Hot, bubbly, and spicy!
With the cold weather, I've been craving Soon Tofu, a spicy Korean soup that is a bowlful of spicy goodness. I first had it at Doobu, a new Korean restaurant in Japantown. Since J-town is usually a trek for me, I've been looking for a place that's a lot closer. Enter Cherry Maki & Sushi, a tiny eatery located in Kukje Super Market, a Korean grocery store in Daly City. Only ten minutes away from me, the place has been a livesaver during the wintry days. And their Soon Tofu? So... good.
The restaurant serves different versions of the tofu soup--there's one with beef or pork; another with seafood; another with chicken. Since I've been craving a good, hearty seafood soup these days, I've only tried that version of Soon Tofu. The soup arrives in a cast iron pot still boiling and nearly overflowing with spicy red broth (how do the servers not get burned?) A raw egg is served on the side for you to crack into the pot. The heat from the broth cooks the egg and the egg thickens the soup. You also get a serving of white rice. The soup comes in four different versions of heat: Not spicy; Mild; Medium; and Hot. The Medium was just fine and spicy enough for me, but if I feel daring next time, I may go for the hot.
The broth packs nice heat, and the soup is full of tofu chunks, clams, shrimp-still-in-their-shell, and oysters. Very delicious. The spiciness and the heat is enough to warm anyone up on a cold day. Not too bad for $8.98 a bowl. Goodies such as marinated sprouts, kim chee, and garlicky cucumbers are also served on the side, rounding out the meal.
The restaurant also serves Korean barbecue such as kalbi and bulgogi, which come out hot and sizzling on a plate. There are a few Japanese dishes such as salmon or chicken teriyaki. And yes, they do serve sushi--their maki rolls are inexpensive, but the best dish is actually a Korean one: Sashimi Salad ($13.95)--raw fish mixed with greens and a little bit of rice in a humongous bowl. Eat with hot sauce.
As for the setting, well, it's a grocery store. There are about 10-12 tables and table service is fast. There's also a take-out counter for goodies such as japchae and spicy fried chicken wings to go. And after you eat, you can shop. Stock up on Korean ingredients galore. Don't miss the deli bar in the back of the store where you can get yummy goodies--spicy anchovies, seaweed salad, marinated bean sprouts--by the pound.
Even though I recently learned to make Soon Tofu at home using this easy recipe, I still like to stop by the restaurant to get the real thing. Go on. Try it. Let me know if you like.
Cherry Maki and Sushi, 2350 Junipero Serra Blvd, Daly City, CA T: (650) 994-3300
yum! i want some right now. i have to try out that recipe you linked to soon...
Posted by: pia | February 03, 2007 at 04:01 PM
Sounds great! I know there are no restaurants like that in my area.
Posted by: D | March 02, 2007 at 10:53 AM
The Korean Market restaurant (Cherry Maki and Sushi) in Daly City is superb.
The food is fresh and delicious and the wait staff is friendly and appreciative.
I've eaten there many times and would strongly recommend it.
Everything is good--there's a sashimi salad that's outstanding if you like plenty of fresh raw fish.
My favorite is the tofu soup into which I drop a raw egg that cooks fully in the mixture that's boiling hot when served.
Give this wonderful place a try and you'll be pleased.
Posted by: iQuack | March 06, 2007 at 11:49 AM
aloha,
another haole transplant in SF here...been looking for something like the tan tan ramen they have at the noodle shop in Ward Centre....found your blog googling for some information...Can you reccommend anywhere in town? Does Tanpopo have it? Aiyah.
Mahalo and so glad I found your blog!!!!
rachel
Posted by: rachel | June 14, 2007 at 05:55 PM
Hey, where'd you go?!!? come BACK!!!!!
Posted by: ChefJoAnna | July 04, 2007 at 09:57 PM
do you have your recipe for soon tofu? i'd love to be able to make my own.
Posted by: Misty | January 12, 2008 at 01:30 PM
Cherry Maki is pretty good, but my favorite is Pyung Chang Tofu House in Oakland. Check it out when you're in the neighborhood; there's also a number of other Korean restaurants/markets as you continue along Telegraph toward Downtown Oakland.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/pyung-chang-tofu-house-oakland
Posted by: Ed | November 14, 2008 at 10:39 AM
There are several soon tofu (Sundubu) houses in CA. One chain that goes up the coast to Washington is the BCD Tofu House, very popular with Koreans. Here's a link to their website:
http://www.bcdtofu.com/menu_eng.php
Posted by: wombie | January 05, 2009 at 12:03 PM