SGD Tofu House Introduce
For those in the Bay Area craving genuine Korean comfort food, **SGD Tofu House** at 491 Saratoga Ave in San Jose is a cherished local institution. Categorized as a Korean restaurant and, more specifically, a Tofu restaurant, its specialty lies in the traditional preparation of Soon Tofu Jjigae—soft tofu soup. This dish is the centerpiece of the menu, renowned for its silky texture, rich, bubbling broth, and customizable spice levels, making it a perfect, hearty meal at any time of year.
The culinary philosophy at SGD Tofu House extends beyond just soup. It serves as a comprehensive hub for popular Korean cuisine, encompassing flavorful, marinated meats from the grill and classic rice dishes. Customers from the California region, known for appreciating both bold flavors and healthy dining, will find that the menu successfully balances rich "Comfort food" like the Short Ribs (Galbi) and the indulgent Spam and Sausage Tofu Soup with "Healthy options" such as the Mushroom Tofu Soup and various vegetarian-friendly items.
A key element of the dining experience, which is particularly valued by regular patrons, is the inclusion of traditional banchan (small side dishes). These accompanying plates—which often include fresh kimchi, cucumber kimchi, japchae, bean sprouts, and fish cakes—are crucial to an authentic Korean meal, providing a delightful variety of flavors and textures that complement the main entrees. While the quality of the main dishes, like the soon tofu, is consistently praised for being "bubbling hot and full of flavor," guests should be aware that the restaurant's approach to service and banchan distribution can occasionally vary, as noted in customer feedback, especially regarding specific menu items or during busy periods.
The atmosphere is described as **Casual** and **Cozy**, designed for comfortable dining that is popular for "Groups" and families alike, reinforcing its role as a destination for Korean soul food that is prepared "like it's for family," as the business itself states.
Location and Accessibility
SGD Tofu House is conveniently situated at **491 Saratoga Ave, San Jose, CA 95129, USA**. This prime location places it near other local businesses and major roadways, ensuring high visibility and easy access for residents throughout San Jose and surrounding Silicon Valley communities.
The restaurant provides excellent logistical convenience for its clientele:
- **Parking:** Patrons benefit from readily available parking options, including a **Free parking lot** and **Free street parking**, which is a significant advantage in the busy Saratoga Avenue area.
- **Accessibility Features:** The establishment is fully committed to accommodating all guests, featuring a **Wheelchair accessible entrance, Wheelchair accessible parking lot, Wheelchair accessible restroom, and Wheelchair accessible seating**.
- **Outdoor Seating:** For those who prefer to dine al fresco, especially appealing during California's pleasant weather, **Outdoor seating** is offered.
- **Family Accommodations:** The venue is confirmed to be **Good for kids** and provides **High chairs**, making it a practical and welcoming destination for family meals.
Services Offered
SGD Tofu House offers a full suite of services designed for modern dining convenience, catering to both quick meals and leisurely gatherings:
- **Dine-in Service:** Features comfortable **Seating** and **Table service** for a traditional, full-service dining experience.
- **Takeout:** Efficient **Takeout** options are available for customers on the go who want to enjoy authentic Korean food at home or at the office.
- **Delivery:** **Delivery** service is provided through various platforms, extending the restaurant's reach to a wider local area.
- **Fast Service:** The restaurant is known for **Fast service**, which is a key highlight appreciated by solo diners and those on a lunch break.
- **Dining Times:** It is highly **Popular for Lunch, Dinner, and Solo dining**.
- **Payment Options:** A wide array of modern payment methods are accepted, including **Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments**.
- **Beverage Selection:** The menu includes **Alcohol, Beer, and Wine**, allowing for a complete dining experience, alongside unique Korean beverages like Milkis and Korean Milk.
Features / Highlights
The strength of SGD Tofu House lies in its specialized and comprehensive menu, which offers something for every palate:
- **Signature Soft Tofu Soup (Soon Tofu):** Offers an impressive range of flavors, including Beef, Seafood, Kimchi Pork, Combination, and even unique options like Spam And Sausage Tofu Soup, all served bubbling hot. Each soup typically comes with a raw egg to be cracked in, enriching the broth.
- **Extensive Korean BBQ Selection:** Features favorite Korean grilled dishes such as the tender **Short Ribs (Galbi)** ($49.95), savory **BBQ Beef (Bulgogi)** ($41.95), and spicy **Spicy Pork** ($40.95). Appetizer-sized portions of the Short Ribs are also available.
