by Kevin L.

How can one go wrong with boiling, bubbling pot of stewed tofu and veggies, seafood, and/or meat?  It's a recipe for yumminess, no matter how to slice it!As with many Korean joints, this place is pretty much no-frills.  They sit you down, bring out the many plates of ban chan (although the variety wasn't quite as impressive as Ye Chon's), take your order, then come back with steaming pots of scrumptious soon du bu.I made our crew try the hae mul pa jun (seafood pancake), which is my favorite Korean dish, but wasn't impressed.  Not bad, just not great.  I can't take away any stars for it, though, because when you come to Lighthouse, you come for the soon du bu, or else you're just being plain silly.  Why would you go to a Brazilian steakhouse for tea and crumpets, right?!Especially since I'm still getting over some kind of respiratory bug, delicious stewy goodness was exactly what I needed, and Lighthouse definitely exceeded my expectations.  I'll be back for more!

by Vicki C.

As a former member of a "soup on rainy day" coalition, this Korean soon dubu house is the best place for comfort-warming stew!  I thought the Jog Ga Jib restaurant in Philadelphia was the bar none the best soondubu house, but Lighthouse is pretty comparable!  The only thing I would ask for is different Pan chan.  And some lettuce with my bulgolgi!

by jenn h.

I LOOOOOOOOOOVE soon dubu!  For anyone who hasn't experienced this comforting perfection in a pot from my people, let me just tell you: Korean food is not all about the grilled kalbi and bulgogi meats.  That seems to be what the K-food (not to be mistaken for K-fed) is famous for, but I should reveal that I didn't really grow up with piles of red meat on our dinner table every night.  We had a lot of ban-chan (the side dishes, often pickled, that arrive free at most Korean meals), and we often had jjigae.  That's also how most Koreans I know grew up.Jjigae is the word for the different kinds of stew/soup dishes, usually red in color.  Soon dubu is soft tofu.  Thus, soon dubu jjigae is soft tofu stew.  Lighthouse/Vit Goel is the real deal when it comes to soon dubu.  I might even dare say that this is just as good as the stuff in LA's K-town.  Blasphemous, I know, but there.  I said it!Pick the kind you want (original, seafood, mushroom, etc.) and level of spiciness (only order very spicy if you know you can handle it, both going in and coming out - ew, I can't believe I just said that).  And enjoy.

by Ji K.

You go here for soon du bu and I rate this place 5 stars based on that.  The soon du bu could compete with the best in the country imo and by far the best one in the DC region.And yes service is very "korean".  You will HAVE to get the servers attention to get service.  All they will do is bring out the food and that's it unless you specifically ask for something else.  Don't even expect water refills unless you ask for it.  ;)I've tried two more dishes here.seafood pancake - very goodkalbi - average

by Cindy Y.

What's better than a steaming hot, spicy tofu soup on a cold winter's day?This is what I think when I go to Lighthouse Tofu, which we Koreans call Bit Go Wool.The first time I went, I loved it.There was only one place that could beat this place and they closed as quickly as they opened because of their bad choice of location.So, I was forced to get my Soon Doo Boo fix here since Book Chang Dong was absolutely disgusting.I came here several times thereafter with my friends.It was our usual trip...Meet for the Korean spa/sauna/public bath, Lighthouse Tofu, and Shilla.Back then, I would have probably given this place 4 stars.I loved the perfect combination of sweet and spicy of the baby octopus dish as well as the well marinated gal bi dish.The soups were steaming hot where the raw eggs that were cracked into the soups would cook instantly.However, I now give it a mere two (2) stars because of its inconsistency.The past two (2) times I went there, they gave me lukewarm soup.The eggs wouldn't cook, the flavor was old and off, need I say more?So actually, that would make them consistent, but consistently underachieving.  I will revisit them a few more times to see if things change, but for now, TWO STARS!

by Nancy T.

