Vivian C.

As par for the course, there was indeed a wait when we got to Kaju Tofu House. Soo we added our name and # in our party to the list set on the little table, and waited. Unfortunately the restaurant is relatively small, and the crowd patiently waiting just inside the door had no real place to stand out of the way. Fortunately, the waiting crowd likely blocked the brunt of the cold air from sweeping through the open door and onto the seated customers. With tofu in its name, we decided on tofu for our bellies. Me, I also wanted kalbi, so once I found a compatriot among my fellow diners, I ordered the combo meal of beef and seafood tofu soup (white) and kalbi $22.95, while everyone else ordered a tofu soup straight up. Thus I came to the realization that the tofu soup portion was a tad smaller when ordered as a combo option. Eyeballing my bowl, I figure it could have possibly fit into my DCs' bowls, but I'm not 100% sure since I didn't actually test the hypothesis. Note: the whole eggs that comes with the banchan are raw. First thing you should do after your tofu arrives bubbling to the table is crack one on in, so that the egg has the time and heat to cook right up. Yup, I didn't quite do that as the photos of my meal can attest, so my egg took a tad longer to cook through, but since the tofu soup was too hot to eat immediately anyways, that was fine. My soup, when I got to it, was tasty, but a bit light on the seafood. I spied 1 tiny whole shrimp, 1 free floating shrimp head, and a shelled creature (either a free floating mussel or clam - I didn't study my meal, I just popped it in my mouth with a spoonful of tofu and chewed). The kalbi had that beautifully overcooked color that some love (like me) and others view as a mistreatment of the cow. It was pretty yummy. As for service... The first time I asked a waitress for a refill of the broccoli banchan, no issues. The second time, however, her attitude left something to be desired. Seriously, 3-4 small broccoli florets for a table of 4 diners? It was the only green thing on the table besides the small salad banchan, and each refill was as miniscule as the original. It was also the only banchan we had refilled, so if she was a bit more service oriented, she could have considered bringing over a larger portion as a refill and then I would have not "bugged" her the 2nd time. I appreciate that they allow a choice of spice levels of their tofu soup. Most places do not, so I have not had this normally spicy Korean dish often, and a friend told me even the lightest spice level here is rather hot, so "white" it was! I'd like a repeat of the kalbi, perhaps with the clam variation of the tofu soup, but the stone pots are also calling out to me... And if my fellow diners were to want in on a seafood pancake, that'll likely be part of my next meal as well.
(4)
Jenn Z.

We had tofu/oyster soup, beef & veggies in the clay pot, and beef noodle soup. Totally delicious and completely worth the wait. Service was overall very good apart from them mistaking our orders/check.
(4)
John D.

4.5/5 It's strange walking in here and writing your own name down for a table. There's no host/hostess and that's how you get a table LOL. I saw like 5 names in front of me and I thought it would be like a 30min wait, ended up being like 15min because people left and didn't feel like waiting so they got their names crossed off. GG. For starters we ordered seafood pancake. I heard good things about it and tried to give it a shot, meh it was alright LOL. Nothing too crazy or too special about it to be honest. Wasn't worth the price I paid for it. ($12?) This was part of the reason of the 4.5/5. Ordered a Kim chi/beef tofu soup combo with bulgogi and it was delicious! Soup came out first of course with rice and like 8 side dishes (ban chans). My favorite one was the egg mixture because it felt like a potato salad but it was sweeter and calmed down my burning tongue LOL. Oh and the egg you can add inside the soup! I received a raw egg, cracked it open and poured it into my soup and eventually it cooked! Noice. For a kimchi/beef soup was real good and real hot. Burnt my tongue because I was too impatient. I ordered mild but it wasn't spicy at all, I should've 1-up'd the spicy level. Didn't taste much like kimchi doe to be honest unless it's not supposed to taste like it LOL. There's some bits of beef here and there but I didn't really pay much attention to it. Just that rice + soup together is bae. Into the Bulgogi it was sooooo good wow. The beef was very sweet and for some reason I just fell in love with it, I just wanted to save it and eat it last. My friend ordered the spicy pork and I have to admit, I may like it a little more than the bulgogi. Although very chewy, it was flavorful and had a nice kick of spice to it. This place is really small, like don't bother coming here with anymore than 4 because it'll be very hard to find seating or it'll be a long wait at least. Then service was alright, waiter knew when we were ready to order, and that was convenient. Sadly, my friend ordered his spicy pork but it was like the chef forgot to make it or something so there was a time gap when I received my bulgogi vs my friend's spicy pork. But when we were done eating our waiter disappears for a bit so we had to wait for the check, he also didn't offer us take out containers because we didn't finish our food. When he gave us our check, he said "paying with cash is that okay?" And it threw me off a little bit. I just assumed there was a surcharge to use debit/credit card or the machine was down or something. I wish they would have told us the reason. Overall very nice today for lunch. Seated quickly, appetizer and entree came out at a good time range between each other, and stayed full until for a while. Noice.
(5)
Lynda D.

First off, the place is small so it's always seems crowded esp. at night... There's a wait list that you sign yourself in.... Food is pricey ($12) for a small ass bowl of tofu stone bowl... I mean it taste good but still pricey for the amount you get..unless you have $$ to spare or just ballin' then try it out. Also if u have left over don't expect them to take care of it for u, you gotta wrap that shit yourself (hence this determines if I tip them more or less). BTW it's very hot in the restaurant so I couldn't even finish my soup bc I was already sweating from the heat (mind you it's fall season- chilly nights) Maybe I came on the wrong night... Who knows?
(3)
Audrey C.

Omg......this place is amazing but we waited for about 30 min to get seated and it was totally worth it. The restaurant is a bit small so when we were waiting it felt a bit awkward because we were in such close proximity to people eating. We got seated at around 730 and there wasn't much of a wait after that, so come later if you don't want to wait! Although there is a wait they are very efficient. Once your table is almost ready they give you the menu to look over and when you sit down you can order right away. Most of my party got the combination meal of tofu pot and bulgogi for $17.99. For the amount of food given, this was definitely worth it. They give you bit smaller than regular tofu pot and a bit smaller portion of the meat you choose, so for a couple more dollars you can basically get an entire other meal! I chose the kimchi and beef tofu pot and it was soo good, I like to add extra kimchi from the side dishes into the pot as well to add some more flavor. Don't forget, you can get more side dishes if you finish and their is tea on the house!
(5)
Esther J.

Ordered 4 medium spicy tofu stews. It was spicy but good. Not the best I've had by far but probably the best in the area. I was more disappointed in their service. No one came over to refill our water as we were coughing from the spice. No one refilled our condiments. Yes, it was busy, but the waiters were busy looking busy. It was on ok experience.
(3)
Derek W.

I really enjoyed my experience here. I had their beef and seafood tofu stew. The wait for the food to cook was a bit of a while but, you can't rush good food! When the stewed arrived, it was piping hot and oh soooo very fresh! Their service was so polite and always very prompt.
(4)
Joanna Y.

Nothing to complain about here! They have a variety of soondubu, even pig intestines (fiance's favorite). Portions are great. Side dishes here are consistently tasty with variety. Service is fast and friendly. Down side is that it is small and gets busy during weekends and peak dinner hours (6-9). But it is worth the wait if you have that soondubu craving.
(4)
Flo J.

The best tofu soup you will ever have! It is full of depth and flavor. So delicious! Come during an off time or you will be waiting for a while. During dinner time, there is a 30-1 hour wait. My favorite place to come whenever I'm in Allston.
(5)
Jeannie D.

The tofu soups are filling and delicious. You get to choose the level of spiciness and they have different kinds of soups including seafood and vegetarian. The soup comes with a bowl of rice and the mini dishes that are usually served with any other Korean food. It also comes with an egg - make sure you crack it and put it in the soup right when it gets to your table! Having raw eggs can have a bad ending lol The restaurant is pretty small and since it's a popular place, there will always be a line. Just make sure to write your name on the waitlist when you come in. The wait isn't crazy long but it also depends on the day you go.
(4)
Quynh Nhu D.

Good food but a not so fun experience brought a 4 down to a 3. My "family" decided to try this place out after seeing such glorious reviews about this place. Called ahead to make reservation and they declined. Sad faces. 7 out of 8 of us showed up first and we told them 7 people but one more person will be coming later - THE WORST MISTAKE in the history of Mistakes-At-Restaurant. We had to wait 30 minutes because they would not seat us until the full party is present. Tables come and go with our stomach crying for mercy. Didn't really get why he couldn't just seat us 7 and add one more chair when the other person show up... QQ Our friend came finally. And we had to wait 40 more dreadful minutes because they didn't have enough seats for us. Finally we decided to be less stupid and told them we can split our party in half. I guess it's not their fault but if they let us have that FULL EMPTY table an hour ago we wouldn't have to do this.. We sat down and immediately ordered, also asked to split the check since some people didn't bring cash. Request denied. Thank goodness the food was good or we'd probably all end our friendship that night. However, inconsistent banchan. There were really good ones and really bland tasteless ones. Anyways, because of the $$ we all chose to partner up and share combos. Which mean there would be riceless people. What made us slightly annoyed was the fact that they remained riceless even when we told the server we would pay for it. No water refills either. We basically didn't exist to them after we got our food and until we got the check. In conclusion, it was a good filling meal but I don't think I would come back here any time soon because of the plethora of similar places here in Boston and the service here was slow and unsatisfying.
(3)
CW W.

My best friend heard about a Korean place getting mad reviews so we thought would check it out. We have found our new go to Korean restaurant now. It's a small place (so get there early), nothing fancy, clean and smiling staff. I normally write long paragraphs in my reviews but this place, just go, it's so good. Ok ok, the tofu soups, just delicious. Melt in your mouth, dont want to stop eating it kind of goodness. I got bulgogi and my friend got something in the clay pot again, just want to lick the plate kind of yumminess. Oh and get the seafood pancake....it's the best one I've ever had anywhere. I do not have anything negative to say about this place. I mean food awesome, service great, atmosphere like your eating at home. But as always never take my word and give it a try yourself.
(5)
Thanh L.

It was cool and rainy last night and I was craving Korean beef, so I dragged a friend to Kaju, which totally hit the spot for both of us. We went late enough where it wasn't crowded (expect a big crowd outside on any night around normal dinner hours). Sizzling, delicious, mushroom tofu soup at a medium spicy level, lots of delicious little side dishes and Beef BBQ Ribs. One of my favorite sides was the pickled pear (I think it was pear...it could have been radish...the server wasn't sure either). We had 2 servers and both were super friendly. I'm a fan of spicy food and it was great that they had 5 levels of spice to choose from. My medium spicy was good when the dish was steaming hot, but it could have used more of a kick as the dish cooled down. I like the kind of spice that makes you sweat a little. Leveling up one chili pepper next time! The Beef BBQ Ribs were delicious - great flavoring, tender, and easy to eat off the bone. Great place for Korean food in the neighborhood.
(4)
Trevor S.

You know those winter days where the temperature dips a double digit number of degrees below freezing? Well boiling hot tofu stew served in a cozy place where the windows steam up is basically what the doctor ordered. You come here for the soondubu. Never had the other things. It's good. Served bubbling hot with a fresh egg to crack in it. They will actually make it spicy, if you ask them to. The pork is great. The seafood is briny and yum. But the real highlight is the gopchang. Google it. Try it. It's a combination made in heaven, like chocolate and peanut butter. You'll be glad. On a busy night there's almost always a wait. Considering there are probably ten Korean places within two blocks, that's a good sign. The negatives? The banchan. Kimchi that's kind of sweet. Nothing all that good.
(3)
Daniel S.

A lovely, flavorful experience on a cold winter day. The Kaju Tofu House specializes in (wait for it) tofu soup. We went there with a relatively big party (8 in total, including two young children). While Kaju has the usually array of Korean dishes (Bim Bim Bap in a hot pot, cellophane noodles, Korean BBQ), its (legitimate) claim to fame is its silken tofu soup. They come boiling (have to watch the kiddies) to the table in medium sized bowl. I ordered the oyster and kimchi soup and my girlfriend ordered the seafood and kimchi soup. Both were very rich and silky, due to the silken tofu, with a rich, aromatic broth, which (in my dish) had a wonderful seafood base (shrimp, scallop and fish flavors) with burst of oyster (which were scattered through the soup). It was a warming dish, both physically and emotionally. You can order them in degrees of heat (spice). My girlfriend ordered mild and I ordered medium. Frankly, I didn't see much of a difference. Next time, I may order 'hot'. As with any Korean meal, it came with multiple side dishes for free (just ask and they will refill them). They had a surprising dish with Mexican pear that was sweet and tart at the same time, and a great pickled cucumber that was refreshing and fresh. I could have grazed the side dishes all day. I would definitely go again. It is very casual and a bit of a hole in the wall, but absolutely worth the experience. If you come early, it is easy to get seated, but at 530p it got very crowded and the place is small, so you can expect a queue.
(4)
Parth S.

Pretty good! Excellent choices for vegetarian. Fast service. Highly recommend it! Will definitely go again especially on a cold day.
(4)
Jessica Y.

I didn't think tofu soondubu here in Boston would beat out BCD's in NYC. Boy, was I wrong! The taste was definitely more flavorful here. Plus you could order a soondubu and meat/veggie dish for your combo. I have gotten the beef and tofu soondubu with beef ribs for $22.99. The ribs were so tender and perfectly marinated. The meat peeled easily off the bone without much effort. I was not, however, impressed with the banchan dishes. Other than that the food here is perfect for single digit weather and temps in the teens. They take cards.
(4)
Joyce L.

I'll say it loud and proud... I prefer the Harvard Square location!! I know Allston is the original and the original locations are usually the best, but not kaju. The allston location is TINY and too overpopulated. Why so busy at 9PM, kaju?! The banjan, soondubu and galbi are delicious at both locations, BUT the harvard location gives you about 2x the amount of rice (in your own stone bowl!!) AND it's so much more spacious. The server made us move tables after I took off 3 of my 4 layers of clothing and got all situated, which was fine and understandable, but then we accidentally didn't tip enough because we are both out of towners and were too lazy to pull out our calculators/use our brains. We assumed doubling tax would be about 16%, but it came out to be about 13-14%. The lady who brought us our check (she didn't tend to us before this point) stood next to me and asked me in Korean why I tipped under 15%. She refused to leave until I gave her an answer as to why I undertipped... awkward turtle much? The entire encounter was uncomfortable enough where I probably won't be heading back to kaju allston any time soon.
(2)
Grace O.

INTESTINE TOFU SOUP. I know people get queasy around the mention of intestines but everyone needs to have this. It is the best thing ever. Generous portion of cut up intestines, nice and soft and creamy, mmmmmmm. Seafood jijim is fantastic with huge chunks of octopus poking out. Initially I thought it was a bit pricey but it really is worth every cent. Not a huge fan of the BBQ chicken, my friends love it but it's a bit too sweet for me. Also the kimchi oyster soup doesn't come with much oyster... Bottom line, great place to go any season, but best in winter. Gotta arrive REALLY early though, the queue starts to form at 6, which is pretty much testament to how much everyone loves the food here.
(4)
Pam C.

Attempting to come here with a group larger than 4 people is just asking for an 90 minute wait. This particular establishment in Allston's Koreatown almost constantly has a small mob around it. The seating inside tends to be limited, but service is speedy and the food is delicious. The waitstaff is very efficient when it comes to seating the hungry mob waiting outside, and ordering and food come very quickly. They offer tea for free, but you have to ask for it - the default is ice water. They have a pretty standard menu of tofu stews and other dishes - like most Korean tofu houses, you can get a combo of a tofu stew and some other dish for a special price. Unlike other tofu places that I've been to, the tofu stew in a combo is a smaller size than the standalone tofu stew. Overall, Kaju is quite delicious. They have a good range of side dishes. The tofu stew did come with more tofu than I was used to - instead of having more liquid, I would say it was 80% tofu. The spiciness levels are notched down a bit - the regular spicy tasted more like a medium spicy to me. The stone pot rice dishes (available with a variety of toppings) are very delicious - the mixture of the runny yolk and crunchy stone pot rice is enough to make my mouth water. Make sure to budget adequate time for the wait.
(4)
Alexandra M.

I've lived in Korea, and I can tell you that this is authentic and fantastic! Other than the kimchi which I thought was the same stuff that I bought from grocery stores in Korea and the fact that the rice cakes were not warm. I had the tofu soup and my mom had the bulgogi and both were too big for us to eat all of. Soup served boiling so be warmed!
(4)
Andrew R.

~~FOOD~~ 5/5 Soon Dubu Jjigae is my favourite comfort food. There are times when I feel shoyu ramen, samgaetang, or pho beat it, but I always come back to my love of soon dubu jjigae. Straight up, this is the best in Boston and New England. The galbi, bulgogi, pajeon, japchae are all standardly good. They also have the best spread of banchan. ~~SERVICE~~ 4/5 Service is pretty snappy. Ask for refills of your favourite banchan, water, or tea. They'll get it for you. Generally good, but not the most amazing service I've had in a fast/casual sit-down. ~~OTHER~~ Expect a wait on a cold night, in winter, or on the weekend. Now, this is a bit of history: the owner of this and the sister store in Harvard Sq is actually the same one that served me Soon Dubu Jjigae when I lived in Orange County, CA. It was so awesome to see that she opened up shop here in Boston when I moved. Her cousin, sister, or relation keeps up the location in Irvine, but, when she moved here, the Irvine location had a few hiccups with service, food quality, and staffing. I noticed. We all noticed. Anyways, the locations here in Allston and Harvard are good. And when she's around, she'll remember you -- even from that time long ago in Cali. ~~OVERALL~~ Really it's a 5/5 for the food and the rest you can forget.
(5)
Kimmy U.

I haven't tried any other tofu places in Boston because I was afraid of being disappointed, but I was pleased with Kaju! It seems like it's the same one as the location in Irvine, CA if you've been. They have the same wallpaper and menu- the only difference is the PRICE! It's 11.99 here, which is kinda steep for soondubu, but when you're craving it, that first slurp is so worth it! This place is really small, and it seems like there's always a line! Even when we went early, around 5:45, there was still a wait! I don't think it'd be good for large groups either, unless you're willing to wait a while. They have a pretty good amount of banchan, and you can ask for more..which they may or may not be reluctant to give you. One of the waitresses was rude the whole time, but the other guy was really nice so we always flagged him down if we needed anything. I always get either the oyster, beef, or oyster/beef tofu soup, medium level please! I used to get mild, but when I realized I could totally handle the medium, BRING IT ON! Too bad that's like nothing to all my Korean friends though :[ I don't think I'm at spicy level yet.. Maybe when I kill off some more tastebuds. Thank you for existing Kaju!! You satisfy my tofu soup appetite :]
(4)
Jennifer L.

The bibimbap and tofu soups are the best
(5)
Jenny C.

It seems like popularity has gotten to their head. My friend ordered a Soondubu + Bibimbop combination and got one bowl of rice for both dishes. When we asked about the missing bowl for his Bibimbop (which came in a bowl with only the toppings), the waiter told us he would charge us more for it. What's the point of having bibimbop without rice? That's just salad then!
(2)
Marcy Z.

Delicious! We were seated quickly and everything came out a few minutes after we ordered. I needed help ordering and the waiter was patient and explained things. We had bibimbap, and bbq beef with tofu soups. So the soup (I had the seafood) was my favorite but everything was great. I had never had such flavorful, perfect texture tofu and frankly I had never cared for it. This was fantastic! Two diet cokes added and we spent $44.
(5)
Lannie L.

Boston's reputation is that it is NOT a city for good Korean food. Though I generally agree, I really enjoy Kaju. It's not a tiny restaurant, but still small and crowded when busy. The servers do tend to rush you when lines start forming (I was delivered the check as I was still finishing my soup..) but generally they are nice and responsive throughout the meal (the call button at each table is convenient to avoid having to hail them down). Now for the food: "soondooboo" is a spicy, red pepper-based soup, chock full of very soft tofu and additional items of your choice, brought to bubbling in a stone pot. I always go with the kimchi and beef combo but I'm sure anything is good depending on what you're in the mood for. You can also request for your preference of spice level (regular spicy is just fine for me). They are all around $11, and more if you're going to go with a meat combo. A tad unsettling that the menu has a disclaimer that you can specifically request for MSG to be omitted from your meal.. Another measuring stick to the quality of Korean food is by the side dishes or "banchan." I thought their banchan was ok, though not the traditional ones you'd expect. Pickled spicy cucumbers, potatoes, egg yolk salad, kimchi, bean sprouts, ddukbokki (which should not be a side, should not be cold, and the rice cakes should not be so tough to eat), and some brown/green vegetable side that I didn't touch b/c it just didn't look appetizing. Besides that, the staples are good and you can always request more. Oh, and crack your egg into the soup immediately while it's bubbling and use your spoon to pour some of the soup on top of it to bury it. Didn't they used to bring rice in a stone pot too for nooleungji at the end? Yes, my 4 stars still stands even though I listed out some complaints...soondooboo is just one of my faves, I can't help it.
(4)
MisoSoup O.

Sweet spot, fast and a vast variety of tofu soups (personally, I do not like the egg in the soup- makes it too thick but if you like it- you must crack your egg into your soup when it is still hot! WAIT TIME: This place is packed (and also small), days and weekends so be aware that this place can have wait time. Worth it. When snowing, you will still wait outside and sometimes around the block's corner. Very popular. But the time does go by fast. SERVICE: Good to excellent. FOOD: for two people we always order our usuals: one soup (just tofu or mushroom tofu) and bibibamp. Make sure you are not ordering too spicy food. The tofu soups are thick & lot of tofu but sometimes too salty. COST: more than reasonable. We went there with a friend who is a Chef and he was in haven- so many flavors/seasonings/tastes/little dishes at the beginning. Worth a visit.
(4)
Jacqueline C.

Yumm!! No one will leave here without trying the tofu soup! - love the texture and taste of both the tofu and the soup. Deliciousness! - get the combo if you want a larger portion
(4)
Shirley Y.

Super long lines. All day, every day. They don't take reservations, all you have to do is put your name down on a list when you get there and wait ro be called. Usually, you have enough time to run soemwhere close and grab a bubble tea before you get called. As far as the tofu soup goes, super yummy, especially on a cold winter day! You can get it white (non spicy), mild, spicy, or extra spicy. Crack the egg right when they being it out though so it can cook in the stone pot. I haven't been let down so far =]
(4)
Di L.

The dobu combos here are the least expensive and most delicious meals I have ever eaten at a Korean restaurant. They range from $17-21 and consist of 1) variety of sides (kimchi, mixed greens salad, cucumber kimchi, dried salted tiny fish, shredded seaweed, seasoned daikon, seasoned bean sprouts, potato salad, raw egg to drop into your bubbling stew) 2) any soon dobu on the menu 3) one of the BBQ or clay pot entrees listed 4) bowl of rice 5) clay pot that the rice was cooked in, with hot water added.* Everything was so delicious. The sides were pungent, crunchy and refreshing. The kimchis were not spicy at all. The stew was thick and meaty, with big chunks of silken tofu. There are five levels of spiciness to choose from, mild to extra spicy. If you aren't Korean or a masochist, don't pick extra spicy. The bulgogi beef was all lean and too sweet for my taste. I prefer the spicy pork. It isn't spicy but has a better balance of sweet and salty, with a light smoky flavor. The menu doesn't specify whether the combo portions are regular or half-size. I'd hazard they are full portions, because they were huuuuuuge, and I didn't see anyone with bigger bowls or platters (though I wouldn't be surprised if everyone ordered combos). All I know is, most other Korean restaurants in Boston cost far more for smaller portions of less delicious food. Kaju is a small restaurant that doesn't take reservations. Customers often eat slowly and converse at the table after their meals. This means that you will spend some time drooling over other people's glistening kalpi as you wait for your table. It's better to get there before or after the dinner rush. However, they stop taking new customers after about 9:30p. Also, you can't bring outside drink and I didn't notice any alcohol on the menu. I did notice, though, that the busboy cleared a table littered with kalpi bones by wiping it down with a customer's leftover ice water. If this grosses you out, bring personal disinfectant or get takeout. Just don't miss the dobu here. It is worth the travel and the wait. I'll definitely go back...soon? *When rice is cooked, there's invariably a layer that gets stuck to the bottom of the pot. It's crispy, lightly caramelized and beloved by rice-eating civilizations everywhere. Adding boiling water to this crust before the meal gradually releases the rice from the pot, and you can eat the mixture as a crunchy soup after. I like putting kimchi juice in it.
(5)
Steven S.

INTESTINES!!!! They chop them up and throw them in the tofu soup. It's delicious. So tender and just melts in your mouth. Don't think, just order it and enjoy it. It's kind of like when you decide to go to Mcdonalds but you won't regret this no matter how much you think about it. Intestines. These don't taste like poop. The extra spicy isn't spicy enough. Will still come back for intestine tofu..
(4)
Yuki S.

this place...idk why but gives me an impression that its quite dirty. i meant the enviorment. the food is just ok, i've seen better.
(3)
Marlana Y.

I am mixed about this place. I use to love color which was down the street but the recipes have changed and the taste has gotten progressively worst over the years so I haven't been. So I come here because it's pretty consistent and it's typically the only other place in the area that serves tofu mushroom chigae (stew). I'm still not super in love with the tofu chigae like how it tasted at color but it's a good substitution. I do love the crunchy rice at the bottom of the rice bowl but sometimes they won't give it to you unless you specifically ask for it. The waitstaff is pretty cool and the service is fast. They have buttons on the table but when you press on it they don't come as fast as how they are suppose to if this was Asia. There's always a line during the busy hours so try to get one person there earlier 10-15 mins to get a table for you or at least put a name down.
(3)
Ariel Z.

Came here on a date more than a year ago, so this review is extremely delayed. I read the reviews only after I had already gone and was quite surprised. The spicy kimchi soup I ordered was delicious, but not something I'd come back for. All in all, just seems like your typical Korean tang joint. Good, but nothing to write home about in my opinion.
(3)
Dave M.

everything is still the same for me. the food is great and the service is quick and decently friendly. but they did change something that slightly irks me. i went with my wife but we just ordered one toju + meat combo to share b/c i wasn't really hungry. b/c of that, they said they don't refill the side dishes. i guess i'll try to understand from a business standpoint but refilling it once probably isn't a huge blow to their financial success. i don't like that rule much. other than that i still recommend this place.
(4)
Kim Y.

Mmm! First time here; my friend was raving about it so we went. The wait is known to be quite long but we were seated fairly quickly. We got a combo dish and the seafood pancake which left me full and satisfied! Best seafood pancake I've had because it was actually filled with seafood and not just fillers. The side dishes are great with the rice. And I loved cracking my egg into my soup! Hehe I'll definitely be back :)
(4)
Zoe S.

I'm constantly craving the mushroom tofu soup. Extra spicy! Food is super flavorful, staff is friendly, facility is clean. 5 stars!
(5)
Dorise G.

The food here is awesome, but if you don't time it right you will wait. A while. A lot of times eating Korean food out means Korean BBQ, and while delicious, it was nice to have a number of healthy-ish soup options, and the gorgeous clay pots. Everything is presented beautifully, arrives quickly, tastes delicious, and I will be back. Big ups to the seafood soup and the beef and veggie clay pot, rice crisped up on the outsides of the bowl giving you a crunch with the rest of your fixins. And yeah, that ketchup bottle is actually hot sauce, but you still want it slathered all over your goods.
(5)
Teresa C.

My soondubu cherry has been popped and it couldn't have been at a better place! I love soup. Growing up, I've only really liked my mom's authentic Chinese soups. I had the kimchi and oyster tofu soup and my bf had the beef and seafood tofu soup. His tasted like something my mom would make at home :) I love spicy so obviously I liked my soup more. The broth wasn't overpowered by the kimchi and it was perfectly seasoned throughout, not too salty mhmm hmm. I would love to try the kimchi beef. The tofu was soft and just so tasty with the kimchi broth. This place makes me want to seek out other Korean tofu soup joints on/near Long Island. It's my favorite Asian eatery in Boston as of now lol. We also had the seafood pancake which I had one slice of and will say it was alright. Tasted fresh and loaded with diff seafood such as crab (prolly imitation), octopus/squid and some scallion/green onion. Overall, I'm happy to have tried something different while here in Boston :D of course we have it in NY, but I just never knew about it :3
(5)
Isabelle L.

Having been to so many Korean restaurants in Boston, Kaju is the best for a nice hot soup in the winter. It's over priced, but so is most Korean restaurants near by. The soup they have is always served boiling hot, then you get to crack an egg into it and it's the most comforting delight! Small dishes are great and you can always ask for more. Soups come with rice and completes the meal with the soup. If you want more meat, they also have bbq dishes like Beef ribs that are delicious as well. Service has always been good and I try to avoid rush hours but their restaurant is never empty!
(5)
Shaina P.

As I hover between 4 and 5 stars, I think about how the spiciness increases when it's a darker shade of red ... and so, I will go with 5 stars. I have never seen so many choices of soon du bu, it's like heaven. for people who love boiling hot stew loaded with soft yummy tofu. and spicy. Be prepared to wait. And sweat. Cook a raw egg in your jigae. Yum... stir to reveal all the tofu goodness. Wait so you don't boil off your cheeks. Bring a friend to share a dinner.
(5)
Christina H.

Definitely one of my favorite places to eat on a chilly, autumn/winter day (even though I am writing this review on a mid-July hot, humid evening). They serve complimentary sides, which is so awesome. My favorite side is the spicy pickled cucumber and the egg salad. The tofu is perfect every time; I'm a fan of the Beef and Octopus. I always run into the dilemma of choosing between the BBQ spare ribs and the BBQ chicken combo with my tofu soup; either option is delicious! As if the combo and sides aren't already enough, my boyfriend orders the seafood pancake, which is big enough to share for 4 or more people. And one more thing before I go... more spicy pickled cucumbers please. They are sooooo good.
(5)
Sylvia C.

We got there before the dinner rush (place was near full but no wait) - got one of the remaining 2 tables available. The server came to take our order...I ordered my seafood tofu soup (extra spicy) and my hubby ordered grilled beef with tofu combo. Server asks which tofu soup he wants and he ordered the seafood tofu soup (mild). Didn't know the tofu in the combos represented tofu soup...thought it would be some grilled tofu side. All the sides dishes came shortly after we placed our order...one of my fave parts of korean cuisine - trying all the different flavors and side dish options because no two places are alike with their spread. The spicy seafood soup was spicy but after a few more slurps - my palette adjusted to the seasoning. The tofu is not as silken as I would like it but still soft. The shrimps was too much work - small and weirdly textured (funky color). I just placed them on the side. The soup, little clams and tofu was good enough to keep me happy. The seafood tofu soup that came with the combo was a little bit smaller than my bowl but same ingredients. Generous portion on the grilled beef. My hubby was happy with both of his dishes. I wished I ordered a combo, too - so I could have gotten the best of both worlds on my first visit. Definitely - will do so on my next visit. =)
(4)
Cindy H.

This place has awesome service and food. I wish they had more options for appetizers, but the dishes they have are scrumptious.
(4)
Elaine T.

It was my first time coming here and i loved this place!! even though it's pretty small the food was phenomenal! I ordered the combo, bulgogi dish and the beef jjigae we also ordered the seafood pancake and it was very good! This is a great place to eat and hangout with your friends:) Im most definitely going to come here again!
(5)
David K.

Time: Sunday afternoon 1:00 Food quality: Awesome. I'm a Korean that has grown up eating Korean food, have been to Korea on several occasions, had hand made tofu there. This place is what you would expect from the ratings, at least the food was. Service: For a Korean, expecting service at a Korean restaurant, it was tremendously disappointing. We went with 6 people (hungry guys). The waiter took our order, then stood around for 10 to 15 minutes not bringing any side dishes. We had to ask for it then proceeded to bring one set of side dishes (usually it is normal to bring two sets with any group larger than 4 people). Also brought out the rice with the side dishes. I don't know why. We thought by demolishing the side dishes they would get the hint. All they told us after the second refill was a prompt "this is the last refill." Oh, and they didn't speak Korean.
(2)
Candy T.

Bad service....long Wait...rude staffs... if you decided to hang out with few friends don't pick this place... awful... especially if u go during dinner time. Well I figured why that guy treated us rudely after I found that he charged us with 18% tips (5 people) rather u like their service or not...it was horrible!! I have told my friends not to go there again...
(1)
Won K.

Food sucks. Taste the same as Hmart food. Cheap. This place is over priced and service sucks. I'll never go here again and I'm not leaving a tip.
(1)
Harvard P.

Coming from California, I pretty much assumed that I could find good soondubu in any major metro area. Imagine my disappointment when I moved to Boston and couldn't find anything that was quite up to par... Until Kaju tofu house came along! Seriously this is the best soondubu that you will find in Bostone. The place is pretty small, and if you come during regular meal times, you will have to wait. But it is totally worth the wait. The tofu is soft and the broth flavorful. I get regular spicy and it's not that bad, so if you like spicy definitely go for the most spicy level. I wasn't as impressed with the food outside of the soondubu. The grilled meats were just ok, and the banchan wasn't as good as other restaurants in the area. You also get less tofu if you get the combination, so I wouldn't recommend getting it.
(4)
Daniel C.

Soondooboo was pretty good here. I liked it better than Light House Tofu in Virginia. It was tastier and didn't make my face swell up like Gary Coleman. I guess they use less sodium in their cooking. Anyways, I look forward to coming back.
(4)
Astra G.

We were super excited to get a seat on a weekend night without a long wait... I've been very interested in checking this place out for some time but have been a bit turned off by the LONG lines they have (but really made me want to visit even more since people are willing to wait for it). Maybe there were less people because they've finally settled into the hood, or maybe the fierce cold turned people away...which is basically THE best weather to have delicious hot and spicy tofu soup in. Our piping hot tofu soup was awesome with the right amount of seafood/meat to tofu and they didn't skimp on the spiciness. Our beef bulgogi was also super moist and thin and flavorful. I could of probably ate the whole thing by myself and then hated myself later for it. We also shared a seafood pancake which was not bad. Our service was excellent and they were concerned with whether or not we were too cold from sitting by the door and moved us, which I really appreciated. I'll definitely be back for some more belly warming tofu soup to help me through the rest of winter.
(4)
Mary T.

Overall--3.5. I contemplated to round up or down because right after I felt satisfied with what I ate but a couple days later when I thought back at all the korean restaurants I ate at in LA, it was only somewhat comparable to those restaurants. The service at this restaurant during my experience was good and food was not bad. To go in depth, I came here on a weekend for dinner and I ordered a seafood tofu soup. This is a typical korean restaurant. They give you banchans upon ordering your meal. The tofu soup was so flavorful. I got spicy and they don't go easy on their red pepper flakes. The spiciness kicked me in my face when I had my first bite. The seafood tofu soup had shrimp, clams, oysters and a lot of tofu... (duh). It was busy, but I came a little before the rush so I didn't have to wait to get seated. The servers constantly came and refilled our waters and asked how everything was. They were quick with getting our check at the end as well, maybe because people were starting to wait at the door to get seated. They have a flat screen TV in the restaurant that plays korean shows. It kind of makes you feel like you are in Korea. I will recommend this place to my friends and others. I definitely will come back for a second try!
(4)
Rachel L.

Been here multiple times recently since is close to my work place. The tofu soup is really good and I usually get the seafood with beef. The shrimp can be a pain since the shell is still on it, and when the soup is hot, it's nearly impossible for me to peel it. I just recently tried the soup extra spicy and it was not that bad not extremely spicy. Usually when I come, I get the combo which consist of the tofu soup and a side dish. The chicken is really good, especially the new spicy and sweet one, though it may be a little too sweet. I have yet tried the kalbi beef but I may next time. The service is okay, always seems to be pack, medium seating and may need to wait at times. Otherwise, this is a good place and I'll be sure to come back soon.
(4)
Lillian C.

I was craving some hot korean soon dubu and tried this place out. There is street parking in the area, but it's also pretty close to T and bus stops so it's easy to get to. It's decently sized, but I can see how it can fill up fast on a cold day and you would have to wait for a table. It's a little weird because there isn't too much space to wait and you end up just sitting/standing next to people who are eating... staring at them like vultures... Haha I ordered the seafood soon dubu and chicken combo. It's a lot of food and could definitely last me two meals. The soon dubu was pretty decent, but the chicken was really good and flavorful. Their banchans were pretty delicious too and there was a good variety of them. The kimchi was a little bland tho IMO. The main reason I like this place is because it's a pretty authentic soon dubu place and reminds me a lot of the places back in LA... Definitely a place to get a nice hot meal on cold winter nights...
(4)
Skimmilk K.

Awesome soondubu soup!!! I love this place especially on a cold winter's night. I've gone here about 4 times in the last 6 months so I thought it was time to write a review. It gets crowded for dinner. Especially when it's cold. The best time for the Korean soft tofu soup! Yum! They bring it piping hot to your table accompanied with the raw egg to mix in! The best part is that they have a deal that you can get the soup with Kalbi, bulgogi or spicy chicken! Kalbi is my favorite. Obviously, you don't cook it at the table but that just gets it to you faster.
(5)
Lusi J.

Everything is always wonderful here. The staff is always attentive and the food is great. Make sure to come early for dinner as they get full very quickly and the wait can be very long.
(5)
Alexandra S.

Having just eaten here this past Sunday evening, all I can say is that I can't wait to return. This is a small 10 or 12 table restaurant in the heart of Allston serving authentic and delicious Korean food. Specifically one comes to Kaju Tofu to experience Sundubu (sometimes spelled Soondubu) which is a spicy soft tofu soup. While there are a few other items on the menu, including Korean bbq, the Sundubu seems to be the star of the show. We entered what is a simple, no frills establishment. Undoubtedly you will find as we did, the tables filled with people surrounded by many plates of food. People will have dreamy looks of contentment on their faces as they lift chopsticks to mouths. There is not a lot of talking going on and now I understand why; people are concentrating on all the deliciousness set before them. We arrived around 5:00pm and already there wasn't a table to be had. There is no designated area to wait except just inside the doorway or if there is no room there, just outside the door. It's a bit awkward but the turnover time for us was fairly short. Once seated we noticed a litttle red button on each table. Apparently these are common in Korean restaurants and once pressed they summon a waitperson soundlessly. There was no need to press our button however as a lovely waitperson came quickly to pour us water and give us menus. Although I have had Korean food before, I am still very much a novice so after a bit of help from the waitperson, I decided on the kimchee oyster Sundubu. The Sundubu comes in a variety of hot chili levels. I chose medium hot which was perfect but I think next time I might go up to the next level, such is my love of all things hot and spicy. My husband decided to pass on the soup although I think he made a mistake not to try a bowl himself. He ordered the Bulgogi, a marinated beef dish. A little while later our server brought out an array of banchan which is an assortment of traditional Korean side dishes. Ours included cabbage kimchee, cucumber kimchee (a favorite of ours), pickled cubed white radish, mustard leaf (at least I think that's what that was), fermented beans, hard cooked egg that had been marinated in soy sauce, tofu slices, and a plate of chopped lettuce and carrots. Bowls of rice soon come out as well. The banchan are like little appetizers meant to whet your appetite for what is to come. Then out came my Sundubu boiling away in a crock. This colorful, roiling thick stew-like soup was a thing of beauty. It is traditional to crack open the raw egg you are provided and let it cook in the boiling broth. An interactive experience! The egg adds an additional richness and unctuousness to this already hearty and fabulous dish. The kimchee oyster was a great choice; I loved it. Sundubu can be ordered with wide variety of ingredients which are options beyond the basic bowl of hearty soup. Other choices include seafood, vegetables, chicken, beef and pork which can be added in a variety of combinations. My husband loved his Bulgogi. This was a good sized portion of very thinly sliced sirloin that had been marinated in soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, sugar and scallions. We also ordered their version of a scallion pancake which I am still dreaming about today. It was larger and thicker than any I've had before stuffed not only with the scallions but bits of seafood as well. You could make a light meal just out of that pancake. The portion of soup was beyond plenty and I couldn't finish my bowl. As well we had 3 pieces of pancake leftover so I happily took the leftovers home. What I know today and wish I had known when we ate there but will remember next time, is that one should try the rice crust that is left in the bottom of the stone bowls from which the waitperson has served your rice. She left those stone bowls near us and I watched her pouring a lightly colored steaming hot liquid into the bowls. I was so busy eating I didn't think to ask her what she was doing. I've since learned that it was hot tea that she poured in. This concoction now becomes a dish called Sungnyung (or scorched rice tea) and is meant to be imbibed. Next time, I'll know better and will try it. Prices here are extremely reasonable and the service is efficient. The staff are impeccably polite, kind and were really hustling on this busy evening. While we were there we noticed only two other tables of people besides us who were speaking English. Everyone else seemed very much in the know and were able to speak to the waitstaff in Korean. We took this as a good sign of the food's authenticity. Regardless, this place is serving up delicious foods with complex and amazing flavors. I have found a new love and its name is Kaju Tofu.
(4)
Elica Y.

Overall, a decent tofu house. Kinda on the pricer side in comparison to the ones back at home in Los Angeles. The restaurant is SO small. I can't stand the fact that whenever the door opens a gust of cold wind enters the restaurant. What an unpleasant way to be drinking tofu soup. Food wise this place is pretty standard. Their seafood and beef soup is pretty good and perfect for one person. Medium is the perfect amount of spice for me. My least favorite part about this place is how stingy they are. My friends have told me they have been refused to get seconds on their side dishes. When I came here last with a group of three people, they gave us three pieces of broccoli, potatoes, eggplant, etc. Coincidence? I think not.
(3)
Jane H.

If you're looking for a good hole in the wall Korean eatery in the Boston area, this is it. Portions are perfect, service is fast, wait is not so fast (so I've heard) but I got here early so we sat down immediately (party of 2) and the food is just AMAZING.
(5)
Seth K.

We had a craving for some Korean food so we decided to check this place out. We had the soonduboo and kalbi. As a Korean, the medium spicy is weak sauce - it is catered to the American spicy taste. If you like medium spice (Korean style) make sure you order spicy instead of medium. The spicy here is equivalent to BCD Tofu House's medium. The food was decent. It accomplished to satisfy but it did not impress me. A decent place to satisfy a Korean food craving. The QIQ quotient (Quality = 6, Inexpensive = 5, Quantity = 7) is a 18.
(3)
Jay L.

Really good, solid food, decent service, in a comfortable restaurant. Went by with a group of 6 and fit nicely into one of their comfortable booths. The service is attentive, as several people came by at checked on us throughout the meal, but it could still use a bit of fine tuning. We wait a bit for our food to start. The sides and most of the tofu soups came together, but after that we waited a bit longer to get rice. I think a long wait for food should be buffered by getting the sides out early. The rice and main dishes could come out together as well. They also got the combo and single order soups sizes wrong, but it was not a huge deal. The food was good all around. We got a variety of mild to spicy, mostly seafood and beef tofu soups which were solid. The combo dishes were also good: the hot vegetables/bi bim bap was a pretty generous portion, the ribs and bulgogi were tasty. The sides were good, pretty standard, but we could have used more. All around excellent food. If the service was a bit smoother, it would earn that extra star.
(4)
Elaina L.

Kaju tofu house, I'm looking at you the way a dog's nose quivers when they see their owner eating yummy bacon. Ever since my boyfriend moved and we're in the area less, I miss you so. I mainly come here for their tofu soups and recently, fell in love with the white soup base. Try it! It's better for your skin (for all you acne prone folks). My favorite tofu soup option is the beef and octopus. On weekends, expect some wait time because the place is so tiny. Also, they clean their tables with a cleanser spray and once, I sat next to a table they were just cleaning up. I swear the cleaning product misted into my soup. I made eye contact with my friend who was sitting across the table and we both instinctively pushed our soups farther away. Asides from that, Kaju tofu house is one of my favorites.
(4)
Carrie L.