- **Variety of Traditional Entrees:** The menu includes classics like various **Bibimbap** preparations—notably the sizzling **Kimchi Dolpan Bibimbap** ($32.95) and **Seafood Dolpan Bibimbap** ($35.95)—and other traditional stews and soups like **Spicy Beef Soup** and **Soybean Paste Stew**.
- **Convenient Lunch Boxes:** For the busy Californian, the new menu section includes grab-and-go options like the **Spicy Pork Lunchbox** and **Bulgogi Lunchbox** ($17.95 each), offering a full Korean meal combination.
- **Authentic Korean Side Dishes (Banchan):** Most entrees are accompanied by a variety of fresh side dishes, a crucial component of Korean dining that enhances the overall meal experience. However, customers should inquire about the banchan policy for specific dishes, as not all orders may include the full assortment.
- **Options for Diverse Diets:** Provides both comforting, rich dishes and lighter **Vegetarian options** and **Healthy options**, ensuring a good fit for various dietary preferences.
Contact Information
To place an order, make inquiries about the menu, or check on current hours of operation, please use the following contact details:
Address: 491 Saratoga Ave, San Jose, CA 95129, USA
Phone: (408) 261-3255
Mobile Phone: +1 408-261-3255
What is Worth Choosing
SGD Tofu House is worth choosing primarily because it offers the most authentic and comforting version of the **Soon Tofu Soup** in the San Jose area—a fact often highlighted by local enthusiasts. The soup arrives at your table "bubbling hot" and is a genuinely satisfying experience, especially when paired with the raw egg and steaming white rice.
You should also choose SGD Tofu House for the versatility of its menu. It’s not just a soup spot; it’s a full Korean dining experience where you can enjoy high-quality **Galbi** and **Bulgogi** alongside your soon tofu, making it an ideal destination for groups with mixed preferences. The generous portions (for most items) and the inclusion of the daily-prepared banchan elevates the meal from a simple dish to a complete culinary journey.
While some reviews mention inconsistencies in service or portioning on certain items (such as the cold noodles), the consistently high praise for the **tofu soup and the grilled meats** confirms that the core offerings are of excellent quality and value. For anyone in the California region seeking a cozy, casual spot for reliable, flavorful, and authentic Korean comfort food, SGD Tofu House stands out as a top-tier choice.
SGD Tofu House Menu
From the Grill
- Spicy Pork $40.95
Barbeque pork sizzling with spices with a hint of sweetness.
- Short Ribs (Galbi) $49.95
Tender and juicy Korean-style short ribs, 10-12 pieces.
- Broiled Croaker $39.95
Crispy and tender broiled whole croaker.
- Broiled Mackerel $33.95
Crispy and tender broiled fillets of mackerel.
- Appetizer BBQ Short Ribs $27.95
NEW! Now serving two strips (about six pieces) of BBQ short ribs as an appetizer -- does not include side dishes or rice.
- BBQ Beef (Bulgogi) $41.95
Sweet and savory barbequed beef
*NEW*
- Spicy Pork Lunchbox $17.95
*ONLY AVAILABLE 11AM-2PM* BBQ Spicy Pork with rice and four sides (kimchi, fish cake, japchae and pickled cucumbers) packed neatly in a single bento-style lunchbox.
- Bulgogi Lunchbox (BBQ Beef) $17.95
*ONLY AVAILABLE 11AM-2PM* BBQ Beef, rice and four sides (kimchi, fice cake, japchae, pickled cucumbers) packed neatly in a bento-style lunchbox.
- Cold Noodles $21.50
Summer Special! Chewy noodles in an icy, tangy beef broth served with sliced radish, cucumbers, and 2 pieces of grilled BBQ short ribs. (Broth packaged separately. Please pick up ASAP to properly enjoy!)
- Mackerel Lunchbox $17.95
*ONLY AVAILABLE 11AM-2PM* Two pieces of broiled mackerel with rice and four sides (kimchi, fish cake, japchae and pickled cucumbers) packed neatly in a single bento-style lunchbox.
- Appetizer BBQ Short Ribs $27.95
NEW! Now serving two strips (about six pieces) of BBQ short ribs as an appetizer -- does not include side dishes or rice.
- Cold Noodles $21.50
Chewy noodles in an icy, tangy beef broth served with sliced radish, cucumbers, and 2 pieces of grilled BBQ short ribs. (Broth packaged separately. Please pick up ASAP to properly enjoy!)
