Myung Dong Tofu House - La Crescenta

**Ambiance (8/10):** It has a definite cozy, mom-and-pop feel, though I'm not sure if they are limited in staff. During our visit, there were only two young waiters and one cook (possibly a mother with her sons). This might explain why the food takes a little longer to prepare compared to other tofu restaurants. **Hot Stone Combos (10/10):** The hot stone bombs are hefty and could probably feed two people. They offer excellent value for money and come with a small tofu of your choice. The stone pot is extremely hot, so it's best to start mixing right away; otherwise, your dish could burn. **Tofu (10/10):** Both the beef and seafood tofu had the classic hot stone flavor we love. There is an extra charge of $2 for the stone pot rice, but we decided to go for it and it was worth it. **Banchan (9/10):** While most tofu restaurants typically serve a small fried fish as part of their banchan, Myung Dong offers a Korean pancake instead. They used to serve the traditional pajeon (sweet pancake), but now they have switched to a potato pancake (gamja jeon). It was super hot and fresh, and all the other banchan sides were also fantastic. **Service (9/10):** It seems to follow a COVID protocol, but if you have a party of six or more, you’ll need to make a reservation. The restaurant appears to be run by a mother and her two young sons, which can make the service feel a bit disorganized and slow. We arrived an hour before closing, and it was amusing to see the waiter juggling the number of customers still coming in. My advice is to be patient with the waitstaff; since there are only two waiters and one chef, and a constant stream of to-go orders, if you're in a hurry, it might be better to try another tofu restaurant.

Rating: 4.5 stars. Overall, everything was great! The service was fast, and the restrooms were clean. There were plenty of seats available from 6 PM to 8 PM on a Wednesday night. The staff was friendly, though their English was somewhat limited. The restaurant is child-friendly, with comfortable seating. I will definitely be returning; it’s a reliable spot if you’re unsure where to eat in the area. I appreciate that they don’t use MSG, which is always a big plus. My children enjoyed their meals, priced between $5 to $6, although it was a bit on the pricier side. From where I live, it’s about what I would pay for all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ. I have no complaints as I’m from the city. My order included the EC3 dinner bulgogi combo with oyster tofu soup ($18.99), baby tofu soup ($4.99), and chicken bulgogi rice ($5.99).

Korean-style Sun-Tofu stew restaurant. I ordered the $29 Galbi combo. Don’t have high expectations; it's a local spot in La Crescenta, so it's a convenient option if you want to eat nearby instead of traveling to K-town. Food rating: 3/5.

Additionally, it’s concerning to feel that the atmosphere may not be welcoming for individuals with darker skin tones, particularly if they are visiting alone. It appears that being part of a group might change the experience, which shouldn't be the case. To the family running this establishment, it’s important to acknowledge and confront any underlying biases. We are in La Crescenta, a community that has a complicated history, and it's crucial to foster an inclusive, respectful environment for everyone. Please consider being kinder and fairer, and work towards overcoming any prejudices.

I had a fantastic experience with the Korean food here, and the parking situation is much better than in K-Town. While you shouldn’t expect any spectacular views and they are a bit short-staffed like many places these days, the food really impressed me. The young man working was honest and friendly when he informed me about a 20-minute wait for the food. The seafood pancake was excellent, and the tofu soup with pork was amazing! I’ll definitely be returning!