One of my favorite restaurants in Boston! Kaju Tofu House focuses on soondubu (spicy tofu soup). You come here BECAUSE you want soondubu! Great in the summer and even better in the winter. They have about 10 different types for you to choose. You can also get combo soondubu with another main entree (meat or bibimbap). Great starter appetizers and the soondubu also comes with rice and an egg for you to crack. If you want a Korean specialty, you got it here.
(4)
Angela S.

Update, now that I've been to Korea. I had soondubu three times at least in Seoul. I think all my friends figured out it was my favorite dish by the end. I would say Kaju is pretty darn close to the tofu stew I had in Korea, probably the closest I'll find around here. You don't even have to order medium spicy; soondubu in Korea wasn't as spicy as I thought; even a little/medium spicy is close enough. The banchan variety here remains one of the highlights for me as well. Still my favorite Korean place in Greater Boston.
(5)
Imran G.

This is probably the only place in the Allston area where waiting 30-45 minutes for dinner would be worth it. There's bars up and down the street, but none of them provide that super cozy feeling when a hotter-than-hell claypot finds its way in front of you. What's worse is that you become the envy of everyone waiting outside, my wife overheard some people who were waiting, speaking in Mandarin, "Maybe it we get real loud, they'll leave faster..." No, we won't leave faster, this food is so hot, and makes me feel so cozy that I'm actually going to ask for a pillow so I can take a nap here. Seriously though, I've never felt that satisfied in my life. A biggle (my wife's way of saying big old) claypot of chicken, rice, and vegetables all served piping hot is a great way to change your mood. I was craving spicy food, and the chicken was a bit on the sweet side, but they give you a bottle of red sauce that can make things interesting. My wife's beef tofu also came in a clay pot helping it stay hot for the entire meal. I'm not sure which dish I liked better, but I definitely enjoyed both quite a bit. Of course it all comes with bon chon (little side dishes), so that was a nice little touch. Drinks come in a can with a glass of ice, I would have preferred fountain, but this will do. Definitely a spot that can become regular weekly/biweekly thing.
(5)
Dave P.

Small place. Friendly staff. The food came out fast. We ordered a veggie tofu and a kimchi & Beef tofu and the total was around $26. The food was awesome. I know, because I'm a Korean-American and my mom makes this for me all the time and it's as good as my mom's. I approve! The side dishes were great too. Most Korean restaurants ignore this and serve bland sid dishes but this place was legit. But the seating is extremely limited and there's always a line so expect to wait and be patient. You'll be rewarded.
(4)
Eva W.

Best tofu soup in town. LONG wait during the dinner time. My BF and I ordered a soondubu + BBQ Rib combo and a extra tofu soup. A lot side dishes Hard to find parking space.
(5)
Eugene K.

Been here a few times and simply love it! Food comes out quick and quality is great! get the combo menu and it will fill your tummy just right. Yumm
(5)
Diana L.

Maybe it's because my boyfriend and I were just in NYC last week sampling all Koreatown had to offer, but no, I don't think it's just that, because I've had better Korean food in HARTFORD than I had here. (Ichiban I love u). The best part was the ban chan - exquisite and delicious - I wish I could've eaten a meal-size portion of that instead of my sundubu. My boyfriend got the kimchi & beef sundubu and I had the vegetarian one. We asked for both "extremely spicy". Neither were at all spicy. I thought the egg looked and tasted funky, and my soup had a strange aftertaste that became more and more prominent as the broth cooled. I wouldn't eat here again, it was that funky tasting. The tofu was fine. Our waiter was super awesome and nice though because we came here to celebrate right after we received our Korean visas. So the stars are all for you dude! I wouldn't come here again, and I won't, because I'm leaving for Korea in 3 weeks! Enjoy your sundubu, suckas!
(3)
Jason K.

Best Korean restaurant in Allston hands down. As a frequent customer, I highly suggest the seafood pancake and kimchi beef tofu soup. If you've got what it takes, go for the extra spicy option: so spicy but so good. The staff there was impeccable. Our waiter, Joseph, treated us with utmost respect and was very prompt and kind in service. I highly recommend all you Korean food junkies out there to give this place a try! Tip: Come early and write your name down on the waiting list to avoid a long line!
(5)
A T.

. The food was average but over priced. The servers were not friendly at all. They never asked the food was good or not. I had expected much more than that. Their tufu soup is like any other place's . Do not waste your money for this.
(1)
Sidi L.

Great placeï¼I love tofu soupï¼The seafood pancake here is good. But the Kimchi is not the best. Best place to have tofu soup
(5)
Victoria P.

I've given up on finding good Korean food in Boston. This place is decent, but for the price, I'd rather make it myself. As a native Korean it's hard to find good Korean food except for in my mom's house and in Korea, but I tend to keep that in mind when trying other places. Still haven't found a suitable replacement. Ordered the kimchi beef soondubu, seafood soondubu and dolsot bibimbap combo. Everything was just okay. Nothing spectacular and not really worth the price. I guess I'll just keep moping.
(3)
Tony S.

Probably one of the most satisfying Korean dining establishments in Boston. As a Los Angeleno of partially Korean descent, I've always hated the Korean dining experiences in Boston over the last 20 years, giving in only to the most desperate of cravings. Now, I'm happy to report that I no longer have that pain of yesteryear (about damn time too!). The soondubu (obviously) is the specialty here, the popularity and rating of the place speaks volumes. The only downside, perhaps, is parking, so I usually grab a Zipcar and do take-out 90% of the time. Besides, the establishment is teeny-tiny, probably not fitting more than 25-30 sit-down diners at first glance. Good food, decent service, can't complain. I'm a fan.
(4)
Heidi L.

Beware the wait, but Kaju might be my favorite Korean restaurant in Boston (besides bibim for ambience, and I've heard excellent things about Bethlehem take-out so I'm going to have to try them soon). The tofu soup is well flavored and hits the spot, especially on cold days, and eggs always come with the order. It's a good portion, so be prepared to take some home. The combo is a good deal, though note that your tofu will be a smaller portion. Bibimbap dolsot is also a solid standby, and I always call seconds on the seafood pancake, which has a crisp texture. A few postscripts: spicy is legit spicy. The banchan comes around the same time as the dishes.
(4)
Yuka Y.

Intestines tofu soup. Spicy. Includes a bowl of rice. Highly recommended, it's what I always order and stick to religiously. Ample tofu, crack an egg, stir, and stare tantalizingly as the yolk half cooks itself submerged in its hot stone belly. Service has gone downhill. Banchan didn't start coming out till 20+ minutes later. About the same time our entrees came. My honey's entree didn't come till 10 minutes after everyone else's order came. And this was a Tuesday night. Yes, Kaju is notorious for their lines. And yes there were lines on a Tuesday night.
(4)
Olga L.

Stellar. More flavors and complexity than any Korean place I've ever been to, and there were lots of Koreans eating there. The soups have wonderful silky tofu--if you've wondered what the prominent presence of tofu is about in Korean cuisine, as I have, the answer (one of probably many) is that it amplifies and sort of silkens everything else in the soup. My three year old loved his veggie tofu soup! The bulgogi (also my son's) disappeared within seconds, it seemed. All the little fixins and pickles were bright, nuanced and freshly made. I'd take half a star off for the kalbi, which had less flavor than expected and a bit dry. But we took it home with us fondly :) Highly recommended!
(4)
Cindy X.

I would say this is the best Korean Tofu soup restaurant in the Greater Boston area. I recommend any kind of tofu soup from here, the kalbi, bulgulgi, etc. When I ordered take out for my friend, they gave me side dishes put in separate small containers which I didn't expect. I though it was very tasty and thoughtful. Due to the amount of seat they have, this restaurant gets very busy and people wait for a long time. So if you want to be seated right away, don't go during busy hours.
(4)
Barbara R.

Amazing food! Great prices and very friendly staff. Gets extremely busy in the weekends so be patient. Totally worth it though. Boyfriend is Korean and he loves this place. The kimchi is amazing!
(5)
Kelli A.

Hot damn, I love this place. You will wait for a table almost any time you go, but it's worth it. The only thing that would make this place better is beer!
(5)
Dustin D.

Went here for dinner with friends and the food was fantastic. I would suggest coming earlier because there is usually a wait for tables. The place is small, but very busy and crowded. The food overall was delicious but the pricing for individual soups were extremely high so your best option would be getting a combo for a few extra bucks.
(4)
An L.

The tofu soup really hits the spot. We got the one with seafood. Comfort food, and would come back for this. Japchae is good, but is not as great as the tofu soup. Seafood scallion pancake good, but it is a fried item. Good to try once.
(5)
Khanh P.

Wanted to take mom out for dinner and knew mom enjoyed some good ol' korean food especially soondoobu(?) so Sissy and I felt that Kaju Tofu House was a really good place for mom to experience.Although Momma Phan felt that the soups were not up to par compared to other places we have visited, I still feel like this place is a good experience for korean food lovers. FOLKS! Please be aware that this restaurant is pretty small, they do not take reservations and the only way to be seated is by writing your name on the notepad near the door. That way the hostess/server will call you when its your time to be seated. Now this was my second time eating here and I wasn't as satisfied compared to my initial visit but that's expected right?Service was very polite and patient with our indecisiveness. the menu is small and offers individual plates as well as combos. I'd suggest getting the soup and meal combos especially if everybody is interested in getting their own soups and then sharing the meals. Here's our order for the night: ++Sides include: pickled cucumbers, bean sprouts, peanuts coated in hoisin sauce? kimchi, eggs for your soup ++Two Combos: Both spicy seafood tofu soup combos choiced with bulgogi & beef short ribs ++An order of just seafood soup for Momma Phan ++Seafood Scallion pancake My take on the soups were that they were missing the usual soondoobu seasoning and was really just a spicy broth with an extreme amount of tofu mixed in shrimp,clams and squid. Scallion pancakes were a bit greasy but had great flavor with generous amounts of seafood. Can;t complain about the meat choices, they came with a bowl of rice and was more then enough for all 3 people. Price ranges from: $11 - $21 for individual dishes and combos. Overall, if you're looking for a more hole in the wall/divey restaurant to differ from the more popular restaurants in Allston, this is a great place to experience. Quick and friendly service to accompany your food.
(4)
Timothy H.

Probably the best Korean restaurant around town. Definitely get their tofu stew like kimchi jigae, and their pajun pancake. It was pretty good! The only downside to this place is that they don't do Korean BBQ.
(4)
Susan C.

My friend introduced me to Kaju Tofu a few weeks ago and I am so glad she did because I think I've found my new go to spot for Korean food. This spot is not only delicious, but extremely economical in comparison to other Korean restaurants. For $20 or less you can get one of their tofu soups, an entree (bimbimbap, galbi, bulgogi) w/rice, and 6 little side dishes. The portions are plentiful, so it could easily be split between 2 people, or even better you can save the half you can't scarf down for another meal. I just went for dinner again over the weekend and for about $45, we got a dinner for 3 with left overs for all. I've opted for the mild tofu soup with beef and kimchi the past two times, but it's a bit mild for me, so I may go for a zingier version next time. Galbi is very good, meaty and lean with a sweetness to it. And I would recommend the bimbimbap in the stone bowl vs. the regular bimbimbap--it gives the dish some added texture with the crispy rice.
(4)
Julia Z.

The food there is good, but the speed to deliver...hmm The lady next to us has been waiting for over 30 minutes and can only drink water.
(2)
Jonathan N.

Foods are descend, same Korean foods you would get anywhere. Services is ok. The restaurant is small but it was pack when we came in for dinner. The restaurant is mostly focus on the food, not much selection on drinks.
(3)
Wini H.

Hmm...I don't know if it's just me, but the soondubu here wasn't as good as I expected from the reviews. I did get an authentic feel for the place, down to the buttons on the table to summon waiters. The one I got at Korean Garden was more flavorful and richer; this one was on the watery side. That could be a matter of personal taste and traditional vs. Americanized (I don't know unfortunately, I'm not Korean!), but depending on your preference, then, choose accordingly. Both places accommodated my request for extra eggs, at least. And the banchan at both places was comparable. The major downside was a long wait to be seated in addition to very, very slow service. This isn't because the waiters are slow--I think the place is understaffed. Our poor waiter was constantly on the move, almost running around the whole time in his fervor to get his tables served. I think it took about an hour to get our dishes out! In the end I'm not sure the wait time and moderate pricing was worth the soondubu we received. If service was quicker, that'd be optimal!
(3)
Nora B.

There were many people waiting in an awkward, small space just inside the door when we arrived and we debated coming back another time. Glad we decided to wait. The place is efficient while still being friendly. They took our order before seating us, so our food came fairly quickly. Best seafood scallion pancake I've had in Boston. Good banchan. Tofu soup was rich and warming on a cold-ass March night.
(5)
Corona W.

Despite the long waits, I love Kaju Tofu House. I was super excited to find out that there is a new location in Harvard Square that has a sushi bar and alcohol. The service is usually decent but on our most recent visit, the service was really terrible. The waiters were completely clueless and it would take them forever to come over to take our orders or bring our food. Even so, it's winter and I need my tofu soooup to keep me aliveeee. (The seafood pancake is also really good and not as salty as other places.)
(4)
Steve W.

Went there this past Sunday at 1:30 pm and there was still a line. The place seems always busy...good sign. Be sure to sign in your name and number of peeps in your party when you arrive. The sign in sheet is right near the front door. I just happened to see this and lucky I signed in or some others that came in after me would have signed their name before mine. The wait wasn't too long....about 20 minutes. It was a cold day and the tofu soup and the ban chan all hit the spot. I got the tofu soup and short rib combo. Our meal for lunch came out to $40 including tax n tip. You know it's a good place since it was filled with a lot of asian people. Definitely will return.
(5)
Phuong D.

SO. MUCH. FOOD. I came here on a super rainy day and thankfully it was empty except for one other table. Apparently my friend says that this place gets packed, and it's not that big of a place either! I was starving, and we ordered a seafood pancake, which was sooo bomb (I've been having an obsession with 'pancakes' lately) and we both got a soup+protein combo. I got the beef & kimchi soup with spicy pork and my friend got the same soup but with bulgoki instead. Both entrees came with rice AND SIDE DISHES. I forgot that when you go eat at a Korean restaurant, they give you a bunch of side dishes... sooo.. in reality it was TOO MUCH FOOD. And yet somehow we ended up finishing most of it! Everything was so good! Except I would have to say the spicy pork, which came out on a sizzling plate, was quite greasy. Service was okay, not too attentive, but I honestly don't expect much walking into an asian restaurant. lol. Not sure if I would ever decide to come back here on my own, but if a friend ever wanted to go back, I would be totally down.
(4)
Lisa T.

This place. THIS PLACE. Has redeemed Korean food for me! It was a cold, windy day when a friend took me and another friend here. And my god, that delicious soup just hit the spot. It filled it with its warm, loving, filling embrace and didn't let go till I was ready to let... go... (that could be interpreted in many ways, but let's go for the most positive version). It was just the right amount of soupyness, rice, and vegetables and tofu. Our servers were really nice and attentive, even with all my awkward remarks and general weirdness while ordering. I think the owner's son may have taken our order too and he was really helpful. I struggled between mild and non-spicy, but he steered me in the right direction. I think the bathroom was actually quite nice too! I mean, not incredible, but clean and comfortable! Admittedly, the place could be less weirdly set up... You could stand around waiting for up to half an hour for a seat... near the door, the merciless door in the dead of winter. So, a word to the wise, head in before rush hour... whenever that might be. So, yes. THEIR SOUPS ARE A GODSEND. I don't know what any of the other food is like. But the soup, man. The soup.
(4)
Jessica X.

Great deal on the bibimbap and soondubu. You get so much to eat.
(4)
JP C.

The staff treat my son and me like family, probably because we eat here every week after he referees soccer. They are so sweet and friendly. The soon dubu is awesome, as is the hot stone bulgogi soup. I have an allergy to bivalves, so I don't eat the seafood items, although I wish I could eat the seafood pancake. They have some of the best side dishes I've ever had - the spicy pickled kohlrabi is to die for - and their kimchi is terrific. I think I might be addicted to it. I can't say enough good things about this restaurant. I've been eating there since it opened and it makes me very happy.
(5)
Alicia C.

The soondubu is great. However, being a non-Boston native, I have tasted better and bigger portion of the it elsewhere. Hence, not so sure why the crowd. The Galbi is great tho - meat cooked just about right to ooze the juice out of them. Will definitely visit again!
(4)
Tanya Y.

Have you ever seen a Korean Drama and salivated, watching and wanting what the actors ate? The table is usually completely full with huge stone pots full hot piping stews, tons of small plates (aka Ban Chan) are sprawled across the table, and additional plates of rice and meats are there for even more of an option. Kaju Tofu House makes me feel like I'm in a Kdrama. When I went to Kaju Tofu House for dinner, it was packed. When we finally got seated and ordered, food came out fast and piping hot. The best way to go is to do a combination: My choice is the Mild Seafood Tofu Stew and the Bulgolgi, for about $17-18. You get rice to eat on the side, an egg to crack into the pot, and tons of banchan. You even get to choose how spicy you like your stew. I chose Mild because I'm a pansy. The waiters are super attentive, and there's even a button attached to each table to press to alert the waitstaff that assistance is needed. Parking can be found on the street, and they do take credit/debit cards as well as cash. For any rainy, snowy, or even regular cold day, I crave Kaju Tofu House for some comfort. I'll definitely be back, and constantly rave about this to friends.
(4)
Christina C.

Excellent service! Very aware of customer experience and gracious. Food wasn't great. I'm Korean from Korea so I have high standards for my people's food. Without the great service, definitely a 2 star korean restaurant.
(3)
Mike Z.

You know something's wrong with you when you look at an establishment with "Tofu" in it's name and naturally assume that it's a vegan joint. Thereby avoiding it's existence for two and a half years. Regretfully, that be none other than yours truly. I try to find comfort by assuring myself that I'm not the only one who had this pitiful misconception, but apparently I am. This coming from someone that basically can't do without tofu. Yeah go figure. I digress. Two years later... Kaju is sizzling. Kaju is piping. Kaju is scorching HOT! The sundubu jjigae that is, apparently the staple of this fine restaurant. Do yourself a favor and get the BBQ beef ribs, known as kalbi/galbi. Better yet, pair that with the seafood beef tofu broth and you've got yourself the best Korean meal in all of Beantown. Though funny enough, it's not the sundubu, banchan, or the galbi/kalbi that initially enticed me to Kaju, it's those damn pictures of raw eggs in the broth. Don't judge! There is ALWAYS a wait here. Kaju's got it figured out, why pay $8.00/hour for a host when you can have the customers be the host for free? Yous gotta write your own name down on the list at the podium at the entrance. It's imperative that you don't wander in here looking for a host. If you do, them pesky, ill-mannered to-be patrons behind you will indeed cut you in line by writing their names down before you can, instead of telling you like a good samaritan should. And yes it happened to me. Sob.
(4)
Yao G.

The food here is delicious, worthy of five stars. I ordered the combination meal that's comes with tofu soup and a dish of bulgogi. Both are cooked to perfection. The service is worth 3 stars. Our server just seems lackadaisical and slow. Show more enthusiasm, it'll make a customer's eating experience that much better. Overall, I recommend this restaurant to tofu soup lovers. Give it try next time you're in the area.
(4)
Chong C.

Most of selections are Tofu soup. I usually take spicy/extra spicy Intestine Tofu soup and always walk away satisfied. I brought one of my American buddy and he thought "spicy" was bit too spicy for him. He liked the flavor regardless. Some Tofu Soups taste pretty similar, like Seafood Tofu and Seafood&beef Tofu pretty much taste the same. It just has little difference. But some Tofu soups have their unique spice and deliciousness. Such as intestine (my favorite!) and Beef&Octopus Tofu has completely different taste so they worth trying. I tried Galbi and Chicken bulgogi from Kaju too. Galbi is fine. Being Korean, I know how Galbi's supposed to taste, and they do it right. Chicken bulgogi is a bit odd. I'm saying, it tastes fine, but not too impressive. However, I would definitely recommend this place.
(4)
Juan S.

I never really expected much, just from the sign, BUT whoa. The food there is AMAZING. OK so Im like "Tofu whatever". So whats to expect. Come here and you will find out. The flavor just screams exuberant. The free(?? I legit did not see them on the bill) appetizers!!! !The tofu clam soup was to die for, I did not want to share. Honestly I just wanted to run off with it as it scalded my flesh with its warm tasteful flavors. Go, wait the small line and explore something new!
(5)
Riva R.

Amazing!!! The best tofu soup! Delicious and satisfying. Love the kimchi oyster (medium/spicy). My whole family is addicted. Staff is so sweet and work so hard. Love this place!!!
(5)
Terry H.

Having had tofu soup in other states including Chicago and NY, the Tofu soup at this place is just mediocre, not great, definately does not worth $16/bowl of tofu soup. it is way over price when your dining environment is a small space with cold wind blasting at you every time someone opens the door to come in or to leave the place.
(2)
Shiv G.

Delicious. I got the tofu seafood soup+bulgogi special. My first time having this soup, and it was really really good. Flavorful and made with love. The kimchi was fresh and spicy! There was a bit of wait, so if you go on the weekend expect having to wait in a life for 10-20 minutes.
(4)
Khoa N.

This was an amazing meal! Albeit a bit different from the other Korean meals I've had. Don't turn away because of the long line - that's what I've been doing for the past year. Luckily, this past weekend I decided I wanted it. Period. So we waited. The line moved very quickly. The hostess and waitstaff were so efficient - cleaning up quickly, giving next ppl in line menus and taking orders before we seated. We waited about 30 min during dinner rush. Not bad at all compared to the time I spent waiting at other restaurants. I'd recommend the combo. You'll get both the tofu soup (of your choice) and a meat entree (I chose kalbi). Everything came with white rice and plenty of sides (all refillable). My kimchi and beef tofu soup was delicious, especially the beef. Usually I love spicy food but this time I opted for medium spiciness. This allowed me to taste all the other flavors the bubbling bowl came with. I will try the bibimbap combo next time, and bulgogi, and the seafood pancakes, and all other tofu soups. Obviously this means there will be many returns. Drooling just thinking about it!
(4)
Moses P.

Why are the reviews so high for this place? Oh, it's because Bostonians have incredibly low standards when it comes to Korean food. I am a full-blooded Korean. The place has gone down in quality since it opened up. Used to be delicious and now it is subpar. By the way, check out Victoria Seafood Restaurant. Say hi to Steve for me and order the salty spicy squid. Trust me. And I gave it three stars because my wife told me to. Deserves two. Zero for being so-so in quality, two because it is Korean.
(3)
HyunJoo K.

I remember when this place was a bakery back when. Now a soondubu jjigae place! :) I guess after talking to my father, this place is a chain? Kaju is California in Korean... so California Tofu House it is! :D delicious! Went here for to celebrate a birthday, and we all enjoyed it! Another group was actually celebrating the same day! We all got variations of soondubu jjigae ... I had pork with mine, someone else seafood, and another plain soondubu jjigae and another hmmm I forgot. Portions are great! I underestimated how much food was in the bowl! The ban-chan was good too, and plenty of it! At the end... they gave us the burnt rice in warm water to finish off with. That was good too! We watched a lilttle Korean TV too :) Although it was showing new with the flooding :/ Hours are later on the weekends. Place always seems packed ... it was when we were there!
(5)
Robo T.

Soondubu jjigae FTW. I got the hot pot bulgoki and chicken soondubu jjigae combo. I ordered the jjigae spicy and daaaamn.... it was spicy! Hours later I still couldnt feel my tongue! I shot fire out of my ass the next day and it didnt even matter. BTW both pots came out boiling to the table which was perfect on a chilly fall evening. Kaju's primary focus is on tofu jjigaes (stews). This is a cool alternative to the KBBQ joints and korean fried chicken places.
(4)
Samantha Y.

I loved their banchan: kimchi, pickled cucumbers, sweet potatoes, and bean sprouts. They were flavorful. The soondoobu was also very good. I really enjoyed the rice on the hot stone pot they can add hot tea and have that last piece of rice flavor. One of my top 5 favorite places to go for casual lunch/dinner.
(4)
Thurayya A.

Definitely one of my favorite restaurants in Boston! And so far the best Korean spot for sure. Only downside is that there's always a wait. Like always. But it's usually not too bad and I'm at a table within 20 minutes or so. I recommend getting a combination if you're not familiar with the menu. It's on the pricier side, but I think it's worth the variety and flavor. Ps: soup can be bland if you don't get spicy! Add kimchi too and it's perfect.
(4)
Erin M.

. !
(2)
Kamille W.

I stopped by Boston Kaju Tofu for lunch after working myself into serious hanger by shopping on Newbury Street. I could smell the delicious aroma of meat bubbling away in clay pots before I even walked in the door. I had a really good feeling about Kaju Tofu, and I can happily report that I was not disappointed. Inside, it was a bit chaotic. The place was packed with Korean families (always an encouraging sign at a restaurant like this) and the servers clearly had their hands full. Because of this, it was difficult for our server to be hyper-attentive. This in-and-out service explains the missing fifth star. The food itself was fantastic -- as good as anything I tried in Seoul. I originally wanted the short rib meat clay pot, but I was told that they had run out of short rib. After experiencing a brief moment of total panic/despair, I opted for the beef clay pot instead. I don't know if it was because of my boundless hunger or what, but that beef clay pot was damn delicious. Piping hot rice, cabbage, and sprouts, topped with a generous layer of sesame-infused beef... I wish I could do it justice. That dish made me so happy inside. My boyfriend had the hot-stone bulgogi pot, which was also super-duper tasty. I'm definitely planning on coming back to order it when the bitter January cold sets in. After all, I've gotta warm these weary bones somehow, and food is so much better than a blanket. Anyway, I highly recommend Kaju Tofu. Just be prepared to flag down your server as she sprints by with 80 different kinds of kimchi, and you'll be set.
(4)
Nora L.

This review is only for the Korean tofu. I've been here 3x and have tried a few of them, mainly the beef/seafood tofu soups. They have all been consistently good- very reminiscent of comfort food. You get to choose the level of spiciness (extra spicy all the way!). Next time I go, I will try some of the other dishes. The service is overall very good here as well. If you go during popular lunch/dinner times, I would suggest that you have someone in your party come earlier to put a name down. The restaurant is pretty small and you will often have to wait a while for a table. Well worth the wait though!
(4)
Thanh L.

this place is famous. Its a bit small, but wait was not that bad. There was always a line building while we were eating. I got the soup & bbq beef combo. The kimchi & beef soup delicious it and the BBQ rib was yummy. Staff was friendly and price was reasonable. Would go back
(4)
Azmyra K.

Kaju is hands down the BEST KOREAN FOOD in Boston. That's a pretty low bar but still it definitely is the case. It's a tiny restaurant and you should plan on having to wait to be seated but it's worth it. Kaju specializes in soondubu (Korean tofu soup) which is made with uncurdled tofu (think super silky tofu that melts in your mouth). You can choose whichever meat you want in it but the traditional soup is served with seafood. As part of the meal, you are served a piping out bowl of soup in a stone bowl and you crack an egg into it to make the broth that much more savory and delicious. The kalbi (marinated short ribs) here are also the best in town. For those Korean food fans out there, this is as close as you're going to get to a Chodang Tofu experience as you'll find in the Boston area. Kaju is finally the Korean restaurant that we've all been waiting for.
(5)
Hana T.

This is as good as soondubu jjigae gets in Boston. I can't attest to the other dishes on the menu, but seeing as the restaurant specializes in soondubu jjigae, why would you bother getting anything else? Growing up, my mom spoiled me daily with delicious homemade Korean food. This restaurant brought me right back to that! I was pleased to be served 8 varieties of authentic banchan, all delicious...I just hate when "Korean" restaurants give a pathetic 2 or 3 little dishes of macaroni and what-nots. I chose the kimchi oyster soondubu from a pretty long and creative list of soondubu options. The waiter asked what level of spiciness I would like and I ordered "extra extra extra spicy!". The jjigae came out bubbling and steaming in a traditional dolsot. Mine was bright red and smelled delicious. The waiter scooped white sticky rice from a dolsot and poured water on top once the remaining rice got crunchy... an authentic little after-meal snack! Definitely the best soondubu I've had since leaving home for college. Really flavorful, spicy, satisfying, and brimming with goodies. I cracked the raw egg, stirred it in impatiently, and tucked in. By the time I had eaten a few spoonfuls, I had broken out into an all-over sweat, and I thought I was in Korean heaven! I ate every bite of the jjigae and was really happy afterwards. The waiter was extremely attentive and friendly. He even brought my friend and I an extra dish of special banchan that he thought we would enjoy, since we got extra-spicy jjigae. Our water was constantly refilled. I should mention, though, that we came at a relatively slow time (right before dinner rush), so I'm not sure if the service is consistent when the place is packed. Boston isn't known for it's fine Korean cuisine, but if you're like me and are dying for a taste of your Korean home while in the area, this is the place to find it!
(5)
Yeol P.

I visited here today in the morning. Even though there were so crowed with bunch of people, all of staff and the lady who looks like an owner were wonderful and serving soooooooo gently. Anyway, I ordered actually I don't remember really well but it might be no 21 that had soft tofu and bbq ribs. It was perfect for all of guys. And there are one more point that the food came so fast although the time is on the peak. I will have to be there again.
(5)
Rachel L.

Yum! Tasty food. Fresh ingredients and a really nice staff. I will definitely return for some more bulgolgi beef (sorry if I butchered the spelling!)
(4)
Eric F.

A most solid spot for Korean noms! My friends and I made our way out here for some lunch on a rainy day and the soondubu really hit the spot. As the name implies, the restaurant focuses on the many variations of soondubu ranging from beef and pork to seafood and intestines. A limited selection of BBQ meats and clay pots is available as well. The best deal, however, will be the soondubu combos. At $18-20, you'll leave with a lovely food coma no matter the size of your appetite. My clam soondubu was nicely done - good consistency, fresh soft tofu and firm spice commensurate with its two chili status on the spice-o-meter. The beef bulgogi and spicy pork bulgogi were both pretty good as well with some room for improvement as the pieces were a little gritty and more finely cut up than I like. To whet the appetite though, I thoroughly enjoyed the selection of banchan and of course, my staple haemul pajeon. The pancake looked very thick and dense at first glance, but it turned out to be light and chock full of seafood. Win.
(4)
Nancy Y.

I got the kimchi oyster tofu soup. There were about eight different side dishes on the weekday evening that we went - their kimchi and kimchi cucumber were SPOT ON. When we asked for a refill of two banchans, the staff were quick to oblige, no snooty attitude! As other reviewers have mentioned, they do the rice in clay pots with the crusted crispy rice in boricha for you to enjoy at the end of the meal. Great, authentic touch. I felt like the rice portion was kind of small? but I was so stuffed by the end of my meal, that it's really a moot point. This place is great and is reasonable atmosphere and food for the price. I will definitely come back! I'm not sure how busy they get, but by the time we were seated and had started eating on a random Tuesday night (around 7), there was a line. Also, you may request your food be prepared without MSG. We had ours sans-MSG and it was still good!
(4)
VIVIEN C.

I think Kaju is one of the best Korean tofu houses I have tried. My sister and I ordered the beef and octopus tofu soup, seafood pancake and BBQ beef rib (the usual stuff you get from most of the Korean tofu houses). The service was okay, nothing stand out but no problem either. Small side dishes came within acceptable amount of time, and they all tasted good. BBQ Beef rib is a little too sweet to me. What amazed me are the beef and octopus tofu soup and the seafood pancake. I don't recall that any of the Korean tofu house in LA and San Diego area can match the quality of the seafood comparing to Kaju. I love the fresh and big pieces of octopus legs in the soup and pancake! The portion of pancake is generous. Will definitely come back next time if I am in the area.
(4)
Susan Y.

Disclaimer: This has a high rating because I'm extremely biased. 1. I love sundubu chigae. This is their specialty dish. Here you can have sundubu chigae the way you want it. There are options for the level of spiciness and ingredients (meats/seafood, veggies, meats/seafood and veggies). Hmmm, a spicy hearty tofu soup warms your soul. . .and your stomach. 2. I LOVE the combo dishes. For once I don't have to try to convince someone to share and split the dishes that I often want to order: dolsot bibimbab and sundubu chigae. Even my husband who normally is not a soup fan (particularly Korean soups) still likes to order the combo to have a small portion of the sundubu chigae. It got an extra star for the combo option. 3. I was raised on homecooked Korean food so it's my comfort food, particularly sundubu chigae. The banchan (side dishes) were varied and the kimchee was good. The cool thing was that they even had pickled chayote one night which I've never seen in the restaurant setting in the States. Banchans always vary, and they have a good variety. This has become my go-to Korean restaurant since I started going to it. Tip: Make sure that your sign in to the waitlist on the pad of paper by the door if there is a wait - and there usually is one.
(5)
Lala I.

long waits, soondubu was bland and one of the worst ive ever had. galbi was fat, low quality meat. 2 stars for sweet potato banchan
(2)
Sara M.

We were in the area and were able to walk here for lunch on a Sunday. It was pretty busy, even though it was over 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Guess there are other crazy people like me who love to eat molten lava temperature soup in the summer. The service is a bit slow but the people serving us were pleasant. We got a number of banchan but I loved the little salty dried fishies. I haven't had those in a while! The kimchee was only okay and I wished it was spicier. I ordered the combo of beef and seafood with galbi. I was very excited that the rice came out in a clay pot so it could get nice and crunchy. The boiling hot soup with 3 chili peppers came out and was flavourful with a good kick. I like that I dropped my own egg in but the bubbles made it hard to stir without spilling. The seafood was fresh and not fishy - I liked that I could taste the briny oyster as opposed to the sweeter clam. Since the portions were rather large, I gorged myself on soon dubu and galbi. Husby didn't really like his pork version and was incredulously staring at me wondering how I could eat so quickly when it was "a thousand degrees still". The other patrons were watching/laughing as I tried to use my spoon to chisel out the stubborn crunchy rice. I was mildly successful. The price was about what I am used to paying back home in Chicago so no surprises there. I would definitely come back as soon as possible, no matter the summer heat.
(5)
Alyssa W.

based on all the food videos I watch on youtube, admittedly...that is a lot, haha. I'd say this place is VERY authentic. Soups come out bubbling and thank goodness for that because just as it gets to your table, you have to crack a raw egg into the soup and stir. yum! Side dishes were great and if you love super spicy kimchi, you'll love theirs. If it wasnt for all the videos i've seen, I wouldnt have known what the eggs were for OR what the button on the table was for. In S. Korea, there is a button on tables and when you need service, you just push the button and a waiter/waitress comes over. how nice! The service is was also exceptional 9even if you dont use the button on the table) we had quite the large group (12) and everything was quick and yummy. Definately would recommend getting the combo meals, pick a soup and pick a side entree. cant beat it! will definately return :) -side note, love that they have Korean entertainment news on. the night we were there, Psy was on and I wanted to bust out the Gangnam Style dance moves ;)
(4)
Allan T.

If you like Tofu (and what self-respecting Asian foodie does not?), Kaju Tofu can't be beat. The prices are good (not great). Be sure to come off hour or you'll have to wait, even on a week night. A line of folks (almost all Asian) will soon follow. And that says it all: Thoughtful albeit rushed service, authentic home style food in generous portions, nice banchan and intelligently used spices! They gladly refil banchan now. My GO-TO for Korean in the Allston-Brighton 'hood.
(4)
Alice Z.

My spicy soondubu was not spicy. The place was crowded with only one waitress. Besides that, they had a good array of appetizers. I'm from NYC so I've definitely had better korean food. But according to my friends in Boston, it's one of the better Korean restaurants.
(2)
Vivian L.

Let me just say, Kaju is the best korean tofu restaurant I've ever been to (from NY & Boston). I'm a regular customer and I have to say out of all the Korean places in Allston, Kaju wins for sure! The side dishes are pretty good but the TOFU...the tofu is extremely fantastic. My all time favorite soft tofu dish is Kimchi & Beef! You get to select the level of spiciness of your tofu soup dish (I usually stick with Mild because I love spicy but I cannot handle too much and Mild tastes just fine for me. My friends also usually pick Mild). In addition to the soft tofu soup in a stone-bowl, you have a hard-shelled egg, which you crack open into your tofu soup when it arrives. Make sure your egg gets cooked! I usually like to scoop some tofu and some of the broth on top of the egg and let it sit for maybe 2-3 mins or so? You also get a small bowl of rice to eat with tofu soup :) But overall, the soft tofu soup dishes are Kaju's best-selling items. And the pricing of the soft tofu soup isn't that bad because its delicious!! I love Kaju THAT much that whenever I'm around Harvard Ave, I would head straight to Kaju Tofu to eat, either lunch or dinner with some friends. KAJU FTW! P.S--If you are extremely dying to eat here, especially for dinner, please be prepared for a long wait because Kaju gets extremely populated during those times. You have to also reserve a table by writing your name down on the clipboard they have by the entrance.
(5)
Heoun Joo K.

We had our names on the waiting list and were waiting outside for quite awhile, but one of the servers totally ignored the waiting list and let another incoming team sit in a newly vacated table. Why would they take a waiting list if they will ignore it anyway? When we approached the manager to let them know of our situation, she then attempted to uproot the newly seated team. Talk about uncomfortable and awkward. They should have managed their waiting lists before this kind of situation arose.
(1)
Wendy C.

Perfect for cold chilly day! Now that they have two locations the wait is shorter at their original, Allston location. They have a variety of tofu soup and your choice of the level of spice you can handle that day. My favorite is the bbq short ribs. Can't get enough of those!
(4)
Winky C.

Quite small restaurant, need to wait till yr turn... The tofu soup is pretty good, not salty enough for me thou... Food quality is above avg in my opinion
(3)
Cha J.

Ordered Tofu+Bulgogi Noodle Soup and didn't realize that the tofu and bulgogi soup came in 2 different pots (plus rice)! Definitely a lot of food for one person. Side dishes were pretty good too. Also ordered seafood pancake, which was alright. The place got really busy for a Monday night and we felt like eating in a hurry because of the people waiting outside. However, the waitresses and waiters were very quick and attentive. Food was pretty good and the tofu dishes will be very good in the colder months. Will come back again!
(4)
Ambrose C.

Are you looking for a quintessential Korean dish that is actually tasty in the somewhat decent city of Boston? Is it also possible to actually hear Korean being spoken most of the time at this place? Well, if you are looking for a place like this, this place may have your answer. This place is probably one of the newest Korean restaurants in Allston, a neighborhood where a lot of students live, and probably the only neighborhood in the somewhat decent city of Boston where you can find more than three Korean restaurants within a 2-3 kilometer radius. This place is also known as Kaju Tofu House and their main specialty is Sundubu jigae, which is a tofu stew/soup served in a clay bowl that can be mixed with various meats, seafood and you can put in a raw egg and mix some rice. We came in and ordered a couple bowls of Sundubu. You can order the Sundubu individually or part as combo for a few dollars more. I ordered the Beef and Octopus, while my brother ordered the Beef and Seafood combo, served with Chicken. You can customize how spicy you want your stew from just having no spice at all, to making it really spicy. My brother wanted it mild while I wanted to get it medium. The side dishes, also known as banchan were good, but most importantly, they were probably the freshest side dishes I had in a Korean restaurant in the somewhat decent State of Massachusetts. The kimchi was actually fresh, and had a nice spiced flavor, almost how I want to eat my kimchi. The eggplant and the radishes were also tasty. The Sundubu came in really hot so you should wait for it to cool down, otherwise, if you just eat it, you might feel a powerful burn in your tongue, throat and esophagus. They should provide a raw egg, so once you get your stew, you should crack open the egg and pour it into the stew and mix it. I thought my stew was fantastic. The tofu was very soft, almost as if you are eating a very sweet and soft gelatin dessert. The beef had a nice tenderness and the octopus was chewy. There was a decent amount of spice in the dish, but I did not sweat much and I felt a little warm and fuzzy. This dish is a great choice when the weather is less than 15 degrees Celsius outside. After I mixed the spiced broth, the tofu, and the beef with the rice, I thought I had a very tasty dish. I also tasted the chicken they serve here, and it was really tender and had a good flavor. Prices are moderate, prepare to spend about $15-20 here, but one sundubu jigae with some rice and banchan should be enough to fill up the stomach of a hungry man. Service was decently good. The servers were really nice, but needed to be more attentive in making sure we had enough water. They actually spoke Korean to me initially, and all of the staff is Korean, so it is starting to be very popular with the Korean community here. This is probably the only Korean restaurant in Boston where I heard more than twice the amount of Korean spoken compared to English, but the staff can speak English pretty well. Overall, if you somehow ended up in the somewhat decent city of Boston and wanted to get some tasty Sundubu, then this is actually a great choice. To the Korean Americans, specifically those from California, New York City, Northern New Jersey, Northern Virginia, Atlanta, Chicago, Southern Maryland, and the Pacific Northwest that have fairly high Korean food standards: This place may not have the best Korean food in the USA, but it probably is the best choice for Sundubu Jigae in the somewhat decent city of Boston. The best sundubu jigae I had was in the slightly better but cooler city of Toronto, and I believe the sundubu here is almost as good as the best sundubu in Toronto. So my conclusion is give this place a chance, but keep your expectations less than moderate.
(4)
Yuan W.

If you're a fan of tofu soup, this is the place. The soup is the best I've had in Boston. I always get the kimchee chiggae and it's always delicious. Just spicy enough, not too tangy since the egg tempers it a bit. I've been to other places where the soup is just bit too tart. Also the set menu with tofu soup + barbecue makes for a nice and filling lunch. I particularly like the short ribs (Kalbi). It's a bit on the greasy side but very flavorful. A few drawbacks to the restaurant are there can be a bit of wait, especially during Sunday lunch. Also, they have tables really close to the door, and only 1 set of doors, so during the winter it can get cold sitting near the entrance. It's a bit annoying with people constantly walking in and out during your meal and fanning cold air onto your food. Finally, this restaurant doesn't feel as clean as some other Korean places in Allston, but the food is worth it!
(4)
Vy V.

I love me some soondubu jigae especially during the winter's here in Boston. There isn't much space at Kaju so be prepared to wait especially during peak hours. There is such a wide variety of soondubus that you can choose from. There's something for everyone. You can also choose the level of spiciness you'd like but I normally stick to a 3 or 4 because I want to actually have taste buds when I'm done. So proceed with caution. There aren't many tofu houses in Boston so Kaju might be your best bet. A nice little spot whenever the mood strikes. It'll deliciously warm your belly.
(4)
Greg M.

Went to this place when I visited Boston and I have to say it was pretty good! Coming from San Diego where there are many tofu houses, I was interested to see what Boston had to offer. My friends from Boston said that the korean food wasn't that great in Boston, but this place was new and also pretty good. After eating there, I hope they get more business because it was pretty good soon dooboo. The soup was pretty good. I got seafood and beef tofu soup (mild) and it was flavored nicely with a slight kick to it. It wasn't overly salty or diluted. The shrimp were unusually small, but that was the only unusual thing about it. After a cold day in Boston, it was really nice to have some hot soup. The side dishes were good and the kimchi was fresh. The service was okay. They were slow to fill up our water, which was noticeable because we needed something cold to balance out the soup. We asked for more side dishes and they took a while to give us more. They also gave us the check pretty quickly (I don't know if they wanted us to leave, but we felt a little rushed). Overall, a very good place to eat! The quality is really good, especially hearing that the other korean places in the area are not that great. Price is $12, which is a little pricey (I'm used to $6-$7) But definitely check it out!
(4)
Jamie Y.