I walked out of this place rubbing my stuffed tummy and moaning "Oh my god." The group of people on their way in laughed and said, "That must be a good sign." I replied, "Yes, yes it is!" (It's also a sign that I can't control myself at Korean restaurants, but let's not go there.)Amaaaaazing. Deliiiiicious. Ok, you have to wait 10-15 minutes for your soup to cool down before you can taste it, but that'll give you time to eat up the yummy banchan. I really liked the sweet sour sliced cucumbers and the little garlic slices with daikon in chili paste. The kimchee was a little tough, but that's my only criticism. I've had better banchan elsewhere, but I didn't mind because I really wanted to leave room for the soup. At this point in my review I must digress and ask the question: Can we get all the restaurants in the US to replace boring old iced tea with the iced roasted barley tea (aka boricha) they serve at Korean restaurants? PLEASE? It's so much better tasting, more refreshing, caffeine free and doesn't need sugar at all. You will go through glasses of this stuff trying to cool your mouth after a spoonful from the bubbling cauldron o' soup. My favorite is the kimchee stew (with kimchee, beef and soft tofu). The seafood is also good. I get it spicy (4th of 5 heat levels), but I think I will try spicy spicy (the hottest) because I like pain and because I can take it, baby. Just kidding. It's not that hot at all. The temperature heat is much harder to tolerate than the spicy heat. I hope I never live in a city that doesn't have Korean food. ::love::

by Su K.

Let me tell you about my friend...let's call him Billy Bob. Billy Bob, as you may have guessed from the alias I gave him, isn't Korean and he lives in the Commonwealth. So one day, we're hanging out around Koreandale and I ask Billy Bob where he wants to go for dinner.BB: I'm in the mood for Korean...Me: Billy Bob, I'm sure that's what you're in the mood for for dessert, but I'm talking about a meal.BB: Yeah~ I meant for the meal too.Me: Cool. Where at?BB: I keep hearing about this stuff called soon tofu or something...Me: Soondooboo?BB: Man...do I look like my name is One Suck? it's soon tofu!Food - they do have other dishes at Lighthouse, but the main reason to go is the soondooboo/soon tofu - soft tofu, veggies and/or meats in a spicy broth. At dinner time, a soup will run you $9.50 and they have various combinations of veggies, seafood, beef, and kimchi, and you choose the level of spiciness. I usually get the kimchi + beef at the very spicy level. Your soup comes with rice, which they spoon out of a stone pot, kimchi, pickled cucumbers, picked bean sprouts, and some other mystery banchan - I'm guessing it's some kind of raw fish product. They later fill the stone pot with barley tea and you can enjoy that after your meal. The soondooboos also comes w/ an egg--I usually ask for an extra egg--and you crack it into your boiling, bubbling soup. Usually, the soup is hot enough to cook the egg through. The soup is delicious and one of the few places you can get good soondooboo in Annandale.Billy Bob doesn't like spicy; in fact, a dash of black pepper is about all he can take, so I was a bit concerned that when he asked for it mild it would still be too spicy for him. I'm not sure if his lack of Koreanness had anything to do with it, but he received a soup that matched his skin color.Billy Bob also doesn't like raw food. By the time his soup got to him, the heat had dissipated to the point where it couldn't cook the egg fully. Billy Bob doesn't think he's Rocky and he figured soondooboo served with a side of salmonella wasn't a good thing. If that's the case, you can ask the server to heat it up for you again. If you do this, make sure you stir the egg and break the yolk before giving it back to the server.Location - I think the parking at the Rockville Lighthouse is pretty bad, so the parking here IMHO sucks! There's a tiny lot in front for about a dozen cars. If that's full (it usually is), you can park in the lot across the street which is usually fine in the evenings, but I'm not sure how it is during the day. All I know is, VA tow companies are amazing. The "menu" looks like a drink list that is available on the table.Service - a lot has been made in previous reviews about service. If you expect service on par w/ finer restaurants in the area, you're going to be disappointed. In fact, if you expect service on par w/ a Silver Diner or TGI Fridays, you may be disappointed. If you want to get the server's attention, just remember this tip that hip hop music in the 90s taught us - throw your hands in the air, wave em like you just don't care, somebody, anybody, everybody, SCREAM! Second, Korean places don't usually handle large groups well. While most establishments would appreciate larger parties (groups of 10 or more), Korean places generally don't. *shrug*I actually prefer the Rockville location b/c the food is pretty much the same and it's larger and I'm not afraid of having boiling soup dropped on my head as the servers try to navigate the tight spaces of this place. Still, if you must have soon tofu, Lighthouse is probably your best bet in Koreandale. And remember, it's Billy Bob approved!

by Lee T.

I used to eat here all the time when I lived in VA, I get every thing spicy spicy spicy. They also serve it white (not spicy).The tofu soups are great with rice, sometimes if I am starving, I get the squid stir fry noodles. Eat here, lunch, dinner, it's all good!

by T N.

