this new 32nd street upstart is the prices:
BCD Tofu Restaurant (Sunnyside) vs. BCD Tofu House (32nd St – Koreatown)
Galbi $13.00 vs. $18.95
Seafood Tofu Soup $7.95 vs $11.95
Either way we support eating more Korean & soft tofu in your diet!
BCD Tofu House - New York Times Dining
BCD Natural Tofu Restaurant (Sunnyside) is located at 40-06 Queens Blvd between 40th & 41st street, 718.706.0899.
BCD Natural Tofu Restaurant (Flushing) is located at 46-09 Kissena Blvd. (at Holly Ave.), 718.961.2618.