When I need my fix of asian food in this city I head here. IT always hits the spot. As far as I can tell, it's legit Korean food (at least way better than the foodcourt at the Chinese supermarket down the street) Just dont come here at peak hours if you don't want to wait an hour or more!! Get the combination meals, and the japchae! YUM! Oh and the service is pretty great, the one young dude is really friendly and efficient! And you can bring your 6 month old baby here...it's family friendly
(4)
Jeff W.

hmm. careful with the bill folks! What was weird for me was the bill at the end. In our group of 5 we ordered 1 diet coke and everyone else drank the barley tea. On the bill at the end, we noticed a charge of $2.00 for "drink" and another charge of "$16.xx" again listed as "drink". Since we didnt order anything else, I asked the owner who said that she was sorry but it should have said "tip". She crossed out the drink and wrote "Tip 18%" instead. I find this practice of putting the tip included in the bill under a drink pretty deceptive. If we werent paying attention, we would have paid for the "drink", which was really the tip, and paid another tip on top of that. be careful Had the Veggie soondubu and dolsot bimbambub option today. Both the sdb and the bbb were good. The appetizer plates were good as well. I have no complaints on the food at all. Being vegetarian, i ordered a veggie bbb but was twice given bbb with beef. I felt bad for sending it back twice but i was very clear both times that i was vegetarian and that I wanted it without beef. They didnt make an issue of this so it was fine.
(2)
Joanna H.

Kaju gets a 5 only because it's in Boston. If this place was in SoCal... story would be very different. The staff is also very nice and attentive. Wait is definitely worth it if you have a soondubu craving. Since everyone talked about the entrees, I want to take note of another big part of an authentic soodubu experience: how you eat the burnt rice (nurungji) at the end of the meal. There are two ways. 1) Scrape it off the bottom of the bowl and eat it as a crispy snack 2) Pour in barley tea (bori cha) to enjoy the smokey, sweet flavors. This "nurungji bap" is an even better comfort food than soondubu in my opinion. So when you're through with the 1 hr wait, and have your taste of soondubu, don't forget this last little treat!
(5)
Michael C.

Nice gem in the world of Boston restaurants. Barebones place, but the food's good and the service is great (it's amazing what you can accomplish when you work well as a team). The Korean sides are good and all of the entrees that I've ordered here have been quite delicious. There's a nice flavor and spice to all of their dishes and everything's very fairly priced. There is usually a wait, however, but the table turnover is fast--like I said, they have an efficient waitstaff. Parking is difficult for this area, but this place makes coming to Allston to eat quite worth it.
(4)
Tyler L.

Amazing sundubu! Very flavorful and hot when it comes out. If you get a combo the amount of food you get is very generous. I had the kimchi and oyster sundubu with kalbi (beef rib) combo. The kalbi was extremely delicious so if you're hungry get that combo. Also tried the bulgogi noodle soup (ttukbaegi) but that was very mediocre--the broth and bulgogi could be flavored much better. The japchae was also rather mediocre so I wouldn't recommend it. Service could be much more efficient--often two people are sitting at a four person table and they don't add more, which leads to very long waits unnecessarily. The servers could also be more attentive to customers as I felt it was hard to get their attention sometimes. Bottom line: come here for the sundubu if you're willing to wait!
(4)
Iv L.

LOOK AT YOUR BILL BEFORE PAYING they add in a 20% tip as "Drinks" i'm okay with restaurant adding in 18% tip for large parties.. but 20% is just a tad of an irritation and a bit of an insult.. went back again for dinner today because recent visit wasn't quite satisfying so decided to give it another try.. there were 5 of us... we ordered seafood pancake - has seafood ingredient which was good, but lacking taste galbi - not as good as last time... veggie and beef hot stone bi bam bap - mediocre seafood tofu soup (mild) - was good this time... beef tofu soup (spicy) - too spicy this time... jap chae - sub par... came with the typical korean side dishes and rice... i recommend the combo which is a better deal than ordering individual..because the regular tofu soup is barely bigger than what they give in a combo... we were barely finished and they took our dishes away and gave us the bill... at first we didn't pay much attention to the bill and was taking out the calculator to pay for tip.. then noticed there were a section for "drinks" which we didn't order any... turns out it was their added tip... they fail to even mentioned that it was tip when the bill was handed.. we has to ask to find out it was tip... they had the leisure of providing themselves a 20% tip which is a bit irritating because one would assume 18% and extra added by the guests at their discretion... and plus this is an asian restaurant... they must not get tip well because on their bill they have a notice taped to it in korean and english that it is standard in the US people tip 15-20% .. i think that was enough notice to guests to pay the proper amount... the first time we went, we saw the noticed and thought it was odd, but having leisurely add in 20% is just not right... maybe they should hire less waitresses/waiters because most of the time they are just standing around if they want to have better tip divisions... there's lot of other restaurants in boston... most likely not coming back again...
(1)
Anne W.

This is a warning.. I am not Korean. But I have had a lot of really good sundubu. But if you're expecting what you would get in SoCal/NorCal.. you're going to be dissapointed. It's just not that flavorful in my opinion... The spicy level is also really deceiving.. I thought it was a legit spot so I got the next to spiciest and it wasn't spicy at all. It is very possible that this is more home style cooking versus restaurant style.. but I don't think it's amongst the top sundubus that I have ever had. This place has a really friendly wait staff.. they were able to accomodate our large party. The side dishes were good although not amazing.. I think most of us liked the kimchi, spicy cucumbers, and pan fried tofu. I am sure they change daily based on what is available. They do serve crispy rice but the rice didn't end up being crispy which was sad. They also poured tea in it.. a traditional thing.. but I think most people who have never had it like it too much. Reasonably priced.. and parking in this area is always frustrating.. but still worth a visit. Oh.. and there is no alcohol served here. Most of the Korean spots in the area do.. but this one definitely does not serve anything except sodas.
(3)
Mike D.

I highly recommend that you come here, but if you do please don't leave the front door hanging open if it's cold out, and whatever you do, don't come bolting out of the bathroom like my father on our last trip here. So the soups here come to the table boiling in the bowl and keep on bubbling for a few minutes. For the most part this is a great thing: you can cook an egg in your soup if you so choose (I do!) and of course it retains its heat for a while, which is handy when roughly a quarter of the young people who come here during the lunch rush seem to not understand the concepts of doors, human comfort, or heating bills. But boiling hot soup could be a bad thing, as my father nearly illustrated when, in his zeal to get back to work on his lunch, he came racing out of the men's room and clipped the waiter, who had a tray with three or four bowls fresh from the kitchen. The guy's good though... he saved the soup, and I didn't have to take Dad to St. E's. To date I've had the kimchi and oyster soup and the beef and seafood soup and loved them both. The seafood pancake is tasty, as is the bulgogi stew (although the meat was all stuck together), and they're also very generous with the banchan. If only they were licensed to sell beer.
(5)
Yue Z.

Service: 4.5 Food: 5 Ambiance: 4 I'm a fan of this place when normalized for the quality of restaurants in Boston. I was taken here by a Korean couple in the restaurant business, so I have high expectations. I was not disappointed. We were here for lunch and hence the line was not huge. If you're coming for dinner, particularly on a popular night, be prepared for a wait! The staff was very attentive and quick, seating us, ordering, and bringing out the food in a very timely manner. Their soondubu was delicious, and the best part: you can get it bulgolgi, spicy bulbolgi, bibimbap, etc--two of the best korean dishes--in one! The place is very authentic, and is very popular among the korean population--always a good sign!
(5)
Yancey L.

I went there alone, but they gave me about 12 kinds of side dishes! The owner told me that his favorite is Kimchi Tofu Soup, so I tried that which tastes amazing. Seafood pancake is also one of the must have I guess. I also like the pure Korean atmosphere in this restaurant. When I stepped into the door, the waiter will smile at me and say "annyeonghaseyo", the big screen on the wall plays korean TV programs, I felt like I arrive in Korea. Wish I could try their bulgogi next time! Which I've heard are awesome too.
(4)
Sasha B.

Read the other reviews. What else can be said. I went there for lunch and the tofu soup was excellent. Great complex flavor. You'll end up filling up on the large assortment of free apps which they continually refill.
(5)
J M.

For the food itself it was a four star. The deductions are because of poor service and poor business practice. Our server was inattentive and had a fairly bad attitude. On top of that we were charged "tip" with our bill. There were four people on our party. Since when is 20% is a standard item charged to your bill? We didn't say anything because it was not going to make much of a difference at the end of the day, but I definitely did not appreciate the practice. How many other guests would over-look this extra line item and tip again on top of the bill? Very poor. Will not be returning.
(1)
Melody W.

So, I never had this dish (Soondobu) before. Now that I got to try it here tonight with my friends, I absolute LOVE it! I got the Seafood Tofu and had it made mild/non-spicy. Also, if it helps, there will be the usual small plates of condiments (such as kimchi and pickled veggies) and a plate full of raw eggs for you to crack into the boiling tofu when it arrives. Of course, that is optional if you don't want egg in there. A bowl of rice will be served, but personally my friends wanted more than a bowl to balance out the ratio between the tofu and the soupiness. The meal ended with a brewed "rice" tea. It is the perfect meal for this cold time of the year! Of course, the thing that I don't dig as much is the waiting line (no reservations, must wait at door) and the amount of space for seating. Last time when a friend of mine and I tried to get in, there were HUGE groups of people waiting to get in. We were under the impression that it'll be a really long wait, so we never got in. The space can't be helped, I guess. However for tonight, few of my friends (whoever showed up earlier among the 5 of us) had to wait in line for their turn to get seats. I believe they waited for 15 minutes before they got in. So far there were no issues with that for incoming late guests, as the staff allowed myself and two more friends to scoot right in with our seated group when we arrived a bit late. Also, at your table, you will have a red button where you can press it to signal a waitress when you are ready to order. Overall, I'm quite pleased with trying out a Korean dish I hardly ever try to order in other Korean restaurants! I will be back for sure when the timing is right!
(4)
May C.

Great place to have tofu soup! I highly recommend seafood tofu soup and BBQ beef ribs. The service was fast and great. Side dishes are good too.
(4)
Julia J.

Came here on a friday night and ordered the beef soft tofu...However, it just doesn't taste that good to me at all. The place was also dirty and packed full...so I definitely don't have a good reason to come back again
(2)
Michelle L.

If you're looking for something hot during a cold Boston day, then you're in luck. This place serves the best tofu soup in Boston, hands down (also vouched for by the Korean friend I went with). There can be a longer wait if you go during peak dinner times (we once waited 1 hour for 6 people), but they are less busy during lunch. They don't take reservations, so show up early if you want to grab dinner. The small plates at the beginning are yummy, but typical of any Korean restaurant. The tofu soup is really where it's at. I had the seafood and beef tofu soup and it was divine. There was the distinct seafood taste that was balanced well by the ground beef. You can also order varying degrees of spiciness, from not spicy to tear-inducing. I'd say I have a pretty good spice tolerance, and even the almost-tears level was mild for me. They bring out the "burnt" rice at the end. Pour some barley tea it to scrape out the smokey rice - great way to end a meal.
(4)
Joseph S.

I'm a student around Boston and Kaju was the first place I went to for Fall Semester. Some of these reviews criticizing the waitstaff: when's the last time you were a server? Oh wait.. (Yes, I was a server my undergraduate years and just like how you can't explain to somebody else how to do your job, you shouldn't tell these people how to do theirs). No Korean around Boston (or New York, for that matter), can match the Korean food here. It's not only delicious but the waitstaff is also extremely attentive -- IF you're semi-polite. For instance: I saw an international Chinese kid (who seems like he's 20 and drives a Lamborghini, intentionally parked in front of the restaurant) try to wave the waiter over with a finger -- the female server seemed a bit angry but went anyways. No refills on water or on banchan for them, observably. But back to the important part. I always order the tofu soup and combination whenever I come here. A tad bit expensive but I'd rather spend $20-25 and eat some delectable dishes over some sub-par noodles at some other... Korean... restaurants... around Boston. The soup, without fail (even when it's busy) comes to the table BOILING hot. The meat is almost always sizzling and is equally as tasty. Service is always four/five-stars whenever I go (and like some of the reviews said: the owner's son is super-warm, super-friendly; try to get him as your server if you can). My last point: have you ever tried to explain to somebody that somebody's girlfriend/boyfriend is a bad idea for them but they go on with them anyways (and the inevitable breakup happens)? Kaju is like that terrible boy/girlfriend -- minus the terrible and minus the inevitable. If you're ever in Boston, this is one of the first places you should come through.
(5)
Michelle R.

Best sundubu in Boston! Arrived at 6pm on a Monday and a line quickly formed, so I guess this place is popular. Got the kimchi oyster sundubu (extra spicy) which came out hot and bubbling. The oysters were delicious and soft. Soup was very flavorful and enhanced by the egg. The tofu also came out in fairly large chunks and had a nice texture, unlike some other places where it's broken up so much it doesn't even taste like tofu. They have 4-5 spiciness levels ranging from white to extra spicy. If you're a fan of spicy food, I would definitely go for the highest rating. It's spicy enough without leaving you in pain. Side dishes were decent/varied. 4 stars because it's a little pricey...
(4)
K W.

We were so glad to see a tofu house opened up in BOS. We came as a group of 5ppl to try it out. The answer in short was it's all right. would i come back? maybe. would I be a regular? maybe not. I think i can make better sundubu than them, and i am not even Korean.
(3)
Monica P.

Right, so I'm not even going to lie. There is a MAJOR love affair going on between me and BKT. This was my first soondubu experience and I'm not really sure how I lived life before this. I had the kimchi/beef tofu soup which was incredibly flavorful and soothing. This is definitely the place to come on a cold rainy day!
(4)
Lily W.

"I'm going to give them 2 stars on Yelp because they rushed us!" said I to my friend before we left. As you can see, I didn't. I really wanted to knock off a point, because I currently hold a grudge against the waitress who slammed our check on the table when we were nowhere near done. But I guess there was a decently long line. I also need more lower-ranked restaurants in my Yelp reviews (why am I so nice?) but maybe I just go to good places =D It was my first experience eating at the Kaju Tofu House, as it came at the enthusiastic recommendation of a friend. The menus are nice, clean, and comprehensive, and only fill two pages, half of which are tofu dishes. We decided to order two: the Seafood and Beef Tofu Stew and the Sparerib Clay Pot. The food took a little while to arrive, but when the banchan came, I was extremely happy. I would say there are about 8-10 of them(what a display!): including kimchi, cabbage, egg, bean sprouts, etc. etc. and were all quite tasty. The two dishes arrived bubbling and steaming, and were absolutely delicious. I'm not really a fan of stews and soups in general, but my friend loved the stew, which contained shrimp, mussels, and beef. We had it "medium" spicy but tasted extremely mild to me. The clay pot was delicious after we cracked an egg into it. Nothing unexpected, just some good, wholesome, and tasty Korean food. It was a Thursday night, and soon after we arrived, the line started getting pretty long. The waitress did rush us, but I really enjoyed the food here and will definitely be back in the future.
(4)
Lauretta L.

For Boston, this place offers great soon tofu. I had the Beef and Octopus, which was absolutely delicious. I also love how they put lots of tentacles in - the best part :). The ban chan they provide are also pretty solid. My favorites are the teeny little anchovies and the pickled cucumber. However, it's quite expensive at $12 for soon tofu. After tip and tax, you're looking at about $16! The service could also be more attentive regarding refilling water and just checking up on diners in general. This place gets quite packed on a Friday night too so be prepared to wait for a while.
(4)
Mon R.

I think my husband and I were the only non-Asians at this place, so take my review with a grain of salt- because we dont know alot about Korean food. We came for dinner. It wasnt busy at that point, so we were sat down, promptly received water, and got to checking out the menu. The menu was pretty pricey, but Korean bbq can be that way. We shared it. It was ok, I was expecting more taste to the meat- the Korean joint around the corner does a much better job at the meat. The rice also comes out in a stone pot, which is cool. I wished it came with more rice. Anyway, I'm not sure I'll come back to this place, since there are others in the area that are better. IMHO.
(3)
Carly L.

This is the best korean food you can get here in Boston. Being from soCal, I have high expectations ...of soondubu ex) BCD & myungdong . I was actually surprised because this place was as good as BCD. The price is fair and so is the portion. This place is always packed, I went at 9 am on saturday and I had to wait for a table. At dinner time, there will be a Q and a bunch of hungry Koreans. Compared to other korean restaurants in the area like Korean garden etc...Kaju is your best bet.
(4)
Chris R.

Updates: Area has extremely limited street parking. And most all street parking are for "Residential permit only". Prepare to circle around. There is no reservation system, just "stand around" with no wait time estimates. Prepare to spend time in the street or squished against the door way. Unfortunately, "we have to be fair to all customers" in no way answers the concern that their current system of "just wait" wastes their customers time. So make sure you have PLENTY of time to wait around. Once seated, prepare to wait a while for a bite. Unlike other Korean restaurants, this place will only serve side dishes WITH the main entree. No nibbling on side dishes while waiting for main entrees. If you happen to show with less than an hour before closing time, say 9PM. Take caution, this place actually close at least half an hour or more prior to their "actual closing time". (this means, you need to get there plenty more than an hour before closing time, otherwise, you might end up waiting and if your turn for a table ends up close to closing time....I saw people being turned away.) Too bad there are so few decent Korean eats around this town.
(2)
Catherine W.

Fun to try a place that has gotten a lot of buzz - there was a slight wait during Saturday lunch hour, but before long we got a table. Tried the sundubu (of course); very cool that the soup is served with a side of raw eggs that you can crack into the soup if you desire. Also had the seafood pancake appetizer (not bad but I've had better). The panchan offered was very good - especially one that was kind of a like a beef stew. The place felt authentic. Would come back to try more dishes.
(4)
Guillermo M.

Amazing and authentic Korean food. All the plates had excellent flavors, high quality and were all very different. Loved all the little appetizers they bring. We ordered a seafood tofu soup and was really good, also the seafood pancake is a must have.
(4)
Eva B.

I brought my friend to introduce Korean food. She loves sondufu gigae which I made for her before. Food here is getting worse than day 1. I have been tried many different sondofu since day 1, but it is getting worse. The side dishes are okay, but I am not here to enjoy the side dishes. One of side dishes was stir fried mushroom. IT WAS OLD and BAD. The family next us ordered chapchae and the dish contains the stir fried mushroom. They were mad because the mushroom was apparently spoiled. My friend's soondufu gigae didn't have egg so she asked for egg and the waiter took her dish away. Just one egg....took 20minutes, and I finished my dish... When we waived our hands to get the waiter's attention, he seems to be innocent, not knowing we are waiting for the dish. overall, it has been okay compared to price. but today wasn't a day for soondufu,
(3)
Rachel H.

Yummy! It didn't stand out to me as amazing, but I had a great tasting (and only about $13ish) vegetable and beef clay pot. My brother had a declicious short-rib dish, but wished he had more vegetables. Here's the funny part: we got the check and his dish didn't cost around $13 as expected; instead it was around $20! Apparently they brought the wrong dish, but since we don't go to Korean restaurants that often, my brother didn't realize that it was the wrong dish (though that did explain the lack of vegetables that he thought he ordered). They kindly changed the price when we explained that we ordered a cheaper dish and didn't realize that the staff brought the wrong dish. Overal, a good lunch on a weekday!
(4)
Quang N.

Pretty good food, has all of your standard fare you would expect from a Korean restaurant. One of the better Asian restaurants in Boston, though expect a wait if you're coming at a peak time. Service can be on the slower side, so minus a star for that.
(4)
Chrissy T.

I love it here! Their tofu soup is heartwarming and filling. You can also pick how spicy you want your soup to be which is perfect for people who cant take the spicyness. They give a decent amount of side dishes. The waiters were nice and akways refilled my water at the right time. My only complaint is that the space in this restraunt was a bit small plus their bathroom was not that pleasant . I would still come here again ! The food is delicious and was at a reasonable price compared to other korean restraunts around!
(4)
Amar M.

Best Korean food I've had in Boston! The soondobu is the star of the show here, my favorite is the kimchi + beef soup. They let you customize how spicy you want it...I always get mine extra spicy, and when they get it right it really hits the spot! Downside is sometimes they don't fully follow through on those requests. I recommend getting the tofu soup + meat dish combo...best value for the money and their spicy pork and bulgogi are delicious. Banchans are generally better than most places too! Service is prompt, solid overall. Most times I've gone this place is PACKED, and they don't take reservations, so be prepared for at least a 30-40 minute wait if you have a party bigger than 4 if you're trying to eat at prime dinner time. Worth the wait, forreal doe.
(4)
Michael H.

In my admittedly limited experience exploring Korean food in this area, this is the best soon doo boo (hot tofu stew) I've found in Boston. It's comparable to the best I could find in five years of exploring Annandale Virginia, which is a sizable Koreatown in the DC metropolitan area. Which is to say, it's good. The seafood pancakes I've had there have been so-so. My recommendation would be to stick to the soon doo boo, especially considering the banchan (side dishes) they give you to accompany whatever you order- it's plenty of food. It can be crowded in the evenings, and they don't take reservations, so expect a wait if you arrive there between 6:30pm and 8:30pm. Also as others have pointed out, they don't serve alcohol, which is unfortunate. A cold beer would be ideal here, especially in the summer.
(4)
G N.

Food epiphanies are rare, but I had one with the seafood tofu chigae at Kaju Tofu House. There are five levels of spiciness, and I ordered the tofu stew with the fourth level, very spicy. The server first brought out the usual complementary cold plates of appetizers and pickles. Then came the rice. It was ceremoniously served from a searing hot stoneware bowl into a cooler serving bowl. The toasted crust of the rice in the stoneware bowl was then soaked in a tea to make a toasted rice tea for later consumption. The short grain rice by itself was delicious. The tofu chigae was then brought out in another searing hot stoneware bowl. The broth was bubbling furiously and the aroma was heady. I broke a raw egg into the broth to cook and took a sip of the tofu stew. The heat, both temperature and spice were incredible. It had the right amount of umami, garlic, and sweet seafood flavors to make the ideal tofu chigae. It was cool in the room, but I could not stop sweating. I was in nirvana. My wife and five year old son were sitting across the table enjoying the medium spicy (third level) pork tofu stew. My son was panting and rubbing his tongue with an ice cube, but he couldn't stop eating and kept asking for more. The restaurant is small and unremarkable. We came early and were seated right away. By noon the restaurant was full and a line started to form. Most of the customers were Korean. We also ordered the seafood pancake (Korean frittata) and bulgogi (BBQ beef) for our sons. The seafood pancake had less starch than other Korean restaurants, but the seafood was tasty and fresh. The bulgogi was served sizzling on a metal hot plate and was very good. Service was excellent and attentive. The pricing of each serving of tofu chigae is higher than average, but the quality of ingredients were very good and you get what you pay for. I wonder if this restaurant is related to the Kaju Tofu in Garden Grove, CA. Same logo and menu. For the past 6 years, I have been looking for a good tofu chigae restaurant in New England ever since I last ate at the New York area tofu chigae mecca, So Kong Dong in Fort Lee, NJ. I believe that Kaju Tofu House in Allston has ended my search.
(5)
Espresso T.

The place is always busy and with a line. While the spicy tofu soup is good and the side dishes plenty, the other dishes tried (bbq and rice pot), are just very average. A bit puzzled by all the raving reviews here as I've definitely had better Korean food nearby. The place isn't that big, although it does feels quite homey.
(3)
Ellen T.

Yah a tofu house is here finally! I love how I can choose different choices of tofu soups and choose the level of spiciness. The soup is very flavorful and bubbling hot when they bring it out. We also ordered the galbi and it was very tasty. I would avoid getting the bibimbap. We got the galbi bibimbap and there were no veggies in it! Usually they come out all colorful and pretty but it was just galbi and rice..super plain..boo! At least the rice came out crispy and that saved the dish a bit. Service was ok..friendly staff.
(4)
Sheri T.

For a newly opened joint, this place is already generating buzz among Koreans which is a good indication of it's authenticity and good taste. Came here on Sat for lunch the staff greeted us in Korean (how I wish I had retained my Korean lessons :p) and we were given cold water without asking. There were about 3 waitstaff and everyone is friendly. They have a very extensive soft tofu offering ranging from beef to seafood to dumplings etc. I ordered the combo seafood soft tofu + stonepot bimbimbap for $17 it's a great deal. The bimbimbap was a bit bland but the presentation is nice. The soft tofu is definitely the jewel. I picked mine as normal spicy and it's just right. It came with tons of seafood, 3 oysters, 3 clams, 3 shrimps and they provide you with a raw egg. The soup had very good savory and richness to it. My friend order the bulgogi which was grilled perfectly and you can taste the very tangy sweet sauce that they had marinated the short rib in. It's one of the best I had in Boston as most places either burn the meat or overcook it. Their bachan was quiet wonderful as well - you get 6 small dishes + kimchi + lettuce. Our small dishes were shitake mushroom (very very good), sweet potato, pickled cucumber, bean sprouts, small fishes and seaweed salad. All were fresh and tastefully made. We ordered extra bachan afterwards as they were so good and the cute waiter gave us very generous portion. The rice as mentioned comes in stonepots which they can add hot wheat tea to so that you can enjoy all the sticky goodness to the very last piece of rice :)
(5)
Lauren F.

I have finally found an amazing, authentic Korean restaurant where the prices are not through the roof! It's a little hard to find, but once you walk in, you're back in Seoul. Everyone eating there was Asian, which was a good sign. Korean reality shows were on TV and they even had the help buttons on the table to call your server. The dolsot bibimap was delicious and the side dishes were fresh. Even the kimchi tasted better than most restaurants. Definitely a must if you like Korean!
(4)
Sally L.

I had the beef and octopus tofu soup yesterday. It was a bit saltier than I expected, but it was extremely delicious! Will go back again and drink a lot of water!
(4)
Tom M.

The combos are a great deal, ideal for two people to share and very affordable especially compared to the prices at surrounding k restaurants. The tubu is usually as spicy as you order it, but it can be a little too mild. This place has my favorite banchan by far; great variety and quality ingredients. The restaurant is small (which i prefer anyway) but also tidy, clean, and cool. If you go in at the right time you can catch a drama, which gives the place a nice atmosphere.
(5)
Joe K.

This place is definitely one of a kind. Food here has been delicious and they have a great system to alert the waiters. The only complaint would be how small the place is and the wait time could last an hour if your not in before the rush.
(5)
cassandra L.

We always wanted to try out Kaju Tofu but we always ended up at color or Hanmari due to the long line at Kaju Tofu. We finally made it for lunch today. Like what most yelpers said, they had the best Seafood Pancake and Tofu soup. We had the combination- tofu kimchi and oyster soup and beef Kalbi and tofu clam soup with bulgogi. Hands down the best Korean food we had in Boston. Although they have a button where you can press to get a waitstaff attention, their service are so attentive that we don't even need it. The portion are huge! We hv way too many food. A word of advice. Go for the medium spicy instead of spicy. There is enough heat in the medium spicy. Can't wait to go back!!!!!
(5)
Kevin L.

I'm Korean, and soft tofu (soon-du-bu, or SDB) is one of my favorite dishes. A lot of great SDB places are located in Los Angeles, CA, where I'm from. I'm guessing that the name "Gaju" (meaning "California" in Korean) reflects pretty well of the great SDB taste that I really enjoy whenever I'm back home in LA. I walked into Gaju SDB around 7pm on a Wednesday evening. The place isn't too big, but had a lot of people wanting to try out the new SDB place in town. So it was quite crowded, and my friend and I waited about 15 minutes or so to be seated (I was thinking of coming here with a big group some time soon, but I don't think they could handle a group bigger than 8 people during dinner time). They took the orders before we could sit down, so that the food would come out soon after we got seated. For $12, you can choose from about a dozen different types of SDB. My choice is always simple. Beef. You could choose from four different "spicy" levels: not spicy, normal, spicy, or very spicy. Also, you could ask them to exclude MSG from your SDB if you want, which I thought was a plus, if you're not a big fan of the effects of MSG. I ordered a "very spicy" beef SDB without MSG. My friend ordered a "spicy" kimchee beef SDB without MSG. Although the service was friendly, the food we ordered came out somewhat mixed up. I think I ended up getting a "spicy beef SDB with MSG", and my friend got a "very spicy kimchee SDB with MSG". I liked how mine tasted, so didn't say anything about it, but my friend found her soup a little too spicy, and didn't want the MSG in the soup. Understanding that things could get a little crazy during the busy dinner hours, my friend just politely told one of the waitresses how the order got a little mixed up. Even during the busy hours, the waitress willingly took the dish back, and remade the SDB for my friend. She even came back to ask us how it tastes, and smiled when we gave her the thumbs up. The taste of the SDB here aren't the BEST I've tasted. But I'm probably spoiled by the great Korean food places in LA (also my mom makes SDB like a boss). I appreciate finally having a SDB place near Boston, where I think lacks good Korean restaurants. Finally a decent Korean restaurant I would recommend to those craving some GOOD Korean food.
(5)
Erdan L.

I love this place. The only Asian restaurant I keep going back in Boston area.
(5)
j k.

Ok, so, I gotta throw this place a bone. The soon dubu is about as good as it gets for now in the greater Boston area. Why five stars? Because it's as good as it gets here. I've tried a many soon dubu places across the globe and most in LA. I'm a little old skool - I still think that Sokongdong is better than Beverly even though there are a plethora of chains now in LA. To my brethren from LA, NY, and Seoul, you will be disappointed, so manage your expectations! But food is a local affair and it is unfair to penalize based upon global experiences. So here's the blow by blow. -Service is decent. They actually answer the ringer (the door bell looking thing on the table - it's how you get service during the meal and ask for your check...) relatively quickly even when busy. Also, downside, they don't crack the egg and put it in for you. -No boricha in my neurongi. -Neurongi was a little on the unburnt side. I think that they added water too quickly. -The chun is okay. Nothing to write home about. It was a bit soggy. The soy sauce / scallion was on. -The oy kimchee was on the sweet side and good. -The kimchee was good. Might have even been homemade. -The kalbi cheem / eggplant was also good. -Broccoli in kochichang good. -Egg/crab jeon done well. -Muuk also done well. -Origino mucheem done well. -Kongnamul - flavor was definitely off. Also, they left the tails on. -Bulgogi was okay. -Flavor of the kimchee oyster, combo, and seafood soup were all good. White was flavorful and on. The average or potung hotness was a bit spicier then other places that I have been to. -Also, the flavor of the soon dubu wasn't as rich and deep as I have had in other places. It's like they didn't let it ferment as long as they should have. Even with the negatives, all in all, about as good as it gets in Boston. Every other place I've been to tried to pass of soon dubu soup as chigae and just tries to make it spicy to cover the lack of flavor.
(5)
boom b.

The food was good, the service was really nice and accommodating. I guess the heater wasn't working because it was freezing in the restaurant. By BOSTON standards, I give it four stars.
(4)
Kathy L.

Went there for lunch today. Tofu soup had great flavor though one of 2 clams wasn't open so had to discard. I can't recommend the Bibimpap - a lot of veggies, much of it lettuce. It was disappointing. Go for the soup and skip the seafood pancake. Side dishes were good and the waiter asked if we wanted seconds. The staff were very friendly and kept the tea coming.
(3)
Shahzad S.

Excellent sundubu which seems to be a rarity in Boston. I think safe to say rising above much of the competition bringing a west coast standard to Boston. Service was excellent as well.
(4)
Mander H.

I always thought Korean food wasn't my favorite, but Kaju changed my mind. A friend recommended their soft tofu soup, and it surpassed all expectations. The service was fast and friendly as well, and our waiter was happy to help us out and tell us how to crack the egg into the soup or that we weren't supposed to remove the rice bowl lid with our bare hands (oops). The side dishes were AMAZING. And the soup itself was delightful. This is a new favorite restaurant. Mmmmm.
(5)
Mary G.

Perfectly fine Korean food, would try other places in Allston before coming back here, though. Don't go here for the service. Four of us walk in the door to a place with all the tables filled, no visible waitstaff to alert us to availability. One of us goes up to the cashier, where she tells us to sign a piece of paper up front with our name and number. Standing around for awhile, waiting, we noticed a group of people who walked in trying to poach our space and had to alert said hostess to our table. We got seated, and well after we were ready the waitress took our order, some pork jiggae, beef shortrib, the seafood pancake, and soon-dubu-jigae. It def't took awhile for our food to come out, and rather than bringing out the banchan (small opening plates) with our dinner, the banchan came with our food (good number of plates, 8 or 10 total), though the content was on the scant side for 4 of us, and I've made better kimchi in my house (admittedly, I make some wicked good kimchi). The seafood pancake was huge and substantial, though not amazing. Shockingly, better the next day. The beef short ribs were a bit dry and tough, but otherwise flavorful, and the jiggaes were comforting as jiggaes oft are. Maybe after I try some other area Korean restaurants, this place will go up a star, or down. Since I haven't eaten at other Korean joints in Allston yet, I can't really compare, but it just seems like this place could be better, or worse.
(3)
Le N.

My fiance and I love it here; yet we are weary to come back because there's always a line - especially when it's cold and everyone else wants tofu soup! The flavoring of the soup is perfect. Being a big fan of spiciness, I like that they let me choose how spicy I want my soup! The bbq here isn't the best, but it sure is good enough to eat. Their specialty is definitely their soup and that's a-ok with me! The next time it's rainy and cold, I guess I'll find myself back here to fulfill my craving. =)
(4)
Julie T.

This place was okay... their wait-list system is a little weird. I came in and all the workers were busy. No one stopped what they were doing to greet or assist me, which didn't really bother me as much as it confused me. My friends and I were actually one of three groups who were waiting for a table (it was pretty busy). There was a little notepad near the door with names... so I just wrote my name down and the number of people in my group. The other groups followed my lead. About 15 minutes later, we were seated. The food itself was okay as well. My chicken tofu soup was pretty bland but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It wasn't a very memorable experience, to be honest. I'll probably try this place again and order something different next time.
(3)
Sue H.

Okay, it's done. Kaju deserves 5 stars - yes, it's that good. I'm completely addicted! I've been numerous times since first reviewing, and can't get over how much I love their spicy tofu soup. And it's so affordable. My mainstay here is the beef/octopus tofu soup and bulgogi bibimbop (stone pot) combination. It's such a generous portion - enough for two I'd say. Service is still no frills, but they're efficient and quick. Woo hoo for TOFU!
(5)
Janus D.

Got the chicken tofu soup. Found hair in it. Got a "new" one and found hair in it again after I nearly finished. Must have gotten same bowl again since there was egg in the second bowl and I didn't put any in there. Never again.
(1)
Cwot W.

This place wasn't bad. Had the bulgogi hot pot. Meat needs some spice or something. But the kimchi stuff and side dishes were pretty good. And I saw Psy when I was eating here, but he refused to sing Gangnam Style.
(3)
Marissa G.

Soondubu (tofu stew) here is amazing. On a cold day, this is the perfect way to warm your body. An order comes with a decent amount of banchan (side dishes) and they put tea in the rice hot pot so that you can have the burnt mushy rice (very authentic, not all places do this) to eat with the meal if you choose. My friend also ordered a non-spicy beef soup that was sweet to the taste, which was very good.
(4)
Carol W.

Definitely 5 stars for a place like this in Boston! I came here tonight with my baby daughter and a friend. We opted to order individual portions of the seafood and beef soon dubu, kalbi, and bulgogi as opposed to getting the combos. We expected to have leftovers, but we devoured it all!! The soon dubu had a deep savory taste. The little shrimps are in the stew not for the flesh/protein but more for enhancing the flavor of the broth. The kalbi were thickly cut, very meaty and flavorful. It was the best kalbi I have ever had!! The wait staff were attentive and pleasant. I can't wait to come back again for the kalbi and soon dubu!!
(5)
Sid X.

Both my boyfriend and I believe it is the best restaurant around the Harvard Sq area. The food is great here and people are really nice. I love the tofu soup combination which is really tasty with a good price. What's more, the tofu is organic and healthy!:)
(5)
H P.

Kaju Tofu lives up to its reputation as'm one of the better Korean restaurants in Boston. The soups at Kaju are really interesting as they are served very hot and you drop an uncooked egg into the soup to let the egg cook. Quite yummy! The other food there is very food with the Bibimbap being served with nice crispy rice in the bottom. Bbq chicken is quite good and very flavorful. Kaju allows different spice levels. The most spicy is enough to satisfy a real spicy palate. This is a welcome change from most other places.
(4)
Joy C.

Food: Tteokbokki (spicy rice cake) with cheese topping is to die for. Very soft and chewy. Curry tofu soup is surprisingly delicious. Not too creamy or thick, but a hearty choice for those who love soup. Highlight: The small dishes (free appetizers) are just as tasty! Gamjajorim (seasoned potato) is on the sweet side but still savory. Gamja-salad (potato & egg salad) is heavenly. The kimchi is a little sour for me, so it loses my vote. Service: The older lady whom I suspect is the owner also runs tables. She has a very sincere smile and always very polite. The younger staff, hmm, not so much. Vibe: Students, students, students.
(5)
Michelle C.

Used to love coming here, one of the better Korean restaurants in the area but they've been on a steady decline. Prices going up. Quality going down. Went with 6 people and one couple wanted to share a soondooboo (tofu soup) and galbi (shortrib, most expensive) combo. They wouldn't give us more than one serving of banchan (side dishes) because we didn't order one entree per person. Never ever heard of this in my entire life. It's a Korean staple! They also add automatic 18% gratuity to parties of 5 or more. Tl;dr - not as good as it used to be. Starting to get stingy/expensive too but not many other options for soondooboo.
(2)
Sophie P.

INSIDER TIPS ----------------- - Put your name down on the clip board if the restaurant is full. They will call you up when a table is ready. - The difference between spicy vs. medium spicy soondoobu (tofu soup) is very noticeable. If you cannot handle spicy food, definitely get the medium spicy option. - There will be an automatic 18% gratuity charge for 5+ parties. - If each person does not order an entree (i.e. two people are sharing a combo), you cannot get a refill on your banchan (side dish). They tried to explain to us why, but in reality they are just really cheap with it. We thought this was really ridiculous. Kaju was a really good option for Korean food, but they have raised their prices in the past year and are very stingy with their banchan. With so many other Korean options in Allston, you may be better off going elsewhere unless you reaaally want your tofu soup fix.
(2)
Zhe W.

A little bit overpriced. But I guess that's for the side dishes. Good place for tofu soup pot! Love their side dishes, esp. the black beans.
(4)
Trina T.

Coming here before 6pm on a weekend is definitely the way to go. We came here just before 6 and waited for less than 10 minutes before we were seated. The entire place was filled with Asians - so you know this must be a very legit place. Food arrived very quick, we had the kimchi beef tofu soup and the short rib clay pot. The short rib was to die for, the marinate was so tasty. The soup arrived piping hot and had a ton of ingredients so it was definitely very worth the money. The ban chan was tasty and they served us 8 different small dishes. By the end we were so full after finishing everything. Service was quick, like most Asian places they want a fast turnover of customers so expect very fast service there. By 6, there was a line of people!
(5)
Vanessa Z.

seafood pancake + beef kimchi tofu soup were both delishh -- the side dishes are so cute and so good
(5)
Young P.

I really come to this place for one thing and one thing only. Gob-chang tofu. Now if you are a fob like me, then you don't need any more convincing from me. If you are not a fob or you don't know what gob-chang is, then I would like to ask you to try it next time you visit for the following reasons 1. It's unreal. You can go with the traditional beef, kimchi, seafood, and etc. but you can get that practically anywhere you go. But gob-chang tofu is really hard to find, especially in Boston. So why not make the best out of your experience and try something new? 2. I dare say, you haven't had a real soon-tofu experience unless you've had gob-chang. It is like.....cake and coffee, rice and kimchi, or to use another analogy, it is like eating a boiled egg with salt. It's the best perfect combination. You simply can't eat soon tofu without gob-chang. It just doesn't work. There are a few other points... Try the combination. You get to choose your tofu soup along with korean BBQ meat of your choice. I highly recommend the pork bulgogi. It's delicious. This place is tiny so try to avoid rush hour or you are gonna be waiting for a while. Service here is great. Just ask for whatever you need and they will bring it to you. Overall, because of gob-chang and their good service, this place definitely deserves 5 stars!
(5)
Dedania M.

Decided to update my review since my last one was back in 2014 :) Ordered the obvious: -Soondubu jjigae (soft tofu soup) with kimchi and beef: Basically it's just a hot soup with tofu, kimchi, beef. BUT it comes with delicious banchans (korean side orders) and honestly, they have the best banchans around that I ever had. Also comes with an egg that you can crack open into your soup while it's hot so you can cook it in! I literally love this dish because it offers so much for like ~$12.99 For these soups, you can modify how spicy you like your soup! I always go with just "spicy." Service: Every time I go here, I never notice a hostess, it's just any worker than can take on the job. When you walk in, make sure to sign your party's name and amount of people on the little counter to your right. They'll eventually call you. If you see a huge line from outside, PLEASE GO INSIDE TO SIGN YOUR NAME. Food always come out very hot and fast! There's no personal service where your waitress asks if you're happy with your food. They all work together to get the job done. If you need something, you just need to call them over! No big deal!
(5)
Helen L.

I love this place. I usually get the combo: choose a soft tofu stew and another entree (usually like bulgogi, pork, chicken, veggie only, etc). I went with my usual kimchi soft tofu with the beef bulgogi. This place serves one of the best beef bulgogi. Marinated perfectly and cooked to tenderness. The combo comes with the traditional side dishes (yum! and a good variety) and a bowl of rice. For the price you pay, you definitely get your moneys worth - $17.99. There is a wait and they don't take reservations. Once you get inside there's a clipboard on the right where you write your name and party size. The food arrived quickly. The only issue I had was that we felt kind of rushed near the middle/end of our dinner. Some of the people in my table still had a good amount of food on their plates and we were given the check. While we were nearing the end of eating the server came back to pick up the black book but we let her know we haven't paid yet.
(4)
Stephanie V.

This might be my new go to Korean spot! The place is small and kind of a hidden gem. The wait wasn't too long but the place can only accommodate so many people. I got the spicy tofu combo with bimbimbob. The small plates that we got before the meal were average but wow the spicy tofu was SO GOOD. I'm glad I got the bimbimbob because it was extra rice to mix the tofu with. The portions were large and I took some home but ended up eating it right away! I can't wait to go back
(4)
Judy K.

This is the best soondubu place in Boston so far. I've always felt like korean food was lacking a little in Boston, but this place is comparable to the ones in my hometown (NY). It's authentic and the perfect comfort food especially on cold nights. Be careful though because the place is really small and can get popular during lunch times. It's always filled with hungry koreans who come in a group. The downfall is that it's expensive. Like most all other korean restaurants in Boston, this place is overpriced for what you're getting. The kalbi is expensive and they don't give you a lot of pieces. The sauce was way too sweet for me, but my American friends loved it. I love the seafood mixed one with medium spice. The nonspicy one is lacking flavor for me and it comes out literally white. Don't forget to crack the egg in the beginning and move the tofu on top to cook the egg! EDIT: I have to say this because I've been here multiple times and they do this EVERY TIME! They pressure you into leaving quickly because before I'm even done with my food, they hand me the check. Once I sign the check, they keep looking over at my table to see when we're leaving. The servers never really pay attention to you and there were times when they forgot to bring over our side dishes until literally when our soups came out.... Even when it is not busy, I think the servers are extremely accustomed to having customers come in and out that they just expect you to leave as soon as you finish. I really think the food is good, but the lack of service makes me not think so highly of the place.
(3)
Susie J.

I grew up in New York - home to many many Koreans in proximity to all the best, authentic Korean restaurants. For the 6 years I have been in Boston, I could not find a single restaurant that was even close to food from home. All the Korean food here was overpriced and subpar. Guess, they were able to get away with low-quality because of the lack of competition. Kaju finally walked into my life, like the prince charming for I have been waiting for all my life, and has been in it ever since. Best Korean food here. The soondooboo is a staples and must here. The galbi and soondooboo combo though is on another level! (Please get it now so I can live vicariously through you...) Make sure you come during off hours though (like 5PM) or else you will have to wait a long time.
(5)
Nancy C.