I would have to say that this is by far my favorite korean restaurant for the price and the good food. I usually order the spicy spicy seafood/beef tofu soup...anything else is not worth trying here, just because they mainly specialize in tofu stews. The three stars I gave is mainly for the quality of the food. Service is horrible but I haven't expected much service from most Korean/Asian restaurants. The servers/waitress here speak little, if any, English at all. They have made mistakes on our bill and had trouble explaining to us their mistakes.If it wasn't for the food, I would never come back to this place.

by Joe H.

Really good Tofu soups here.  I had the beef kimchi and it was really good.  I had the medium spiciness and it was just enough for me.  I know not to screw around with Korean spice levels.  My wife had a veg tofu soup and had one level above on the spiciness and it was border line.  She couldn't finish it.We also shared a Bulgogi which was pretty good.  But as others have written, that isn't their specialty.  Great place for some comforting soup.

by emmy f.

This is great. I had the Vegetable Tofu soup, and my friends had the mushroom soup. It comes with a bowl of rice and you can make it super spicy or not spicy at all. The garnishes that come with the food, kimchee, pickled cucumbers, and other unnameable stuff (for me) was great and complimentary to the rice. If you go with a group, make sure everybody orders because the waitresses don't like it and they are notorious for being a little hostile towards unappreciative customers. Also, its all vegetarian friendly, even the broth. Because the broth is made out of fish powder or miso powder or something. Nevertheless it's not intense Beef Broth like Pho, so it sat really well with my stomach! I was very happy about that, and i'll definitely go back. It's my next to-go place, when i'm int he mood for some asian culture. No more Pho for my poor stomach.

by Donald P.

Thursday around 6pmWent to this place on recommendation of a friend. Once I walked in, I realized it was a place that I had come to years before. This little soon-doo-boo place is not bad...but then again...not great. I like Todam Soon Doo Boo also in the area much better.I ordered beef tofu stew (mild of course since I can't take hot foods). When the food arrived, you could see it bubbling from the sides...meaning it was nice and how off the stove. However after I cracked the egg and dropped it inside the soup, I waited for it to cook from all the residual heat. After a couple of minutes I was disappointed to find out there wasn't enough heat to cook the egg all up. I had mine heated up just a little bit more. My wife's was quite cold when mine came back. Other people around us had cold soon-doo-boo too.The rice that comes with the soon-doo-boo is cooked in a stone bowl which makes for good burnt rice (that's not a bad thing and actually tastes good).

by Wayne K.

I love me some good ole' southern, home-cooked, comfort food Tofu in a brick bowl with super-duper spicy sauce.  Reminds me when I never lived in Korea, but dreamed of going there someday.If you want some outstanding comfort food that's totally spicy and tastes off-da-hizzy, come here cuz they give you a lot of it!

by Anson P.

I've been here a crapload of times and always assumed I had written a review on this place.  Maybe I'm going senile.  Ah well, I had a good run... I think.You go for the soup.  I think the seafood version is better than the meat version.  Order it up spicy and it'll clear out your sinuses.  Crack the egg and throw it in to make it that much better.  This is a cure-all second only to pho.  I don't see too many people ordering the kalbi, but the squid dishes seem popular.  They give you a lot of side dishes.The service is standard Asian.  They take your order, give you your food, and never bother you again.  The parking lot is tiny and I'm never really sure where you are allowed to park.  A trip back is imminent.

by e'roc b.

