Living in and eating out in Lakewood- Cho Dang tofu restaurant-

If you read my blog for any time what so ever you will conclude I enjoy ethnic food, and you would be correct.  Prefer it to all others.  Which is my favorite?  Well depends on the day.

One of my favorites is a Korean restaurant called Cho Dang Tofu Restaurant.  Really the name is a bit misleading since they serve a whole lot more than tofu and for the average American with little exposure to Korean fare tofu conjures up mostly mush and bland.  Let me assure you when you order one of their tofu dishes it will be anything but bland.

What can you expect when you go to a Korean tofu restaurant?  It it is Cho Dang, expect a laid back and casual atmosphere

 and you can expect to be greeted with a friendly smile and a cup of steaming hot tea.

  This will be followed by an assortment of tiny dishes filled with all different kinds of vegetables, most of them as kim chee.  ( a fermented spicy way of preparing many types of veggies)  You will also receive a tiny breaded fried fish.  These in themselves are worth the trip to Cho Dang and your main course is not even there yet.  Better yet as you meal progresses you will not just have your water or tea refilled the kim chee dishes will be refilled as well.

For your entree you will have many choices, I would recommend the soups, most any of them, just be sure you are ordering something that suits your taste for spiciness, if you are unsure, ask.  The soups range from mild to wild when it comes to the level of heat and you can get them starring sea food, beef or tofu.  ( like I said the name tofu restaurant is a little misleading)

My other favorite there is one of the rice dishes, all baked in a hot pot with toppings cooked right on top of the rice.  I like the one with squid and beans and herbs best....once it cools enough to eat ( they will be really hot temperature wise as well)  I mix the ingredients all together ( not sure this is how you are supposed to eat or not, and it sure tastes good that way)  and eat them all down to the crunchy rice stuck to the sides of the baking dish.

The service here is good, there are many choices ( including dishes with just seasoned meat and rice for the slightly less adventurous or those who do not like their food spicy), the service is good, the atmosphere is pleasant.  ( if you don't mind a large screen with Korean shows running during your meal)  and the prices are affordable. 

Looking to add a little spice to your day?  Head over to Cho Dang and when you are done you can finish your Asian grocery shopping at Paldo World Asian Grocery and pick up your bakery items at boulangerie bakery.

Cho Dang is located at -

9701 South Tacoma Way Tacoma, WA 98499
(253) 682-1968