Let me preface this by saying I very rarely give 5 star reviews. But Kaju definitely deserves one. My friend and I came at around 3pm on a Saturday afternoon, which is really the time you should go in order to avoid waiting in line. The restaurant is tiny and even though it wasn't peak hours, most of the tables were filled. We were seated promptly and given menus and water by a smiling Korean lady. We decided on the beef and octopus sundubu (soft tofu soup), extra spicy, and the veggie clay pot. It took us awhile because everything on the menu sounded delicious. The lady beside us got her ban chan (side dishes) first even though she was seated afterward, but she didn't want them so she just gave them to us. When our food came, the waiter brought over what was supposed to be our ban chan, saw that we had it already, and gave us the raw egg to crack into our sundubu. First of all, both dishes looked beautiful. The sundubu was nice and boiling, the clay pot beautifully arrayed with lots veggies. Both were delicious as well. We added lots of sauce to the clay pot; it was quite spicy, which is good. The sundubu was also spicy, and I really enjoyed both the beef and the octopus, which there was a lot of. All in all, the food was delicious. The ban chan left something to be desired, but hey, it's free and its unlimited, so no complaints there. Both my friend and I agreed on the fact that we'd give this place 5 stars and that we'd be back in the future.
(5)
Vincent H.

I really liked it here. Hit the spot for me when I was craving tofu soup. Anyways, get here early or else you'll have to wait! Can get pretty busy here and service will slow down with that. Good amount of ban chan but if you want more you have to ask! Beef dumpling soup was good, a lot of tofu but it's filling! Beef bulgogi was also good and not too oily as some other places. Took some time to get our food but I'll be back!
(4)
S T.

Expect a wait, even during 'off hours.' Write your name immediately on the wait list clipboard inside. Service was good. They sat us at the worst possible seat, and asked if it was okay? I was cool with it, happy to be able to order. When a bigger table opened up they asked us if wanted to move? How cool is that? The tofu as everyone said is pipping hot! You could be a burn victim if it spilled!! Be careful. Loved the seafood pancake, order it! And the short rib was perfectly seasoned. So much better than Koreana. Prices are reasonable too.
(4)
Chloe K.

Best Korean Restaurant in Boston! Very authentic and yummy
(5)
Dmitry L.

I will echo the other reveiwers' comments about the excellent taste, but I would also like to stress that the value is amazing. By getting a entree/tofu combo, a couple with a child can eat for about $20, which would include a full array of banchan (side dishes), a choice of entrees like bulgogi, kalbi, etc., and a choice of a tofu soup like beef & octopus, curry, ham/sausage, kimchi/beef, and many others. The tofu soups can be made at 5 levels of spiciness. The combo comes with one traditional Korean stone pot of rice, and additional rice bowls can be ordered for the others in your party. The server will also offer to make Nurungji Bap by pouring barley tea into the stone pot from the rice. By the end of the meal you have a rice porridge for a nice after-dinner treat.
(5)
Christina O.

Bestbestbest! I don't care if both times I went, the service was mediocre or that it's a little pricey ($20 for soondubu & galbi combo)... The jjigae is bomb, good selection of sides, galbi is flavorful, and there's a service button at the table(!). Hands down best Korean restaurant around the Boston area. Kaju saved my little homesick-for-mama's-cooking tummy. Go now.
(5)
James T.

The food was decent. My party and I ordered a lot and shared family style. The ribs were chewy but tasted good. The soups were a little bland but perfect in spicy level. I would recommend this for a smaller party because it was quite expenisve
(3)
Anna I.

I love Boston Kaju Tofu! As Tim R said, Kaju stand for California. I had heard about this place from my Seoulite friend who swore this reminded her of home. (Considering there is not a ton of variety compared to other Korean enclaves LA and NJ as there is a smaller selection of restaurants. In the former Seoul Bakery spot, this small intimate restaurant has old Hangul and Hanja wall paper and shows Korean shows/news on tvs inside the restaurant. Sitting down, I noticed the call buttons I saw everywhere in Korea (first in Boston for me) to ask for the server to your table. But we did not use ours. Our big group all wanted the Seafood Pancake and we all decided to get our own item. The Seafood pancake looked good but I did not eat it as I really wanted the Tofu Chigae (Sundubu =soft tofu). I got the Seafood Tofu Chigae $11.99. I asked for it to be mild (I cannot handle overly spicy food.) Our server was friendly and accomodating as we had a party of 10 on a Sunday night and they don't usually do reservations but they were nice to us. Before the food came out, we got alot of banchan (my fave) and here the banchan was plentiful with a variety of items (free refills too). There was sea weed, tofu, kimchee, potato salad among the usual suspects. Once the steaming hot chigae came out, we dug in eating it with our rice. The broth was delicate, flavorful that I could taste the seafood and the soft tofu was heaven. (Of course you have to add your raw egg in first before partaking.) The bits of clam and tiny shrimp just further enhanced the chigae (stew). After the meal almost ending, we got a bowl of the rice ends and hot water (?) to have if we wanted it. Since we were a big table, the tip was already included which made splitting the bill much easier and straight forward. They do take credit cards (btw). Definitely the best place(?) in Boston to get Sundubu Chigae in my opinion compared to all the places I have checked out. I have yet to have the other stuff (though as you notice the specialty is chigae there). I wish I lived and worked closer to there, I would be there way more often. Still I want to take my mom and friends when I get a chance. Parking is traditionally pretty horrible around here with meter parking, alot of permit parking and all the surrounding bars and businesses. If you can get street parking, you are very lucky.
(5)
Judy L.

Finally, a soondobu place that's close! Loved this place. Food was good. Combo is a good deal. Galbi was very juicy and delicious. Expect lines.
(4)
Camille D.

I've been eating here for a good three months now. My boyfriend and I love this place - we try so hard not to go here every week because we like it so much. I would say this place is really just good for the tofu soups. I ventured once and tried the bibimbap and I'm not a huge fan. But those tofu soups are soooo good. My favorite is beef and octopus, or the mushroom tofu soup, mild spicyness. And those side dishes are tasty.. mmm. Four stars for the tofu soups and side dishes only. I might just be getting, dare I say it, sick of the tofu soups from eating there so much, but I have a feeling they changed their recipes slightly since a few months ago. Not as good as before. Go try the place before they raise their prices or change the recipes again!
(4)
Andrew K.

Hands down, the best tofu house in Boston. I rarely go eat in-house, and often get take-out. I usually get the beef tofu and seafood tofu, with a side of bul go gi. Decor: pretty bland, nothing to write home to. Wide spaces with enough seating. Get there early on a weekend evening, as it gets crowded. Food: AMAZING. I've had tofu soup from miami to new york all up and down the east coast, and this place is fantastic. Service: Pretty good service. It's my go-to place in Boston for tofu soup. 5/5
(5)
Benjamin T.

This place is pretty good during a nice cold day. The tofu soup combo is a bit pricey, however the food portion as well as the side dishes that come with your soup and meat combo makes it well worth. If you enjoy spicy food then this is definitely the place to test your flame. The service is nice, the waiters are always so kind to me. Also if they did not notice your there, you can push a button located in the middle of the table, it alerts them to come to you. Over all my experience at kaju has been nothing but fun and enjoyable.
(4)
Angela Y.

+ awesome unlimited side dishes + fast service + soup comes with egg and all the food was pipping hot! + super visually appealing + combo tofu soup + side meat= great deal for $5 more! - very little meat in all the tofu soups - tiny place, limited seating
(3)
Jimmy B.

I'm not korean, but when you see a huge line in a tiny shop at 8pm on a Sunday filled with Koreans, then you know this place has got to be good. And man, it sure delivered. This has hands down got to be the best Korean restaurant in Boston. I am a HUGE fan of tofu chigae (soft tofu stew), and they do not disappoint. The tofu is so soft and fluffy, and the flavor of the soup is delicious! Plus, the variety! It's crazy! There's about 10 different types of chigae, ranging from standard beef to seafood, kimchi, mushrooms - you name it! You can also customize the amount of spiciness you can handle - the lowest setting is "white" for you weaklings. ;) You must also get their kalbi (beef spare ribs), as they're very flavorful and tender, an absolute great addition. Lastly, their assortment of side dishes that comes with every meal was one of the best I've ever had. They are also one of the few restaurants that do not cheap out on the Korean staple, Kimchi. That side dish was about 2.5 times the size of any other individual side. Great food and good job, I'll be returning very soon and am so very sad I never came sooner!
(5)
J C.

I have never had a bad meal here but a good tip is to go on off-peak times like 3pm on a Saturday otherwise if you go for dinner on a weekend night so popular and busy. The food is genuine Korean food and Tasty. Would recommend!
(5)
John W.

I used to come here every weekend but the quality of their soups has gone down. The soup used to be sweet with a touch of spices when I ordered the mild version. However, a few months ago the flavoring has been replaced with spiciness that is usually used for medium to hot. I don't know what happened and I spoke with the manager about it but nothing has changed. It is very disappointing for customers who prefer the flavoring over the spiciness.
(3)
Staly C.

Fantastic Tofu Soups Very fast service What more can you ask for? Only star off is the fact that their tofu soups can sometimes be lacking in meats and seafood. In addition, they have really expensive meat dishes, which was a bit out of my price range.
(4)
Arthur C.

Another Yes from me! (if that means anything to you) Though it wasn't a great idea for a hot summer day, Kaju Tofu House does their tofu soups so darn well. Make sure to get the chef's recommendation for what soups are popular as I was actually advised against certain menu items (Hats off to the server). I can't wait to come here during the winter for a booster!
(4)
Will C.

This is my favorite Korean restaurant in Boston. There's always an insane wait here, so always come here when they just open or 1-2 hours before dinner, like at 5 pm. They offer a wide variety of tofu soups and offer combinations where you can choose to have a rice or noodle dish with it. The food is excellent and great value too. I've tried a bunch of other places in this area and this is the place to go if you are craving Korean food.
(5)
Denise L.

There will be a wait if you come during prime dinner hours on Friday and Saturday night. Be prepared to scribble your name down on a flimsy notepad and wait anywhere from 30 mins to an hour and a half. If possible, try to get there early. Of course these people have good reason to all line up for this place. Kaju Tofu House is the bees knees! Definitely one of my top five places to eat in Boston. My usual here is the mild beef tofu. If I'm feeling extra hungry, I'll get the combo which comes with a slightly smaller bowl of tofu plus a meat dish of my choice. I usually stick with either bulgogi or galbi. I think the bulgogi is more worth it because the galbi comes with only a few pieces and is mostly bone. Both are really flavorful though. If you're looking for another dish to share among your friends, I would highly recommend the seafood pancake. It's this perfectly crispy fried pancake with small chunks of octopus in it. SoOoo good. It's decently big so order it with hungry friends! Okay the side dishes are where it's at! I eagerly wait every time for them to bring these complimentary appetizers out after I order. The dishes get switched up a bit, but usually comes with kimchi, rice cakes, mayo egg, broccoli, cucumbers in a spicy-sweet sauce, and firm tofu. You can ask for refills on any of the side dishes as well. Only reason I'm not giving this place 5 stars is the lack of service during a number of my visits. The place is definitely understaffed. But overall, I'm a huge fan of this place. They recently even expanded into Harvard Square!
(4)
Michael D.

This Kaju Tofu seems to have much better service than the one in Harvard. The restaurant seats fewer, so you may have to wait, but not too long. The menu itself is pretty standard for a Korean restaurant. I tried the spicy pork and mushroom tofu soup for dinner. The spicy pork was pretty fine, and the mushroom tofu soup was quite nice. They can do anything from super spicy to no spice at all for the soup. I'd go back, if I felt like a decent Korean dinner (where I didn't want to BBQ).
(3)
Le T.

I'm giving this a bad review because the staff rushed us. We literally finished dinner in less than 15 minutes. The waitress should've told us before we sat down that they were closing soon. Yelp said they were closing at 10 pm -.- ugh. This was our first time here too.. Not returning!!!!
(1)
Julia K.

Relative to other korean restaurants in the neighboring Allston area, Kaju gives you much more bang for your buck. The entrees that pair soft tofu soup with grilled meats are truly very affordable. The soft tofu soup with pork is probably the best that I've ever had in Boston and comparable to what you'll get in NYC's ktown. All of the small 'starter' dishes were fresh and accompanied the main dishes well. I think you get many more different types of small dishes here relative to other restaurants as well.
(4)
Jennifer G.

I wish I was exaggerating when I say that this is the only tofu I'll eat. I normally dislike tofu very much and can't stand the taste or the texture or whatever it is, but Kaju does it right and I've been here so many times over the past year or two. The restaurant is small, so be prepared to wait especially if you're coming for dinner on a weekend night. The waiters here are all super friendly and try to accommodate everybody as quickly as they can. After coming here enough times, I've learned that the combos are the perfect amount of food for me. You get to choose which soft tofu you want (beef, seafood, kimchi, vegetarian, etc) and which meat plate you want (galbi, bulgogi, etc). I personally get the beef tofu with galbi. Note that you can choose the level of spiciness for your tofu: mild, medium, spicy, extra spicy. I love my spicy foods, but went with the medium. Will try spicy next time since I felt medium wasn't too spicy. While you're waiting for your food, they bring out complimentary Korean side dishes, wish are always different and fun to try. I couldn't even tell you what everything is, but try all of them at least once to figure out what you like and don't like. Be open to trying new foods. The service here is good, but when we were just maybe halfway done with our meal, our waiter came over with the check and told us to take our time finishing our meal. Bringing over the check already makes you feel a bit rushed though. I understand that they're busy, but it's not like we had been there for too long. I'll definitely be back, love the food here. Minus one star for the wait and the service. Also, street parking only, so you might have to park a little farther wherever you find a spot.
(4)
Jennifer B.

Very disappointed! I really wanted to like this place. I ordered the seafood clay pot and it was not even edible due to how spicy it was! I am never one to send something back but due to the price I asked if there was anything they could do on their end and they offered me more rice to try to compensate for how unbearable the spiciness was. Word to the wise, make sure to specify the spiciness level when ordering a dish from here!
(2)
Olivia Y.

If you are looking for the best Korean tofu house in Boston then this is the place to come to. There is nothing better. They don't reservations and take out is only on the weekdays. If you come during prime hours you will most likely have to wait in line but it is SO worth it. Plenty of apps to start with, other items on the menu are good too even though they specialize in tofu. I recommend one of the Soondoboo (tofu stew) and the seafood pancake is bomb. They also offer combo meals which is a BBQ with a smaller size tofu which is also perfect as well. Enjoy!!
(5)
Rich T.

Nice straight forward heart warming soup and food. His is my go to for Korean tofu soup. Hits the spot every time.
(4)
Elly W.

First time here for dinner. The wait wasn't Too long. Ordered the tofu combo with bulgogi. Soup base was dumplings. Also ordered seafood pancake. Very delicious meal. Also enjoyed the ample mini plates before dinner. Staff is Nice but the ac Too low. I was sweating while eating the hot tofu soup. Also, the ambiance was a bit run Down. The price is fairly Decent Too.
(4)
Samantha B.

In an area with no shortage of international cuisine and Korean cuisine, Kaju Tofu House stands out with its quality. There will most likely be a wait, make sure to write your name on the list by the door. Dishes served with traditional banchan (small dishes) and steamed rice. The banchan consist of the standard kimchi and other fermented vegetables (namul) such as string beans, bean sprouts, and cucumber. Highlights are the potatoes in a sweet sauce and shredded anchovies. Kaju Tofu House is known for their soft tofu soups. All are of course heavy on the tofu and are served with an egg, to be cracked into the soup, cooked, and stirred in. The soup comes bubbling and piping hot. While waiting for the cool down, crack the egg into the soup, stir, watch and wait. Choose your protein or vegetable - recommend kimchi with beef or oyster and seafood. The broth is delightful with the creamy egg, heat (choice of level), and tang. A small amount of meat and kimchi, but worth it for the quality of the soup, forgetting it is supposed to have beef. The short rib meat clay pot is served with extremely well-seasoned and charred short rib bbq with scallions and sesame on top of crunchy vegetables and rice from the hot clay pot. Recommend adding a touch of hot sauce in the vegetables and rice for depth of flavor. Bulgogi is also a solid option for meat-only dishes.
(4)
Juliana Y.

This is my favorite Korean restaurant in the Boston area! Personally, I think Harvard ave location is way better than the Harvard sq location.
(5)
Erica S.

I really like this place! The tofu soup runs spicy! I like hot sauces but the mild tofu veggie soup was to spicy for me. Next time I'll have to order "white". The BBQ chicken was amazing....I'm looking forward to going back.
(4)
Ali S.

I'm not an expert on Korean food, but I love it and I lived in Seoul for a month. It devastates me that this place has 4 stars. The Galbi was literally the worst I've had at any restaurant anywhere. The flavor was fine, but the meat was incredibly chewy. The seafood pancake was also the worst I've ever had. It was very fluffy and not crispy enough. The seafood - little shrimps, squid, and allegedly oysters (couldn't find them) - was mediocre at best. If you're already at the restaurant and looking for what to order, my friend told me that his intestine soup was delicious.
(1)
Eddie S.

Decent food that definitely helped me fulfill my craving for soondoobu on a chilly, rainy day!
(4)
Annabel T.

I'm a fan of this place. Went at 7pm, had to wait an hour for a table. Advice: go at 5pm . You end up waiting by the door rather uncomfortably at 7 once you put your name down in a book. Food-wise, this place is delicious and I say this as a soup-ie. I had the seafood sundubu, which is a kimchi soup laden with silky tofu and lots of seafood and served with a side of piping hot rice. It is by far the best comfort food on a cold day. We also got the seafood pancakes and an octopus claypot dish, which was spicy grilled octopus served with vegetables and rice. The banchan served on the side was great -- standard kimchi, bean sprouts, potato salad, cucumber and radishes in a sweet sauce. I'd come back. At an earlier time.
(4)
Tiffany C.

Kaju Kaju Kaju. Best Korean tofu stew restaurant in Boston. It hands down beats any competing tofu soup restaurants in MA. This place specializes in selling various types of tofu soup and sizzling Korean BBQ plates. I always like to get the Kimchi Beef Tofu Stew medium spicy with the BBQ Chicken. Both are deliciously satisfying. A lot of my friends like the Kalbi over the chicken but I'm not a fan of biting meat off bones so chicken for me! Anyway, the tofu stews here are perfectly seasoned and flavors are all on point. The meat is equally as good but I wouldn't recommend the bulgogi. If you're craving beef go for the Kalbi, otherwise get the BBQ chicken. I also love the banchans here. There's always so many options and like most Korean restaurants, FREE REFILLS! Ooh. One more thing you MUST try. Not many people order this here but TRY THE DUKBOKKI!!! I swear Kaju makes the BEST dukbokki in Boston. Perfectly seasoned and perfectly spicy. Mmmm. Delicious. Just to keep in mind this place can get really busy sometimes during dinner time especially on Fridays and weekends so I like to come here for lunch/ afternoon meals. Either that or I typically just call in & pick up takeout. Make time to come here!! You won't regret it!
(5)
John K.

Kaju is definitely one of the better Korean restaurants in the sea of Korea Restaurants throughout Allston. I wanted to try a new place, since I've had a few places around the neighborhood, and I was very happy with my experience. The food was very good and fresh, and the little appetizers were delightful, and more plentiful than some of their competition. The reason that Kaju is not getting the five star is because I felt that the menu was a little limiting, and did not have the variety I have seen at a few other Korean places in the neighborhood. I also asked that my soup be spicy, and it was not. Not sure if they thought I couldn't handle it, or if that is the best they have, but the spice factor being turned up would have been nice.
(4)
E K.

Just went there today! The food was quite good, albeit a tad sweet. The highlight was definitely the intestine soondubu! I'll be back for more intestine tofu soup for sure. Service was slow. They take a long time to top up your banchans, or forget about it. I realized that there was one server who would top it up and another who won't. Anyway, decent food. Great intestine soondubu!!!
(4)
Cee C.

This place is the best Korean spot I've been to in a while. Great service and food. Go early, or later to beat the rush. Though tables turn quick there isn't much of a waiting area without being totally in the way. Go here and you will be happy:)
(5)
Ashley B.

Was excited to try this place. Saw on yelp they are open until 10pm. Came by at 9pm (other people were eating) and they told us they were closed? Disappointing.
(1)
Heather H.

My husband and I have been here twice now after trying other area Korean restaurants and we will continue to give them our business. Not only is the food outstanding, but the service is a 5+. They work as a team, but are not overly intrusive. The two gentleman that worked Sunday night, 7/7/13, were exceptional. We had the Asian server prior and he recognized us, which made us feel very appreciated. Thank you!
(5)
Yns S.

Amazing tofu stew + bulgogi = comfort food in winter!!!!!!! Hate to have more out people find out about this place, but the word is obviously out... (The line gets a little out of control sometimes)
(5)
Stephen C.

Hands down my favorite Korean place in Boston. The tofu soup is incredible and really hits the spot especially in the winter when it's cold out. Though beware, it's a pretty small place and there's always a wait during peak hours (weekend nights especially). So be prepared to wait outside until you're seated. I wouldn't recommend going with more than a group of 4 otherwise you could be waiting for almost an hour if it's busy. Whenever I go I get one of the dinner combos: usually the hot stone bibim bap (I think they call it the beef clay pot?) or the bugolgi. And as a combo you get quite a bit of food so I usually only eat half the non-soup portion and bring the rest home for lunch the next day (it helps me justify paying a little more for the combo meal). Also quick tip: when you crack your egg into the soup, instead of just letting it sit there floating on the top of your soup waiting for it to cook on it's own, spoon some of the soup over the top of the egg to help it cook.
(5)
Chrizzle D.

I chose to eat here because I read all the reviews raving about this place. Not sure that I agree. As someone who LOVES authentic Korean food, I figured from the reviews that this would be that place. It wasn't. I was not impressed at all. While I understand that not all the authentic ingredients used in the motherland would not be available here, I've had amazing soondubu jjigae at other Korean restaurants that came close (which is how I know it can be done). It's good, not great. That's all I can say. If you've had authentic Korean food, this might not meet your standards.
(3)
Sebastian N.

I absolutely love this place. Traditional Korean tofu house, done really well. I highly recommend the beef short rib plate, without the tofu soup. Each entree comes with five to six small plates of condiments that change on a regular basis, it's a really fun way to eat. The service is very friendly and welcoming, even to non-Koreans. I could eat a mountain of those ribs!
(5)
Julie O.

The food at this restaurant used to be very nice and delicious, but the quality and taste of food are getting worse now compared to the the time when they first opened. I would not go there anymore....
(2)
Adam A.

I'm a big fan of sundubu (spicy Korean tofu soup), and for a long time I've thought that someone could make a killing if they opened up a simple and reliable sundubu shop in Boston. It's not a complicated food, but it's one of those things that you really want to get from a place that specializes in it, since the broth can be really dull or "off" (flavors not well integrated) if it's made quickly or with insufficient attention. (Some of the renditions by otherwise respectable Korean restaurants in town have made me want to cry, or worse...) So, I was optimistic when I saw that Kaju Sundubu had opened, in the old Seoul Bakery spot on Harvard, north of Brighton. It turns out that they're from CA (Garden Grove)- I didn't get the full story of whether they're opening a new branch here, or just moved here, but whatever the reason, it's a tremendous coup for us! If the bowls we got tonight are any indication, we're in for a treat. The main reason to go to Kaju is the sundubu, and that's what most of the menu consists of. They have more flavors than average, including the usual suspects (seafood, beef, mushroom, octopus/beef) and also some less common ones (kimchi/oyster, intestine). (I suspect all of them start with the same anchovy base, and maybe also fish sauce, so vegetarians might want to ask to be sure.) You order the flavor and the heat level (mild/regular/spicy/extra spicy). The sundubu comes with an egg to crack in the moment it arrives (it cooks in the heat), and a side of rice. They do also have some sort of grilled meat and bibimbap offerings, but we didn't investigate those, either. (I did overhear a nearby table commenting amongst themselves that the marinade for the grilled meat was on the sweet side) The results: - Banchan/sides: a very standard selection of kimchi, pickled radish, some anchovies, bean sprouts, simmered soy beans (kong jorim), broccoli. They were fresh and tasty- the kimchi was quite sweet, but this goes OK with ultra spicy soup, in my book... - Sundubu: We got an order of extra spicy kimchi oyster, and an order of spicy seafood, along with a seafood pancake (haemul pajeon). The broth was really good: rich with the flavor of seafood and chili pepper cooked long enough to dissolve/integrate fully into the broth, with enough salt to bring out the richness of the soup base (usually anchovies, seaweed, etc.) but not overly salty. The extra spicy broth was perfect- enough to give you that slight euphoria of chili peppers, but not so spicy that you can't eat a whole bowl. (My perennial complaint with the CA sunduberias is that they hold back on the spice level for gringos -- Kaju's "extra spicy" was properly spicy, without being a one-note heat that overwhelmed the seafood). The seafood and the oyster flavors were both adequately generous with the seafood, too, which was pleasing, since a lot of chains have gotten progressively stingier with the seafood over the years. In fact, not only was this the best sundubu I've had in Boston (which is unfortunately not saying much), but it's some of the best I can remember having even at some of my favorite sundubu shops in LA. - Pancake: the seafood pajeon took much longer to arrive than the sundubu, and it was a bit underdone/soggy and falling apart. Although I like a crispy crunchy pancake as much as the next guy, I also know that sometimes they can be soft and falling apart when they're thick and generously full of seafood and veggies, so it's not necessarily a bad sign if it's falling apart. :) And it was indeed very tasty, with a nice balance of green onion and seafood. - Rice: like most good sundubu places, the rice comes in a small stone pot, and they ladle it into a bowl for you and leave the stone pot with the remaining rice residue, which keeps cooking on and forming a nice crispy crust (nurungji). While you're working on your sundubu, you can ask for them to pour hot water into the pot and let it sit for a bit, then drink a tea of the toasty crispy rice to finish your meal. (You can order extra rice, but it seems that they haven't adopted the recent trend of allowing you to get "special" rice-- mixed grains, barley, etc.--for a small a surcharge. The only option I saw was white rice, but maybe I missed the others.) As others have mentioned, the service is also really friendly and obviously cares about whether people are enjoying their food! I can see myself having many many bowls of delicious spicy sundubu here :)
(5)
HK L.

It's my favorite Korean restaurant, the side dishes, seafood pancake, tofu soup and Kimchi oyster sundubu, beef and seafood soup are very delicious!!! Also, you can choose them with white (not spicy at all), or a little spicy, or spicy or very spicy! It's okay if you don't like or you cannot eat spicy and it's not expensive!!!
(5)
Tina C.

Their tofu soup and kalbi combo is great. The combo also comes with lots of side dishes. There are lots of flavor with their dishes but not overpowering at the same time. You can expect to wait for a while for a table. The restaurant is small with few tables.
(4)
Madeleine Q.

BEST KOREAN FOOD you can get in Boston! Many Koreans and others alike have been wanting to get authentic soon-doo-boo (soft tofu) soup in Boston for a looooooong time. it's finally here! The soup is authentically good, the rice cooked in individual stone pots hit the spot, and their side dishes aren't so bad. Service is quick and friendly. You can also get a discounted combo of tofu soup with korean bbq, sizzling bibimbap in a stone bowl and many other combinations. I usually get the seafood or seafood+beef combo soup (jjigae) but I HIGHLY RECOMMEND SPICY OCTOPUS+BEEF (pronounced, "bull-nock soon doo boo"). They do not take reservations so it's first-come, first-serve. I AM UPDATING MY REVIEW BECAUSE EVER SINCE ITS OPENING, THE QUALITY OF THE TOFU SOUP BROTH HAS DEGRADED--watery, lacking flavor. The owner recycles the manager and the employees very frequently which results in poor service. They also charge 18% gratuity for a party of 5.
(3)
Ryan M.

Fantastic and authentic Korean Barbecue. Don't let the Tofu scare you away! (Though the tofu is also excellent.) I went here just to try something new. I went on a Thursday night and the place was packed with people waiting to be seated the entire time I was there. It was worth the wait (which wasn't very long). I loved the variety of sampler foods. The seafood pancake is also very delicious. The service was excellent. The staff was among the friendliest that I have encountered in the Brighton/Allston/Cambridge area. Come hungry and bring friends!
(5)
Kswagg X.

This review is for the SOONDUBU only. Soup is very tasty. The best soondubu in the BEAN. Make sure you put that egg in right away. Kaju is a chain from Cali, so you know they're going to come correct with that authentic SoonDubu FLAVA. Banchan (side dishes) are really good and help soothe your palate from the spiciness of your soup. Not really feeling their bibimbap, kalbi, & bulgogi. Meats seem very cheap/old/chewy and what's good with iceberg lettuce in bibimbap? Line is always long during dinnertime, so be prepared to wait 30-45 minutes or longer. Come for lunch if you want to avoid the rush.
(5)
Diing-Wei H.

Terrible service. They are impatient to take an order from me, i will definitely not come to this restaurant again.
(1)
Katie B.

I wish yelp would allow half stars, because this is more of a 4.5 star restaurant. This is one of my favorite Korean restaurants in Boston. The service is great and it feels like an authentic and cute little restaurant. You can tell by the staff and the cliental that this is a true Korean place. The soon-dubu jigae is great! I always get it extra spicy and it's just right. I love how you can get a combination of soup and something else. The dolsot bibimbap is good but not the best I've had. The panchans are good and their kimchi is great. My favorite is the beef kimchi soon-dubu, but if you like seafood I'd definitely recommend trying the seafood one. I highly recommend this place if you like tofu soup!
(4)
Michelle N.

Small with a limited menu selection but everything is good. I really enjoyed the soondubu (tofu soup), I ordered the seafood and tofu. I especially like the fact that they give you a fresh egg to crack into the pot when it comes out! Very neat and tasty. There is a good variety of banchan (side dishes), I always appreciate it when they give you a good selection. The service is good, everyone is friendly, they have a call button at each table, which is very convenient when you need service. I also enjoyed the bulgogi and the BBQ chicken was especially tasty. I will definitely be coming back for more.
(4)
Lily L.

I'm perpetually searching for a good bowl of sundubu jiggae. I think I've found it at Boston Kaju Tofu. The seafood tofu soup comes with 4 Maine shrimp, a couple of clams, and some oysters. The broth is quite good. They also give generous portions of the banchan--about 8 or so dishes in fact. All of this for $12. Service is pretty good. Ambiance is alright, but very clean. FYI: Street parking is a hit or miss at Harvard Ave.
(5)
Ada V.

The best Korean food hands down! Love the combination of your choice of tofu soup & beef. Only wish they had more tables because this place seems to always have a wait of 30+ minutes.
(4)
Dave C.

Now I'm usually a very big critic when it comes to food, especially Korean food in Boston, but I was not disappointed this time. After years of being let down by either over-priced and/or under-qualified restaurants in the area attempting to serve the cuisine of my ethic heritage, Kaju Tofu on Harvard Ave. finally delivers a reason for Korean-Americans like me to have hope. I grew up in the Tri-State area, and always within an hour's driving distance of the bustling Koreatowns of Flushing, NY and Fort Lee, NJ. It was probably due to this childhood of being spoiled with good Korean food that when I came to Boston, I could only be set up for dissatisfaction. Ladies and gentlemen, Kaju will rival any and all Korean restaurants in Boston, and I will gladly put it in my Top 5 Asian restaurants in Beantown - and that's saying a lot. For those from New Jersey, I would go as far as to say that it can compete with the famous chain of (So Gong Dong). It's just that good. It is on the pricey side ($12) and the service is just OK, but I would gladly be a regular there regardless.
(4)
isa g.

I don't understand what all the rave reviews are about... The food was just average in my book. I came here based on all the rave reviews on their soondubu jjigae which happens to be one of my go to Korean comfort food and I thought it was just OK. My friend got the bul-go-gi jigae which was way too sweet with overcooked beef and some clear (jap-chae) noodles on the bottom. Sure the price is cheaper than other Korean places but so are the food quality and the lack of ambiance. For more authentic Korean food in better atmosphere go down the street to Korea Garden. So far that is the only Korean restaurant I found in Boston area that even my out of town Korean guests would eat at.
(3)
John L.

I would definitely say the best soon tofu () place in Boston. Although there isn't really much competition out there in Boston. I like the fact that they specialize in soon tofu and offer many different choices. My favorite is usually with seafood or with clams. Check out my friend's blog for some pictures and more detail beanosbeantown.blogspot.â€¦ One negative thing (maybe a positive) is that the wait can be really really bad, which probably says that the food is good. I usually try to go at a weird hour to avoid waiting forever. 4pm ish for late lunch or early dinner or 8 or 9 pm for late dinner seem to do the trick for me. Sunday lunch wasn't too bad either. People are probably waking up late from partying the night before. If you don't know yet, there is a parking lot behind Blanchard liquor store that you can use. Make sure you don't part in their private lot though, it will get towed.
(4)
Jeff M.

Really good. Heavy on the tofu options. I asked for spicy and basically got mild. Maybe its because I am white but if you actually want some sort of a kick get the extra spicy.
(4)
Sunjae W.

If u want to experience REAL Korean food, u should defintely go taste food at this place! Korean ppl guarantee it!
(5)
Erin C.

Best Korean place in Boston that I've tried. (Also, you know it's good when almost all the guests were Korean) Spicy tofu stew here is delicious! We got the one with seafood; the clams were surprisingly tender and not overcooked and the shrimp were very flavorful. The bibimbap was still pretty tasty but obviously not their specialty. Next time I come I'll probably just get the tofu stew. The other good part about this place is the large number of small sides they serve with every meal. Delicious! The only bad thing is that the place is small and we had to wait 30-40 minutes for 2 people even though we came at 6 pm on Sunday. I wouldn't recommend coming here with a large party since they don't take reservations--I would probably just go to Koreana instead.
(4)
Matt P.

This place was great! Came with a friend, ordered seafood tofu stew, galbi, and a seafood pancake. The meal came with an amazing variety of home made kimchi and other sides, including tea eggs and dried fish. The galbi was tender and well seasoned. The tofu stew was fantastic - definitely the best I've had. The flavor was intense but the chili flavor was not as overpowering as it sometimes is. We regretted ordering the seafood pancake. It was good, but enormous. The service was very friendly, but the place is small and there was a bit of a wait when we got there. Our whole meal was less than $20 a person, which we thought was amazing for the quality.
(4)
NCNY N.

This is my favorite Korean restaurant in the neighborhood. We totally stuffed ourselves tonight on delicious banchan, seafood pancake, and the steak and soup combo. I chose the clam and tofu soup and there were plenty of clams again. Delicious
(4)
Jing Z.

Wow the food is sooo good, out of the world, especially for people like me who are big into spicy food and tofu, the tofu hot clay is amazing!!! Although have to wait for 15-20 minutes, but believe in me, totally worth it. For meat lovers, their bbq beef is awesome, Gotta Try it!!!!!!
(5)
Tony M.

The food was good but the service was horrible. I ordered a dish for my daughter that was listed as rice, tofu and vegetable. The waitress said it came with soup and which soup did I want. It turns out the soup is the tofu, which comes out way too hot to put in front of a five year old. The same dish was listed without the tofu, but I choose the more expensive one. The waitress gave no assistance at all, so we paid for it, but my daughter never did get any tofu. My dish came out wrong. The waitress insisted my wife ordered a different dish. No apology. No offer to resolve the issue. One dish that we did order was never served, but you can bet it was on the check at the end of the meal. Only when we questioned it, was it removed. Again, no apology. The waitress just kind of glared at us, and ran into the kitchen to question the other serving staff. When they served the pickled vegetable starter, they also put a bowl on the table with an egg in it. My daughter kept asking about the egg and could she try it. Fortunately, my wife knew that the egg was raw and was intended to be put into the scorching hot tofu soup that had yet to be served. Who knew? Lucky I didn't try to open it sooner. Oh, and just to add insult to injury, the check included an 18% gratuity because we were a party of five. Needless to say, I won't be patronizing this establishment again.
(1)
Connie C.

Let's face it...Korean food in Boston (or in MA. in general haha) isn't the greatest especially after eating at many Korean joints in NY haha. But I must say this place is pretty up to par! I never had soondubu/soft tofu soup before, but it's my current fav meal! It's a great comfort meal if you're looking for something soupy on a cold/rainy day. My first time I went I tried the beef and seafood tofu soup (extra spicy = 3 peppers). It was spicy but I can really handle the heat. So during my second visit, I asked for it to be extra extra spicy. The waiter asked me how many peppers would I like since I wanted it extra, extra spicy. I said 6. I think I probably scared the guy as he looked at me with the "WTF?!" look hahaha. I asked and he definitely delivered. It was super spicy and I loved it! Definitely going to order it like that again from now on. My friend and I shared the short rib clay pot which was yummy too. We both got soondubu and shared the clay pot which was plenty for two people. My second visit my friend got the beef bulgogi which was a bit dry but still edible. As for the side dishes, they're really yummy! I tend to usually like 2-3 of the side dishes at any Korean restaurant, but not here! I actually enjoy each of the dish. All very flavorful in their own way. The service is great. Quite attentive and very friendly, nice, sweet people. One of my newfound fav restaurants and definitely returning soon! :)
(5)
Howe L.

For Boston, one of the best Korean eateries. I was actually equally impressed (and surprised) by the service. Place is small and barebones, but well worth it.
(5)
Christopher C.

Great place if you like sundubu - quality seems as good as any place I tried in New York, Tokyo, or Seoul. If you go at lunch time, particularly on the weekend, you will probably have to wait for a seat as it seems like groups of Korean university students come here. The menu is limited - come here for sundubu, not anything else, although they do have bibimbap on the menu. The banchan selection is okay - not a wide variety of those tasty appetizer dishes, but what they give you is fine. People are friendly and seem appreciative of your business.
(4)
Dee T.

Very small restaurant. I went in on a Sunday for a somewhat early dinner but had to wait probably around 30 minutes to get seated. The service isn't too fast, but the food was really nice and hot when it came out. The one thing you have to do immediately when they bring you your tofu soup is to drop in your raw egg for it to cook. As it was my first time there, I obviously took pictures and such of the small dishes and our food but forgot to crack the egg in, so I was left with tofu soup and some bits of raw egg. The beef ribeye? bulgogi was pretty good especially in the hot stone bowl with veggies and rice. I'd try it again, but maybe when its at a less busy time?
(3)
Jessica Z.

As the name of the restaurant states, half the menu has tofu in their dishes. The restaurant itself is pretty small and could only handle a number of parties. I actually had to wait outside for 10-15 minutes before being seated and there were other people waiting too. It might just be because it's new that people are crowding there, but we'll see. There's actually not THAT much food selection on the menu. There's two pages worth of food, so it's enough, but less than what you usually find in restaurants. I came with a big group, so naturally we ordered a lot. The servers brought out the banchan (the small side dishes) not long after. They were very good especially the pancake looking one. On one side of the menu were the soups, most if not all were made with tofu (hence their name.) All the soups were fairly expensive, around $12, and it's only the size of a bowl. We ordered was the seafood soup; it's a soup with a lot of tofu and a small variety of seafood (I only remember shrimp and clams.) As for the other food, I thought it was very good. They had typical dishes like bulgogi and bibimbap. I don't remember what exactly was ordered, but the pork and beef were all very good and tasty. All the dishes were brought out sizzling hot. We ordered the seafood pancake and it's like a scallion pancake but with seafood in between. There's a decent a I thought the service was very good. The server was attentive and always refilled our waters often. They were very helpful whenever we needed something. But note that their tables have buttons that ring to alert the servers to come over. It's pretty cool and it's the first time I've ever seen that at a restaurant. I bet most of you who read this after coming to this place already pressed it a few times before realizing what it is. Otherwise, you shouldn't randomly press it because the servers WILL come! Overall, I thought the food was very good, and the prices a bit steep for some items. If I'm ever craving for Korean food, I would consider this place, but I don't think the food is good enough to make me go out of the way to come here often.
(4)
Elaine L.

I came here with a group of friends on Sunday for dinner. We got here a little bit before 6pm, so, luckily, we were seated immediately. But after 15-20 minutes, the restaurant was packed and there was a line outside of it. So come here early or be prepared to wait in the line. Here is what I had: Seafood pancake- it was perfectly pan-fried with enough seafood in each bite. Combination ($17.99)- I chose kimchi and beef soup with bulgogi. I LOVE it that they have this combination of soup and BBQ, so that I don't have to spend 15 minutes staring at the menu to choose between these two. Both soup and bulgogi were very good!! And it was a good amount for one person. The only thing is I had medium spicy (3 chili peppers) for the soup, but it's not really spicy to me. So I will try the 4-chili-pepper spiciness the next time. All my friends enjoyed their food a lot (beside one who has allergy.....). And I will definitely come back again soon!
(5)
Susan K.

When I heard there's a korean tofu place was opening up in Boston, I was excited! I've been to really good korean tofu places in New York and Philly, both positive experiences with consuming this hot, boiling, spicy deliciousness. So I was looking forward to try this place! Entering, the place wasn't that impressive looking...it looked humble. Nothing too fancy, nothing too bright. I guess the interior design is nothing, no where near, impressive. Its just plain. I would say like most asian restaurants (especially korean), the service was not that great. I kind of expected that. So don't expect exceptional service from this place, and don't expect to be served like you're the king or queen of the universe. If you really think you are...I have no comment. Anyway, this place is a place to just eat your food and bounce. They not detailed-oriented and holistic in their service. They just give you what you order, you eat it, they'll may be refill your water cups, and you pay when you're done and bounce. That's it. I was hoping this place would be cheap but like all other korean restaurants in Boston, this place is over priced. That's really unfortunate for a poor graduate student like myself. So I'm in a dilemma between eating great food and overpaying. Boo. The tofu soup (soondobu jigae) was pretty delicious. I finished my entire bowl clean and I rarely do that with this kind of dish. You get to choose your spicy-ness level as well. I ordered the tofu soup with beef and seafood. Soooo good. I was very much satisfied! I'll probably go here again...most likely when I graduate, get a job and start making bank.
(4)
Annie T.

Best tofu soup I've had in Boston! The beef and kimchi and the beef and seafood tofu soups were amazing. The spice is on the conservative side so I recommend getting a medium or above to get a remote sense of spice flavor in your soup. The soup comes out bubbling in a stone pot and cracking the raw egg that is given cools the soup down slightly. It is still super hot though. The appetizers are the standard cold plates that come out including kimchi, bean sprouts, small dried fish and pickled cucumbers. The BBQ beef ribs are so good! Well marinated and soft, I could eat it all day. The rice comes out in a stone pot also and the waiter scoops it your bowl. You can ask him to hold on pouring the tea in the pot if you like your crunchy rice. The service is average, but a cool gadget they have is a button on the table to call the waiter if the restaurant is too busy. They are attentive and refill your appetizers and waters as needed. Highly recommended! I will definitely be a regular here.
(5)
Cheryl C.

It was quite a wait and most of the dishes here are tofu based as the name suggests. It isn't a full blown korean menu - we had gone in initially expecting to order Yu Kae Jang and Hae Dup Bap (our usual korean fare) but the menu didn't have them and were more limited to tofu chigaes. That said the food was not bad - sides were very good and generous.
(3)
Tim R.