- BBQ Combo Lunchbox $23.95
*ONLY AVAILABLE 11AM-2PM* BBQ Beef and BBQ Spicy Pork and four sides (kimchi, fish cake, japchae and pickled cucumbers) packed neatly in a single bento-style lunchbox. One white rice included on the side.
Soft Tofu Soup
- Kimchi Pork Tofu Soup $25.95
Bubbling hot stone pot of soft tofu soup with kimchi, pork and mushrooms.
- Spam And Sausage Tofu Soup $25.95
Bubbling hot stone pot of soft tofu soup with spam and sausages.
- Beef Tofu Soup $25.95
Bubbling hot stone pot of soft tofu soup with beef and mushrooms.
- Chicken Tofu Soup $25.95
Bubbling hot stone pot of soft tofu soup with chicken and mushrooms.
- Kimchi Beef Tofu Soup $25.95
Bubbling hot stone pot of soft tofu soup with kimchi, beef and mushrooms.
- Ramen Tofu Soup $25.95
Bubbling hot stone pot of soft tofu soup with ramen and beef sausage and vegetables.
- Seafood Tofu Soup $25.95
Bubbling hot stone pot of soft tofu soup with shrimp, clams and oyster.
- Mushroom Tofu Soup $25.95
Bubbling hot stone pot of soft tofu soup with an assortment of mushrooms.
- Crab Tofu Soup $25.95
Bubbling hot stone pot of soft tofu soup with blue shell crab and vegetables.
- Mini Tofu Soup $15.95
A small non-spicy beef tofu soup ( 12 oz.) - this item cannot be modified.
- Fish Roe Tofu Soup $25.95
Bubbling hot stone pot of soft tofu soup with cod roe and vegetables.
- Dumpling Tofu Soup $25.95
Bubbling hot stone pot of soft tofu soup with meat dumplings and rice cake.
- Combination Tofu Soup $25.95
Bubbling hot stone pot of soft tofu soup with shrimp, clams and beef.
- Pork Tofu Soup $25.95
Bubbling hot stone pot of soft tofu soup with pork and mushrooms.
Kitchen Specials
- Cheese Ramen SRC $29.95
Chewy rice cake, ramen, fish cake on slightly sweet and spicy sauce - topped with mozzarella cheese. Does not include rice or side dishes.
- Spicy Rice Cake With Seafood $29.95
Chewy rice cake and a seafood medley on slightly sweet and spicy sauce. Does not include rice or side dishes.
- Pork Belly & Kimchi $41.95
Panbroiled pork belly slices and kimchi with firm tofu on the side. Includes rice and freshly made side dishes.
- Spicy Squid $39.95
Assorted veggies and squid panbroiled in a slightly sweet and spicy sauce. Includes rice and freshly made side dishes.
- Spicy Rice Cake With Ramen $27.95
Chewy rice cake, ramen and fish cake on slightly sweet and spicy sauce. Does not include rice or side dishes.
- Steamed Dumplings $21.95
12 pieces of steamed pork and beef dumplings. Does not include rice or side dishes.
- Spicy Rice Cake (Ddukbokki) $25.95
Chewy rice cake and fish cake on slightly sweet and spicy sauce. Does not include rice or side dishes.
Side Dishes & Extras
- Extra Bean Sprouts 12oz $9.95
Extra side of bean sprouts
- Extra Cucumber 12oz $9.95
Extra side of cucumber
- Extra Rice $2.50
One bowl of white rice
- Utensils $0.00
Chopsticks, spoon and napkin.
- Japchae Entree $18.95
Entree size of japchae noodles (does not include other side dishes or rice)
- Assorted Box $15.95
Extra box of assorted side dishes - contents may vary based on availability
- Extra Fish Cake 12oz $9.95
Extra side of fish cake
- Extra Kimchi 12oz $9.95
Extra side of kimchi
Bibimbap
- Kimchi Dolpan Bibimbap $32.95
An assortment of mixed veggies, kimchi and beef over rice, topped with a fried egg, on a hot sizzling pan. Togo orders will be mixed on top of the stone pan.
- Seafood Dolpan Bibimbap $35.95
An assortment of mixed veggies and seafood medley over rice, topped with a fried egg on a hot sizzling pan.
- Bibimbap $26.95
An assortment of mixed veggies and beef over rice topped with a fried egg, sunny side up.
- Dolpan Bibimbap $30.95
An assortment of mixed veggies and beef over rice, topped with a fried egg, on a hot sizzling pan. Togo orders will be mixed on top of the stone pan.