This place is great. Tucked away in this quaint little piece of Annandale behind the Burger King on Annandale Road, it really wouldn't smack you in the face. The decor is simple, cool, and well lit. Don't get me wrong, by well lit don't mean like the neon lighting that sucks the nutrients right out of your skin and the spirit from your soul. I understand the importance of ambiance. We were greeted promptly and sat at a sizable two seated table against the wall. The menu is tucked away in one of those two sided plexiglass sign holders on the table, (Korean on one side, and English translations on the other). While we studied the menu, our waitress brought us some of that delicious rice water.Less than 5 minutes later she came back to take our orders. My lady ordered the Nak Ji Gook Soo (noodles with small octopus), and I ordered the Seafood Tofu Soup, spicy-spicy (which is their extra hot). Less than 1 minute later they brought out 4 or 5 traditional sides, which we love but for me, the kimchi wasn't all that spicy, but still good, and us silly round eyes don't know what to do about that rice lined bowl filled with rice water. The waitress told us but I didn't understand, so we used our imagination. About 10 minutes later they came out with our main orders, her's on a big sizzling cast iron plate, and mine boiling piping hot in my little (not so little really) bowl. We both dissolved into our entrees for about 5 minutes before conversing again. Our pallets were pleased. Her dish had a little bit of a kick to it, a little bit of a zesty bar'b'q'ee taste to it, which we both enjoyed. My soup was spicy, not enough to melt my face off which is what I was kind of hoping for, but it did wind up breaking up my sinuses towards the end of the bowl. The bowl consisted of lots of broken up soft tofu, several prawns, small clams, baby muscles, and maybe some pieces of baby octopus, yummmm. They did give me a raw egg to crack into the soup, but decided against it at this time. Next time I definitely will though.We got the remainder of her dish to go. Our waitress brought out an aluminum plate with a plastic lid and began shoveling the remains for us to take home. She then brought us the check, we paid, and rolled. On our way our, they were all very polite with thank yous and good byes. Our overall experience was memorable, and we're looking forward to a return visit.

by tina r.

***** 3.5 stars *****my mate is feeling under the weather so we decided to go out for some hot bowl of Asian goodness (not that kind of hot bowl, settle pervs). since there are no good pho spots close enough to our hood and i didn't feel like heading back into traffic to get to them after just battling 495 for 45 mins, we decided on Korean. checked trusty old yelp and decided on this spot. glad we did.i ordered the octopus in noodles w/ special sauce, the mate got the seafood tofu soup. all of the staple Korean fixins prior to our main course came out to us, kimchi and random other pickled treats. they were okay and satiated our appetites as we waited. the kewlest part while waiting, imo, was definitely the rice water they served us as opposed to regular water. i love the taste of this stuff. almost like iced tea minus the sugar but not bitter.the main course came in just a few short mins later. there's really not much i can say. it was nothing short of absolutely freaking yummy! my sauce was super tasty and perfectly spiced, the octopus was perfectly cooked, albeit a little small for my preference, but understandably so. my mated loved his soup and it def seemed to clear up his sinuses a lot.the decor was very chill and the staff were super polite and attentive for a Korean restaurant. the menu is small, the portions are large and the prices are decent. def plan on heading back here again in the not so distant future.

by sohe k.

Soondooboo (tofu soup) is the best here. No other place can compete. I always get the beef one and get it spicy with jjooggomigooksu (spicy squid). I love the rice from the stone pot! Definitely finish the meal off with noolungi (the burnt rice on the bottom of the pot) with the barley water and some kimchi. TRUE Korean style!!The spicy is pretty spicy so if you can't handle I would suggest getting mild. Mixing the sauce from the squid dish and rice and eating it together is delicious also.

by Jina k.

My sister took me here when I first moved down to VA area. She parked the car and said... 'this is it... lets go in side'. me: What? it looks like a happy ending massage parlor,.... a brothel.... no way. I'm not eating here. I'd rather eat Burger King across the street. There's no way this place is a restaurant... its dark, no windows, all you see is bricks. That was 4 years ago. Coming from Fort Lee, NJ-- Book Chang Dong and So Gong Dong (when it existed) was THE place to eat soft tofu soup. I nearly fainted when my sister took me to this place. Recently, I thought I was going to die if I didnt have some Soon Doo Boo. My 'white' friend suggested we come to this place. (o.0)  I hesitated, but if it was popular amongst the caucasians, this place must be well known -- so reluctantly, i gave it a try. Soon Doo Boo soup-- it was ok. one thing that bothered me was, they have lunch price and dinner price (dinner was more expensive)... But why? I asked the server why they charge more for dinner. And if they serve bigger bowl of soup for dinner.  She just said they were exactly the same and shrugged it off. To me it sounded ridiculous that they would charge more for dinner for the exact same food/portion..... (So not Korean!) Nak Jee sari (Baby Octopus with Udon noodles)-- was good. though they call it something quite different than what it actually is....  pajun-- was good. I like how they cook it a tad longer so that it's a bit crispy on the outside. Service--- was HORRIBLE. Usually at a Korean restaurant, you sit, order, eat  (ask the bus boy for more water), ask for check, and out the door. Here, I had to wait what seemed like forever for more water. I could no longer wait (I waited good 10  minutes) for the check, so I went up to the counter and paid. I would rank the service here the worst out of all of the Korean restaurants in Annandale. I probably would not return. Service was horrible, food was just OK, and the fact that they charge more for dinner really bothers me. Just charge the same price (either dinner or lunch price--pick one) if you're going to serve the same thing. Its unheard of in Korea... (I know.. this is USA)If you haven't tried Korean soft tofu soup, you should go try it. It's tasty whether you get it spicy or not, or even if you have it finished with soy sauce "sauce"...(I'm not sure if they have it there at Lighthouse).  If by any chance you are in the NY/NJ area, go try BCD on 32nd between 5th and B'way or the one in NJ (Main St).

by Soo Hyun Y.