Darn, I thought I was going to be the first reviewer! Anyhoooo. How's about a little Korean lesson: Kaju means The state of California (when written in han-moon or with Chinese character), at least that is what I was told. So it makes total sense that the owner of this restaurant came from California and this restaurant is like the sister restaurant of Kaju in CA. Well onto the review of the food. Well, my family, the 10 of us, went to Kaju for Easter. Although it was busy with the Easter crowd we never felt as though we were neglected. Just as a FYI Kaju Tofu House is a restaurant that specializes in soft tofu stew, as the name implies, and if you are looking for a wider variety of Korean food may be disappointed. That being said, the tofu stew was very good, most of my 10 family members ordered some variation of it. I said very good and would also add, probably the best in Boston, but having tried soft tofu stew in Fort Lee, NJ, I have to admit wasn't spectacular.... still very good. There was a shining point in the meal however. The seafood pancake with scallions. Although I like my scallion pancakes on the crispier side everyone in my family DEVOURED the 2 servings we ordered. One further note: Although this is forgivable since they just opened their doors 2 weeks ago they were ill prepared for the business on Easter and ran out of eggs; and that was at 5:30 PM. I guess the silver lining for them is they did a lot better business than they expected that day. :) Side note: I've been to a Pho House, yeah the one right around the corner, that ran out of basil!!! Now that's a crime. Conclusion, if you like tofu stew go give this place a try; I am sure you'll be pleasantly surprised.
(4)
Christine L.

1. Good food. Dependable. Delicious. Not the BEST I have ever had, but pretty darn good. 2. Small place :( pretty busy 3. Service is... normal? Nothing out of the ordinary. 4. Can seat big parties, if you're willing to wait. There was a group of ten in there when I walked in. 5. Does not accept reservations 6. Spiciness is very nice. I ordered on level 3 heat and it delivers. Yum. 7. is good too! Free refills of side dishes of course~ 8. Pricing is moderate. 9. I left totally satisfied. And SO FULL. This place delivers.
(5)
Vy T.

Good food. The service was slow and they did not bring out the panchan until our food came out. Overall I would come back again for the food.
(4)
Kate H.

I love eating tofu so i decided to give it a try. First when you go in you have to look to your right to sign in your name and how many people. Then wait for your table. Before you get to sit down, they will ask you what you want when the table is almost ready. I think this way makes everything fast. i had a seafood tofu and a bulgogi. Its a combo with two pots. There is few sides dishes and a small bowl of rice. It looks small but you can get really full with it. I love my bulgogi, it taste so good and the seafood tofu is alright but the tofu is really smooth. I love seafood but just not the seafood and tofu together. Also my friend got a bbq beef rib, it taste so good. I think that is one of the top recommend I will give. If i go next time, I will definitely get the bbq beef rib again. .
(4)
Darren L.

My favorite restaurant and I mean it! I like tofu and Korean food...so when I ate here...well, now I love Tofu and Korean food is pretty spicy if you choose the extra spicy. Best price and great meal that will make you full but still want more even though you cannot eat anymore! :O Must try this...or not, so that I can have a shorter wait time...! Do not forget to crack your egg when you get it!
(5)
Omi H.

I love this place!! So good, always packed (which is good, since you know that means the restaurant is good. But bad, because you have to wait every single time). Service is quick and everyone is really friendly. Sometimes when it's really busy, they'll ask you what you want while you are waiting, so when you actually sit, your food is served very shortly after. I usually order some sort of tofu soup (usually the mushrom) with galbi. Make sure you put your egg in right away and stir so it cooks. Also, be careful with the spices; I usually order the 2nd spiciest one (I think it's med spicy). Which to me, it's spicy, but not too spicy. So I decided to get the spiciest, which is way too spicy. I had to add water to it, but it was still too spicy. I think this place would be even better if it served drinks, but then again, it would take longer to actually be seated, so good thing they don't serve drinks. If you don't like tofu though, there are still other items on the menu that you can order. Definitely a must try!!
(5)
Jenny C.

This is one of my favorite Asian restaurants in Boston -- good quality, authentic Korean food for very reasonable prices!
(5)
J F.

Beef was sweet and dry usda choice at best. Seafood soup was bland and overall the meal was overpriced based on presentation, ingredients, taste and portions. Staff had good service.
(1)
Cynthia L.

Absolutely love this place! Great service and great food. A lot of side dishes and very good portion. Highly recommend their short ribs combo with tofu.
(5)
Hubert H.

Not as awesome as in Korea, but certainly good for Boston - a tofu house with tofu stews, and an array of side dishes. The portions are plentiful enough, with rice in stone pots over which the waiter will eventually pour hot water so that you can get a sense of the 'sweetness' of the rice. The two large screens blaring Korean soap opera stuff can get somewhat intrusive and annoying, attention-grabbing to the point of decimating conversation throughout the entire restaurant.
(4)
Joseph T.

Definitely one of the better Korean restaurants in Allson/Brighton aka College Project! I wish that they would serve alcohol. Man, these foods are awesome and affordable for your college bucks!
(4)
Amy W.

Korean stew heaven! Go check it out but be prepared to wait for a table during peak hours as the place is limited in seating. Always packed with native folks which is always a good sign when going for any "ethnic" cuisine. Got the veggie stew & it was delish. Lots of little dishes as any good Korean restaurant should give with the meal. Prompt & nice service. Win, win. I want to go & get some now!! Enjoy!
(4)
Luke O.

This place is, in no particular order, 1. Dope 2. Dope 3. Dope. I've been here three times now and I still can't get my fill. The soondubu is unbelievably delicious, and the sides are plentiful and always changing (you could go in twice and get some variations, but don't worry, you'll always get a mound of kimchi). Waiting for your food is tough and time drags because you really want to eat that sweet, sweet stew, but the suffering is eased by the varied Korean dramas playing on the TV on the wall. As long as Kaju's doors are open, I will continue to crush their food.
(5)
TK W.

I had Korean food with Korean friends at LA, CO, Toronto, NY, MA. Hands down LA is the best. But I was surprised this tofu place came next! Before I came to Kaju, MA was the last on the list. Their Tofu soup definitely should be the reason you go there. Galbi was good but not outstanding that I must go back for. But when you combine with the selection of Tofu soup, Ding Ding Ding. Must go again!
(4)
Cat E.

One of my favorite foods is bibimbap. If I go to any Korean Restaurant, I would order bibimbap if I didn't know what to order. I didn't know that bibimbap can go wrong, but apparently it can! it was the worst bibimbap that I've ever had in my whole entire life.
(2)
Micah M.

What a disappointment! After waiting for about 20 minutes we finally got a seat. After another wait we finally got some food. Our patience did not pay off. None of the side dishes were any good. (Some cucumbers+potato/macaroni salad+broccoli w spicy paste+insufficiently reheated japchae+funky old kimchi+bland bean sprouts+overly salty pickled daikon=a poor showing). The tofu soup, which is supposed to be their trademark, was passable but nothing to write home about. And could we get some rice to go with our soup? Oh that. When they finally brought it out, the bibimbap was skimpy on toppings (only four types) and had way too much rice to go with them.
(2)
Emily L.

I love comfort food and this definitely satisfies the need. I usually have to wait about 30 to 45 minutes to get a seat but once you're in, you can stay as long as you want. The wait staff does the bare minimum but does it well. Right after you get seated, they'll take your order and in about 15 fifteens, your table will be covered with food. I got the seafood tofu soup and the broth was very flavorful but it was hard to eat the seafood. The shrimp still had the heads and shell and the clams were still in their shells. I probably won't get it next time but they have a lot of different varieties.
(4)
Jason K.

Best Korean restaurant in Allston hands down. As a frequent customer, I highly suggest the seafood pancake and kimchi beef tofu soup. If you've got what it takes, go for the extra spicy option: so spicy but so good. The staff there was impeccable. Our waiter, Joseph, treated us with utmost respect and was very prompt and kind in service. I highly recommend all you Korean food junkies out there to give this place a try! Tip: Come early and write your name down on the waiting list to avoid a long line!
(5)
Jane H.

If you're looking for a good hole in the wall Korean eatery in the Boston area, this is it. Portions are perfect, service is fast, wait is not so fast (so I've heard) but I got here early so we sat down immediately (party of 2) and the food is just AMAZING.
(5)
Cee C.

This place is the best Korean spot I've been to in a while. Great service and food. Go early, or later to beat the rush. Though tables turn quick there isn't much of a waiting area without being totally in the way. Go here and you will be happy:)
(5)
Ashley B.

Was excited to try this place. Saw on yelp they are open until 10pm. Came by at 9pm (other people were eating) and they told us they were closed? Disappointing.
(1)
H P.

Kaju Tofu lives up to its reputation as'm one of the better Korean restaurants in Boston. The soups at Kaju are really interesting as they are served very hot and you drop an uncooked egg into the soup to let the egg cook. Quite yummy! The other food there is very food with the Bibimbap being served with nice crispy rice in the bottom. Bbq chicken is quite good and very flavorful. Kaju allows different spice levels. The most spicy is enough to satisfy a real spicy palate. This is a welcome change from most other places.
(4)
Joy C.

Food: Tteokbokki (spicy rice cake) with cheese topping is to die for. Very soft and chewy. Curry tofu soup is surprisingly delicious. Not too creamy or thick, but a hearty choice for those who love soup. Highlight: The small dishes (free appetizers) are just as tasty! Gamjajorim (seasoned potato) is on the sweet side but still savory. Gamja-salad (potato & egg salad) is heavenly. The kimchi is a little sour for me, so it loses my vote. Service: The older lady whom I suspect is the owner also runs tables. She has a very sincere smile and always very polite. The younger staff, hmm, not so much. Vibe: Students, students, students.
(5)
Michelle C.

Used to love coming here, one of the better Korean restaurants in the area but they've been on a steady decline. Prices going up. Quality going down. Went with 6 people and one couple wanted to share a soondooboo (tofu soup) and galbi (shortrib, most expensive) combo. They wouldn't give us more than one serving of banchan (side dishes) because we didn't order one entree per person. Never ever heard of this in my entire life. It's a Korean staple! They also add automatic 18% gratuity to parties of 5 or more. Tl;dr - not as good as it used to be. Starting to get stingy/expensive too but not many other options for soondooboo.
(2)
Sophie P.

INSIDER TIPS ----------------- - Put your name down on the clip board if the restaurant is full. They will call you up when a table is ready. - The difference between spicy vs. medium spicy soondoobu (tofu soup) is very noticeable. If you cannot handle spicy food, definitely get the medium spicy option. - There will be an automatic 18% gratuity charge for 5+ parties. - If each person does not order an entree (i.e. two people are sharing a combo), you cannot get a refill on your banchan (side dish). They tried to explain to us why, but in reality they are just really cheap with it. We thought this was really ridiculous. Kaju was a really good option for Korean food, but they have raised their prices in the past year and are very stingy with their banchan. With so many other Korean options in Allston, you may be better off going elsewhere unless you reaaally want your tofu soup fix.
(2)
Zhe W.

A little bit overpriced. But I guess that's for the side dishes. Good place for tofu soup pot! Love their side dishes, esp. the black beans.
(4)
Trina T.

Coming here before 6pm on a weekend is definitely the way to go. We came here just before 6 and waited for less than 10 minutes before we were seated. The entire place was filled with Asians - so you know this must be a very legit place. Food arrived very quick, we had the kimchi beef tofu soup and the short rib clay pot. The short rib was to die for, the marinate was so tasty. The soup arrived piping hot and had a ton of ingredients so it was definitely very worth the money. The ban chan was tasty and they served us 8 different small dishes. By the end we were so full after finishing everything. Service was quick, like most Asian places they want a fast turnover of customers so expect very fast service there. By 6, there was a line of people!
(5)
Vanessa Z.

seafood pancake + beef kimchi tofu soup were both delishh -- the side dishes are so cute and so good
(5)
Young P.

I really come to this place for one thing and one thing only. Gob-chang tofu. Now if you are a fob like me, then you don't need any more convincing from me. If you are not a fob or you don't know what gob-chang is, then I would like to ask you to try it next time you visit for the following reasons 1. It's unreal. You can go with the traditional beef, kimchi, seafood, and etc. but you can get that practically anywhere you go. But gob-chang tofu is really hard to find, especially in Boston. So why not make the best out of your experience and try something new? 2. I dare say, you haven't had a real soon-tofu experience unless you've had gob-chang. It is like.....cake and coffee, rice and kimchi, or to use another analogy, it is like eating a boiled egg with salt. It's the best perfect combination. You simply can't eat soon tofu without gob-chang. It just doesn't work. There are a few other points... Try the combination. You get to choose your tofu soup along with korean BBQ meat of your choice. I highly recommend the pork bulgogi. It's delicious. This place is tiny so try to avoid rush hour or you are gonna be waiting for a while. Service here is great. Just ask for whatever you need and they will bring it to you. Overall, because of gob-chang and their good service, this place definitely deserves 5 stars!
(5)
Dedania M.

Decided to update my review since my last one was back in 2014 :) Ordered the obvious: -Soondubu jjigae (soft tofu soup) with kimchi and beef: Basically it's just a hot soup with tofu, kimchi, beef. BUT it comes with delicious banchans (korean side orders) and honestly, they have the best banchans around that I ever had. Also comes with an egg that you can crack open into your soup while it's hot so you can cook it in! I literally love this dish because it offers so much for like ~$12.99 For these soups, you can modify how spicy you like your soup! I always go with just "spicy." Service: Every time I go here, I never notice a hostess, it's just any worker than can take on the job. When you walk in, make sure to sign your party's name and amount of people on the little counter to your right. They'll eventually call you. If you see a huge line from outside, PLEASE GO INSIDE TO SIGN YOUR NAME. Food always come out very hot and fast! There's no personal service where your waitress asks if you're happy with your food. They all work together to get the job done. If you need something, you just need to call them over! No big deal!
(5)
Helen L.

I love this place. I usually get the combo: choose a soft tofu stew and another entree (usually like bulgogi, pork, chicken, veggie only, etc). I went with my usual kimchi soft tofu with the beef bulgogi. This place serves one of the best beef bulgogi. Marinated perfectly and cooked to tenderness. The combo comes with the traditional side dishes (yum! and a good variety) and a bowl of rice. For the price you pay, you definitely get your moneys worth - $17.99. There is a wait and they don't take reservations. Once you get inside there's a clipboard on the right where you write your name and party size. The food arrived quickly. The only issue I had was that we felt kind of rushed near the middle/end of our dinner. Some of the people in my table still had a good amount of food on their plates and we were given the check. While we were nearing the end of eating the server came back to pick up the black book but we let her know we haven't paid yet.
(4)
Stephanie V.

This might be my new go to Korean spot! The place is small and kind of a hidden gem. The wait wasn't too long but the place can only accommodate so many people. I got the spicy tofu combo with bimbimbob. The small plates that we got before the meal were average but wow the spicy tofu was SO GOOD. I'm glad I got the bimbimbob because it was extra rice to mix the tofu with. The portions were large and I took some home but ended up eating it right away! I can't wait to go back
(4)
Victoria P.

I've given up on finding good Korean food in Boston. This place is decent, but for the price, I'd rather make it myself. As a native Korean it's hard to find good Korean food except for in my mom's house and in Korea, but I tend to keep that in mind when trying other places. Still haven't found a suitable replacement. Ordered the kimchi beef soondubu, seafood soondubu and dolsot bibimbap combo. Everything was just okay. Nothing spectacular and not really worth the price. I guess I'll just keep moping.
(3)
Judy K.

This is the best soondubu place in Boston so far. I've always felt like korean food was lacking a little in Boston, but this place is comparable to the ones in my hometown (NY). It's authentic and the perfect comfort food especially on cold nights. Be careful though because the place is really small and can get popular during lunch times. It's always filled with hungry koreans who come in a group. The downfall is that it's expensive. Like most all other korean restaurants in Boston, this place is overpriced for what you're getting. The kalbi is expensive and they don't give you a lot of pieces. The sauce was way too sweet for me, but my American friends loved it. I love the seafood mixed one with medium spice. The nonspicy one is lacking flavor for me and it comes out literally white. Don't forget to crack the egg in the beginning and move the tofu on top to cook the egg! EDIT: I have to say this because I've been here multiple times and they do this EVERY TIME! They pressure you into leaving quickly because before I'm even done with my food, they hand me the check. Once I sign the check, they keep looking over at my table to see when we're leaving. The servers never really pay attention to you and there were times when they forgot to bring over our side dishes until literally when our soups came out.... Even when it is not busy, I think the servers are extremely accustomed to having customers come in and out that they just expect you to leave as soon as you finish. I really think the food is good, but the lack of service makes me not think so highly of the place.
(3)
Susie J.

I grew up in New York - home to many many Koreans in proximity to all the best, authentic Korean restaurants. For the 6 years I have been in Boston, I could not find a single restaurant that was even close to food from home. All the Korean food here was overpriced and subpar. Guess, they were able to get away with low-quality because of the lack of competition. Kaju finally walked into my life, like the prince charming for I have been waiting for all my life, and has been in it ever since. Best Korean food here. The soondooboo is a staples and must here. The galbi and soondooboo combo though is on another level! (Please get it now so I can live vicariously through you...) Make sure you come during off hours though (like 5PM) or else you will have to wait a long time.
(5)
Arthur C.

Another Yes from me! (if that means anything to you) Though it wasn't a great idea for a hot summer day, Kaju Tofu House does their tofu soups so darn well. Make sure to get the chef's recommendation for what soups are popular as I was actually advised against certain menu items (Hats off to the server). I can't wait to come here during the winter for a booster!
(4)
Will C.

This is my favorite Korean restaurant in Boston. There's always an insane wait here, so always come here when they just open or 1-2 hours before dinner, like at 5 pm. They offer a wide variety of tofu soups and offer combinations where you can choose to have a rice or noodle dish with it. The food is excellent and great value too. I've tried a bunch of other places in this area and this is the place to go if you are craving Korean food.
(5)
Nancy C.

Let me preface this by saying I very rarely give 5 star reviews. But Kaju definitely deserves one. My friend and I came at around 3pm on a Saturday afternoon, which is really the time you should go in order to avoid waiting in line. The restaurant is tiny and even though it wasn't peak hours, most of the tables were filled. We were seated promptly and given menus and water by a smiling Korean lady. We decided on the beef and octopus sundubu (soft tofu soup), extra spicy, and the veggie clay pot. It took us awhile because everything on the menu sounded delicious. The lady beside us got her ban chan (side dishes) first even though she was seated afterward, but she didn't want them so she just gave them to us. When our food came, the waiter brought over what was supposed to be our ban chan, saw that we had it already, and gave us the raw egg to crack into our sundubu. First of all, both dishes looked beautiful. The sundubu was nice and boiling, the clay pot beautifully arrayed with lots veggies. Both were delicious as well. We added lots of sauce to the clay pot; it was quite spicy, which is good. The sundubu was also spicy, and I really enjoyed both the beef and the octopus, which there was a lot of. All in all, the food was delicious. The ban chan left something to be desired, but hey, it's free and its unlimited, so no complaints there. Both my friend and I agreed on the fact that we'd give this place 5 stars and that we'd be back in the future.
(5)
Vincent H.

I really liked it here. Hit the spot for me when I was craving tofu soup. Anyways, get here early or else you'll have to wait! Can get pretty busy here and service will slow down with that. Good amount of ban chan but if you want more you have to ask! Beef dumpling soup was good, a lot of tofu but it's filling! Beef bulgogi was also good and not too oily as some other places. Took some time to get our food but I'll be back!
(4)
S T.

Expect a wait, even during 'off hours.' Write your name immediately on the wait list clipboard inside. Service was good. They sat us at the worst possible seat, and asked if it was okay? I was cool with it, happy to be able to order. When a bigger table opened up they asked us if wanted to move? How cool is that? The tofu as everyone said is pipping hot! You could be a burn victim if it spilled!! Be careful. Loved the seafood pancake, order it! And the short rib was perfectly seasoned. So much better than Koreana. Prices are reasonable too.
(4)
Angela Y.

+ awesome unlimited side dishes + fast service + soup comes with egg and all the food was pipping hot! + super visually appealing + combo tofu soup + side meat= great deal for $5 more! - very little meat in all the tofu soups - tiny place, limited seating
(3)
Barbara R.

Amazing food! Great prices and very friendly staff. Gets extremely busy in the weekends so be patient. Totally worth it though. Boyfriend is Korean and he loves this place. The kimchi is amazing!
(5)
Kelli A.

Hot damn, I love this place. You will wait for a table almost any time you go, but it's worth it. The only thing that would make this place better is beer!
(5)
Jimmy B.

I'm not korean, but when you see a huge line in a tiny shop at 8pm on a Sunday filled with Koreans, then you know this place has got to be good. And man, it sure delivered. This has hands down got to be the best Korean restaurant in Boston. I am a HUGE fan of tofu chigae (soft tofu stew), and they do not disappoint. The tofu is so soft and fluffy, and the flavor of the soup is delicious! Plus, the variety! It's crazy! There's about 10 different types of chigae, ranging from standard beef to seafood, kimchi, mushrooms - you name it! You can also customize the amount of spiciness you can handle - the lowest setting is "white" for you weaklings. ;) You must also get their kalbi (beef spare ribs), as they're very flavorful and tender, an absolute great addition. Lastly, their assortment of side dishes that comes with every meal was one of the best I've ever had. They are also one of the few restaurants that do not cheap out on the Korean staple, Kimchi. That side dish was about 2.5 times the size of any other individual side. Great food and good job, I'll be returning very soon and am so very sad I never came sooner!
(5)
J C.

I have never had a bad meal here but a good tip is to go on off-peak times like 3pm on a Saturday otherwise if you go for dinner on a weekend night so popular and busy. The food is genuine Korean food and Tasty. Would recommend!
(5)
John W.

I used to come here every weekend but the quality of their soups has gone down. The soup used to be sweet with a touch of spices when I ordered the mild version. However, a few months ago the flavoring has been replaced with spiciness that is usually used for medium to hot. I don't know what happened and I spoke with the manager about it but nothing has changed. It is very disappointing for customers who prefer the flavoring over the spiciness.
(3)
Staly C.

Fantastic Tofu Soups Very fast service What more can you ask for? Only star off is the fact that their tofu soups can sometimes be lacking in meats and seafood. In addition, they have really expensive meat dishes, which was a bit out of my price range.
(4)
Jeannie D.

The tofu soups are filling and delicious. You get to choose the level of spiciness and they have different kinds of soups including seafood and vegetarian. The soup comes with a bowl of rice and the mini dishes that are usually served with any other Korean food. It also comes with an egg - make sure you crack it and put it in the soup right when it gets to your table! Having raw eggs can have a bad ending lol The restaurant is pretty small and since it's a popular place, there will always be a line. Just make sure to write your name on the waitlist when you come in. The wait isn't crazy long but it also depends on the day you go.
(4)
E K.

Just went there today! The food was quite good, albeit a tad sweet. The highlight was definitely the intestine soondubu! I'll be back for more intestine tofu soup for sure. Service was slow. They take a long time to top up your banchans, or forget about it. I realized that there was one server who would top it up and another who won't. Anyway, decent food. Great intestine soondubu!!!
(4)
Denise L.

There will be a wait if you come during prime dinner hours on Friday and Saturday night. Be prepared to scribble your name down on a flimsy notepad and wait anywhere from 30 mins to an hour and a half. If possible, try to get there early. Of course these people have good reason to all line up for this place. Kaju Tofu House is the bees knees! Definitely one of my top five places to eat in Boston. My usual here is the mild beef tofu. If I'm feeling extra hungry, I'll get the combo which comes with a slightly smaller bowl of tofu plus a meat dish of my choice. I usually stick with either bulgogi or galbi. I think the bulgogi is more worth it because the galbi comes with only a few pieces and is mostly bone. Both are really flavorful though. If you're looking for another dish to share among your friends, I would highly recommend the seafood pancake. It's this perfectly crispy fried pancake with small chunks of octopus in it. SoOoo good. It's decently big so order it with hungry friends! Okay the side dishes are where it's at! I eagerly wait every time for them to bring these complimentary appetizers out after I order. The dishes get switched up a bit, but usually comes with kimchi, rice cakes, mayo egg, broccoli, cucumbers in a spicy-sweet sauce, and firm tofu. You can ask for refills on any of the side dishes as well. Only reason I'm not giving this place 5 stars is the lack of service during a number of my visits. The place is definitely understaffed. But overall, I'm a huge fan of this place. They recently even expanded into Harvard Square!
(4)
Michael D.

This Kaju Tofu seems to have much better service than the one in Harvard. The restaurant seats fewer, so you may have to wait, but not too long. The menu itself is pretty standard for a Korean restaurant. I tried the spicy pork and mushroom tofu soup for dinner. The spicy pork was pretty fine, and the mushroom tofu soup was quite nice. They can do anything from super spicy to no spice at all for the soup. I'd go back, if I felt like a decent Korean dinner (where I didn't want to BBQ).
(3)
Lynda D.

First off, the place is small so it's always seems crowded esp. at night... There's a wait list that you sign yourself in.... Food is pricey ($12) for a small ass bowl of tofu stone bowl... I mean it taste good but still pricey for the amount you get..unless you have $$ to spare or just ballin' then try it out. Also if u have left over don't expect them to take care of it for u, you gotta wrap that shit yourself (hence this determines if I tip them more or less). BTW it's very hot in the restaurant so I couldn't even finish my soup bc I was already sweating from the heat (mind you it's fall season- chilly nights) Maybe I came on the wrong night... Who knows?
(3)
Rich T.

Nice straight forward heart warming soup and food. His is my go to for Korean tofu soup. Hits the spot every time.
(4)
Elly W.

First time here for dinner. The wait wasn't Too long. Ordered the tofu combo with bulgogi. Soup base was dumplings. Also ordered seafood pancake. Very delicious meal. Also enjoyed the ample mini plates before dinner. Staff is Nice but the ac Too low. I was sweating while eating the hot tofu soup. Also, the ambiance was a bit run Down. The price is fairly Decent Too.
(4)
Jennifer G.

I wish I was exaggerating when I say that this is the only tofu I'll eat. I normally dislike tofu very much and can't stand the taste or the texture or whatever it is, but Kaju does it right and I've been here so many times over the past year or two. The restaurant is small, so be prepared to wait especially if you're coming for dinner on a weekend night. The waiters here are all super friendly and try to accommodate everybody as quickly as they can. After coming here enough times, I've learned that the combos are the perfect amount of food for me. You get to choose which soft tofu you want (beef, seafood, kimchi, vegetarian, etc) and which meat plate you want (galbi, bulgogi, etc). I personally get the beef tofu with galbi. Note that you can choose the level of spiciness for your tofu: mild, medium, spicy, extra spicy. I love my spicy foods, but went with the medium. Will try spicy next time since I felt medium wasn't too spicy. While you're waiting for your food, they bring out complimentary Korean side dishes, wish are always different and fun to try. I couldn't even tell you what everything is, but try all of them at least once to figure out what you like and don't like. Be open to trying new foods. The service here is good, but when we were just maybe halfway done with our meal, our waiter came over with the check and told us to take our time finishing our meal. Bringing over the check already makes you feel a bit rushed though. I understand that they're busy, but it's not like we had been there for too long. I'll definitely be back, love the food here. Minus one star for the wait and the service. Also, street parking only, so you might have to park a little farther wherever you find a spot.
(4)
Jennifer B.

Very disappointed! I really wanted to like this place. I ordered the seafood clay pot and it was not even edible due to how spicy it was! I am never one to send something back but due to the price I asked if there was anything they could do on their end and they offered me more rice to try to compensate for how unbearable the spiciness was. Word to the wise, make sure to specify the spiciness level when ordering a dish from here!
(2)
Olivia Y.

If you are looking for the best Korean tofu house in Boston then this is the place to come to. There is nothing better. They don't reservations and take out is only on the weekdays. If you come during prime hours you will most likely have to wait in line but it is SO worth it. Plenty of apps to start with, other items on the menu are good too even though they specialize in tofu. I recommend one of the Soondoboo (tofu stew) and the seafood pancake is bomb. They also offer combo meals which is a BBQ with a smaller size tofu which is also perfect as well. Enjoy!!
(5)
A T.

. The food was average but over priced. The servers were not friendly at all. They never asked the food was good or not. I had expected much more than that. Their tufu soup is like any other place's . Do not waste your money for this.
(1)
Sidi L.

Great placeï¼I love tofu soupï¼The seafood pancake here is good. But the Kimchi is not the best. Best place to have tofu soup
(5)
Samantha B.

In an area with no shortage of international cuisine and Korean cuisine, Kaju Tofu House stands out with its quality. There will most likely be a wait, make sure to write your name on the list by the door. Dishes served with traditional banchan (small dishes) and steamed rice. The banchan consist of the standard kimchi and other fermented vegetables (namul) such as string beans, bean sprouts, and cucumber. Highlights are the potatoes in a sweet sauce and shredded anchovies. Kaju Tofu House is known for their soft tofu soups. All are of course heavy on the tofu and are served with an egg, to be cracked into the soup, cooked, and stirred in. The soup comes bubbling and piping hot. While waiting for the cool down, crack the egg into the soup, stir, watch and wait. Choose your protein or vegetable - recommend kimchi with beef or oyster and seafood. The broth is delightful with the creamy egg, heat (choice of level), and tang. A small amount of meat and kimchi, but worth it for the quality of the soup, forgetting it is supposed to have beef. The short rib meat clay pot is served with extremely well-seasoned and charred short rib bbq with scallions and sesame on top of crunchy vegetables and rice from the hot clay pot. Recommend adding a touch of hot sauce in the vegetables and rice for depth of flavor. Bulgogi is also a solid option for meat-only dishes.
(4)
Juliana Y.

This is my favorite Korean restaurant in the Boston area! Personally, I think Harvard ave location is way better than the Harvard sq location.
(5)
Erica S.

I really like this place! The tofu soup runs spicy! I like hot sauces but the mild tofu veggie soup was to spicy for me. Next time I'll have to order "white". The BBQ chicken was amazing....I'm looking forward to going back.
(4)
Ali S.

I'm not an expert on Korean food, but I love it and I lived in Seoul for a month. It devastates me that this place has 4 stars. The Galbi was literally the worst I've had at any restaurant anywhere. The flavor was fine, but the meat was incredibly chewy. The seafood pancake was also the worst I've ever had. It was very fluffy and not crispy enough. The seafood - little shrimps, squid, and allegedly oysters (couldn't find them) - was mediocre at best. If you're already at the restaurant and looking for what to order, my friend told me that his intestine soup was delicious.
(1)
Eddie S.

Decent food that definitely helped me fulfill my craving for soondoobu on a chilly, rainy day!
(4)
Annabel T.

I'm a fan of this place. Went at 7pm, had to wait an hour for a table. Advice: go at 5pm . You end up waiting by the door rather uncomfortably at 7 once you put your name down in a book. Food-wise, this place is delicious and I say this as a soup-ie. I had the seafood sundubu, which is a kimchi soup laden with silky tofu and lots of seafood and served with a side of piping hot rice. It is by far the best comfort food on a cold day. We also got the seafood pancakes and an octopus claypot dish, which was spicy grilled octopus served with vegetables and rice. The banchan served on the side was great -- standard kimchi, bean sprouts, potato salad, cucumber and radishes in a sweet sauce. I'd come back. At an earlier time.
(4)
Tiffany C.

Kaju Kaju Kaju. Best Korean tofu stew restaurant in Boston. It hands down beats any competing tofu soup restaurants in MA. This place specializes in selling various types of tofu soup and sizzling Korean BBQ plates. I always like to get the Kimchi Beef Tofu Stew medium spicy with the BBQ Chicken. Both are deliciously satisfying. A lot of my friends like the Kalbi over the chicken but I'm not a fan of biting meat off bones so chicken for me! Anyway, the tofu stews here are perfectly seasoned and flavors are all on point. The meat is equally as good but I wouldn't recommend the bulgogi. If you're craving beef go for the Kalbi, otherwise get the BBQ chicken. I also love the banchans here. There's always so many options and like most Korean restaurants, FREE REFILLS! Ooh. One more thing you MUST try. Not many people order this here but TRY THE DUKBOKKI!!! I swear Kaju makes the BEST dukbokki in Boston. Perfectly seasoned and perfectly spicy. Mmmm. Delicious. Just to keep in mind this place can get really busy sometimes during dinner time especially on Fridays and weekends so I like to come here for lunch/ afternoon meals. Either that or I typically just call in & pick up takeout. Make time to come here!! You won't regret it!
(5)
John K.

Kaju is definitely one of the better Korean restaurants in the sea of Korea Restaurants throughout Allston. I wanted to try a new place, since I've had a few places around the neighborhood, and I was very happy with my experience. The food was very good and fresh, and the little appetizers were delightful, and more plentiful than some of their competition. The reason that Kaju is not getting the five star is because I felt that the menu was a little limiting, and did not have the variety I have seen at a few other Korean places in the neighborhood. I also asked that my soup be spicy, and it was not. Not sure if they thought I couldn't handle it, or if that is the best they have, but the spice factor being turned up would have been nice.
(4)
Le T.

I'm giving this a bad review because the staff rushed us. We literally finished dinner in less than 15 minutes. The waitress should've told us before we sat down that they were closing soon. Yelp said they were closing at 10 pm -.- ugh. This was our first time here too.. Not returning!!!!
(1)
Julia K.

Relative to other korean restaurants in the neighboring Allston area, Kaju gives you much more bang for your buck. The entrees that pair soft tofu soup with grilled meats are truly very affordable. The soft tofu soup with pork is probably the best that I've ever had in Boston and comparable to what you'll get in NYC's ktown. All of the small 'starter' dishes were fresh and accompanied the main dishes well. I think you get many more different types of small dishes here relative to other restaurants as well.
(4)
Vivian C.

As par for the course, there was indeed a wait when we got to Kaju Tofu House. Soo we added our name and # in our party to the list set on the little table, and waited. Unfortunately the restaurant is relatively small, and the crowd patiently waiting just inside the door had no real place to stand out of the way. Fortunately, the waiting crowd likely blocked the brunt of the cold air from sweeping through the open door and onto the seated customers. With tofu in its name, we decided on tofu for our bellies. Me, I also wanted kalbi, so once I found a compatriot among my fellow diners, I ordered the combo meal of beef and seafood tofu soup (white) and kalbi $22.95, while everyone else ordered a tofu soup straight up. Thus I came to the realization that the tofu soup portion was a tad smaller when ordered as a combo option. Eyeballing my bowl, I figure it could have possibly fit into my DCs' bowls, but I'm not 100% sure since I didn't actually test the hypothesis. Note: the whole eggs that comes with the banchan are raw. First thing you should do after your tofu arrives bubbling to the table is crack one on in, so that the egg has the time and heat to cook right up. Yup, I didn't quite do that as the photos of my meal can attest, so my egg took a tad longer to cook through, but since the tofu soup was too hot to eat immediately anyways, that was fine. My soup, when I got to it, was tasty, but a bit light on the seafood. I spied 1 tiny whole shrimp, 1 free floating shrimp head, and a shelled creature (either a free floating mussel or clam - I didn't study my meal, I just popped it in my mouth with a spoonful of tofu and chewed). The kalbi had that beautifully overcooked color that some love (like me) and others view as a mistreatment of the cow. It was pretty yummy. As for service... The first time I asked a waitress for a refill of the broccoli banchan, no issues. The second time, however, her attitude left something to be desired. Seriously, 3-4 small broccoli florets for a table of 4 diners? It was the only green thing on the table besides the small salad banchan, and each refill was as miniscule as the original. It was also the only banchan we had refilled, so if she was a bit more service oriented, she could have considered bringing over a larger portion as a refill and then I would have not "bugged" her the 2nd time. I appreciate that they allow a choice of spice levels of their tofu soup. Most places do not, so I have not had this normally spicy Korean dish often, and a friend told me even the lightest spice level here is rather hot, so "white" it was! I'd like a repeat of the kalbi, perhaps with the clam variation of the tofu soup, but the stone pots are also calling out to me... And if my fellow diners were to want in on a seafood pancake, that'll likely be part of my next meal as well.
(4)
Jenn Z.

We had tofu/oyster soup, beef & veggies in the clay pot, and beef noodle soup. Totally delicious and completely worth the wait. Service was overall very good apart from them mistaking our orders/check.
(4)
John D.

4.5/5 It's strange walking in here and writing your own name down for a table. There's no host/hostess and that's how you get a table LOL. I saw like 5 names in front of me and I thought it would be like a 30min wait, ended up being like 15min because people left and didn't feel like waiting so they got their names crossed off. GG. For starters we ordered seafood pancake. I heard good things about it and tried to give it a shot, meh it was alright LOL. Nothing too crazy or too special about it to be honest. Wasn't worth the price I paid for it. ($12?) This was part of the reason of the 4.5/5. Ordered a Kim chi/beef tofu soup combo with bulgogi and it was delicious! Soup came out first of course with rice and like 8 side dishes (ban chans). My favorite one was the egg mixture because it felt like a potato salad but it was sweeter and calmed down my burning tongue LOL. Oh and the egg you can add inside the soup! I received a raw egg, cracked it open and poured it into my soup and eventually it cooked! Noice. For a kimchi/beef soup was real good and real hot. Burnt my tongue because I was too impatient. I ordered mild but it wasn't spicy at all, I should've 1-up'd the spicy level. Didn't taste much like kimchi doe to be honest unless it's not supposed to taste like it LOL. There's some bits of beef here and there but I didn't really pay much attention to it. Just that rice + soup together is bae. Into the Bulgogi it was sooooo good wow. The beef was very sweet and for some reason I just fell in love with it, I just wanted to save it and eat it last. My friend ordered the spicy pork and I have to admit, I may like it a little more than the bulgogi. Although very chewy, it was flavorful and had a nice kick of spice to it. This place is really small, like don't bother coming here with anymore than 4 because it'll be very hard to find seating or it'll be a long wait at least. Then service was alright, waiter knew when we were ready to order, and that was convenient. Sadly, my friend ordered his spicy pork but it was like the chef forgot to make it or something so there was a time gap when I received my bulgogi vs my friend's spicy pork. But when we were done eating our waiter disappears for a bit so we had to wait for the check, he also didn't offer us take out containers because we didn't finish our food. When he gave us our check, he said "paying with cash is that okay?" And it threw me off a little bit. I just assumed there was a surcharge to use debit/credit card or the machine was down or something. I wish they would have told us the reason. Overall very nice today for lunch. Seated quickly, appetizer and entree came out at a good time range between each other, and stayed full until for a while. Noice.
(5)
Seth K.

We had a craving for some Korean food so we decided to check this place out. We had the soonduboo and kalbi. As a Korean, the medium spicy is weak sauce - it is catered to the American spicy taste. If you like medium spice (Korean style) make sure you order spicy instead of medium. The spicy here is equivalent to BCD Tofu House's medium. The food was decent. It accomplished to satisfy but it did not impress me. A decent place to satisfy a Korean food craving. The QIQ quotient (Quality = 6, Inexpensive = 5, Quantity = 7) is a 18.
(3)
Audrey C.

Omg......this place is amazing but we waited for about 30 min to get seated and it was totally worth it. The restaurant is a bit small so when we were waiting it felt a bit awkward because we were in such close proximity to people eating. We got seated at around 730 and there wasn't much of a wait after that, so come later if you don't want to wait! Although there is a wait they are very efficient. Once your table is almost ready they give you the menu to look over and when you sit down you can order right away. Most of my party got the combination meal of tofu pot and bulgogi for $17.99. For the amount of food given, this was definitely worth it. They give you bit smaller than regular tofu pot and a bit smaller portion of the meat you choose, so for a couple more dollars you can basically get an entire other meal! I chose the kimchi and beef tofu pot and it was soo good, I like to add extra kimchi from the side dishes into the pot as well to add some more flavor. Don't forget, you can get more side dishes if you finish and their is tea on the house!
(5)
Esther J.

Ordered 4 medium spicy tofu stews. It was spicy but good. Not the best I've had by far but probably the best in the area. I was more disappointed in their service. No one came over to refill our water as we were coughing from the spice. No one refilled our condiments. Yes, it was busy, but the waiters were busy looking busy. It was on ok experience.
(3)
Derek W.

I really enjoyed my experience here. I had their beef and seafood tofu stew. The wait for the food to cook was a bit of a while but, you can't rush good food! When the stewed arrived, it was piping hot and oh soooo very fresh! Their service was so polite and always very prompt.
(4)
Joanna Y.

Nothing to complain about here! They have a variety of soondubu, even pig intestines (fiance's favorite). Portions are great. Side dishes here are consistently tasty with variety. Service is fast and friendly. Down side is that it is small and gets busy during weekends and peak dinner hours (6-9). But it is worth the wait if you have that soondubu craving.
(4)
Flo J.

The best tofu soup you will ever have! It is full of depth and flavor. So delicious! Come during an off time or you will be waiting for a while. During dinner time, there is a 30-1 hour wait. My favorite place to come whenever I'm in Allston.
(5)
Quynh Nhu D.

Good food but a not so fun experience brought a 4 down to a 3. My "family" decided to try this place out after seeing such glorious reviews about this place. Called ahead to make reservation and they declined. Sad faces. 7 out of 8 of us showed up first and we told them 7 people but one more person will be coming later - THE WORST MISTAKE in the history of Mistakes-At-Restaurant. We had to wait 30 minutes because they would not seat us until the full party is present. Tables come and go with our stomach crying for mercy. Didn't really get why he couldn't just seat us 7 and add one more chair when the other person show up... QQ Our friend came finally. And we had to wait 40 more dreadful minutes because they didn't have enough seats for us. Finally we decided to be less stupid and told them we can split our party in half. I guess it's not their fault but if they let us have that FULL EMPTY table an hour ago we wouldn't have to do this.. We sat down and immediately ordered, also asked to split the check since some people didn't bring cash. Request denied. Thank goodness the food was good or we'd probably all end our friendship that night. However, inconsistent banchan. There were really good ones and really bland tasteless ones. Anyways, because of the $$ we all chose to partner up and share combos. Which mean there would be riceless people. What made us slightly annoyed was the fact that they remained riceless even when we told the server we would pay for it. No water refills either. We basically didn't exist to them after we got our food and until we got the check. In conclusion, it was a good filling meal but I don't think I would come back here any time soon because of the plethora of similar places here in Boston and the service here was slow and unsatisfying.
(3)
CW W.

My best friend heard about a Korean place getting mad reviews so we thought would check it out. We have found our new go to Korean restaurant now. It's a small place (so get there early), nothing fancy, clean and smiling staff. I normally write long paragraphs in my reviews but this place, just go, it's so good. Ok ok, the tofu soups, just delicious. Melt in your mouth, dont want to stop eating it kind of goodness. I got bulgogi and my friend got something in the clay pot again, just want to lick the plate kind of yumminess. Oh and get the seafood pancake....it's the best one I've ever had anywhere. I do not have anything negative to say about this place. I mean food awesome, service great, atmosphere like your eating at home. But as always never take my word and give it a try yourself.
(5)
Thanh L.

It was cool and rainy last night and I was craving Korean beef, so I dragged a friend to Kaju, which totally hit the spot for both of us. We went late enough where it wasn't crowded (expect a big crowd outside on any night around normal dinner hours). Sizzling, delicious, mushroom tofu soup at a medium spicy level, lots of delicious little side dishes and Beef BBQ Ribs. One of my favorite sides was the pickled pear (I think it was pear...it could have been radish...the server wasn't sure either). We had 2 servers and both were super friendly. I'm a fan of spicy food and it was great that they had 5 levels of spice to choose from. My medium spicy was good when the dish was steaming hot, but it could have used more of a kick as the dish cooled down. I like the kind of spice that makes you sweat a little. Leveling up one chili pepper next time! The Beef BBQ Ribs were delicious - great flavoring, tender, and easy to eat off the bone. Great place for Korean food in the neighborhood.
(4)
Trevor S.

You know those winter days where the temperature dips a double digit number of degrees below freezing? Well boiling hot tofu stew served in a cozy place where the windows steam up is basically what the doctor ordered. You come here for the soondubu. Never had the other things. It's good. Served bubbling hot with a fresh egg to crack in it. They will actually make it spicy, if you ask them to. The pork is great. The seafood is briny and yum. But the real highlight is the gopchang. Google it. Try it. It's a combination made in heaven, like chocolate and peanut butter. You'll be glad. On a busy night there's almost always a wait. Considering there are probably ten Korean places within two blocks, that's a good sign. The negatives? The banchan. Kimchi that's kind of sweet. Nothing all that good.
(3)
Daniel S.