The Traditionals
- Dumpling Soup $25.95
Non-spicy comfort soup with pork dumplings, shredded beef, and egg. Includes freshly made side dishes, but not rice.
- Rice Cake Soup $25.95
Non-spicy comfort soup with thin slices of rice cake, shredded beef and egg. Includes freshly made side dishes, but not rice.
- Spicy Raw Crab $41.95
Spicy raw marinated crab, served cold. (Subject to change in availability without notice! Thank you for understanding.)
- Rice Cake Dumpling Soup $25.95
Non-spicy comfort soup with thin slices of rice cake, pork dumplings, eggs and shredded beef. Includes freshly made side dishes, but not rice.
- Soybean Paste Stew $25.95
Comforting traditional soybean soup with veggies, mushroom, crab, firm tofu and beef. Includes rice and freshly made side dishes.
- Spicy Beef Soup $31.95
Hearty and spicy soup filled with various sprouts and garnished with shredded beef.
*NEW*
- Cold Noodles $20.95
Chewy noodles in an icy, tangy beef broth served with sliced radish, cucumbers, and 2 pieces of grilled BBQ short ribs. (Broth packaged separately. Please pick up ASAP to properly enjoy!)
Beverages
- Soda $2.95
Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite
- Milkis $4.95
Korean yogurt cream soda
- La Croix $4.95
- Korean Milk $4.95
Korean boxed milk, available in Banana or Strawberry
- Banana Milk $4.95
Korean banana-flavored milk in a little box, reminiscent of childhood
- Strawberry Milk $4.95
Korean strawberry-flavored milk in a little box, reminiscent of childhood
- Jeju Orange Soda $4.95
Korean soda flavored with Jeju Island oranges
SGD Tofu House Details
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Comfort food
- Healthy options
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- Parking
SGD Tofu House Photos










SGD Tofu House Location
SGD Tofu House
491 Saratoga Ave, San Jose, CA 95129, USA
SGD Tofu House Reviews
tofu soupside dishesbanchanspicybibimbapBBQfish cakejapchaeshort ribsbowl
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 17/11/25 afternoon:I never write reviews, but my frustrating experience with this restaurant made me have to leave this comment.I've been to SGD Tofu House numerous times over the years, but when introducing my friend to this restaurant, we were treated poorly and I've never been this embarrassed and shameful when leaving a restaurant before. Service was slow and something just felt off from the last time I came (I came with my family last time, for context: I am a college student) (less care from the waitress compared to the other families/customers). Many other families received faster service than my friend and I. This was probably since my friend and I are college students and the waitress with glasses had preexisting judgments and bias against us (not willing to spend lots of money and therefore not worth the effort to give proper service, etc.). The more I think about it, I really gaslighted myself, thinking everything was ok even when it wasn't.We ordered one cold noodle dish to share and it took around 15 minutes to come out. We ordered our food the same time as another customer next to us, but his food came out a sum amount of minutes before ours. We only received two banchans /side dishes (some kimchi and spicy cucumber) at the same time as our food because, apparently (I asked the waitress), that's how many you receive if you only order a $21.40 cold noodle dish. People around us got all the included banchans like fish cake, japchae, etc. I was really looking forward to the other banchans that I expected would have been served, so I wish we had been informed in advance that the dish ordered would only come with two. The lack of communication in this made my expectations for the food fall flat.The cold noodle dish portion was a lot smaller portioned compared to previous years. I found a picture of a review of cold noodles, and our dish was a lot smaller and had a lot less toppings on it (two thin slices of tomatoes, daikon, cucumber, and small handful of noodles; half of our dish was just the broth and ice), I will attach pictures to show evidence of how much they skimped on their portions. The first picture was of a review of the same cold noodles from two years ago, and the other two pictures were what we received (you can see how sloppy the presentation was compared to in the past).What made this experience especially terrible was when we were given our final receipt for tipping. From my peripheral vision, I could see the waitress (lady with glasses) was staring at me while I was signing the receipt and writing my final total amount (no tip, $24 total). Therefore, I put the receipt back in so it wasn't distinctly visible to her and was getting up to leave. She immediately took the receipt and asked something along the lines of, "Why didn't you write anything in the tip section?" with a lot of yabber. This was my first time I've ever been asked this, so I was just so flabbergasted about her audacity to asked I wrote in two dollars (spending a total of $26 on that amount of food and its quality is insane to me).I also work in the food industry, and giving tips is customary (I don't demand for tips in front of my customers' faces, that is just greedy in my opinion). I understand that some people have different expectations over tipping and its culture, but I wish this business had more empathy over the fact that every customer's situation is different. If your service was exceptional and I had the financial ability to tip, I would. But in this case, neither was true. I was already hesitant to come to this restaurant myself since I knew it would be pricey (but I was with my friend so I wanted to treat her to something "nice"), I can't afford to give more than what I have already. If you overcharge for food and are so passive-aggressive about tipping, I don't believe you deserve anything.BTW: This review took me about an hour's worth of contemplation and typing, so I seriously am disappointed about my experience.