I like this place.  It definitely hits the spot.  Service hasn't been that great the past few times I went, but what can you expect from such a busy place, and as long as the food tastes good, I'm willing to let it slide.  I usually go with someone and we share soondubu and some galbi.

by Wai T.

The place is quite a bit smaller than other well known Korean joints, and it is very different in that they do not have any grill, so as a result, you do not smell (as much) a piece of charcoal after eating there.For soon dubu they have 5 "spicy-ness", I had a "medium".  I think it will be best if you try spicy or very spicy.Also had the seafood pancake, pretty good.At this tough economy time, getting well fed for under 10 bucks is a good thing (all the tofu casseroles are same price, less than 10 bucks).

by Jackson K.

Cheap and pretty good soups.  Don't recommend getting spicy even though I like spicy food, it is way too hot.  Medium FTW.

by Ross J.

I've been here countless times and every time I've enjoy the food tremendously.Get: Tofu soup (any flavor, any spice) and/or the spicy noodle octopus dishAvoid: Any meat dishes (galbi, bulgogi, etc) - you get better at other restaurantsThe only downfall to this place is the service. Waitresses seem to be WAY too busy and blind-eyed to their customers' needs. But it does not bug me that much because in Korea, you have to call out the waitresses to get their attention at places like this.Amazing food, understandably decent service and a great place to take friends out for dinner.

by Brian S.

Annandale, Va. is the K-town of D.C. Metro, filled with many Korean restaurants, shops, karaoke and bakeries and Lighthouse Tofu stands out as one of the popular restaurants. There is no menu, only a plastic photo stand on each table. Pretty much everyone knows why they're here: for the SOON DUBU , a soft, fresh tofu that is the basis of a hot tasty stew that can be flavored with a variety of seafood or meat. The service is routine, like any other korean restaurants: First come the small dishes, or banchan : fresh unfermented kimchi, spicy cucumber pickle, bean sprouts, etc. You also get a bowl of a chilled clear kimchi broth with a little pickled cabbage floating on top, which is fabulous. A large steamy stone bowl of rice is provided for the table and two bowls per diner: One bowlful is served immediately for the meal, while the remaining rice, still in the bowl, is covered with hot barley tea and left to soften for the end of the meal. The stews are ordered by level of heat: "white" (or unspiced), mild, medium, spicy and "spicy spicy." The choices for flavorings are seafood (oysters, clams and shrimp), seafood and beef, oysters alone, mushrooms, beef and kimchi, pork and beef, just beef or vegetable. The hot stew is accompanied by a raw egg, which is to be broken over the hot broth. The clientele is overwhelmingly asians all shapes sizes and all ages: geeks and girlfriends, parents of young kids, guys' night out, girls' night out and grandpas with knee high socks, employed unemployed. Soon Dubu is perfect on a chilly day. All this excitement for $10 + Tip. Enjoy your Soon Dubu today. =)

by Yan W.

Sometimes, I'm shocked when i get treated so well.... That was the case when I went to Tofuhouse...  My brain always glitches and call it that...  I believe its located next to a fire station on the other side of a K Mart in Annandale.  Like other places in the area, it's situated pretty awkwardly...Their soon dubu jigae was great and their kalbi was good too!  In fact their soon dubu jigae is indeed the best.  Unlike other establishments, they toss in the egg.  You have to have the egg!  I really have to question myself now why I don't go more often!

by Matthew B.

With an afternoon to kill and bellies to fill I plugged in a simple search - find all "$" restaurants within 20 miles.  The goal was to try somewhere new, cheap, and highly rated.In short, we were not disappointed.This place focuses almost entirely on their spicy tofu soup (of the 14 items on the menu, 8 of them are some variation of this), and they do it extremely well.Dinner prices are under $10 for the tofu and reasonable for everything else.  Iced tea and traditional appetizers (delicious kimchi) is included.  It's an great place to eat on the cheap without sacrificing quality.

by Kouji h.