A lovely, flavorful experience on a cold winter day. The Kaju Tofu House specializes in (wait for it) tofu soup. We went there with a relatively big party (8 in total, including two young children). While Kaju has the usually array of Korean dishes (Bim Bim Bap in a hot pot, cellophane noodles, Korean BBQ), its (legitimate) claim to fame is its silken tofu soup. They come boiling (have to watch the kiddies) to the table in medium sized bowl. I ordered the oyster and kimchi soup and my girlfriend ordered the seafood and kimchi soup. Both were very rich and silky, due to the silken tofu, with a rich, aromatic broth, which (in my dish) had a wonderful seafood base (shrimp, scallop and fish flavors) with burst of oyster (which were scattered through the soup). It was a warming dish, both physically and emotionally. You can order them in degrees of heat (spice). My girlfriend ordered mild and I ordered medium. Frankly, I didn't see much of a difference. Next time, I may order 'hot'. As with any Korean meal, it came with multiple side dishes for free (just ask and they will refill them). They had a surprising dish with Mexican pear that was sweet and tart at the same time, and a great pickled cucumber that was refreshing and fresh. I could have grazed the side dishes all day. I would definitely go again. It is very casual and a bit of a hole in the wall, but absolutely worth the experience. If you come early, it is easy to get seated, but at 530p it got very crowded and the place is small, so you can expect a queue.
(4)
Parth S.

Pretty good! Excellent choices for vegetarian. Fast service. Highly recommend it! Will definitely go again especially on a cold day.
(4)
Jessica Y.

I didn't think tofu soondubu here in Boston would beat out BCD's in NYC. Boy, was I wrong! The taste was definitely more flavorful here. Plus you could order a soondubu and meat/veggie dish for your combo. I have gotten the beef and tofu soondubu with beef ribs for $22.99. The ribs were so tender and perfectly marinated. The meat peeled easily off the bone without much effort. I was not, however, impressed with the banchan dishes. Other than that the food here is perfect for single digit weather and temps in the teens. They take cards.
(4)
Joyce L.

I'll say it loud and proud... I prefer the Harvard Square location!! I know Allston is the original and the original locations are usually the best, but not kaju. The allston location is TINY and too overpopulated. Why so busy at 9PM, kaju?! The banjan, soondubu and galbi are delicious at both locations, BUT the harvard location gives you about 2x the amount of rice (in your own stone bowl!!) AND it's so much more spacious. The server made us move tables after I took off 3 of my 4 layers of clothing and got all situated, which was fine and understandable, but then we accidentally didn't tip enough because we are both out of towners and were too lazy to pull out our calculators/use our brains. We assumed doubling tax would be about 16%, but it came out to be about 13-14%. The lady who brought us our check (she didn't tend to us before this point) stood next to me and asked me in Korean why I tipped under 15%. She refused to leave until I gave her an answer as to why I undertipped... awkward turtle much? The entire encounter was uncomfortable enough where I probably won't be heading back to kaju allston any time soon.
(2)
Grace O.

INTESTINE TOFU SOUP. I know people get queasy around the mention of intestines but everyone needs to have this. It is the best thing ever. Generous portion of cut up intestines, nice and soft and creamy, mmmmmmm. Seafood jijim is fantastic with huge chunks of octopus poking out. Initially I thought it was a bit pricey but it really is worth every cent. Not a huge fan of the BBQ chicken, my friends love it but it's a bit too sweet for me. Also the kimchi oyster soup doesn't come with much oyster... Bottom line, great place to go any season, but best in winter. Gotta arrive REALLY early though, the queue starts to form at 6, which is pretty much testament to how much everyone loves the food here.
(4)
Pam C.

Attempting to come here with a group larger than 4 people is just asking for an 90 minute wait. This particular establishment in Allston's Koreatown almost constantly has a small mob around it. The seating inside tends to be limited, but service is speedy and the food is delicious. The waitstaff is very efficient when it comes to seating the hungry mob waiting outside, and ordering and food come very quickly. They offer tea for free, but you have to ask for it - the default is ice water. They have a pretty standard menu of tofu stews and other dishes - like most Korean tofu houses, you can get a combo of a tofu stew and some other dish for a special price. Unlike other tofu places that I've been to, the tofu stew in a combo is a smaller size than the standalone tofu stew. Overall, Kaju is quite delicious. They have a good range of side dishes. The tofu stew did come with more tofu than I was used to - instead of having more liquid, I would say it was 80% tofu. The spiciness levels are notched down a bit - the regular spicy tasted more like a medium spicy to me. The stone pot rice dishes (available with a variety of toppings) are very delicious - the mixture of the runny yolk and crunchy stone pot rice is enough to make my mouth water. Make sure to budget adequate time for the wait.
(4)
Alexandra M.

I've lived in Korea, and I can tell you that this is authentic and fantastic! Other than the kimchi which I thought was the same stuff that I bought from grocery stores in Korea and the fact that the rice cakes were not warm. I had the tofu soup and my mom had the bulgogi and both were too big for us to eat all of. Soup served boiling so be warmed!
(4)
Andrew R.

~~FOOD~~ 5/5 Soon Dubu Jjigae is my favourite comfort food. There are times when I feel shoyu ramen, samgaetang, or pho beat it, but I always come back to my love of soon dubu jjigae. Straight up, this is the best in Boston and New England. The galbi, bulgogi, pajeon, japchae are all standardly good. They also have the best spread of banchan. ~~SERVICE~~ 4/5 Service is pretty snappy. Ask for refills of your favourite banchan, water, or tea. They'll get it for you. Generally good, but not the most amazing service I've had in a fast/casual sit-down. ~~OTHER~~ Expect a wait on a cold night, in winter, or on the weekend. Now, this is a bit of history: the owner of this and the sister store in Harvard Sq is actually the same one that served me Soon Dubu Jjigae when I lived in Orange County, CA. It was so awesome to see that she opened up shop here in Boston when I moved. Her cousin, sister, or relation keeps up the location in Irvine, but, when she moved here, the Irvine location had a few hiccups with service, food quality, and staffing. I noticed. We all noticed. Anyways, the locations here in Allston and Harvard are good. And when she's around, she'll remember you -- even from that time long ago in Cali. ~~OVERALL~~ Really it's a 5/5 for the food and the rest you can forget.
(5)
Kimmy U.

I haven't tried any other tofu places in Boston because I was afraid of being disappointed, but I was pleased with Kaju! It seems like it's the same one as the location in Irvine, CA if you've been. They have the same wallpaper and menu- the only difference is the PRICE! It's 11.99 here, which is kinda steep for soondubu, but when you're craving it, that first slurp is so worth it! This place is really small, and it seems like there's always a line! Even when we went early, around 5:45, there was still a wait! I don't think it'd be good for large groups either, unless you're willing to wait a while. They have a pretty good amount of banchan, and you can ask for more..which they may or may not be reluctant to give you. One of the waitresses was rude the whole time, but the other guy was really nice so we always flagged him down if we needed anything. I always get either the oyster, beef, or oyster/beef tofu soup, medium level please! I used to get mild, but when I realized I could totally handle the medium, BRING IT ON! Too bad that's like nothing to all my Korean friends though :[ I don't think I'm at spicy level yet.. Maybe when I kill off some more tastebuds. Thank you for existing Kaju!! You satisfy my tofu soup appetite :]
(4)
Jennifer L.

The bibimbap and tofu soups are the best
(5)
Jenny C.

It seems like popularity has gotten to their head. My friend ordered a Soondubu + Bibimbop combination and got one bowl of rice for both dishes. When we asked about the missing bowl for his Bibimbop (which came in a bowl with only the toppings), the waiter told us he would charge us more for it. What's the point of having bibimbop without rice? That's just salad then!
(2)
Marcy Z.

Delicious! We were seated quickly and everything came out a few minutes after we ordered. I needed help ordering and the waiter was patient and explained things. We had bibimbap, and bbq beef with tofu soups. So the soup (I had the seafood) was my favorite but everything was great. I had never had such flavorful, perfect texture tofu and frankly I had never cared for it. This was fantastic! Two diet cokes added and we spent $44.
(5)
Lannie L.

Boston's reputation is that it is NOT a city for good Korean food. Though I generally agree, I really enjoy Kaju. It's not a tiny restaurant, but still small and crowded when busy. The servers do tend to rush you when lines start forming (I was delivered the check as I was still finishing my soup..) but generally they are nice and responsive throughout the meal (the call button at each table is convenient to avoid having to hail them down). Now for the food: "soondooboo" is a spicy, red pepper-based soup, chock full of very soft tofu and additional items of your choice, brought to bubbling in a stone pot. I always go with the kimchi and beef combo but I'm sure anything is good depending on what you're in the mood for. You can also request for your preference of spice level (regular spicy is just fine for me). They are all around $11, and more if you're going to go with a meat combo. A tad unsettling that the menu has a disclaimer that you can specifically request for MSG to be omitted from your meal.. Another measuring stick to the quality of Korean food is by the side dishes or "banchan." I thought their banchan was ok, though not the traditional ones you'd expect. Pickled spicy cucumbers, potatoes, egg yolk salad, kimchi, bean sprouts, ddukbokki (which should not be a side, should not be cold, and the rice cakes should not be so tough to eat), and some brown/green vegetable side that I didn't touch b/c it just didn't look appetizing. Besides that, the staples are good and you can always request more. Oh, and crack your egg into the soup immediately while it's bubbling and use your spoon to pour some of the soup on top of it to bury it. Didn't they used to bring rice in a stone pot too for nooleungji at the end? Yes, my 4 stars still stands even though I listed out some complaints...soondooboo is just one of my faves, I can't help it.
(4)
MisoSoup O.

Sweet spot, fast and a vast variety of tofu soups (personally, I do not like the egg in the soup- makes it too thick but if you like it- you must crack your egg into your soup when it is still hot! WAIT TIME: This place is packed (and also small), days and weekends so be aware that this place can have wait time. Worth it. When snowing, you will still wait outside and sometimes around the block's corner. Very popular. But the time does go by fast. SERVICE: Good to excellent. FOOD: for two people we always order our usuals: one soup (just tofu or mushroom tofu) and bibibamp. Make sure you are not ordering too spicy food. The tofu soups are thick & lot of tofu but sometimes too salty. COST: more than reasonable. We went there with a friend who is a Chef and he was in haven- so many flavors/seasonings/tastes/little dishes at the beginning. Worth a visit.
(4)
Jacqueline C.

Yumm!! No one will leave here without trying the tofu soup! - love the texture and taste of both the tofu and the soup. Deliciousness! - get the combo if you want a larger portion
(4)
Shirley Y.

Super long lines. All day, every day. They don't take reservations, all you have to do is put your name down on a list when you get there and wait ro be called. Usually, you have enough time to run soemwhere close and grab a bubble tea before you get called. As far as the tofu soup goes, super yummy, especially on a cold winter day! You can get it white (non spicy), mild, spicy, or extra spicy. Crack the egg right when they being it out though so it can cook in the stone pot. I haven't been let down so far =]
(4)
Di L.

The dobu combos here are the least expensive and most delicious meals I have ever eaten at a Korean restaurant. They range from $17-21 and consist of 1) variety of sides (kimchi, mixed greens salad, cucumber kimchi, dried salted tiny fish, shredded seaweed, seasoned daikon, seasoned bean sprouts, potato salad, raw egg to drop into your bubbling stew) 2) any soon dobu on the menu 3) one of the BBQ or clay pot entrees listed 4) bowl of rice 5) clay pot that the rice was cooked in, with hot water added.* Everything was so delicious. The sides were pungent, crunchy and refreshing. The kimchis were not spicy at all. The stew was thick and meaty, with big chunks of silken tofu. There are five levels of spiciness to choose from, mild to extra spicy. If you aren't Korean or a masochist, don't pick extra spicy. The bulgogi beef was all lean and too sweet for my taste. I prefer the spicy pork. It isn't spicy but has a better balance of sweet and salty, with a light smoky flavor. The menu doesn't specify whether the combo portions are regular or half-size. I'd hazard they are full portions, because they were huuuuuuge, and I didn't see anyone with bigger bowls or platters (though I wouldn't be surprised if everyone ordered combos). All I know is, most other Korean restaurants in Boston cost far more for smaller portions of less delicious food. Kaju is a small restaurant that doesn't take reservations. Customers often eat slowly and converse at the table after their meals. This means that you will spend some time drooling over other people's glistening kalpi as you wait for your table. It's better to get there before or after the dinner rush. However, they stop taking new customers after about 9:30p. Also, you can't bring outside drink and I didn't notice any alcohol on the menu. I did notice, though, that the busboy cleared a table littered with kalpi bones by wiping it down with a customer's leftover ice water. If this grosses you out, bring personal disinfectant or get takeout. Just don't miss the dobu here. It is worth the travel and the wait. I'll definitely go back...soon? *When rice is cooked, there's invariably a layer that gets stuck to the bottom of the pot. It's crispy, lightly caramelized and beloved by rice-eating civilizations everywhere. Adding boiling water to this crust before the meal gradually releases the rice from the pot, and you can eat the mixture as a crunchy soup after. I like putting kimchi juice in it.
(5)
Steven S.

INTESTINES!!!! They chop them up and throw them in the tofu soup. It's delicious. So tender and just melts in your mouth. Don't think, just order it and enjoy it. It's kind of like when you decide to go to Mcdonalds but you won't regret this no matter how much you think about it. Intestines. These don't taste like poop. The extra spicy isn't spicy enough. Will still come back for intestine tofu..
(4)
Yuki S.

this place...idk why but gives me an impression that its quite dirty. i meant the enviorment. the food is just ok, i've seen better.
(3)
Marlana Y.

I am mixed about this place. I use to love color which was down the street but the recipes have changed and the taste has gotten progressively worst over the years so I haven't been. So I come here because it's pretty consistent and it's typically the only other place in the area that serves tofu mushroom chigae (stew). I'm still not super in love with the tofu chigae like how it tasted at color but it's a good substitution. I do love the crunchy rice at the bottom of the rice bowl but sometimes they won't give it to you unless you specifically ask for it. The waitstaff is pretty cool and the service is fast. They have buttons on the table but when you press on it they don't come as fast as how they are suppose to if this was Asia. There's always a line during the busy hours so try to get one person there earlier 10-15 mins to get a table for you or at least put a name down.
(3)
Ariel Z.

Came here on a date more than a year ago, so this review is extremely delayed. I read the reviews only after I had already gone and was quite surprised. The spicy kimchi soup I ordered was delicious, but not something I'd come back for. All in all, just seems like your typical Korean tang joint. Good, but nothing to write home about in my opinion.
(3)
Dave M.

everything is still the same for me. the food is great and the service is quick and decently friendly. but they did change something that slightly irks me. i went with my wife but we just ordered one toju + meat combo to share b/c i wasn't really hungry. b/c of that, they said they don't refill the side dishes. i guess i'll try to understand from a business standpoint but refilling it once probably isn't a huge blow to their financial success. i don't like that rule much. other than that i still recommend this place.
(4)
Kim Y.

Mmm! First time here; my friend was raving about it so we went. The wait is known to be quite long but we were seated fairly quickly. We got a combo dish and the seafood pancake which left me full and satisfied! Best seafood pancake I've had because it was actually filled with seafood and not just fillers. The side dishes are great with the rice. And I loved cracking my egg into my soup! Hehe I'll definitely be back :)
(4)
Zoe S.

I'm constantly craving the mushroom tofu soup. Extra spicy! Food is super flavorful, staff is friendly, facility is clean. 5 stars!
(5)
Dorise G.

The food here is awesome, but if you don't time it right you will wait. A while. A lot of times eating Korean food out means Korean BBQ, and while delicious, it was nice to have a number of healthy-ish soup options, and the gorgeous clay pots. Everything is presented beautifully, arrives quickly, tastes delicious, and I will be back. Big ups to the seafood soup and the beef and veggie clay pot, rice crisped up on the outsides of the bowl giving you a crunch with the rest of your fixins. And yeah, that ketchup bottle is actually hot sauce, but you still want it slathered all over your goods.
(5)
Teresa C.

My soondubu cherry has been popped and it couldn't have been at a better place! I love soup. Growing up, I've only really liked my mom's authentic Chinese soups. I had the kimchi and oyster tofu soup and my bf had the beef and seafood tofu soup. His tasted like something my mom would make at home :) I love spicy so obviously I liked my soup more. The broth wasn't overpowered by the kimchi and it was perfectly seasoned throughout, not too salty mhmm hmm. I would love to try the kimchi beef. The tofu was soft and just so tasty with the kimchi broth. This place makes me want to seek out other Korean tofu soup joints on/near Long Island. It's my favorite Asian eatery in Boston as of now lol. We also had the seafood pancake which I had one slice of and will say it was alright. Tasted fresh and loaded with diff seafood such as crab (prolly imitation), octopus/squid and some scallion/green onion. Overall, I'm happy to have tried something different while here in Boston :D of course we have it in NY, but I just never knew about it :3
(5)
Isabelle L.

Having been to so many Korean restaurants in Boston, Kaju is the best for a nice hot soup in the winter. It's over priced, but so is most Korean restaurants near by. The soup they have is always served boiling hot, then you get to crack an egg into it and it's the most comforting delight! Small dishes are great and you can always ask for more. Soups come with rice and completes the meal with the soup. If you want more meat, they also have bbq dishes like Beef ribs that are delicious as well. Service has always been good and I try to avoid rush hours but their restaurant is never empty!
(5)
Shaina P.

As I hover between 4 and 5 stars, I think about how the spiciness increases when it's a darker shade of red ... and so, I will go with 5 stars. I have never seen so many choices of soon du bu, it's like heaven. for people who love boiling hot stew loaded with soft yummy tofu. and spicy. Be prepared to wait. And sweat. Cook a raw egg in your jigae. Yum... stir to reveal all the tofu goodness. Wait so you don't boil off your cheeks. Bring a friend to share a dinner.
(5)
Christina H.

Definitely one of my favorite places to eat on a chilly, autumn/winter day (even though I am writing this review on a mid-July hot, humid evening). They serve complimentary sides, which is so awesome. My favorite side is the spicy pickled cucumber and the egg salad. The tofu is perfect every time; I'm a fan of the Beef and Octopus. I always run into the dilemma of choosing between the BBQ spare ribs and the BBQ chicken combo with my tofu soup; either option is delicious! As if the combo and sides aren't already enough, my boyfriend orders the seafood pancake, which is big enough to share for 4 or more people. And one more thing before I go... more spicy pickled cucumbers please. They are sooooo good.
(5)
Sylvia C.

We got there before the dinner rush (place was near full but no wait) - got one of the remaining 2 tables available. The server came to take our order...I ordered my seafood tofu soup (extra spicy) and my hubby ordered grilled beef with tofu combo. Server asks which tofu soup he wants and he ordered the seafood tofu soup (mild). Didn't know the tofu in the combos represented tofu soup...thought it would be some grilled tofu side. All the sides dishes came shortly after we placed our order...one of my fave parts of korean cuisine - trying all the different flavors and side dish options because no two places are alike with their spread. The spicy seafood soup was spicy but after a few more slurps - my palette adjusted to the seasoning. The tofu is not as silken as I would like it but still soft. The shrimps was too much work - small and weirdly textured (funky color). I just placed them on the side. The soup, little clams and tofu was good enough to keep me happy. The seafood tofu soup that came with the combo was a little bit smaller than my bowl but same ingredients. Generous portion on the grilled beef. My hubby was happy with both of his dishes. I wished I ordered a combo, too - so I could have gotten the best of both worlds on my first visit. Definitely - will do so on my next visit. =)
(4)
Cindy H.

This place has awesome service and food. I wish they had more options for appetizers, but the dishes they have are scrumptious.
(4)
Elaine T.

It was my first time coming here and i loved this place!! even though it's pretty small the food was phenomenal! I ordered the combo, bulgogi dish and the beef jjigae we also ordered the seafood pancake and it was very good! This is a great place to eat and hangout with your friends:) Im most definitely going to come here again!
(5)
David K.

Time: Sunday afternoon 1:00 Food quality: Awesome. I'm a Korean that has grown up eating Korean food, have been to Korea on several occasions, had hand made tofu there. This place is what you would expect from the ratings, at least the food was. Service: For a Korean, expecting service at a Korean restaurant, it was tremendously disappointing. We went with 6 people (hungry guys). The waiter took our order, then stood around for 10 to 15 minutes not bringing any side dishes. We had to ask for it then proceeded to bring one set of side dishes (usually it is normal to bring two sets with any group larger than 4 people). Also brought out the rice with the side dishes. I don't know why. We thought by demolishing the side dishes they would get the hint. All they told us after the second refill was a prompt "this is the last refill." Oh, and they didn't speak Korean.
(2)
Candy T.

Bad service....long Wait...rude staffs... if you decided to hang out with few friends don't pick this place... awful... especially if u go during dinner time. Well I figured why that guy treated us rudely after I found that he charged us with 18% tips (5 people) rather u like their service or not...it was horrible!! I have told my friends not to go there again...
(1)
Won K.

Food sucks. Taste the same as Hmart food. Cheap. This place is over priced and service sucks. I'll never go here again and I'm not leaving a tip.
(1)
Harvard P.

Coming from California, I pretty much assumed that I could find good soondubu in any major metro area. Imagine my disappointment when I moved to Boston and couldn't find anything that was quite up to par... Until Kaju tofu house came along! Seriously this is the best soondubu that you will find in Bostone. The place is pretty small, and if you come during regular meal times, you will have to wait. But it is totally worth the wait. The tofu is soft and the broth flavorful. I get regular spicy and it's not that bad, so if you like spicy definitely go for the most spicy level. I wasn't as impressed with the food outside of the soondubu. The grilled meats were just ok, and the banchan wasn't as good as other restaurants in the area. You also get less tofu if you get the combination, so I wouldn't recommend getting it.
(4)
Daniel C.

Soondooboo was pretty good here. I liked it better than Light House Tofu in Virginia. It was tastier and didn't make my face swell up like Gary Coleman. I guess they use less sodium in their cooking. Anyways, I look forward to coming back.
(4)
Astra G.

We were super excited to get a seat on a weekend night without a long wait... I've been very interested in checking this place out for some time but have been a bit turned off by the LONG lines they have (but really made me want to visit even more since people are willing to wait for it). Maybe there were less people because they've finally settled into the hood, or maybe the fierce cold turned people away...which is basically THE best weather to have delicious hot and spicy tofu soup in. Our piping hot tofu soup was awesome with the right amount of seafood/meat to tofu and they didn't skimp on the spiciness. Our beef bulgogi was also super moist and thin and flavorful. I could of probably ate the whole thing by myself and then hated myself later for it. We also shared a seafood pancake which was not bad. Our service was excellent and they were concerned with whether or not we were too cold from sitting by the door and moved us, which I really appreciated. I'll definitely be back for some more belly warming tofu soup to help me through the rest of winter.
(4)
Mary T.

Overall--3.5. I contemplated to round up or down because right after I felt satisfied with what I ate but a couple days later when I thought back at all the korean restaurants I ate at in LA, it was only somewhat comparable to those restaurants. The service at this restaurant during my experience was good and food was not bad. To go in depth, I came here on a weekend for dinner and I ordered a seafood tofu soup. This is a typical korean restaurant. They give you banchans upon ordering your meal. The tofu soup was so flavorful. I got spicy and they don't go easy on their red pepper flakes. The spiciness kicked me in my face when I had my first bite. The seafood tofu soup had shrimp, clams, oysters and a lot of tofu... (duh). It was busy, but I came a little before the rush so I didn't have to wait to get seated. The servers constantly came and refilled our waters and asked how everything was. They were quick with getting our check at the end as well, maybe because people were starting to wait at the door to get seated. They have a flat screen TV in the restaurant that plays korean shows. It kind of makes you feel like you are in Korea. I will recommend this place to my friends and others. I definitely will come back for a second try!
(4)
Rachel L.

Been here multiple times recently since is close to my work place. The tofu soup is really good and I usually get the seafood with beef. The shrimp can be a pain since the shell is still on it, and when the soup is hot, it's nearly impossible for me to peel it. I just recently tried the soup extra spicy and it was not that bad not extremely spicy. Usually when I come, I get the combo which consist of the tofu soup and a side dish. The chicken is really good, especially the new spicy and sweet one, though it may be a little too sweet. I have yet tried the kalbi beef but I may next time. The service is okay, always seems to be pack, medium seating and may need to wait at times. Otherwise, this is a good place and I'll be sure to come back soon.
(4)
Lillian C.

I was craving some hot korean soon dubu and tried this place out. There is street parking in the area, but it's also pretty close to T and bus stops so it's easy to get to. It's decently sized, but I can see how it can fill up fast on a cold day and you would have to wait for a table. It's a little weird because there isn't too much space to wait and you end up just sitting/standing next to people who are eating... staring at them like vultures... Haha I ordered the seafood soon dubu and chicken combo. It's a lot of food and could definitely last me two meals. The soon dubu was pretty decent, but the chicken was really good and flavorful. Their banchans were pretty delicious too and there was a good variety of them. The kimchi was a little bland tho IMO. The main reason I like this place is because it's a pretty authentic soon dubu place and reminds me a lot of the places back in LA... Definitely a place to get a nice hot meal on cold winter nights...
(4)
Skimmilk K.

Awesome soondubu soup!!! I love this place especially on a cold winter's night. I've gone here about 4 times in the last 6 months so I thought it was time to write a review. It gets crowded for dinner. Especially when it's cold. The best time for the Korean soft tofu soup! Yum! They bring it piping hot to your table accompanied with the raw egg to mix in! The best part is that they have a deal that you can get the soup with Kalbi, bulgogi or spicy chicken! Kalbi is my favorite. Obviously, you don't cook it at the table but that just gets it to you faster.
(5)
Lusi J.

Everything is always wonderful here. The staff is always attentive and the food is great. Make sure to come early for dinner as they get full very quickly and the wait can be very long.
(5)
Alexandra S.

Having just eaten here this past Sunday evening, all I can say is that I can't wait to return. This is a small 10 or 12 table restaurant in the heart of Allston serving authentic and delicious Korean food. Specifically one comes to Kaju Tofu to experience Sundubu (sometimes spelled Soondubu) which is a spicy soft tofu soup. While there are a few other items on the menu, including Korean bbq, the Sundubu seems to be the star of the show. We entered what is a simple, no frills establishment. Undoubtedly you will find as we did, the tables filled with people surrounded by many plates of food. People will have dreamy looks of contentment on their faces as they lift chopsticks to mouths. There is not a lot of talking going on and now I understand why; people are concentrating on all the deliciousness set before them. We arrived around 5:00pm and already there wasn't a table to be had. There is no designated area to wait except just inside the doorway or if there is no room there, just outside the door. It's a bit awkward but the turnover time for us was fairly short. Once seated we noticed a litttle red button on each table. Apparently these are common in Korean restaurants and once pressed they summon a waitperson soundlessly. There was no need to press our button however as a lovely waitperson came quickly to pour us water and give us menus. Although I have had Korean food before, I am still very much a novice so after a bit of help from the waitperson, I decided on the kimchee oyster Sundubu. The Sundubu comes in a variety of hot chili levels. I chose medium hot which was perfect but I think next time I might go up to the next level, such is my love of all things hot and spicy. My husband decided to pass on the soup although I think he made a mistake not to try a bowl himself. He ordered the Bulgogi, a marinated beef dish. A little while later our server brought out an array of banchan which is an assortment of traditional Korean side dishes. Ours included cabbage kimchee, cucumber kimchee (a favorite of ours), pickled cubed white radish, mustard leaf (at least I think that's what that was), fermented beans, hard cooked egg that had been marinated in soy sauce, tofu slices, and a plate of chopped lettuce and carrots. Bowls of rice soon come out as well. The banchan are like little appetizers meant to whet your appetite for what is to come. Then out came my Sundubu boiling away in a crock. This colorful, roiling thick stew-like soup was a thing of beauty. It is traditional to crack open the raw egg you are provided and let it cook in the boiling broth. An interactive experience! The egg adds an additional richness and unctuousness to this already hearty and fabulous dish. The kimchee oyster was a great choice; I loved it. Sundubu can be ordered with wide variety of ingredients which are options beyond the basic bowl of hearty soup. Other choices include seafood, vegetables, chicken, beef and pork which can be added in a variety of combinations. My husband loved his Bulgogi. This was a good sized portion of very thinly sliced sirloin that had been marinated in soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, sugar and scallions. We also ordered their version of a scallion pancake which I am still dreaming about today. It was larger and thicker than any I've had before stuffed not only with the scallions but bits of seafood as well. You could make a light meal just out of that pancake. The portion of soup was beyond plenty and I couldn't finish my bowl. As well we had 3 pieces of pancake leftover so I happily took the leftovers home. What I know today and wish I had known when we ate there but will remember next time, is that one should try the rice crust that is left in the bottom of the stone bowls from which the waitperson has served your rice. She left those stone bowls near us and I watched her pouring a lightly colored steaming hot liquid into the bowls. I was so busy eating I didn't think to ask her what she was doing. I've since learned that it was hot tea that she poured in. This concoction now becomes a dish called Sungnyung (or scorched rice tea) and is meant to be imbibed. Next time, I'll know better and will try it. Prices here are extremely reasonable and the service is efficient. The staff are impeccably polite, kind and were really hustling on this busy evening. While we were there we noticed only two other tables of people besides us who were speaking English. Everyone else seemed very much in the know and were able to speak to the waitstaff in Korean. We took this as a good sign of the food's authenticity. Regardless, this place is serving up delicious foods with complex and amazing flavors. I have found a new love and its name is Kaju Tofu.
(4)
Elica Y.

Overall, a decent tofu house. Kinda on the pricer side in comparison to the ones back at home in Los Angeles. The restaurant is SO small. I can't stand the fact that whenever the door opens a gust of cold wind enters the restaurant. What an unpleasant way to be drinking tofu soup. Food wise this place is pretty standard. Their seafood and beef soup is pretty good and perfect for one person. Medium is the perfect amount of spice for me. My least favorite part about this place is how stingy they are. My friends have told me they have been refused to get seconds on their side dishes. When I came here last with a group of three people, they gave us three pieces of broccoli, potatoes, eggplant, etc. Coincidence? I think not.
(3)
Jay L.

Really good, solid food, decent service, in a comfortable restaurant. Went by with a group of 6 and fit nicely into one of their comfortable booths. The service is attentive, as several people came by at checked on us throughout the meal, but it could still use a bit of fine tuning. We wait a bit for our food to start. The sides and most of the tofu soups came together, but after that we waited a bit longer to get rice. I think a long wait for food should be buffered by getting the sides out early. The rice and main dishes could come out together as well. They also got the combo and single order soups sizes wrong, but it was not a huge deal. The food was good all around. We got a variety of mild to spicy, mostly seafood and beef tofu soups which were solid. The combo dishes were also good: the hot vegetables/bi bim bap was a pretty generous portion, the ribs and bulgogi were tasty. The sides were good, pretty standard, but we could have used more. All around excellent food. If the service was a bit smoother, it would earn that extra star.
(4)
Elaina L.

Kaju tofu house, I'm looking at you the way a dog's nose quivers when they see their owner eating yummy bacon. Ever since my boyfriend moved and we're in the area less, I miss you so. I mainly come here for their tofu soups and recently, fell in love with the white soup base. Try it! It's better for your skin (for all you acne prone folks). My favorite tofu soup option is the beef and octopus. On weekends, expect some wait time because the place is so tiny. Also, they clean their tables with a cleanser spray and once, I sat next to a table they were just cleaning up. I swear the cleaning product misted into my soup. I made eye contact with my friend who was sitting across the table and we both instinctively pushed our soups farther away. Asides from that, Kaju tofu house is one of my favorites.
(4)
Carrie L.

One of my favorite restaurants in Boston! Kaju Tofu House focuses on soondubu (spicy tofu soup). You come here BECAUSE you want soondubu! Great in the summer and even better in the winter. They have about 10 different types for you to choose. You can also get combo soondubu with another main entree (meat or bibimbap). Great starter appetizers and the soondubu also comes with rice and an egg for you to crack. If you want a Korean specialty, you got it here.
(4)
Angela S.

Update, now that I've been to Korea. I had soondubu three times at least in Seoul. I think all my friends figured out it was my favorite dish by the end. I would say Kaju is pretty darn close to the tofu stew I had in Korea, probably the closest I'll find around here. You don't even have to order medium spicy; soondubu in Korea wasn't as spicy as I thought; even a little/medium spicy is close enough. The banchan variety here remains one of the highlights for me as well. Still my favorite Korean place in Greater Boston.
(5)
Imran G.

This is probably the only place in the Allston area where waiting 30-45 minutes for dinner would be worth it. There's bars up and down the street, but none of them provide that super cozy feeling when a hotter-than-hell claypot finds its way in front of you. What's worse is that you become the envy of everyone waiting outside, my wife overheard some people who were waiting, speaking in Mandarin, "Maybe it we get real loud, they'll leave faster..." No, we won't leave faster, this food is so hot, and makes me feel so cozy that I'm actually going to ask for a pillow so I can take a nap here. Seriously though, I've never felt that satisfied in my life. A biggle (my wife's way of saying big old) claypot of chicken, rice, and vegetables all served piping hot is a great way to change your mood. I was craving spicy food, and the chicken was a bit on the sweet side, but they give you a bottle of red sauce that can make things interesting. My wife's beef tofu also came in a clay pot helping it stay hot for the entire meal. I'm not sure which dish I liked better, but I definitely enjoyed both quite a bit. Of course it all comes with bon chon (little side dishes), so that was a nice little touch. Drinks come in a can with a glass of ice, I would have preferred fountain, but this will do. Definitely a spot that can become regular weekly/biweekly thing.
(5)
Dave P.

Small place. Friendly staff. The food came out fast. We ordered a veggie tofu and a kimchi & Beef tofu and the total was around $26. The food was awesome. I know, because I'm a Korean-American and my mom makes this for me all the time and it's as good as my mom's. I approve! The side dishes were great too. Most Korean restaurants ignore this and serve bland sid dishes but this place was legit. But the seating is extremely limited and there's always a line so expect to wait and be patient. You'll be rewarded.
(4)
Eva W.

Best tofu soup in town. LONG wait during the dinner time. My BF and I ordered a soondubu + BBQ Rib combo and a extra tofu soup. A lot side dishes Hard to find parking space.
(5)
Eugene K.

Been here a few times and simply love it! Food comes out quick and quality is great! get the combo menu and it will fill your tummy just right. Yumm
(5)
Diana L.

Maybe it's because my boyfriend and I were just in NYC last week sampling all Koreatown had to offer, but no, I don't think it's just that, because I've had better Korean food in HARTFORD than I had here. (Ichiban I love u). The best part was the ban chan - exquisite and delicious - I wish I could've eaten a meal-size portion of that instead of my sundubu. My boyfriend got the kimchi & beef sundubu and I had the vegetarian one. We asked for both "extremely spicy". Neither were at all spicy. I thought the egg looked and tasted funky, and my soup had a strange aftertaste that became more and more prominent as the broth cooled. I wouldn't eat here again, it was that funky tasting. The tofu was fine. Our waiter was super awesome and nice though because we came here to celebrate right after we received our Korean visas. So the stars are all for you dude! I wouldn't come here again, and I won't, because I'm leaving for Korea in 3 weeks! Enjoy your sundubu, suckas!
(3)
Tony S.

Probably one of the most satisfying Korean dining establishments in Boston. As a Los Angeleno of partially Korean descent, I've always hated the Korean dining experiences in Boston over the last 20 years, giving in only to the most desperate of cravings. Now, I'm happy to report that I no longer have that pain of yesteryear (about damn time too!). The soondubu (obviously) is the specialty here, the popularity and rating of the place speaks volumes. The only downside, perhaps, is parking, so I usually grab a Zipcar and do take-out 90% of the time. Besides, the establishment is teeny-tiny, probably not fitting more than 25-30 sit-down diners at first glance. Good food, decent service, can't complain. I'm a fan.
(4)
Heidi L.

Beware the wait, but Kaju might be my favorite Korean restaurant in Boston (besides bibim for ambience, and I've heard excellent things about Bethlehem take-out so I'm going to have to try them soon). The tofu soup is well flavored and hits the spot, especially on cold days, and eggs always come with the order. It's a good portion, so be prepared to take some home. The combo is a good deal, though note that your tofu will be a smaller portion. Bibimbap dolsot is also a solid standby, and I always call seconds on the seafood pancake, which has a crisp texture. A few postscripts: spicy is legit spicy. The banchan comes around the same time as the dishes.
(4)
Yuka Y.

Intestines tofu soup. Spicy. Includes a bowl of rice. Highly recommended, it's what I always order and stick to religiously. Ample tofu, crack an egg, stir, and stare tantalizingly as the yolk half cooks itself submerged in its hot stone belly. Service has gone downhill. Banchan didn't start coming out till 20+ minutes later. About the same time our entrees came. My honey's entree didn't come till 10 minutes after everyone else's order came. And this was a Tuesday night. Yes, Kaju is notorious for their lines. And yes there were lines on a Tuesday night.
(4)
Olga L.

Stellar. More flavors and complexity than any Korean place I've ever been to, and there were lots of Koreans eating there. The soups have wonderful silky tofu--if you've wondered what the prominent presence of tofu is about in Korean cuisine, as I have, the answer (one of probably many) is that it amplifies and sort of silkens everything else in the soup. My three year old loved his veggie tofu soup! The bulgogi (also my son's) disappeared within seconds, it seemed. All the little fixins and pickles were bright, nuanced and freshly made. I'd take half a star off for the kalbi, which had less flavor than expected and a bit dry. But we took it home with us fondly :) Highly recommended!
(4)
Cindy X.

I would say this is the best Korean Tofu soup restaurant in the Greater Boston area. I recommend any kind of tofu soup from here, the kalbi, bulgulgi, etc. When I ordered take out for my friend, they gave me side dishes put in separate small containers which I didn't expect. I though it was very tasty and thoughtful. Due to the amount of seat they have, this restaurant gets very busy and people wait for a long time. So if you want to be seated right away, don't go during busy hours.
(4)
Dustin D.

Went here for dinner with friends and the food was fantastic. I would suggest coming earlier because there is usually a wait for tables. The place is small, but very busy and crowded. The food overall was delicious but the pricing for individual soups were extremely high so your best option would be getting a combo for a few extra bucks.
(4)
An L.

The tofu soup really hits the spot. We got the one with seafood. Comfort food, and would come back for this. Japchae is good, but is not as great as the tofu soup. Seafood scallion pancake good, but it is a fried item. Good to try once.
(5)
Khanh P.

Wanted to take mom out for dinner and knew mom enjoyed some good ol' korean food especially soondoobu(?) so Sissy and I felt that Kaju Tofu House was a really good place for mom to experience.Although Momma Phan felt that the soups were not up to par compared to other places we have visited, I still feel like this place is a good experience for korean food lovers. FOLKS! Please be aware that this restaurant is pretty small, they do not take reservations and the only way to be seated is by writing your name on the notepad near the door. That way the hostess/server will call you when its your time to be seated. Now this was my second time eating here and I wasn't as satisfied compared to my initial visit but that's expected right?Service was very polite and patient with our indecisiveness. the menu is small and offers individual plates as well as combos. I'd suggest getting the soup and meal combos especially if everybody is interested in getting their own soups and then sharing the meals. Here's our order for the night: ++Sides include: pickled cucumbers, bean sprouts, peanuts coated in hoisin sauce? kimchi, eggs for your soup ++Two Combos: Both spicy seafood tofu soup combos choiced with bulgogi & beef short ribs ++An order of just seafood soup for Momma Phan ++Seafood Scallion pancake My take on the soups were that they were missing the usual soondoobu seasoning and was really just a spicy broth with an extreme amount of tofu mixed in shrimp,clams and squid. Scallion pancakes were a bit greasy but had great flavor with generous amounts of seafood. Can;t complain about the meat choices, they came with a bowl of rice and was more then enough for all 3 people. Price ranges from: $11 - $21 for individual dishes and combos. Overall, if you're looking for a more hole in the wall/divey restaurant to differ from the more popular restaurants in Allston, this is a great place to experience. Quick and friendly service to accompany your food.
(4)
Timothy H.

Probably the best Korean restaurant around town. Definitely get their tofu stew like kimchi jigae, and their pajun pancake. It was pretty good! The only downside to this place is that they don't do Korean BBQ.
(4)
Susan C.

My friend introduced me to Kaju Tofu a few weeks ago and I am so glad she did because I think I've found my new go to spot for Korean food. This spot is not only delicious, but extremely economical in comparison to other Korean restaurants. For $20 or less you can get one of their tofu soups, an entree (bimbimbap, galbi, bulgogi) w/rice, and 6 little side dishes. The portions are plentiful, so it could easily be split between 2 people, or even better you can save the half you can't scarf down for another meal. I just went for dinner again over the weekend and for about $45, we got a dinner for 3 with left overs for all. I've opted for the mild tofu soup with beef and kimchi the past two times, but it's a bit mild for me, so I may go for a zingier version next time. Galbi is very good, meaty and lean with a sweetness to it. And I would recommend the bimbimbap in the stone bowl vs. the regular bimbimbap--it gives the dish some added texture with the crispy rice.
(4)
Julia Z.

The food there is good, but the speed to deliver...hmm The lady next to us has been waiting for over 30 minutes and can only drink water.
(2)
Jonathan N.

Foods are descend, same Korean foods you would get anywhere. Services is ok. The restaurant is small but it was pack when we came in for dinner. The restaurant is mostly focus on the food, not much selection on drinks.
(3)
Wini H.

Hmm...I don't know if it's just me, but the soondubu here wasn't as good as I expected from the reviews. I did get an authentic feel for the place, down to the buttons on the table to summon waiters. The one I got at Korean Garden was more flavorful and richer; this one was on the watery side. That could be a matter of personal taste and traditional vs. Americanized (I don't know unfortunately, I'm not Korean!), but depending on your preference, then, choose accordingly. Both places accommodated my request for extra eggs, at least. And the banchan at both places was comparable. The major downside was a long wait to be seated in addition to very, very slow service. This isn't because the waiters are slow--I think the place is understaffed. Our poor waiter was constantly on the move, almost running around the whole time in his fervor to get his tables served. I think it took about an hour to get our dishes out! In the end I'm not sure the wait time and moderate pricing was worth the soondubu we received. If service was quicker, that'd be optimal!
(3)
Nora B.

There were many people waiting in an awkward, small space just inside the door when we arrived and we debated coming back another time. Glad we decided to wait. The place is efficient while still being friendly. They took our order before seating us, so our food came fairly quickly. Best seafood scallion pancake I've had in Boston. Good banchan. Tofu soup was rich and warming on a cold-ass March night.
(5)
Corona W.

Despite the long waits, I love Kaju Tofu House. I was super excited to find out that there is a new location in Harvard Square that has a sushi bar and alcohol. The service is usually decent but on our most recent visit, the service was really terrible. The waiters were completely clueless and it would take them forever to come over to take our orders or bring our food. Even so, it's winter and I need my tofu soooup to keep me aliveeee. (The seafood pancake is also really good and not as salty as other places.)
(4)
Phuong D.

SO. MUCH. FOOD. I came here on a super rainy day and thankfully it was empty except for one other table. Apparently my friend says that this place gets packed, and it's not that big of a place either! I was starving, and we ordered a seafood pancake, which was sooo bomb (I've been having an obsession with 'pancakes' lately) and we both got a soup+protein combo. I got the beef & kimchi soup with spicy pork and my friend got the same soup but with bulgoki instead. Both entrees came with rice AND SIDE DISHES. I forgot that when you go eat at a Korean restaurant, they give you a bunch of side dishes... sooo.. in reality it was TOO MUCH FOOD. And yet somehow we ended up finishing most of it! Everything was so good! Except I would have to say the spicy pork, which came out on a sizzling plate, was quite greasy. Service was okay, not too attentive, but I honestly don't expect much walking into an asian restaurant. lol. Not sure if I would ever decide to come back here on my own, but if a friend ever wanted to go back, I would be totally down.
(4)
Lisa T.