July 12 · Imprinted GooseSGD Tofu House is a good spot for comforting Korean food. Their soon tofu soup arrives bubbling hot and full of flavor, with silky tofu and just the right amount of spice. The banchan (side dishes) are fresh and varied—kimchi, cucumber kimchi, japchae, bean sprouts, and fish cakes—all delicious. I also loved that they serve raw eggs to crack into the soup, which makes it even richer and more satisfying.
September 12 · Thuy TranAn amazing Korean restaurant with all the classics! From their signature Tofu soup with a choice of spice level, and choice of meat/toppings to the traditional bibimbap, this prime location has all you can ask for. The staff is very warm and the banchan is generous and delicious. Will definitely return!
October 06 · Bok ZWe dined here mainly for their tofu stew, however, everything here was so delicious!Banchan (side dishes) was very generous. Tofu stew was piping hot and hearty. We also liked the spicy squid, bulgogi (bbq beef), and spicy rice cake. Unfortunately, they ran out of seafood pancake that night.
January 04 · LiyanaThis place used to be such a warm and welcoming Korean restaurant, but not anymore. The service has become terrible — the waitress acts like a stepmother, and all the customers are treated like ugly stepsons. The food quality has also gone downhill; what I ordered didn’t taste fresh at all, and it even made me feel sick after eating. Overall, the restaurant feels completely different from what it used to be. I won’t be coming back again.
October 05 · Yvonne
More restaurants open near me
Poke Paradise4.0 (289 reviews)455 Saratoga Ave, San Jose, CA 95129, USA
New Tandoori Cafe3.0 (431 reviews)405 Saratoga Ave, San Jose, CA 95129, USA
MoDak Korean Chicken 모닭4.0 (119 reviews)405 Saratoga Ave UNIT 20, San Jose, CA 95129, USA
Applebee's Grill + Bar3.0 (2132 reviews)555 Saratoga Ave, San Jose, CA 95129, USA
Juquilita tacos y fruta4.0 (11 reviews)404 Saratoga Ave, San Jose, CA 95129, USA
Stone Stew 1 (Dizi Sangi)4.0 (782 reviews)4233 Moorpark Ave, San Jose, CA 95129, USA
Shabuway4.0 (334 reviews)4304 Moorpark Ave, San Jose, CA 95129, USA
Curry Life4.0 (279 reviews)4320 Moorpark Ave, San Jose, CA 95129, USA
Hokkaido Ramen Santouka4.0 (884 reviews)Inside Mitsuwa Marketplace, 675 Saratoga Ave #103, San Jose, CA 95129, USA
Tian-jin roasted chestnuts4.0 (9 reviews)675 Saratoga Ave, San Jose, CA 95129, USA
Wienerschnitzel4.0 (1004 reviews)75 Saratoga Ave, Santa Clara, CA 95050, USA
Taco Bell3.0 (710 reviews)3690 Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose, CA 95117, USA
Categories
Top Visited Sites
Punjab Cafe4.0 (1157 reviews)
La Eterna Primavera5.0 (5 reviews)
LA CALLEJERA COLOMBIAN FOOD4.0 (141 reviews)
LOS TACOS DE MI TIERRA4.0 (70 reviews)
Pacific Catch4.0 (642 reviews)
VPho4.0 (93 reviews)Trending Restaurant Locator Blog Posts
How to Find Late‑Night Dining Spots with Great Views and Ambience
Where to Find Vegan-Friendly Fast Food Late at Night Near Me
The Best Restaurants Open Near Me for Brunch on Weekends | Restaurant Locator
Late-Night Dining: Where to Find 24-Hour Breakfast All Year Round
Discover the Best Places for Late-Night Fusion Cuisine Open Near Me
The Future of Dining: How Restaurants Are Using Technology to Stay Open & Engaging
