I finally found Korea in Singapore! Remembering my last trip to Seoul, a local friend brought me to try Soontofu with hot stone pressured rice in a little alley that only locals know how to get to. *Trust me, I could only navigate with my friend leading, I can't find the stall again*
What was unforgettable was the scooping of rice off the hot stone into a bowl and porting tea into the leftover bits of rice in the hot stone for a later enjoyment.
Normally, we would be eating off the hot pot right? Well, this leftover porridge apparently helps in digestion and when you have finished your food, this pot of warm porridge keeps your tummy warm and cosy as you step into their winter cold weather.
I've been thinking of it ever since I'm back in Singapore and have not been able to find that taste, but thankfully I found it in the heart of Tanjong Pagar! For all Korean and spicy food lovers, this new dining experience in town will make you fall in love with Korean dishes all over again.
Unlike the usual Korean BBQ, Tteokbokki (or Ddeokbokki), Ginseng Chicken or Bibimbap that many of us are familiar with, this Korea restaurant - SBCD Korean Tofu House strides to be different among competition by bringing a unique experience to their diners.
Officially opened on 10 January 2017 in Tanjong Pagar Centre, the SBCD Korean Tofu House is the first restaurant that specializes in a variety of healthy and hearty Korean "soontofu” or soft tofu soup. Soontofu is a type of jjigae (Korean stew), consisting of freshly curdled tofu, meat or seafood, egg and gochujang served in a hot stone pot with white rice on the side.
All tofu at SBCD are hand-made every morning from curds of premium imported soybeans and with the final approval from the Chief-cum-Owner himself before it could be sold. Tofu is ideal for all ages as it is naturally gluten-free and low calorie, contains no cholesterol and is an excellent source of protein, iron, and calcium.
The soontofu at SBCD is unlike the tofu you can find in local dishes, their version is smooth, soft and custardy like bean curd, you can simply slurp it up. Couple that with kimchi and other (refillable) side dishes and the piping hot stone rice, this is my always go-to dish. I kept craving for it, that I went back several times, bringing my friends and family members along.
Every soontofu dish can be prepared in 4 different levels of spiciness for the broth – mild, medium, spicy and crazy hot, and they come in Original Beef or Pork, Assorted, Seafood, Oyster, Abalone, Intestines, Ham & Cheese, Vegetables and Sesame.
An unique practice in SBCD Korean Tofu House that is uncommon in Singapore is the way the
rice is served with every meal. Each bowl of rice is served in a hot stone bowl, and scooped out into
a metal bowl. A think crust of scorched rice, called nurungji, will remain in the hot stone bowl and
corn tea will be added into the mixture and covered to retain the heat and to further cook the
leftover rice. After the meal, the diner can enjoy a bowl of nurungji bap, which is a rice porridge
dish that is not only nutritious, but also aids with digestion as it concludes the meal!
And like a true blue Korean restaurant, you will be served side dishes (banchan) such as the kimchi, seaweed, pickled green chilies and spicy squid strips (MY FAVOURITE!), with every meal order and they are refillable.
Unlike most other Korean restaurants, one of the unique offerings of SBCD Korean Tofu House lies in the banchan that includes a whole fried croaker fish (one time only) prepared to tender perfection. It's sweet and slight crispiness goes very well with soup and rice, bringing a little firework to my tastebuds.
For those who are craving for a serving of meat, you can also try the favourite Korean meat dishes such as L.A. Galbi, Spicy Grilled Chicken, and Spicy Baby Octopus. You can opt to order these delicacies as a main dish or to include them in the combo meal along with a soontofu soup of choice.
My recommended dish has got to be the LA Galbi beef that's soft and tender, easy to chew with the sweet marination paired with hot piping rice, it was heaven for me. It is also not messy to eat the dish, as they are cut into bite size where you just have a little chunk of rib bone to cut off, totally no worries about looking too ugly if you are enjoying this with date or client.
All in all, I'm infatuated SBCD Korean Tofu House, its warm and cosy ambiance is all ready to welcome the large office crowds for hearty lunch and dinner.
As you may have noticed, SBCD Korean Tofu Stew definitely is not as affordable as we all hope it is. Nevertheless, if you’re looking for variety, head straight for their combo sets which allows you to have the signature Soontofu stew and a main (although in smaller quantities) at lower prices.
SBCD Korean Tofu House 북창동 순두부
Address: 7 Walich Street, Tanjong Pagar Centre, #B1-01/02, Singapore 078884
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun, 11.30am - 10pm
Tel: 6386 6441
Website: https://www.facebook.com/SBCDSingapore/
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