This place. THIS PLACE. Has redeemed Korean food for me! It was a cold, windy day when a friend took me and another friend here. And my god, that delicious soup just hit the spot. It filled it with its warm, loving, filling embrace and didn't let go till I was ready to let... go... (that could be interpreted in many ways, but let's go for the most positive version). It was just the right amount of soupyness, rice, and vegetables and tofu. Our servers were really nice and attentive, even with all my awkward remarks and general weirdness while ordering. I think the owner's son may have taken our order too and he was really helpful. I struggled between mild and non-spicy, but he steered me in the right direction. I think the bathroom was actually quite nice too! I mean, not incredible, but clean and comfortable! Admittedly, the place could be less weirdly set up... You could stand around waiting for up to half an hour for a seat... near the door, the merciless door in the dead of winter. So, a word to the wise, head in before rush hour... whenever that might be. So, yes. THEIR SOUPS ARE A GODSEND. I don't know what any of the other food is like. But the soup, man. The soup.
(4)
Jessica X.

Great deal on the bibimbap and soondubu. You get so much to eat.
(4)
JP C.

The staff treat my son and me like family, probably because we eat here every week after he referees soccer. They are so sweet and friendly. The soon dubu is awesome, as is the hot stone bulgogi soup. I have an allergy to bivalves, so I don't eat the seafood items, although I wish I could eat the seafood pancake. They have some of the best side dishes I've ever had - the spicy pickled kohlrabi is to die for - and their kimchi is terrific. I think I might be addicted to it. I can't say enough good things about this restaurant. I've been eating there since it opened and it makes me very happy.
(5)
Alicia C.

The soondubu is great. However, being a non-Boston native, I have tasted better and bigger portion of the it elsewhere. Hence, not so sure why the crowd. The Galbi is great tho - meat cooked just about right to ooze the juice out of them. Will definitely visit again!
(4)
Tanya Y.

Have you ever seen a Korean Drama and salivated, watching and wanting what the actors ate? The table is usually completely full with huge stone pots full hot piping stews, tons of small plates (aka Ban Chan) are sprawled across the table, and additional plates of rice and meats are there for even more of an option. Kaju Tofu House makes me feel like I'm in a Kdrama. When I went to Kaju Tofu House for dinner, it was packed. When we finally got seated and ordered, food came out fast and piping hot. The best way to go is to do a combination: My choice is the Mild Seafood Tofu Stew and the Bulgolgi, for about $17-18. You get rice to eat on the side, an egg to crack into the pot, and tons of banchan. You even get to choose how spicy you like your stew. I chose Mild because I'm a pansy. The waiters are super attentive, and there's even a button attached to each table to press to alert the waitstaff that assistance is needed. Parking can be found on the street, and they do take credit/debit cards as well as cash. For any rainy, snowy, or even regular cold day, I crave Kaju Tofu House for some comfort. I'll definitely be back, and constantly rave about this to friends.
(4)
Christina C.

Excellent service! Very aware of customer experience and gracious. Food wasn't great. I'm Korean from Korea so I have high standards for my people's food. Without the great service, definitely a 2 star korean restaurant.
(3)
Juan S.

I never really expected much, just from the sign, BUT whoa. The food there is AMAZING. OK so Im like "Tofu whatever". So whats to expect. Come here and you will find out. The flavor just screams exuberant. The free(?? I legit did not see them on the bill) appetizers!!! !The tofu clam soup was to die for, I did not want to share. Honestly I just wanted to run off with it as it scalded my flesh with its warm tasteful flavors. Go, wait the small line and explore something new!
(5)
Riva R.

Amazing!!! The best tofu soup! Delicious and satisfying. Love the kimchi oyster (medium/spicy). My whole family is addicted. Staff is so sweet and work so hard. Love this place!!!
(5)
Mike Z.

You know something's wrong with you when you look at an establishment with "Tofu" in it's name and naturally assume that it's a vegan joint. Thereby avoiding it's existence for two and a half years. Regretfully, that be none other than yours truly. I try to find comfort by assuring myself that I'm not the only one who had this pitiful misconception, but apparently I am. This coming from someone that basically can't do without tofu. Yeah go figure. I digress. Two years later... Kaju is sizzling. Kaju is piping. Kaju is scorching HOT! The sundubu jjigae that is, apparently the staple of this fine restaurant. Do yourself a favor and get the BBQ beef ribs, known as kalbi/galbi. Better yet, pair that with the seafood beef tofu broth and you've got yourself the best Korean meal in all of Beantown. Though funny enough, it's not the sundubu, banchan, or the galbi/kalbi that initially enticed me to Kaju, it's those damn pictures of raw eggs in the broth. Don't judge! There is ALWAYS a wait here. Kaju's got it figured out, why pay $8.00/hour for a host when you can have the customers be the host for free? Yous gotta write your own name down on the list at the podium at the entrance. It's imperative that you don't wander in here looking for a host. If you do, them pesky, ill-mannered to-be patrons behind you will indeed cut you in line by writing their names down before you can, instead of telling you like a good samaritan should. And yes it happened to me. Sob.
(4)
Yao G.

The food here is delicious, worthy of five stars. I ordered the combination meal that's comes with tofu soup and a dish of bulgogi. Both are cooked to perfection. The service is worth 3 stars. Our server just seems lackadaisical and slow. Show more enthusiasm, it'll make a customer's eating experience that much better. Overall, I recommend this restaurant to tofu soup lovers. Give it try next time you're in the area.
(4)
Steve W.

Went there this past Sunday at 1:30 pm and there was still a line. The place seems always busy...good sign. Be sure to sign in your name and number of peeps in your party when you arrive. The sign in sheet is right near the front door. I just happened to see this and lucky I signed in or some others that came in after me would have signed their name before mine. The wait wasn't too long....about 20 minutes. It was a cold day and the tofu soup and the ban chan all hit the spot. I got the tofu soup and short rib combo. Our meal for lunch came out to $40 including tax n tip. You know it's a good place since it was filled with a lot of asian people. Definitely will return.
(5)
Chong C.

Most of selections are Tofu soup. I usually take spicy/extra spicy Intestine Tofu soup and always walk away satisfied. I brought one of my American buddy and he thought "spicy" was bit too spicy for him. He liked the flavor regardless. Some Tofu Soups taste pretty similar, like Seafood Tofu and Seafood&beef Tofu pretty much taste the same. It just has little difference. But some Tofu soups have their unique spice and deliciousness. Such as intestine (my favorite!) and Beef&Octopus Tofu has completely different taste so they worth trying. I tried Galbi and Chicken bulgogi from Kaju too. Galbi is fine. Being Korean, I know how Galbi's supposed to taste, and they do it right. Chicken bulgogi is a bit odd. I'm saying, it tastes fine, but not too impressive. However, I would definitely recommend this place.
(4)
Terry H.

Having had tofu soup in other states including Chicago and NY, the Tofu soup at this place is just mediocre, not great, definately does not worth $16/bowl of tofu soup. it is way over price when your dining environment is a small space with cold wind blasting at you every time someone opens the door to come in or to leave the place.
(2)
Shiv G.

Delicious. I got the tofu seafood soup+bulgogi special. My first time having this soup, and it was really really good. Flavorful and made with love. The kimchi was fresh and spicy! There was a bit of wait, so if you go on the weekend expect having to wait in a life for 10-20 minutes.
(4)
Khoa N.

This was an amazing meal! Albeit a bit different from the other Korean meals I've had. Don't turn away because of the long line - that's what I've been doing for the past year. Luckily, this past weekend I decided I wanted it. Period. So we waited. The line moved very quickly. The hostess and waitstaff were so efficient - cleaning up quickly, giving next ppl in line menus and taking orders before we seated. We waited about 30 min during dinner rush. Not bad at all compared to the time I spent waiting at other restaurants. I'd recommend the combo. You'll get both the tofu soup (of your choice) and a meat entree (I chose kalbi). Everything came with white rice and plenty of sides (all refillable). My kimchi and beef tofu soup was delicious, especially the beef. Usually I love spicy food but this time I opted for medium spiciness. This allowed me to taste all the other flavors the bubbling bowl came with. I will try the bibimbap combo next time, and bulgogi, and the seafood pancakes, and all other tofu soups. Obviously this means there will be many returns. Drooling just thinking about it!
(4)
Moses P.

Why are the reviews so high for this place? Oh, it's because Bostonians have incredibly low standards when it comes to Korean food. I am a full-blooded Korean. The place has gone down in quality since it opened up. Used to be delicious and now it is subpar. By the way, check out Victoria Seafood Restaurant. Say hi to Steve for me and order the salty spicy squid. Trust me. And I gave it three stars because my wife told me to. Deserves two. Zero for being so-so in quality, two because it is Korean.
(3)
HyunJoo K.

I remember when this place was a bakery back when. Now a soondubu jjigae place! :) I guess after talking to my father, this place is a chain? Kaju is California in Korean... so California Tofu House it is! :D delicious! Went here for to celebrate a birthday, and we all enjoyed it! Another group was actually celebrating the same day! We all got variations of soondubu jjigae ... I had pork with mine, someone else seafood, and another plain soondubu jjigae and another hmmm I forgot. Portions are great! I underestimated how much food was in the bowl! The ban-chan was good too, and plenty of it! At the end... they gave us the burnt rice in warm water to finish off with. That was good too! We watched a lilttle Korean TV too :) Although it was showing new with the flooding :/ Hours are later on the weekends. Place always seems packed ... it was when we were there!
(5)
Robo T.

Soondubu jjigae FTW. I got the hot pot bulgoki and chicken soondubu jjigae combo. I ordered the jjigae spicy and daaaamn.... it was spicy! Hours later I still couldnt feel my tongue! I shot fire out of my ass the next day and it didnt even matter. BTW both pots came out boiling to the table which was perfect on a chilly fall evening. Kaju's primary focus is on tofu jjigaes (stews). This is a cool alternative to the KBBQ joints and korean fried chicken places.
(4)
Samantha Y.

I loved their banchan: kimchi, pickled cucumbers, sweet potatoes, and bean sprouts. They were flavorful. The soondoobu was also very good. I really enjoyed the rice on the hot stone pot they can add hot tea and have that last piece of rice flavor. One of my top 5 favorite places to go for casual lunch/dinner.
(4)
Thurayya A.

Definitely one of my favorite restaurants in Boston! And so far the best Korean spot for sure. Only downside is that there's always a wait. Like always. But it's usually not too bad and I'm at a table within 20 minutes or so. I recommend getting a combination if you're not familiar with the menu. It's on the pricier side, but I think it's worth the variety and flavor. Ps: soup can be bland if you don't get spicy! Add kimchi too and it's perfect.
(4)
Erin M.

. !
(2)
Kamille W.

I stopped by Boston Kaju Tofu for lunch after working myself into serious hanger by shopping on Newbury Street. I could smell the delicious aroma of meat bubbling away in clay pots before I even walked in the door. I had a really good feeling about Kaju Tofu, and I can happily report that I was not disappointed. Inside, it was a bit chaotic. The place was packed with Korean families (always an encouraging sign at a restaurant like this) and the servers clearly had their hands full. Because of this, it was difficult for our server to be hyper-attentive. This in-and-out service explains the missing fifth star. The food itself was fantastic -- as good as anything I tried in Seoul. I originally wanted the short rib meat clay pot, but I was told that they had run out of short rib. After experiencing a brief moment of total panic/despair, I opted for the beef clay pot instead. I don't know if it was because of my boundless hunger or what, but that beef clay pot was damn delicious. Piping hot rice, cabbage, and sprouts, topped with a generous layer of sesame-infused beef... I wish I could do it justice. That dish made me so happy inside. My boyfriend had the hot-stone bulgogi pot, which was also super-duper tasty. I'm definitely planning on coming back to order it when the bitter January cold sets in. After all, I've gotta warm these weary bones somehow, and food is so much better than a blanket. Anyway, I highly recommend Kaju Tofu. Just be prepared to flag down your server as she sprints by with 80 different kinds of kimchi, and you'll be set.
(4)
Nora L.

This review is only for the Korean tofu. I've been here 3x and have tried a few of them, mainly the beef/seafood tofu soups. They have all been consistently good- very reminiscent of comfort food. You get to choose the level of spiciness (extra spicy all the way!). Next time I go, I will try some of the other dishes. The service is overall very good here as well. If you go during popular lunch/dinner times, I would suggest that you have someone in your party come earlier to put a name down. The restaurant is pretty small and you will often have to wait a while for a table. Well worth the wait though!
(4)
Hana T.

This is as good as soondubu jjigae gets in Boston. I can't attest to the other dishes on the menu, but seeing as the restaurant specializes in soondubu jjigae, why would you bother getting anything else? Growing up, my mom spoiled me daily with delicious homemade Korean food. This restaurant brought me right back to that! I was pleased to be served 8 varieties of authentic banchan, all delicious...I just hate when "Korean" restaurants give a pathetic 2 or 3 little dishes of macaroni and what-nots. I chose the kimchi oyster soondubu from a pretty long and creative list of soondubu options. The waiter asked what level of spiciness I would like and I ordered "extra extra extra spicy!". The jjigae came out bubbling and steaming in a traditional dolsot. Mine was bright red and smelled delicious. The waiter scooped white sticky rice from a dolsot and poured water on top once the remaining rice got crunchy... an authentic little after-meal snack! Definitely the best soondubu I've had since leaving home for college. Really flavorful, spicy, satisfying, and brimming with goodies. I cracked the raw egg, stirred it in impatiently, and tucked in. By the time I had eaten a few spoonfuls, I had broken out into an all-over sweat, and I thought I was in Korean heaven! I ate every bite of the jjigae and was really happy afterwards. The waiter was extremely attentive and friendly. He even brought my friend and I an extra dish of special banchan that he thought we would enjoy, since we got extra-spicy jjigae. Our water was constantly refilled. I should mention, though, that we came at a relatively slow time (right before dinner rush), so I'm not sure if the service is consistent when the place is packed. Boston isn't known for it's fine Korean cuisine, but if you're like me and are dying for a taste of your Korean home while in the area, this is the place to find it!
(5)
Yeol P.

I visited here today in the morning. Even though there were so crowed with bunch of people, all of staff and the lady who looks like an owner were wonderful and serving soooooooo gently. Anyway, I ordered actually I don't remember really well but it might be no 21 that had soft tofu and bbq ribs. It was perfect for all of guys. And there are one more point that the food came so fast although the time is on the peak. I will have to be there again.
(5)
Rachel L.

Yum! Tasty food. Fresh ingredients and a really nice staff. I will definitely return for some more bulgolgi beef (sorry if I butchered the spelling!)
(4)
Eric F.

A most solid spot for Korean noms! My friends and I made our way out here for some lunch on a rainy day and the soondubu really hit the spot. As the name implies, the restaurant focuses on the many variations of soondubu ranging from beef and pork to seafood and intestines. A limited selection of BBQ meats and clay pots is available as well. The best deal, however, will be the soondubu combos. At $18-20, you'll leave with a lovely food coma no matter the size of your appetite. My clam soondubu was nicely done - good consistency, fresh soft tofu and firm spice commensurate with its two chili status on the spice-o-meter. The beef bulgogi and spicy pork bulgogi were both pretty good as well with some room for improvement as the pieces were a little gritty and more finely cut up than I like. To whet the appetite though, I thoroughly enjoyed the selection of banchan and of course, my staple haemul pajeon. The pancake looked very thick and dense at first glance, but it turned out to be light and chock full of seafood. Win.
(4)
Nancy Y.

I got the kimchi oyster tofu soup. There were about eight different side dishes on the weekday evening that we went - their kimchi and kimchi cucumber were SPOT ON. When we asked for a refill of two banchans, the staff were quick to oblige, no snooty attitude! As other reviewers have mentioned, they do the rice in clay pots with the crusted crispy rice in boricha for you to enjoy at the end of the meal. Great, authentic touch. I felt like the rice portion was kind of small? but I was so stuffed by the end of my meal, that it's really a moot point. This place is great and is reasonable atmosphere and food for the price. I will definitely come back! I'm not sure how busy they get, but by the time we were seated and had started eating on a random Tuesday night (around 7), there was a line. Also, you may request your food be prepared without MSG. We had ours sans-MSG and it was still good!
(4)
VIVIEN C.

I think Kaju is one of the best Korean tofu houses I have tried. My sister and I ordered the beef and octopus tofu soup, seafood pancake and BBQ beef rib (the usual stuff you get from most of the Korean tofu houses). The service was okay, nothing stand out but no problem either. Small side dishes came within acceptable amount of time, and they all tasted good. BBQ Beef rib is a little too sweet to me. What amazed me are the beef and octopus tofu soup and the seafood pancake. I don't recall that any of the Korean tofu house in LA and San Diego area can match the quality of the seafood comparing to Kaju. I love the fresh and big pieces of octopus legs in the soup and pancake! The portion of pancake is generous. Will definitely come back next time if I am in the area.
(4)
Thanh L.

this place is famous. Its a bit small, but wait was not that bad. There was always a line building while we were eating. I got the soup & bbq beef combo. The kimchi & beef soup delicious it and the BBQ rib was yummy. Staff was friendly and price was reasonable. Would go back
(4)
Susan Y.

Disclaimer: This has a high rating because I'm extremely biased. 1. I love sundubu chigae. This is their specialty dish. Here you can have sundubu chigae the way you want it. There are options for the level of spiciness and ingredients (meats/seafood, veggies, meats/seafood and veggies). Hmmm, a spicy hearty tofu soup warms your soul. . .and your stomach. 2. I LOVE the combo dishes. For once I don't have to try to convince someone to share and split the dishes that I often want to order: dolsot bibimbab and sundubu chigae. Even my husband who normally is not a soup fan (particularly Korean soups) still likes to order the combo to have a small portion of the sundubu chigae. It got an extra star for the combo option. 3. I was raised on homecooked Korean food so it's my comfort food, particularly sundubu chigae. The banchan (side dishes) were varied and the kimchee was good. The cool thing was that they even had pickled chayote one night which I've never seen in the restaurant setting in the States. Banchans always vary, and they have a good variety. This has become my go-to Korean restaurant since I started going to it. Tip: Make sure that your sign in to the waitlist on the pad of paper by the door if there is a wait - and there usually is one.
(5)
Lala I.

long waits, soondubu was bland and one of the worst ive ever had. galbi was fat, low quality meat. 2 stars for sweet potato banchan
(2)
Sara M.

We were in the area and were able to walk here for lunch on a Sunday. It was pretty busy, even though it was over 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Guess there are other crazy people like me who love to eat molten lava temperature soup in the summer. The service is a bit slow but the people serving us were pleasant. We got a number of banchan but I loved the little salty dried fishies. I haven't had those in a while! The kimchee was only okay and I wished it was spicier. I ordered the combo of beef and seafood with galbi. I was very excited that the rice came out in a clay pot so it could get nice and crunchy. The boiling hot soup with 3 chili peppers came out and was flavourful with a good kick. I like that I dropped my own egg in but the bubbles made it hard to stir without spilling. The seafood was fresh and not fishy - I liked that I could taste the briny oyster as opposed to the sweeter clam. Since the portions were rather large, I gorged myself on soon dubu and galbi. Husby didn't really like his pork version and was incredulously staring at me wondering how I could eat so quickly when it was "a thousand degrees still". The other patrons were watching/laughing as I tried to use my spoon to chisel out the stubborn crunchy rice. I was mildly successful. The price was about what I am used to paying back home in Chicago so no surprises there. I would definitely come back as soon as possible, no matter the summer heat.
(5)
Michelle N.

Small with a limited menu selection but everything is good. I really enjoyed the soondubu (tofu soup), I ordered the seafood and tofu. I especially like the fact that they give you a fresh egg to crack into the pot when it comes out! Very neat and tasty. There is a good variety of banchan (side dishes), I always appreciate it when they give you a good selection. The service is good, everyone is friendly, they have a call button at each table, which is very convenient when you need service. I also enjoyed the bulgogi and the BBQ chicken was especially tasty. I will definitely be coming back for more.
(4)
Alyssa W.

based on all the food videos I watch on youtube, admittedly...that is a lot, haha. I'd say this place is VERY authentic. Soups come out bubbling and thank goodness for that because just as it gets to your table, you have to crack a raw egg into the soup and stir. yum! Side dishes were great and if you love super spicy kimchi, you'll love theirs. If it wasnt for all the videos i've seen, I wouldnt have known what the eggs were for OR what the button on the table was for. In S. Korea, there is a button on tables and when you need service, you just push the button and a waiter/waitress comes over. how nice! The service is was also exceptional 9even if you dont use the button on the table) we had quite the large group (12) and everything was quick and yummy. Definately would recommend getting the combo meals, pick a soup and pick a side entree. cant beat it! will definately return :) -side note, love that they have Korean entertainment news on. the night we were there, Psy was on and I wanted to bust out the Gangnam Style dance moves ;)
(4)
Allan T.

If you like Tofu (and what self-respecting Asian foodie does not?), Kaju Tofu can't be beat. The prices are good (not great). Be sure to come off hour or you'll have to wait, even on a week night. A line of folks (almost all Asian) will soon follow. And that says it all: Thoughtful albeit rushed service, authentic home style food in generous portions, nice banchan and intelligently used spices! They gladly refil banchan now. My GO-TO for Korean in the Allston-Brighton 'hood.
(4)
Alice Z.

My spicy soondubu was not spicy. The place was crowded with only one waitress. Besides that, they had a good array of appetizers. I'm from NYC so I've definitely had better korean food. But according to my friends in Boston, it's one of the better Korean restaurants.
(2)
Vivian L.

Let me just say, Kaju is the best korean tofu restaurant I've ever been to (from NY & Boston). I'm a regular customer and I have to say out of all the Korean places in Allston, Kaju wins for sure! The side dishes are pretty good but the TOFU...the tofu is extremely fantastic. My all time favorite soft tofu dish is Kimchi & Beef! You get to select the level of spiciness of your tofu soup dish (I usually stick with Mild because I love spicy but I cannot handle too much and Mild tastes just fine for me. My friends also usually pick Mild). In addition to the soft tofu soup in a stone-bowl, you have a hard-shelled egg, which you crack open into your tofu soup when it arrives. Make sure your egg gets cooked! I usually like to scoop some tofu and some of the broth on top of the egg and let it sit for maybe 2-3 mins or so? You also get a small bowl of rice to eat with tofu soup :) But overall, the soft tofu soup dishes are Kaju's best-selling items. And the pricing of the soft tofu soup isn't that bad because its delicious!! I love Kaju THAT much that whenever I'm around Harvard Ave, I would head straight to Kaju Tofu to eat, either lunch or dinner with some friends. KAJU FTW! P.S--If you are extremely dying to eat here, especially for dinner, please be prepared for a long wait because Kaju gets extremely populated during those times. You have to also reserve a table by writing your name down on the clipboard they have by the entrance.
(5)
Ambrose C.

Are you looking for a quintessential Korean dish that is actually tasty in the somewhat decent city of Boston? Is it also possible to actually hear Korean being spoken most of the time at this place? Well, if you are looking for a place like this, this place may have your answer. This place is probably one of the newest Korean restaurants in Allston, a neighborhood where a lot of students live, and probably the only neighborhood in the somewhat decent city of Boston where you can find more than three Korean restaurants within a 2-3 kilometer radius. This place is also known as Kaju Tofu House and their main specialty is Sundubu jigae, which is a tofu stew/soup served in a clay bowl that can be mixed with various meats, seafood and you can put in a raw egg and mix some rice. We came in and ordered a couple bowls of Sundubu. You can order the Sundubu individually or part as combo for a few dollars more. I ordered the Beef and Octopus, while my brother ordered the Beef and Seafood combo, served with Chicken. You can customize how spicy you want your stew from just having no spice at all, to making it really spicy. My brother wanted it mild while I wanted to get it medium. The side dishes, also known as banchan were good, but most importantly, they were probably the freshest side dishes I had in a Korean restaurant in the somewhat decent State of Massachusetts. The kimchi was actually fresh, and had a nice spiced flavor, almost how I want to eat my kimchi. The eggplant and the radishes were also tasty. The Sundubu came in really hot so you should wait for it to cool down, otherwise, if you just eat it, you might feel a powerful burn in your tongue, throat and esophagus. They should provide a raw egg, so once you get your stew, you should crack open the egg and pour it into the stew and mix it. I thought my stew was fantastic. The tofu was very soft, almost as if you are eating a very sweet and soft gelatin dessert. The beef had a nice tenderness and the octopus was chewy. There was a decent amount of spice in the dish, but I did not sweat much and I felt a little warm and fuzzy. This dish is a great choice when the weather is less than 15 degrees Celsius outside. After I mixed the spiced broth, the tofu, and the beef with the rice, I thought I had a very tasty dish. I also tasted the chicken they serve here, and it was really tender and had a good flavor. Prices are moderate, prepare to spend about $15-20 here, but one sundubu jigae with some rice and banchan should be enough to fill up the stomach of a hungry man. Service was decently good. The servers were really nice, but needed to be more attentive in making sure we had enough water. They actually spoke Korean to me initially, and all of the staff is Korean, so it is starting to be very popular with the Korean community here. This is probably the only Korean restaurant in Boston where I heard more than twice the amount of Korean spoken compared to English, but the staff can speak English pretty well. Overall, if you somehow ended up in the somewhat decent city of Boston and wanted to get some tasty Sundubu, then this is actually a great choice. To the Korean Americans, specifically those from California, New York City, Northern New Jersey, Northern Virginia, Atlanta, Chicago, Southern Maryland, and the Pacific Northwest that have fairly high Korean food standards: This place may not have the best Korean food in the USA, but it probably is the best choice for Sundubu Jigae in the somewhat decent city of Boston. The best sundubu jigae I had was in the slightly better but cooler city of Toronto, and I believe the sundubu here is almost as good as the best sundubu in Toronto. So my conclusion is give this place a chance, but keep your expectations less than moderate.
(4)
Azmyra K.

Kaju is hands down the BEST KOREAN FOOD in Boston. That's a pretty low bar but still it definitely is the case. It's a tiny restaurant and you should plan on having to wait to be seated but it's worth it. Kaju specializes in soondubu (Korean tofu soup) which is made with uncurdled tofu (think super silky tofu that melts in your mouth). You can choose whichever meat you want in it but the traditional soup is served with seafood. As part of the meal, you are served a piping out bowl of soup in a stone bowl and you crack an egg into it to make the broth that much more savory and delicious. The kalbi (marinated short ribs) here are also the best in town. For those Korean food fans out there, this is as close as you're going to get to a Chodang Tofu experience as you'll find in the Boston area. Kaju is finally the Korean restaurant that we've all been waiting for.
(5)
Heoun Joo K.

We had our names on the waiting list and were waiting outside for quite awhile, but one of the servers totally ignored the waiting list and let another incoming team sit in a newly vacated table. Why would they take a waiting list if they will ignore it anyway? When we approached the manager to let them know of our situation, she then attempted to uproot the newly seated team. Talk about uncomfortable and awkward. They should have managed their waiting lists before this kind of situation arose.
(1)
Wendy C.

Perfect for cold chilly day! Now that they have two locations the wait is shorter at their original, Allston location. They have a variety of tofu soup and your choice of the level of spice you can handle that day. My favorite is the bbq short ribs. Can't get enough of those!
(4)
Winky C.

Quite small restaurant, need to wait till yr turn... The tofu soup is pretty good, not salty enough for me thou... Food quality is above avg in my opinion
(3)
Cha J.

Ordered Tofu+Bulgogi Noodle Soup and didn't realize that the tofu and bulgogi soup came in 2 different pots (plus rice)! Definitely a lot of food for one person. Side dishes were pretty good too. Also ordered seafood pancake, which was alright. The place got really busy for a Monday night and we felt like eating in a hurry because of the people waiting outside. However, the waitresses and waiters were very quick and attentive. Food was pretty good and the tofu dishes will be very good in the colder months. Will come back again!
(4)
Yuan W.

If you're a fan of tofu soup, this is the place. The soup is the best I've had in Boston. I always get the kimchee chiggae and it's always delicious. Just spicy enough, not too tangy since the egg tempers it a bit. I've been to other places where the soup is just bit too tart. Also the set menu with tofu soup + barbecue makes for a nice and filling lunch. I particularly like the short ribs (Kalbi). It's a bit on the greasy side but very flavorful. A few drawbacks to the restaurant are there can be a bit of wait, especially during Sunday lunch. Also, they have tables really close to the door, and only 1 set of doors, so during the winter it can get cold sitting near the entrance. It's a bit annoying with people constantly walking in and out during your meal and fanning cold air onto your food. Finally, this restaurant doesn't feel as clean as some other Korean places in Allston, but the food is worth it!
(4)
Vy V.

I love me some soondubu jigae especially during the winter's here in Boston. There isn't much space at Kaju so be prepared to wait especially during peak hours. There is such a wide variety of soondubus that you can choose from. There's something for everyone. You can also choose the level of spiciness you'd like but I normally stick to a 3 or 4 because I want to actually have taste buds when I'm done. So proceed with caution. There aren't many tofu houses in Boston so Kaju might be your best bet. A nice little spot whenever the mood strikes. It'll deliciously warm your belly.
(4)
Greg M.

Went to this place when I visited Boston and I have to say it was pretty good! Coming from San Diego where there are many tofu houses, I was interested to see what Boston had to offer. My friends from Boston said that the korean food wasn't that great in Boston, but this place was new and also pretty good. After eating there, I hope they get more business because it was pretty good soon dooboo. The soup was pretty good. I got seafood and beef tofu soup (mild) and it was flavored nicely with a slight kick to it. It wasn't overly salty or diluted. The shrimp were unusually small, but that was the only unusual thing about it. After a cold day in Boston, it was really nice to have some hot soup. The side dishes were good and the kimchi was fresh. The service was okay. They were slow to fill up our water, which was noticeable because we needed something cold to balance out the soup. We asked for more side dishes and they took a while to give us more. They also gave us the check pretty quickly (I don't know if they wanted us to leave, but we felt a little rushed). Overall, a very good place to eat! The quality is really good, especially hearing that the other korean places in the area are not that great. Price is $12, which is a little pricey (I'm used to $6-$7) But definitely check it out!
(4)
Jamie Y.

When I need my fix of asian food in this city I head here. IT always hits the spot. As far as I can tell, it's legit Korean food (at least way better than the foodcourt at the Chinese supermarket down the street) Just dont come here at peak hours if you don't want to wait an hour or more!! Get the combination meals, and the japchae! YUM! Oh and the service is pretty great, the one young dude is really friendly and efficient! And you can bring your 6 month old baby here...it's family friendly
(4)
Jeff W.

hmm. careful with the bill folks! What was weird for me was the bill at the end. In our group of 5 we ordered 1 diet coke and everyone else drank the barley tea. On the bill at the end, we noticed a charge of $2.00 for "drink" and another charge of "$16.xx" again listed as "drink". Since we didnt order anything else, I asked the owner who said that she was sorry but it should have said "tip". She crossed out the drink and wrote "Tip 18%" instead. I find this practice of putting the tip included in the bill under a drink pretty deceptive. If we werent paying attention, we would have paid for the "drink", which was really the tip, and paid another tip on top of that. be careful Had the Veggie soondubu and dolsot bimbambub option today. Both the sdb and the bbb were good. The appetizer plates were good as well. I have no complaints on the food at all. Being vegetarian, i ordered a veggie bbb but was twice given bbb with beef. I felt bad for sending it back twice but i was very clear both times that i was vegetarian and that I wanted it without beef. They didnt make an issue of this so it was fine.
(2)
Joanna H.

Kaju gets a 5 only because it's in Boston. If this place was in SoCal... story would be very different. The staff is also very nice and attentive. Wait is definitely worth it if you have a soondubu craving. Since everyone talked about the entrees, I want to take note of another big part of an authentic soodubu experience: how you eat the burnt rice (nurungji) at the end of the meal. There are two ways. 1) Scrape it off the bottom of the bowl and eat it as a crispy snack 2) Pour in barley tea (bori cha) to enjoy the smokey, sweet flavors. This "nurungji bap" is an even better comfort food than soondubu in my opinion. So when you're through with the 1 hr wait, and have your taste of soondubu, don't forget this last little treat!
(5)
Michael C.

Nice gem in the world of Boston restaurants. Barebones place, but the food's good and the service is great (it's amazing what you can accomplish when you work well as a team). The Korean sides are good and all of the entrees that I've ordered here have been quite delicious. There's a nice flavor and spice to all of their dishes and everything's very fairly priced. There is usually a wait, however, but the table turnover is fast--like I said, they have an efficient waitstaff. Parking is difficult for this area, but this place makes coming to Allston to eat quite worth it.
(4)
Tyler L.

Amazing sundubu! Very flavorful and hot when it comes out. If you get a combo the amount of food you get is very generous. I had the kimchi and oyster sundubu with kalbi (beef rib) combo. The kalbi was extremely delicious so if you're hungry get that combo. Also tried the bulgogi noodle soup (ttukbaegi) but that was very mediocre--the broth and bulgogi could be flavored much better. The japchae was also rather mediocre so I wouldn't recommend it. Service could be much more efficient--often two people are sitting at a four person table and they don't add more, which leads to very long waits unnecessarily. The servers could also be more attentive to customers as I felt it was hard to get their attention sometimes. Bottom line: come here for the sundubu if you're willing to wait!
(4)
Iv L.

LOOK AT YOUR BILL BEFORE PAYING they add in a 20% tip as "Drinks" i'm okay with restaurant adding in 18% tip for large parties.. but 20% is just a tad of an irritation and a bit of an insult.. went back again for dinner today because recent visit wasn't quite satisfying so decided to give it another try.. there were 5 of us... we ordered seafood pancake - has seafood ingredient which was good, but lacking taste galbi - not as good as last time... veggie and beef hot stone bi bam bap - mediocre seafood tofu soup (mild) - was good this time... beef tofu soup (spicy) - too spicy this time... jap chae - sub par... came with the typical korean side dishes and rice... i recommend the combo which is a better deal than ordering individual..because the regular tofu soup is barely bigger than what they give in a combo... we were barely finished and they took our dishes away and gave us the bill... at first we didn't pay much attention to the bill and was taking out the calculator to pay for tip.. then noticed there were a section for "drinks" which we didn't order any... turns out it was their added tip... they fail to even mentioned that it was tip when the bill was handed.. we has to ask to find out it was tip... they had the leisure of providing themselves a 20% tip which is a bit irritating because one would assume 18% and extra added by the guests at their discretion... and plus this is an asian restaurant... they must not get tip well because on their bill they have a notice taped to it in korean and english that it is standard in the US people tip 15-20% .. i think that was enough notice to guests to pay the proper amount... the first time we went, we saw the noticed and thought it was odd, but having leisurely add in 20% is just not right... maybe they should hire less waitresses/waiters because most of the time they are just standing around if they want to have better tip divisions... there's lot of other restaurants in boston... most likely not coming back again...
(1)
Anne W.

This is a warning.. I am not Korean. But I have had a lot of really good sundubu. But if you're expecting what you would get in SoCal/NorCal.. you're going to be dissapointed. It's just not that flavorful in my opinion... The spicy level is also really deceiving.. I thought it was a legit spot so I got the next to spiciest and it wasn't spicy at all. It is very possible that this is more home style cooking versus restaurant style.. but I don't think it's amongst the top sundubus that I have ever had. This place has a really friendly wait staff.. they were able to accomodate our large party. The side dishes were good although not amazing.. I think most of us liked the kimchi, spicy cucumbers, and pan fried tofu. I am sure they change daily based on what is available. They do serve crispy rice but the rice didn't end up being crispy which was sad. They also poured tea in it.. a traditional thing.. but I think most people who have never had it like it too much. Reasonably priced.. and parking in this area is always frustrating.. but still worth a visit. Oh.. and there is no alcohol served here. Most of the Korean spots in the area do.. but this one definitely does not serve anything except sodas.
(3)
Mike D.

I highly recommend that you come here, but if you do please don't leave the front door hanging open if it's cold out, and whatever you do, don't come bolting out of the bathroom like my father on our last trip here. So the soups here come to the table boiling in the bowl and keep on bubbling for a few minutes. For the most part this is a great thing: you can cook an egg in your soup if you so choose (I do!) and of course it retains its heat for a while, which is handy when roughly a quarter of the young people who come here during the lunch rush seem to not understand the concepts of doors, human comfort, or heating bills. But boiling hot soup could be a bad thing, as my father nearly illustrated when, in his zeal to get back to work on his lunch, he came racing out of the men's room and clipped the waiter, who had a tray with three or four bowls fresh from the kitchen. The guy's good though... he saved the soup, and I didn't have to take Dad to St. E's. To date I've had the kimchi and oyster soup and the beef and seafood soup and loved them both. The seafood pancake is tasty, as is the bulgogi stew (although the meat was all stuck together), and they're also very generous with the banchan. If only they were licensed to sell beer.
(5)
Yue Z.

Service: 4.5 Food: 5 Ambiance: 4 I'm a fan of this place when normalized for the quality of restaurants in Boston. I was taken here by a Korean couple in the restaurant business, so I have high expectations. I was not disappointed. We were here for lunch and hence the line was not huge. If you're coming for dinner, particularly on a popular night, be prepared for a wait! The staff was very attentive and quick, seating us, ordering, and bringing out the food in a very timely manner. Their soondubu was delicious, and the best part: you can get it bulgolgi, spicy bulbolgi, bibimbap, etc--two of the best korean dishes--in one! The place is very authentic, and is very popular among the korean population--always a good sign!
(5)
Yancey L.

I went there alone, but they gave me about 12 kinds of side dishes! The owner told me that his favorite is Kimchi Tofu Soup, so I tried that which tastes amazing. Seafood pancake is also one of the must have I guess. I also like the pure Korean atmosphere in this restaurant. When I stepped into the door, the waiter will smile at me and say "annyeonghaseyo", the big screen on the wall plays korean TV programs, I felt like I arrive in Korea. Wish I could try their bulgogi next time! Which I've heard are awesome too.
(4)
Sid X.

Both my boyfriend and I believe it is the best restaurant around the Harvard Sq area. The food is great here and people are really nice. I love the tofu soup combination which is really tasty with a good price. What's more, the tofu is organic and healthy!:)
(5)
Chloe K.

Best Korean Restaurant in Boston! Very authentic and yummy
(5)
Melody W.

So, I never had this dish (Soondobu) before. Now that I got to try it here tonight with my friends, I absolute LOVE it! I got the Seafood Tofu and had it made mild/non-spicy. Also, if it helps, there will be the usual small plates of condiments (such as kimchi and pickled veggies) and a plate full of raw eggs for you to crack into the boiling tofu when it arrives. Of course, that is optional if you don't want egg in there. A bowl of rice will be served, but personally my friends wanted more than a bowl to balance out the ratio between the tofu and the soupiness. The meal ended with a brewed "rice" tea. It is the perfect meal for this cold time of the year! Of course, the thing that I don't dig as much is the waiting line (no reservations, must wait at door) and the amount of space for seating. Last time when a friend of mine and I tried to get in, there were HUGE groups of people waiting to get in. We were under the impression that it'll be a really long wait, so we never got in. The space can't be helped, I guess. However for tonight, few of my friends (whoever showed up earlier among the 5 of us) had to wait in line for their turn to get seats. I believe they waited for 15 minutes before they got in. So far there were no issues with that for incoming late guests, as the staff allowed myself and two more friends to scoot right in with our seated group when we arrived a bit late. Also, at your table, you will have a red button where you can press it to signal a waitress when you are ready to order. Overall, I'm quite pleased with trying out a Korean dish I hardly ever try to order in other Korean restaurants! I will be back for sure when the timing is right!
(4)
May C.

Great place to have tofu soup! I highly recommend seafood tofu soup and BBQ beef ribs. The service was fast and great. Side dishes are good too.
(4)
Julia J.

Came here on a friday night and ordered the beef soft tofu...However, it just doesn't taste that good to me at all. The place was also dirty and packed full...so I definitely don't have a good reason to come back again
(2)
Michelle L.

If you're looking for something hot during a cold Boston day, then you're in luck. This place serves the best tofu soup in Boston, hands down (also vouched for by the Korean friend I went with). There can be a longer wait if you go during peak dinner times (we once waited 1 hour for 6 people), but they are less busy during lunch. They don't take reservations, so show up early if you want to grab dinner. The small plates at the beginning are yummy, but typical of any Korean restaurant. The tofu soup is really where it's at. I had the seafood and beef tofu soup and it was divine. There was the distinct seafood taste that was balanced well by the ground beef. You can also order varying degrees of spiciness, from not spicy to tear-inducing. I'd say I have a pretty good spice tolerance, and even the almost-tears level was mild for me. They bring out the "burnt" rice at the end. Pour some barley tea it to scrape out the smokey rice - great way to end a meal.
(4)
Joseph S.

I'm a student around Boston and Kaju was the first place I went to for Fall Semester. Some of these reviews criticizing the waitstaff: when's the last time you were a server? Oh wait.. (Yes, I was a server my undergraduate years and just like how you can't explain to somebody else how to do your job, you shouldn't tell these people how to do theirs). No Korean around Boston (or New York, for that matter), can match the Korean food here. It's not only delicious but the waitstaff is also extremely attentive -- IF you're semi-polite. For instance: I saw an international Chinese kid (who seems like he's 20 and drives a Lamborghini, intentionally parked in front of the restaurant) try to wave the waiter over with a finger -- the female server seemed a bit angry but went anyways. No refills on water or on banchan for them, observably. But back to the important part. I always order the tofu soup and combination whenever I come here. A tad bit expensive but I'd rather spend $20-25 and eat some delectable dishes over some sub-par noodles at some other... Korean... restaurants... around Boston. The soup, without fail (even when it's busy) comes to the table BOILING hot. The meat is almost always sizzling and is equally as tasty. Service is always four/five-stars whenever I go (and like some of the reviews said: the owner's son is super-warm, super-friendly; try to get him as your server if you can). My last point: have you ever tried to explain to somebody that somebody's girlfriend/boyfriend is a bad idea for them but they go on with them anyways (and the inevitable breakup happens)? Kaju is like that terrible boy/girlfriend -- minus the terrible and minus the inevitable. If you're ever in Boston, this is one of the first places you should come through.
(5)
Michelle R.

Best sundubu in Boston! Arrived at 6pm on a Monday and a line quickly formed, so I guess this place is popular. Got the kimchi oyster sundubu (extra spicy) which came out hot and bubbling. The oysters were delicious and soft. Soup was very flavorful and enhanced by the egg. The tofu also came out in fairly large chunks and had a nice texture, unlike some other places where it's broken up so much it doesn't even taste like tofu. They have 4-5 spiciness levels ranging from white to extra spicy. If you're a fan of spicy food, I would definitely go for the highest rating. It's spicy enough without leaving you in pain. Side dishes were decent/varied. 4 stars because it's a little pricey...
(4)
Cwot W.

This place wasn't bad. Had the bulgogi hot pot. Meat needs some spice or something. But the kimchi stuff and side dishes were pretty good. And I saw Psy when I was eating here, but he refused to sing Gangnam Style.
(3)
Marissa G.

Soondubu (tofu stew) here is amazing. On a cold day, this is the perfect way to warm your body. An order comes with a decent amount of banchan (side dishes) and they put tea in the rice hot pot so that you can have the burnt mushy rice (very authentic, not all places do this) to eat with the meal if you choose. My friend also ordered a non-spicy beef soup that was sweet to the taste, which was very good.
(4)
Lily W.

