Natural Tofu Restaurant

One of Sunnyside's favorite restaurants is the Natural Tofu Restaurant. Tucked away between Superior Market (my favorite grocery store... a future post) and a shady bodega, this restaurant offers authentic, delicious Korean food at a pretty reasonable price.

(so glad they give you cheap wooden chopsticks instead of those impossible flat metal ones)

 

You're always served hot tea in a plastic cafeteria cup (bonus) and an ever-rotating array of pickled, spicy delights(banchan)ranging anywhere from sweet black beans to spicy ricecakes to good ole' fashioned kimchi.

 You also get a tangy and refreshing cold soup with more spicy pickled things.

(BibimBAM!)

 

 Their Bibimbap ($10), served hot in a stone dish with assorted veggies and beef is spot on, and topped with a deliciously runny egg yolk. Mix in your desired amount of chili paste and chow down.

 (check out the large plastic cafeteria cup-o-tea for size reference...!)

They are famous for their natural tofu soups (surprise!), but also offer a Vietnemese Noodle Soup ($8.00) with juicy mini-meatballs and roast beef. The portion is gigantic and could easily feed you twice or even three times...

(it. smells. so. good.)

My personal favorite dish is the L.A. Galbi ($13), or BBQ shortribs..... it is RIDICULOUSLY good. It's just a good old pile of delicious meat over a bed of sizzling onions served with a bowl of perfect white rice. Ask to keep the meat-scissors if you don't want to eat with your hands, but.... don't we all?

(at N.T.R., don't lay off the sauce!)

I should say that I have a mild soy allergy, and so I don't eat tofu... I've heard from other Natural Tofu Restaurant goers that the tofu noodle soups can be hit or miss... but you are usually given the option to season your own food to your own preferred level of spiciness, which I appreciate! I've always stuck with the non-tofu dishes here, and I've never been disappointed!

 (the name may not translate so well, but neither does the flavor)

Wash your meal down with a Korean beer... or, better yet, just wait until you are done and then go next door to Superior Market and buy an actually good-tasting beer there and drink it at home with your leftovers!

 

Natural Tofu Restaurant

40-06 Queens Blvd
Sunnyside, NY 11104

(718) 706-0899