Since I lived in Los Angeles, home of WAY too many drunk korean people... haha jk, there were always a lot of good korean food around. And to top it off, one of the best tofu restaurant's was right around the corner.So to say I was doubtful from the moment I found this place on yelp to right before I took my first bite would be major understatement.  Anyways, have to admit I was pleasantly surprised.  Soondubu and the side dishes were supERBB.

by Anna Y.

I have been dying to go to this place. My friend invited me, so I jumped at the chance to eat here. This place is known for their soondubus.  I got the pork and beef one, because I do not like seafood.  You also choose your own spiciness level.  I like mild (2),  It is just one above white... which does not have any spiciness.  It has meat.... soft tofu.... and mild broth. PERFECT.  They also give you a egg to crack into the stone bowl... which is too cool.  I like interactive meals.  I was glad there were no mystery things in my soup.The meal comes banchan (korean side dishes).... I think there were only 4, which is fine because you do not need it a lot with this meal..  It also comes with moolkimchi or cold radish soup.  They also bring you a bowl with some rice in it that has been toasted.  They poor water into and it makes a nice tea that a lot of people like.  The next table got ojingobokum, or spicy stir fried octopus/squid.  It looked good.  The other table next to us ordered bulgogi (stirfried beef).  This is the best soondubu that I have ever had.  I might even try medium spicy next time.  Koreans love spicy food that makes them sweat and temporarily numb their mouths in pain. :)  hehe  WARNING: If you cannot handle spicy food, then please go with mild.  You can work your way up from there.  This place has been here for a while.   In Annandale, places come and go.  The good ones stay for a reason.  On a side note, I wish there were some more good American restaurants in Annandale. :(

by Foodie F.

Perfect place to go on a cold, rainy day or when you are about to get hit with the cold to slurp on some spicy, hot goodness.  Soondubu is one of those comfort dishes that warms your body and soul.  Lighthouse Tofu does just that with their warm services and great food.Try it out one day!

by Koichi E.

Most excellent soondubu.  My friend from Taiwan and I (Japanese) used to frequent this little gem of a place often.  The little side dishes were always fresh, the service was excellent and finally the soondubu is amazing.  I'm not totally versed on Korean food but there is a cold kimchi soup which is funky at first but you get used to the flavor after a while.  It is a very nice touch at the end of the meal to pour the buckwheat tea in the rice pot and munch on the crispy part of the cooked rice.  It's got to be the highest definition of Asian "comfort" food!  If I had some seaweed, wasabi and a piece of brilled salmon with me, it would be the perfect ochazuke.  Yum.Popping the egg in the dish enhances the texture and flavor of the dish too and it is wonderful.  We had also tried the pancake there and while it was amazing, eating that and the soondubu will leave you rolling out of joint with a food coma.  I'm glad to be back in Falls Church working so I can go to Lighthouse again!!

by Leslie J.

Hands down, the BEST spicy tofu soup w/ egg (soon du bu), ever in Koreatown!You are always greeted with: "Annyeong haseyo!" which means hello when you walk in.This is a great in and out place when you want quick Korean food without the hassle of having to cook and labor your own food like other korean bbq places.They only have about 10 items on their menu. Hence, the in and out concept.I highly recommend getting the ribs vs. the usual bulgogi. I find that it's tastier bc it's on the bone vs. the bulgogi which can taste dried out. And of course, order the soup. You have a choice between beef or seafood.So for one order of soup, ribs, rice, tea, a couple sodas, kim chi and all the fixins', you can eat a nice, hot, non-labored meal for about $30 which is good for two people to enjoy.Happy eating! =)

by Jeannie L.

Went there this past Friday and left completely unsatisfied.  They totally cheated me of the 'seafood medley' in the so-called seafood pancake.   If I squint hard enough, I may find 2, maybe 3, tiny pieces of squid. Other than that, it might as well be scallion pancake.  Heck, I can get that at Chinese restaurant for $3 versus $14!  What's even more annoying is the waitress's inability to speak English, making it difficult to complain about my order. Seriously, was she just playing dumb? Thank goodness for Yelp and Nuvi or else I would have never come across Lighthouse Tofu.  It's…

by Vernon D.

My first experience at Korean cuisine was this place. My Filipino friend took me here for lunch. For the price and the experience it was great. The service is less that pleasant but that is easily ignorable once you dive into the the soup and side dishes. I always order the Kimchi and beef in medium broth soup and am never dissatisfied.  I just wish there were more Korean places inside of DC.  We have a vacuum of korean here.

by Lily Z.

The tofu casserole here was savory, comforting, and absolutely delicious at $9.50 each with your choice of protein and spice level.  The banchan selection was limited, although everything was very fresh and heavily seasoned with garlic, just the way I like it.  I preferred the sweeter fresh kimchi they served here as oppose to the fermented kimchi at other restaurants.  Although this was not a bbq restaurant, the kalbi was also well marinated and tender.  My only complaint is that the casserole was not hot enough temperature wise.  The soup looked dangerously hot and bubbled like mad, but for some reason it cooled so fast that the egg you crack into the soup will remain completely raw as oppose to soft boiled, and yes, I did crack the egg immediately after I got the soup.

by Stephen T.

Consistently good soondubu, and excellent galbi.  The menu here is very efficient, which is the first sign they know what they are doing.Their soondubu menu is generally very good, but their galbi is fantastic.  Its one of the few places in Annandale where you can order galbi in small portions, pre-cooked, and at a decent price without having to order for two.They make their rice in a hot stone pot, and they serve it with barley tea and the scolded rice (Noo-Rung-Ji).  Which is a refreshing complement to the rest of the meal.

by mimmie h.

My Soondubu HaikuSoondubu I heartYour spicy goodness makes me smileFeed craving I mustWow, my last line sounds so Yoda-ish.... LOL :D Yep, I love Soondubu. Imagine a hot bubbly concoction filled with soft tofu and filled with your ingredients of choice. Be it seafood, vegetarian, pork and beef, so many choices that compliment this yummy Korean soup. I always get the Kimchi and Beef pairing in Medium Spicy broth. The kimchi gives the soup an extra kick of tang and the little bits of beef are like happy surprises of goodness right in your pot. My friends usually get the Seafood or the Pork and Beef in Spicy broth. I think the highest level of spice is Spicy Spicy Spicy? Anyways, I've tried many places in search of the best Soondubu and I have yet to find one that beats Lighthouse. I've Soondubu'ed in KTown NY and other Korean places in Annandale and although some have been excellent and temporarily satisfied my craving for Soondubu.... it's always the broth isn't as good or the tofu isn't as soft or enough as Lighthouse.The service at Lighthouse is usually good. Sometimes it's hard to get the waitresses attention but they've always been nice and friendly even though I'm not Korean. I have to ask for water at times but I don't mind. I'm here for the yummy Soondubu!Going to LA in a couple months and will try out the Soondubu places there... I see a Yelp list already brewing in my head. :)

by Jeannette K.

I love this place. My boyfriend and I share a Spicy Seafood Soon Doo Boo and it's just the perfect portion for both of us. Skip the rice and you'll be able to eat all the soondooboo by yourself. You'll leave full and happy.

by Peter V.

You're seated almost immediately after you arrive and are served with ice barley/buckwheat tea. Really good Soon Du Bu and Ojingobokum (the spicy octopus noodle). It's definitely a no-frills place and basically just good food. Their menu is the little place card on the table. I've been there twice and it's been great so far. I would definitely keep going.

by Vivian C.

Excellent Soon Du Bu, and I admire the simplicity of this place, when it comes to ordering food.  Ordering is easy.  Food arrives quickly and HOT.I wish I have one of these close to work.

by Helen C.

I am a die-hard fan of Korean food. There is no other food that can make me cry (love the spicy) and comfort me all in one sitting. But that's what Lighthouse Tofu does for me.I've gotten the very, very spicy mushroom soondooboo the last couple of times I've been there and it hasn't been good for my digestive system, so I'm going to opt for the less spicy option next time. But I will say it's goooood -- lots of tofu, lots of mushrooms and just the yummy goodness of the broth.I love that they serve boricha (the barley tea) hot or cold with the meal and their side dishes are usually tasty. I'd say, though, in light of all the red in my bowl, I'd prefer to have a little less red in the side dishes (all but one had some serious spice in it last time).The other thing I love is the noorungji they serve (a bowl that contains burnt rice at the bottom is filled with barley tea and eaten later)! It's so warm and good, and a refreshing welcome after some seriously spicy food.Fast service and good food mean my taste buds appreciate Lighthouse Tofu a whole, whole lot. Yessss.

by Frank H.

Spicy tofu soup - probably doesn't sound that exciting for those who have never had it but tofu isn't tofurkey or any of that stuff that health nuts eat.  It's actually spicy flavorful and satisfying.It's really food that satisfies.  We also had sautéed spicy squid with vegetables and that was really good.  We usually get one soup and maybe a Korean savory fried pancake.  I like the seafood tofu soups.Anyhow you can't go wrong coming here and it's a good place to start if you've never tried Korean.

by Frank H.Helen C.Vivian C.

Spicy tofu soup - probably doesn't sound that exciting for those who have never had it but tofu isn't tofurkey or any of that stuff that health nuts eat.  It's actually spicy flavorful and satisfying.It's really food that satisfies.  We also had sautéed spicy squid with vegetables and that was really good.  We usually get one soup and maybe a Korean savory fried pancake.  I like the seafood tofu soups.Anyhow you can't go wrong coming here and it's a good place to start if you've never tried Korean.I am a die-hard fan of Korean food. There is no other food that can make me cry (love the spicy) and comfort me all in one sitting. But that's what Lighthouse Tofu does for me.I've gotten the very, very spicy mushroom soondooboo the last couple of times I've been there and it hasn't been good for my digestive system, so I'm going to opt for the less spicy option next time. But I will say it's goooood -- lots of tofu, lots of mushrooms and just the yummy goodness of the broth.I love that they serve boricha (the barley tea) hot or cold with the meal and their side dishes are usually tasty. I'd say, though, in light of all the red in my bowl, I'd prefer to have a little less red in the side dishes (all but one had some serious spice in it last time).The other thing I love is the noorungji they serve (a bowl that contains burnt rice at the bottom is filled with barley tea and eaten later)! It's so warm and good, and a refreshing welcome after some seriously spicy food.Fast service and good food mean my taste buds appreciate Lighthouse Tofu a whole, whole lot. Yessss.Excellent Soon Du Bu, and I admire the simplicity of this place, when it comes to ordering food.  Ordering is easy.  Food arrives quickly and HOT.I wish I have one of these close to work.

by Frank H.Helen C.Vivian C.Peter V.Jeannette K.

Spicy tofu soup - probably doesn't sound that exciting for those who have never had it but tofu isn't tofurkey or any of that stuff that health nuts eat.  It's actually spicy flavorful and satisfying.It's really food that satisfies.  We also had sautéed spicy squid with vegetables and that was really good.  We usually get one soup and maybe a Korean savory fried pancake.  I like the seafood tofu soups.Anyhow you can't go wrong coming here and it's a good place to start if you've never tried Korean.I am a die-hard fan of Korean food. There is no other food that can make me cry (love the spicy) and comfort me all in one sitting. But that's what Lighthouse Tofu does for me.I've gotten the very, very spicy mushroom soondooboo the last couple of times I've been there and it hasn't been good for my digestive system, so I'm going to opt for the less spicy option next time. But I will say it's goooood -- lots of tofu, lots of mushrooms and just the yummy goodness of the broth.I love that they serve boricha (the barley tea) hot or cold with the meal and their side dishes are usually tasty. I'd say, though, in light of all the red in my bowl, I'd prefer to have a little less red in the side dishes (all but one had some serious spice in it last time).The other thing I love is the noorungji they serve (a bowl that contains burnt rice at the bottom is filled with barley tea and eaten later)! It's so warm and good, and a refreshing welcome after some seriously spicy food.Fast service and good food mean my taste buds appreciate Lighthouse Tofu a whole, whole lot. Yessss.Excellent Soon Du Bu, and I admire the simplicity of this place, when it comes to ordering food.  Ordering is easy.  Food arrives quickly and HOT.I wish I have one of these close to work.You're seated almost immediately after you arrive and are served with ice barley/buckwheat tea. Really good Soon Du Bu and Ojingobokum (the spicy octopus noodle). It's definitely a no-frills place and basically just good food. Their menu is the little place card on the table. I've been there twice and it's been great so far. I would definitely keep going.I love this place. My boyfriend and I share a Spicy Seafood Soon Doo Boo and it's just the perfect portion for both of us. Skip the rice and you'll be able to eat all the soondooboo by yourself. You'll leave full and happy.