"I'm going to give them 2 stars on Yelp because they rushed us!" said I to my friend before we left. As you can see, I didn't. I really wanted to knock off a point, because I currently hold a grudge against the waitress who slammed our check on the table when we were nowhere near done. But I guess there was a decently long line. I also need more lower-ranked restaurants in my Yelp reviews (why am I so nice?) but maybe I just go to good places =D It was my first experience eating at the Kaju Tofu House, as it came at the enthusiastic recommendation of a friend. The menus are nice, clean, and comprehensive, and only fill two pages, half of which are tofu dishes. We decided to order two: the Seafood and Beef Tofu Stew and the Sparerib Clay Pot. The food took a little while to arrive, but when the banchan came, I was extremely happy. I would say there are about 8-10 of them(what a display!): including kimchi, cabbage, egg, bean sprouts, etc. etc. and were all quite tasty. The two dishes arrived bubbling and steaming, and were absolutely delicious. I'm not really a fan of stews and soups in general, but my friend loved the stew, which contained shrimp, mussels, and beef. We had it "medium" spicy but tasted extremely mild to me. The clay pot was delicious after we cracked an egg into it. Nothing unexpected, just some good, wholesome, and tasty Korean food. It was a Thursday night, and soon after we arrived, the line started getting pretty long. The waitress did rush us, but I really enjoyed the food here and will definitely be back in the future.
(4)
Lauretta L.

For Boston, this place offers great soon tofu. I had the Beef and Octopus, which was absolutely delicious. I also love how they put lots of tentacles in - the best part :). The ban chan they provide are also pretty solid. My favorites are the teeny little anchovies and the pickled cucumber. However, it's quite expensive at $12 for soon tofu. After tip and tax, you're looking at about $16! The service could also be more attentive regarding refilling water and just checking up on diners in general. This place gets quite packed on a Friday night too so be prepared to wait for a while.
(4)
Mon R.

I think my husband and I were the only non-Asians at this place, so take my review with a grain of salt- because we dont know alot about Korean food. We came for dinner. It wasnt busy at that point, so we were sat down, promptly received water, and got to checking out the menu. The menu was pretty pricey, but Korean bbq can be that way. We shared it. It was ok, I was expecting more taste to the meat- the Korean joint around the corner does a much better job at the meat. The rice also comes out in a stone pot, which is cool. I wished it came with more rice. Anyway, I'm not sure I'll come back to this place, since there are others in the area that are better. IMHO.
(3)
Carol W.

Definitely 5 stars for a place like this in Boston! I came here tonight with my baby daughter and a friend. We opted to order individual portions of the seafood and beef soon dubu, kalbi, and bulgogi as opposed to getting the combos. We expected to have leftovers, but we devoured it all!! The soon dubu had a deep savory taste. The little shrimps are in the stew not for the flesh/protein but more for enhancing the flavor of the broth. The kalbi were thickly cut, very meaty and flavorful. It was the best kalbi I have ever had!! The wait staff were attentive and pleasant. I can't wait to come back again for the kalbi and soon dubu!!
(5)
Chris R.

Updates: Area has extremely limited street parking. And most all street parking are for "Residential permit only". Prepare to circle around. There is no reservation system, just "stand around" with no wait time estimates. Prepare to spend time in the street or squished against the door way. Unfortunately, "we have to be fair to all customers" in no way answers the concern that their current system of "just wait" wastes their customers time. So make sure you have PLENTY of time to wait around. Once seated, prepare to wait a while for a bite. Unlike other Korean restaurants, this place will only serve side dishes WITH the main entree. No nibbling on side dishes while waiting for main entrees. If you happen to show with less than an hour before closing time, say 9PM. Take caution, this place actually close at least half an hour or more prior to their "actual closing time". (this means, you need to get there plenty more than an hour before closing time, otherwise, you might end up waiting and if your turn for a table ends up close to closing time....I saw people being turned away.) Too bad there are so few decent Korean eats around this town.
(2)
Catherine W.

Fun to try a place that has gotten a lot of buzz - there was a slight wait during Saturday lunch hour, but before long we got a table. Tried the sundubu (of course); very cool that the soup is served with a side of raw eggs that you can crack into the soup if you desire. Also had the seafood pancake appetizer (not bad but I've had better). The panchan offered was very good - especially one that was kind of a like a beef stew. The place felt authentic. Would come back to try more dishes.
(4)
Guillermo M.

Amazing and authentic Korean food. All the plates had excellent flavors, high quality and were all very different. Loved all the little appetizers they bring. We ordered a seafood tofu soup and was really good, also the seafood pancake is a must have.
(4)
Eva B.

I brought my friend to introduce Korean food. She loves sondufu gigae which I made for her before. Food here is getting worse than day 1. I have been tried many different sondofu since day 1, but it is getting worse. The side dishes are okay, but I am not here to enjoy the side dishes. One of side dishes was stir fried mushroom. IT WAS OLD and BAD. The family next us ordered chapchae and the dish contains the stir fried mushroom. They were mad because the mushroom was apparently spoiled. My friend's soondufu gigae didn't have egg so she asked for egg and the waiter took her dish away. Just one egg....took 20minutes, and I finished my dish... When we waived our hands to get the waiter's attention, he seems to be innocent, not knowing we are waiting for the dish. overall, it has been okay compared to price. but today wasn't a day for soondufu,
(3)
Rachel H.

Yummy! It didn't stand out to me as amazing, but I had a great tasting (and only about $13ish) vegetable and beef clay pot. My brother had a declicious short-rib dish, but wished he had more vegetables. Here's the funny part: we got the check and his dish didn't cost around $13 as expected; instead it was around $20! Apparently they brought the wrong dish, but since we don't go to Korean restaurants that often, my brother didn't realize that it was the wrong dish (though that did explain the lack of vegetables that he thought he ordered). They kindly changed the price when we explained that we ordered a cheaper dish and didn't realize that the staff brought the wrong dish. Overal, a good lunch on a weekday!
(4)
Quang N.

Pretty good food, has all of your standard fare you would expect from a Korean restaurant. One of the better Asian restaurants in Boston, though expect a wait if you're coming at a peak time. Service can be on the slower side, so minus a star for that.
(4)
Chrissy T.

I love it here! Their tofu soup is heartwarming and filling. You can also pick how spicy you want your soup to be which is perfect for people who cant take the spicyness. They give a decent amount of side dishes. The waiters were nice and akways refilled my water at the right time. My only complaint is that the space in this restraunt was a bit small plus their bathroom was not that pleasant . I would still come here again ! The food is delicious and was at a reasonable price compared to other korean restraunts around!
(4)
Amar M.

Best Korean food I've had in Boston! The soondobu is the star of the show here, my favorite is the kimchi + beef soup. They let you customize how spicy you want it...I always get mine extra spicy, and when they get it right it really hits the spot! Downside is sometimes they don't fully follow through on those requests. I recommend getting the tofu soup + meat dish combo...best value for the money and their spicy pork and bulgogi are delicious. Banchans are generally better than most places too! Service is prompt, solid overall. Most times I've gone this place is PACKED, and they don't take reservations, so be prepared for at least a 30-40 minute wait if you have a party bigger than 4 if you're trying to eat at prime dinner time. Worth the wait, forreal doe.
(4)
Monica P.

Right, so I'm not even going to lie. There is a MAJOR love affair going on between me and BKT. This was my first soondubu experience and I'm not really sure how I lived life before this. I had the kimchi/beef tofu soup which was incredibly flavorful and soothing. This is definitely the place to come on a cold rainy day!
(4)
Mary G.

Perfectly fine Korean food, would try other places in Allston before coming back here, though. Don't go here for the service. Four of us walk in the door to a place with all the tables filled, no visible waitstaff to alert us to availability. One of us goes up to the cashier, where she tells us to sign a piece of paper up front with our name and number. Standing around for awhile, waiting, we noticed a group of people who walked in trying to poach our space and had to alert said hostess to our table. We got seated, and well after we were ready the waitress took our order, some pork jiggae, beef shortrib, the seafood pancake, and soon-dubu-jigae. It def't took awhile for our food to come out, and rather than bringing out the banchan (small opening plates) with our dinner, the banchan came with our food (good number of plates, 8 or 10 total), though the content was on the scant side for 4 of us, and I've made better kimchi in my house (admittedly, I make some wicked good kimchi). The seafood pancake was huge and substantial, though not amazing. Shockingly, better the next day. The beef short ribs were a bit dry and tough, but otherwise flavorful, and the jiggaes were comforting as jiggaes oft are. Maybe after I try some other area Korean restaurants, this place will go up a star, or down. Since I haven't eaten at other Korean joints in Allston yet, I can't really compare, but it just seems like this place could be better, or worse.
(3)
Le N.

My fiance and I love it here; yet we are weary to come back because there's always a line - especially when it's cold and everyone else wants tofu soup! The flavoring of the soup is perfect. Being a big fan of spiciness, I like that they let me choose how spicy I want my soup! The bbq here isn't the best, but it sure is good enough to eat. Their specialty is definitely their soup and that's a-ok with me! The next time it's rainy and cold, I guess I'll find myself back here to fulfill my craving. =)
(4)
Julie T.

This place was okay... their wait-list system is a little weird. I came in and all the workers were busy. No one stopped what they were doing to greet or assist me, which didn't really bother me as much as it confused me. My friends and I were actually one of three groups who were waiting for a table (it was pretty busy). There was a little notepad near the door with names... so I just wrote my name down and the number of people in my group. The other groups followed my lead. About 15 minutes later, we were seated. The food itself was okay as well. My chicken tofu soup was pretty bland but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It wasn't a very memorable experience, to be honest. I'll probably try this place again and order something different next time.
(3)
Sue H.

Okay, it's done. Kaju deserves 5 stars - yes, it's that good. I'm completely addicted! I've been numerous times since first reviewing, and can't get over how much I love their spicy tofu soup. And it's so affordable. My mainstay here is the beef/octopus tofu soup and bulgogi bibimbop (stone pot) combination. It's such a generous portion - enough for two I'd say. Service is still no frills, but they're efficient and quick. Woo hoo for TOFU!
(5)
Janus D.

Got the chicken tofu soup. Found hair in it. Got a "new" one and found hair in it again after I nearly finished. Must have gotten same bowl again since there was egg in the second bowl and I didn't put any in there. Never again.
(1)
Dmitry L.

I will echo the other reveiwers' comments about the excellent taste, but I would also like to stress that the value is amazing. By getting a entree/tofu combo, a couple with a child can eat for about $20, which would include a full array of banchan (side dishes), a choice of entrees like bulgogi, kalbi, etc., and a choice of a tofu soup like beef & octopus, curry, ham/sausage, kimchi/beef, and many others. The tofu soups can be made at 5 levels of spiciness. The combo comes with one traditional Korean stone pot of rice, and additional rice bowls can be ordered for the others in your party. The server will also offer to make Nurungji Bap by pouring barley tea into the stone pot from the rice. By the end of the meal you have a rice porridge for a nice after-dinner treat.
(5)
Anna I.

I love Boston Kaju Tofu! As Tim R said, Kaju stand for California. I had heard about this place from my Seoulite friend who swore this reminded her of home. (Considering there is not a ton of variety compared to other Korean enclaves LA and NJ as there is a smaller selection of restaurants. In the former Seoul Bakery spot, this small intimate restaurant has old Hangul and Hanja wall paper and shows Korean shows/news on tvs inside the restaurant. Sitting down, I noticed the call buttons I saw everywhere in Korea (first in Boston for me) to ask for the server to your table. But we did not use ours. Our big group all wanted the Seafood Pancake and we all decided to get our own item. The Seafood pancake looked good but I did not eat it as I really wanted the Tofu Chigae (Sundubu =soft tofu). I got the Seafood Tofu Chigae $11.99. I asked for it to be mild (I cannot handle overly spicy food.) Our server was friendly and accomodating as we had a party of 10 on a Sunday night and they don't usually do reservations but they were nice to us. Before the food came out, we got alot of banchan (my fave) and here the banchan was plentiful with a variety of items (free refills too). There was sea weed, tofu, kimchee, potato salad among the usual suspects. Once the steaming hot chigae came out, we dug in eating it with our rice. The broth was delicate, flavorful that I could taste the seafood and the soft tofu was heaven. (Of course you have to add your raw egg in first before partaking.) The bits of clam and tiny shrimp just further enhanced the chigae (stew). After the meal almost ending, we got a bowl of the rice ends and hot water (?) to have if we wanted it. Since we were a big table, the tip was already included which made splitting the bill much easier and straight forward. They do take credit cards (btw). Definitely the best place(?) in Boston to get Sundubu Chigae in my opinion compared to all the places I have checked out. I have yet to have the other stuff (though as you notice the specialty is chigae there). I wish I lived and worked closer to there, I would be there way more often. Still I want to take my mom and friends when I get a chance. Parking is traditionally pretty horrible around here with meter parking, alot of permit parking and all the surrounding bars and businesses. If you can get street parking, you are very lucky.
(5)
Judy L.

Finally, a soondobu place that's close! Loved this place. Food was good. Combo is a good deal. Galbi was very juicy and delicious. Expect lines.
(4)
Camille D.

I've been eating here for a good three months now. My boyfriend and I love this place - we try so hard not to go here every week because we like it so much. I would say this place is really just good for the tofu soups. I ventured once and tried the bibimbap and I'm not a huge fan. But those tofu soups are soooo good. My favorite is beef and octopus, or the mushroom tofu soup, mild spicyness. And those side dishes are tasty.. mmm. Four stars for the tofu soups and side dishes only. I might just be getting, dare I say it, sick of the tofu soups from eating there so much, but I have a feeling they changed their recipes slightly since a few months ago. Not as good as before. Go try the place before they raise their prices or change the recipes again!
(4)
Christina O.

Bestbestbest! I don't care if both times I went, the service was mediocre or that it's a little pricey ($20 for soondubu & galbi combo)... The jjigae is bomb, good selection of sides, galbi is flavorful, and there's a service button at the table(!). Hands down best Korean restaurant around the Boston area. Kaju saved my little homesick-for-mama's-cooking tummy. Go now.
(5)
James T.

The food was decent. My party and I ordered a lot and shared family style. The ribs were chewy but tasted good. The soups were a little bland but perfect in spicy level. I would recommend this for a smaller party because it was quite expenisve
(3)
Andrew K.

Hands down, the best tofu house in Boston. I rarely go eat in-house, and often get take-out. I usually get the beef tofu and seafood tofu, with a side of bul go gi. Decor: pretty bland, nothing to write home to. Wide spaces with enough seating. Get there early on a weekend evening, as it gets crowded. Food: AMAZING. I've had tofu soup from miami to new york all up and down the east coast, and this place is fantastic. Service: Pretty good service. It's my go-to place in Boston for tofu soup. 5/5
(5)
Benjamin T.

This place is pretty good during a nice cold day. The tofu soup combo is a bit pricey, however the food portion as well as the side dishes that come with your soup and meat combo makes it well worth. If you enjoy spicy food then this is definitely the place to test your flame. The service is nice, the waiters are always so kind to me. Also if they did not notice your there, you can push a button located in the middle of the table, it alerts them to come to you. Over all my experience at kaju has been nothing but fun and enjoyable.
(4)
Heather H.

My husband and I have been here twice now after trying other area Korean restaurants and we will continue to give them our business. Not only is the food outstanding, but the service is a 5+. They work as a team, but are not overly intrusive. The two gentleman that worked Sunday night, 7/7/13, were exceptional. We had the Asian server prior and he recognized us, which made us feel very appreciated. Thank you!
(5)
Yns S.

Amazing tofu stew + bulgogi = comfort food in winter!!!!!!! Hate to have more out people find out about this place, but the word is obviously out... (The line gets a little out of control sometimes)
(5)
Stephen C.

Hands down my favorite Korean place in Boston. The tofu soup is incredible and really hits the spot especially in the winter when it's cold out. Though beware, it's a pretty small place and there's always a wait during peak hours (weekend nights especially). So be prepared to wait outside until you're seated. I wouldn't recommend going with more than a group of 4 otherwise you could be waiting for almost an hour if it's busy. Whenever I go I get one of the dinner combos: usually the hot stone bibim bap (I think they call it the beef clay pot?) or the bugolgi. And as a combo you get quite a bit of food so I usually only eat half the non-soup portion and bring the rest home for lunch the next day (it helps me justify paying a little more for the combo meal). Also quick tip: when you crack your egg into the soup, instead of just letting it sit there floating on the top of your soup waiting for it to cook on it's own, spoon some of the soup over the top of the egg to help it cook.
(5)
Chrizzle D.

I chose to eat here because I read all the reviews raving about this place. Not sure that I agree. As someone who LOVES authentic Korean food, I figured from the reviews that this would be that place. It wasn't. I was not impressed at all. While I understand that not all the authentic ingredients used in the motherland would not be available here, I've had amazing soondubu jjigae at other Korean restaurants that came close (which is how I know it can be done). It's good, not great. That's all I can say. If you've had authentic Korean food, this might not meet your standards.
(3)
Sebastian N.

I absolutely love this place. Traditional Korean tofu house, done really well. I highly recommend the beef short rib plate, without the tofu soup. Each entree comes with five to six small plates of condiments that change on a regular basis, it's a really fun way to eat. The service is very friendly and welcoming, even to non-Koreans. I could eat a mountain of those ribs!
(5)
Julie O.

The food at this restaurant used to be very nice and delicious, but the quality and taste of food are getting worse now compared to the the time when they first opened. I would not go there anymore....
(2)
Adam A.

I'm a big fan of sundubu (spicy Korean tofu soup), and for a long time I've thought that someone could make a killing if they opened up a simple and reliable sundubu shop in Boston. It's not a complicated food, but it's one of those things that you really want to get from a place that specializes in it, since the broth can be really dull or "off" (flavors not well integrated) if it's made quickly or with insufficient attention. (Some of the renditions by otherwise respectable Korean restaurants in town have made me want to cry, or worse...) So, I was optimistic when I saw that Kaju Sundubu had opened, in the old Seoul Bakery spot on Harvard, north of Brighton. It turns out that they're from CA (Garden Grove)- I didn't get the full story of whether they're opening a new branch here, or just moved here, but whatever the reason, it's a tremendous coup for us! If the bowls we got tonight are any indication, we're in for a treat. The main reason to go to Kaju is the sundubu, and that's what most of the menu consists of. They have more flavors than average, including the usual suspects (seafood, beef, mushroom, octopus/beef) and also some less common ones (kimchi/oyster, intestine). (I suspect all of them start with the same anchovy base, and maybe also fish sauce, so vegetarians might want to ask to be sure.) You order the flavor and the heat level (mild/regular/spicy/extra spicy). The sundubu comes with an egg to crack in the moment it arrives (it cooks in the heat), and a side of rice. They do also have some sort of grilled meat and bibimbap offerings, but we didn't investigate those, either. (I did overhear a nearby table commenting amongst themselves that the marinade for the grilled meat was on the sweet side) The results: - Banchan/sides: a very standard selection of kimchi, pickled radish, some anchovies, bean sprouts, simmered soy beans (kong jorim), broccoli. They were fresh and tasty- the kimchi was quite sweet, but this goes OK with ultra spicy soup, in my book... - Sundubu: We got an order of extra spicy kimchi oyster, and an order of spicy seafood, along with a seafood pancake (haemul pajeon). The broth was really good: rich with the flavor of seafood and chili pepper cooked long enough to dissolve/integrate fully into the broth, with enough salt to bring out the richness of the soup base (usually anchovies, seaweed, etc.) but not overly salty. The extra spicy broth was perfect- enough to give you that slight euphoria of chili peppers, but not so spicy that you can't eat a whole bowl. (My perennial complaint with the CA sunduberias is that they hold back on the spice level for gringos -- Kaju's "extra spicy" was properly spicy, without being a one-note heat that overwhelmed the seafood). The seafood and the oyster flavors were both adequately generous with the seafood, too, which was pleasing, since a lot of chains have gotten progressively stingier with the seafood over the years. In fact, not only was this the best sundubu I've had in Boston (which is unfortunately not saying much), but it's some of the best I can remember having even at some of my favorite sundubu shops in LA. - Pancake: the seafood pajeon took much longer to arrive than the sundubu, and it was a bit underdone/soggy and falling apart. Although I like a crispy crunchy pancake as much as the next guy, I also know that sometimes they can be soft and falling apart when they're thick and generously full of seafood and veggies, so it's not necessarily a bad sign if it's falling apart. :) And it was indeed very tasty, with a nice balance of green onion and seafood. - Rice: like most good sundubu places, the rice comes in a small stone pot, and they ladle it into a bowl for you and leave the stone pot with the remaining rice residue, which keeps cooking on and forming a nice crispy crust (nurungji). While you're working on your sundubu, you can ask for them to pour hot water into the pot and let it sit for a bit, then drink a tea of the toasty crispy rice to finish your meal. (You can order extra rice, but it seems that they haven't adopted the recent trend of allowing you to get "special" rice-- mixed grains, barley, etc.--for a small a surcharge. The only option I saw was white rice, but maybe I missed the others.) As others have mentioned, the service is also really friendly and obviously cares about whether people are enjoying their food! I can see myself having many many bowls of delicious spicy sundubu here :)
(5)
HK L.

It's my favorite Korean restaurant, the side dishes, seafood pancake, tofu soup and Kimchi oyster sundubu, beef and seafood soup are very delicious!!! Also, you can choose them with white (not spicy at all), or a little spicy, or spicy or very spicy! It's okay if you don't like or you cannot eat spicy and it's not expensive!!!
(5)
Tina C.

Their tofu soup and kalbi combo is great. The combo also comes with lots of side dishes. There are lots of flavor with their dishes but not overpowering at the same time. You can expect to wait for a while for a table. The restaurant is small with few tables.
(4)
Madeleine Q.

BEST KOREAN FOOD you can get in Boston! Many Koreans and others alike have been wanting to get authentic soon-doo-boo (soft tofu) soup in Boston for a looooooong time. it's finally here! The soup is authentically good, the rice cooked in individual stone pots hit the spot, and their side dishes aren't so bad. Service is quick and friendly. You can also get a discounted combo of tofu soup with korean bbq, sizzling bibimbap in a stone bowl and many other combinations. I usually get the seafood or seafood+beef combo soup (jjigae) but I HIGHLY RECOMMEND SPICY OCTOPUS+BEEF (pronounced, "bull-nock soon doo boo"). They do not take reservations so it's first-come, first-serve. I AM UPDATING MY REVIEW BECAUSE EVER SINCE ITS OPENING, THE QUALITY OF THE TOFU SOUP BROTH HAS DEGRADED--watery, lacking flavor. The owner recycles the manager and the employees very frequently which results in poor service. They also charge 18% gratuity for a party of 5.
(3)
Ryan M.

Fantastic and authentic Korean Barbecue. Don't let the Tofu scare you away! (Though the tofu is also excellent.) I went here just to try something new. I went on a Thursday night and the place was packed with people waiting to be seated the entire time I was there. It was worth the wait (which wasn't very long). I loved the variety of sampler foods. The seafood pancake is also very delicious. The service was excellent. The staff was among the friendliest that I have encountered in the Brighton/Allston/Cambridge area. Come hungry and bring friends!
(5)
Kswagg X.

This review is for the SOONDUBU only. Soup is very tasty. The best soondubu in the BEAN. Make sure you put that egg in right away. Kaju is a chain from Cali, so you know they're going to come correct with that authentic SoonDubu FLAVA. Banchan (side dishes) are really good and help soothe your palate from the spiciness of your soup. Not really feeling their bibimbap, kalbi, & bulgogi. Meats seem very cheap/old/chewy and what's good with iceberg lettuce in bibimbap? Line is always long during dinnertime, so be prepared to wait 30-45 minutes or longer. Come for lunch if you want to avoid the rush.
(5)
Diing-Wei H.

Terrible service. They are impatient to take an order from me, i will definitely not come to this restaurant again.
(1)
Katie B.

I wish yelp would allow half stars, because this is more of a 4.5 star restaurant. This is one of my favorite Korean restaurants in Boston. The service is great and it feels like an authentic and cute little restaurant. You can tell by the staff and the cliental that this is a true Korean place. The soon-dubu jigae is great! I always get it extra spicy and it's just right. I love how you can get a combination of soup and something else. The dolsot bibimbap is good but not the best I've had. The panchans are good and their kimchi is great. My favorite is the beef kimchi soon-dubu, but if you like seafood I'd definitely recommend trying the seafood one. I highly recommend this place if you like tofu soup!
(4)
Lily L.

I'm perpetually searching for a good bowl of sundubu jiggae. I think I've found it at Boston Kaju Tofu. The seafood tofu soup comes with 4 Maine shrimp, a couple of clams, and some oysters. The broth is quite good. They also give generous portions of the banchan--about 8 or so dishes in fact. All of this for $12. Service is pretty good. Ambiance is alright, but very clean. FYI: Street parking is a hit or miss at Harvard Ave.
(5)
Ada V.

The best Korean food hands down! Love the combination of your choice of tofu soup & beef. Only wish they had more tables because this place seems to always have a wait of 30+ minutes.
(4)
Dave C.

Now I'm usually a very big critic when it comes to food, especially Korean food in Boston, but I was not disappointed this time. After years of being let down by either over-priced and/or under-qualified restaurants in the area attempting to serve the cuisine of my ethic heritage, Kaju Tofu on Harvard Ave. finally delivers a reason for Korean-Americans like me to have hope. I grew up in the Tri-State area, and always within an hour's driving distance of the bustling Koreatowns of Flushing, NY and Fort Lee, NJ. It was probably due to this childhood of being spoiled with good Korean food that when I came to Boston, I could only be set up for dissatisfaction. Ladies and gentlemen, Kaju will rival any and all Korean restaurants in Boston, and I will gladly put it in my Top 5 Asian restaurants in Beantown - and that's saying a lot. For those from New Jersey, I would go as far as to say that it can compete with the famous chain of (So Gong Dong). It's just that good. It is on the pricey side ($12) and the service is just OK, but I would gladly be a regular there regardless.
(4)
isa g.

I don't understand what all the rave reviews are about... The food was just average in my book. I came here based on all the rave reviews on their soondubu jjigae which happens to be one of my go to Korean comfort food and I thought it was just OK. My friend got the bul-go-gi jigae which was way too sweet with overcooked beef and some clear (jap-chae) noodles on the bottom. Sure the price is cheaper than other Korean places but so are the food quality and the lack of ambiance. For more authentic Korean food in better atmosphere go down the street to Korea Garden. So far that is the only Korean restaurant I found in Boston area that even my out of town Korean guests would eat at.
(3)
John L.

I would definitely say the best soon tofu () place in Boston. Although there isn't really much competition out there in Boston. I like the fact that they specialize in soon tofu and offer many different choices. My favorite is usually with seafood or with clams. Check out my friend's blog for some pictures and more detail beanosbeantown.blogspot.â€¦ One negative thing (maybe a positive) is that the wait can be really really bad, which probably says that the food is good. I usually try to go at a weird hour to avoid waiting forever. 4pm ish for late lunch or early dinner or 8 or 9 pm for late dinner seem to do the trick for me. Sunday lunch wasn't too bad either. People are probably waking up late from partying the night before. If you don't know yet, there is a parking lot behind Blanchard liquor store that you can use. Make sure you don't part in their private lot though, it will get towed.
(4)
Jeff M.

Really good. Heavy on the tofu options. I asked for spicy and basically got mild. Maybe its because I am white but if you actually want some sort of a kick get the extra spicy.
(4)
Sunjae W.

If u want to experience REAL Korean food, u should defintely go taste food at this place! Korean ppl guarantee it!
(5)
Erin C.

Best Korean place in Boston that I've tried. (Also, you know it's good when almost all the guests were Korean) Spicy tofu stew here is delicious! We got the one with seafood; the clams were surprisingly tender and not overcooked and the shrimp were very flavorful. The bibimbap was still pretty tasty but obviously not their specialty. Next time I come I'll probably just get the tofu stew. The other good part about this place is the large number of small sides they serve with every meal. Delicious! The only bad thing is that the place is small and we had to wait 30-40 minutes for 2 people even though we came at 6 pm on Sunday. I wouldn't recommend coming here with a large party since they don't take reservations--I would probably just go to Koreana instead.
(4)
Matt P.

This place was great! Came with a friend, ordered seafood tofu stew, galbi, and a seafood pancake. The meal came with an amazing variety of home made kimchi and other sides, including tea eggs and dried fish. The galbi was tender and well seasoned. The tofu stew was fantastic - definitely the best I've had. The flavor was intense but the chili flavor was not as overpowering as it sometimes is. We regretted ordering the seafood pancake. It was good, but enormous. The service was very friendly, but the place is small and there was a bit of a wait when we got there. Our whole meal was less than $20 a person, which we thought was amazing for the quality.
(4)
NCNY N.

This is my favorite Korean restaurant in the neighborhood. We totally stuffed ourselves tonight on delicious banchan, seafood pancake, and the steak and soup combo. I chose the clam and tofu soup and there were plenty of clams again. Delicious
(4)
Jing Z.

Wow the food is sooo good, out of the world, especially for people like me who are big into spicy food and tofu, the tofu hot clay is amazing!!! Although have to wait for 15-20 minutes, but believe in me, totally worth it. For meat lovers, their bbq beef is awesome, Gotta Try it!!!!!!
(5)
Christopher C.

Great place if you like sundubu - quality seems as good as any place I tried in New York, Tokyo, or Seoul. If you go at lunch time, particularly on the weekend, you will probably have to wait for a seat as it seems like groups of Korean university students come here. The menu is limited - come here for sundubu, not anything else, although they do have bibimbap on the menu. The banchan selection is okay - not a wide variety of those tasty appetizer dishes, but what they give you is fine. People are friendly and seem appreciative of your business.
(4)
Tony M.

The food was good but the service was horrible. I ordered a dish for my daughter that was listed as rice, tofu and vegetable. The waitress said it came with soup and which soup did I want. It turns out the soup is the tofu, which comes out way too hot to put in front of a five year old. The same dish was listed without the tofu, but I choose the more expensive one. The waitress gave no assistance at all, so we paid for it, but my daughter never did get any tofu. My dish came out wrong. The waitress insisted my wife ordered a different dish. No apology. No offer to resolve the issue. One dish that we did order was never served, but you can bet it was on the check at the end of the meal. Only when we questioned it, was it removed. Again, no apology. The waitress just kind of glared at us, and ran into the kitchen to question the other serving staff. When they served the pickled vegetable starter, they also put a bowl on the table with an egg in it. My daughter kept asking about the egg and could she try it. Fortunately, my wife knew that the egg was raw and was intended to be put into the scorching hot tofu soup that had yet to be served. Who knew? Lucky I didn't try to open it sooner. Oh, and just to add insult to injury, the check included an 18% gratuity because we were a party of five. Needless to say, I won't be patronizing this establishment again.
(1)
Connie C.

Let's face it...Korean food in Boston (or in MA. in general haha) isn't the greatest especially after eating at many Korean joints in NY haha. But I must say this place is pretty up to par! I never had soondubu/soft tofu soup before, but it's my current fav meal! It's a great comfort meal if you're looking for something soupy on a cold/rainy day. My first time I went I tried the beef and seafood tofu soup (extra spicy = 3 peppers). It was spicy but I can really handle the heat. So during my second visit, I asked for it to be extra extra spicy. The waiter asked me how many peppers would I like since I wanted it extra, extra spicy. I said 6. I think I probably scared the guy as he looked at me with the "WTF?!" look hahaha. I asked and he definitely delivered. It was super spicy and I loved it! Definitely going to order it like that again from now on. My friend and I shared the short rib clay pot which was yummy too. We both got soondubu and shared the clay pot which was plenty for two people. My second visit my friend got the beef bulgogi which was a bit dry but still edible. As for the side dishes, they're really yummy! I tend to usually like 2-3 of the side dishes at any Korean restaurant, but not here! I actually enjoy each of the dish. All very flavorful in their own way. The service is great. Quite attentive and very friendly, nice, sweet people. One of my newfound fav restaurants and definitely returning soon! :)
(5)
Howe L.

For Boston, one of the best Korean eateries. I was actually equally impressed (and surprised) by the service. Place is small and barebones, but well worth it.
(5)
Dee T.

Very small restaurant. I went in on a Sunday for a somewhat early dinner but had to wait probably around 30 minutes to get seated. The service isn't too fast, but the food was really nice and hot when it came out. The one thing you have to do immediately when they bring you your tofu soup is to drop in your raw egg for it to cook. As it was my first time there, I obviously took pictures and such of the small dishes and our food but forgot to crack the egg in, so I was left with tofu soup and some bits of raw egg. The beef ribeye? bulgogi was pretty good especially in the hot stone bowl with veggies and rice. I'd try it again, but maybe when its at a less busy time?
(3)
Jessica Z.

As the name of the restaurant states, half the menu has tofu in their dishes. The restaurant itself is pretty small and could only handle a number of parties. I actually had to wait outside for 10-15 minutes before being seated and there were other people waiting too. It might just be because it's new that people are crowding there, but we'll see. There's actually not THAT much food selection on the menu. There's two pages worth of food, so it's enough, but less than what you usually find in restaurants. I came with a big group, so naturally we ordered a lot. The servers brought out the banchan (the small side dishes) not long after. They were very good especially the pancake looking one. On one side of the menu were the soups, most if not all were made with tofu (hence their name.) All the soups were fairly expensive, around $12, and it's only the size of a bowl. We ordered was the seafood soup; it's a soup with a lot of tofu and a small variety of seafood (I only remember shrimp and clams.) As for the other food, I thought it was very good. They had typical dishes like bulgogi and bibimbap. I don't remember what exactly was ordered, but the pork and beef were all very good and tasty. All the dishes were brought out sizzling hot. We ordered the seafood pancake and it's like a scallion pancake but with seafood in between. There's a decent a I thought the service was very good. The server was attentive and always refilled our waters often. They were very helpful whenever we needed something. But note that their tables have buttons that ring to alert the servers to come over. It's pretty cool and it's the first time I've ever seen that at a restaurant. I bet most of you who read this after coming to this place already pressed it a few times before realizing what it is. Otherwise, you shouldn't randomly press it because the servers WILL come! Overall, I thought the food was very good, and the prices a bit steep for some items. If I'm ever craving for Korean food, I would consider this place, but I don't think the food is good enough to make me go out of the way to come here often.
(4)
Cheryl C.

It was quite a wait and most of the dishes here are tofu based as the name suggests. It isn't a full blown korean menu - we had gone in initially expecting to order Yu Kae Jang and Hae Dup Bap (our usual korean fare) but the menu didn't have them and were more limited to tofu chigaes. That said the food was not bad - sides were very good and generous.
(3)
Elaine L.

I came here with a group of friends on Sunday for dinner. We got here a little bit before 6pm, so, luckily, we were seated immediately. But after 15-20 minutes, the restaurant was packed and there was a line outside of it. So come here early or be prepared to wait in the line. Here is what I had: Seafood pancake- it was perfectly pan-fried with enough seafood in each bite. Combination ($17.99)- I chose kimchi and beef soup with bulgogi. I LOVE it that they have this combination of soup and BBQ, so that I don't have to spend 15 minutes staring at the menu to choose between these two. Both soup and bulgogi were very good!! And it was a good amount for one person. The only thing is I had medium spicy (3 chili peppers) for the soup, but it's not really spicy to me. So I will try the 4-chili-pepper spiciness the next time. All my friends enjoyed their food a lot (beside one who has allergy.....). And I will definitely come back again soon!
(5)
Susan K.

When I heard there's a korean tofu place was opening up in Boston, I was excited! I've been to really good korean tofu places in New York and Philly, both positive experiences with consuming this hot, boiling, spicy deliciousness. So I was looking forward to try this place! Entering, the place wasn't that impressive looking...it looked humble. Nothing too fancy, nothing too bright. I guess the interior design is nothing, no where near, impressive. Its just plain. I would say like most asian restaurants (especially korean), the service was not that great. I kind of expected that. So don't expect exceptional service from this place, and don't expect to be served like you're the king or queen of the universe. If you really think you are...I have no comment. Anyway, this place is a place to just eat your food and bounce. They not detailed-oriented and holistic in their service. They just give you what you order, you eat it, they'll may be refill your water cups, and you pay when you're done and bounce. That's it. I was hoping this place would be cheap but like all other korean restaurants in Boston, this place is over priced. That's really unfortunate for a poor graduate student like myself. So I'm in a dilemma between eating great food and overpaying. Boo. The tofu soup (soondobu jigae) was pretty delicious. I finished my entire bowl clean and I rarely do that with this kind of dish. You get to choose your spicy-ness level as well. I ordered the tofu soup with beef and seafood. Soooo good. I was very much satisfied! I'll probably go here again...most likely when I graduate, get a job and start making bank.
(4)
Annie T.

Best tofu soup I've had in Boston! The beef and kimchi and the beef and seafood tofu soups were amazing. The spice is on the conservative side so I recommend getting a medium or above to get a remote sense of spice flavor in your soup. The soup comes out bubbling in a stone pot and cracking the raw egg that is given cools the soup down slightly. It is still super hot though. The appetizers are the standard cold plates that come out including kimchi, bean sprouts, small dried fish and pickled cucumbers. The BBQ beef ribs are so good! Well marinated and soft, I could eat it all day. The rice comes out in a stone pot also and the waiter scoops it your bowl. You can ask him to hold on pouring the tea in the pot if you like your crunchy rice. The service is average, but a cool gadget they have is a button on the table to call the waiter if the restaurant is too busy. They are attentive and refill your appetizers and waters as needed. Highly recommended! I will definitely be a regular here.
(5)
Tim R.

Darn, I thought I was going to be the first reviewer! Anyhoooo. How's about a little Korean lesson: Kaju means The state of California (when written in han-moon or with Chinese character), at least that is what I was told. So it makes total sense that the owner of this restaurant came from California and this restaurant is like the sister restaurant of Kaju in CA. Well onto the review of the food. Well, my family, the 10 of us, went to Kaju for Easter. Although it was busy with the Easter crowd we never felt as though we were neglected. Just as a FYI Kaju Tofu House is a restaurant that specializes in soft tofu stew, as the name implies, and if you are looking for a wider variety of Korean food may be disappointed. That being said, the tofu stew was very good, most of my 10 family members ordered some variation of it. I said very good and would also add, probably the best in Boston, but having tried soft tofu stew in Fort Lee, NJ, I have to admit wasn't spectacular.... still very good. There was a shining point in the meal however. The seafood pancake with scallions. Although I like my scallion pancakes on the crispier side everyone in my family DEVOURED the 2 servings we ordered. One further note: Although this is forgivable since they just opened their doors 2 weeks ago they were ill prepared for the business on Easter and ran out of eggs; and that was at 5:30 PM. I guess the silver lining for them is they did a lot better business than they expected that day. :) Side note: I've been to a Pho House, yeah the one right around the corner, that ran out of basil!!! Now that's a crime. Conclusion, if you like tofu stew go give this place a try; I am sure you'll be pleasantly surprised.
(4)
Christine L.

1. Good food. Dependable. Delicious. Not the BEST I have ever had, but pretty darn good. 2. Small place :( pretty busy 3. Service is... normal? Nothing out of the ordinary. 4. Can seat big parties, if you're willing to wait. There was a group of ten in there when I walked in. 5. Does not accept reservations 6. Spiciness is very nice. I ordered on level 3 heat and it delivers. Yum. 7. is good too! Free refills of side dishes of course~ 8. Pricing is moderate. 9. I left totally satisfied. And SO FULL. This place delivers.
(5)
Vy T.

Good food. The service was slow and they did not bring out the panchan until our food came out. Overall I would come back again for the food.
(4)
Kate H.

I love eating tofu so i decided to give it a try. First when you go in you have to look to your right to sign in your name and how many people. Then wait for your table. Before you get to sit down, they will ask you what you want when the table is almost ready. I think this way makes everything fast. i had a seafood tofu and a bulgogi. Its a combo with two pots. There is few sides dishes and a small bowl of rice. It looks small but you can get really full with it. I love my bulgogi, it taste so good and the seafood tofu is alright but the tofu is really smooth. I love seafood but just not the seafood and tofu together. Also my friend got a bbq beef rib, it taste so good. I think that is one of the top recommend I will give. If i go next time, I will definitely get the bbq beef rib again. .
(4)
Darren L.

My favorite restaurant and I mean it! I like tofu and Korean food...so when I ate here...well, now I love Tofu and Korean food is pretty spicy if you choose the extra spicy. Best price and great meal that will make you full but still want more even though you cannot eat anymore! :O Must try this...or not, so that I can have a shorter wait time...! Do not forget to crack your egg when you get it!
(5)
Omi H.

I love this place!! So good, always packed (which is good, since you know that means the restaurant is good. But bad, because you have to wait every single time). Service is quick and everyone is really friendly. Sometimes when it's really busy, they'll ask you what you want while you are waiting, so when you actually sit, your food is served very shortly after. I usually order some sort of tofu soup (usually the mushrom) with galbi. Make sure you put your egg in right away and stir so it cooks. Also, be careful with the spices; I usually order the 2nd spiciest one (I think it's med spicy). Which to me, it's spicy, but not too spicy. So I decided to get the spiciest, which is way too spicy. I had to add water to it, but it was still too spicy. I think this place would be even better if it served drinks, but then again, it would take longer to actually be seated, so good thing they don't serve drinks. If you don't like tofu though, there are still other items on the menu that you can order. Definitely a must try!!
(5)
Jenny C.

This is one of my favorite Asian restaurants in Boston -- good quality, authentic Korean food for very reasonable prices!
(5)
J F.

Beef was sweet and dry usda choice at best. Seafood soup was bland and overall the meal was overpriced based on presentation, ingredients, taste and portions. Staff had good service.
(1)
Cynthia L.

Absolutely love this place! Great service and great food. A lot of side dishes and very good portion. Highly recommend their short ribs combo with tofu.
(5)
Hubert H.

Not as awesome as in Korea, but certainly good for Boston - a tofu house with tofu stews, and an array of side dishes. The portions are plentiful enough, with rice in stone pots over which the waiter will eventually pour hot water so that you can get a sense of the 'sweetness' of the rice. The two large screens blaring Korean soap opera stuff can get somewhat intrusive and annoying, attention-grabbing to the point of decimating conversation throughout the entire restaurant.
(4)
Joseph T.

Definitely one of the better Korean restaurants in Allson/Brighton aka College Project! I wish that they would serve alcohol. Man, these foods are awesome and affordable for your college bucks!
(4)
Amy W.

Korean stew heaven! Go check it out but be prepared to wait for a table during peak hours as the place is limited in seating. Always packed with native folks which is always a good sign when going for any "ethnic" cuisine. Got the veggie stew & it was delish. Lots of little dishes as any good Korean restaurant should give with the meal. Prompt & nice service. Win, win. I want to go & get some now!! Enjoy!
(4)
Luke O.

This place is, in no particular order, 1. Dope 2. Dope 3. Dope. I've been here three times now and I still can't get my fill. The soondubu is unbelievably delicious, and the sides are plentiful and always changing (you could go in twice and get some variations, but don't worry, you'll always get a mound of kimchi). Waiting for your food is tough and time drags because you really want to eat that sweet, sweet stew, but the suffering is eased by the varied Korean dramas playing on the TV on the wall. As long as Kaju's doors are open, I will continue to crush their food.
(5)
TK W.

I had Korean food with Korean friends at LA, CO, Toronto, NY, MA. Hands down LA is the best. But I was surprised this tofu place came next! Before I came to Kaju, MA was the last on the list. Their Tofu soup definitely should be the reason you go there. Galbi was good but not outstanding that I must go back for. But when you combine with the selection of Tofu soup, Ding Ding Ding. Must go again!
(4)
Cat E.

One of my favorite foods is bibimbap. If I go to any Korean Restaurant, I would order bibimbap if I didn't know what to order. I didn't know that bibimbap can go wrong, but apparently it can! it was the worst bibimbap that I've ever had in my whole entire life.
(2)
Micah M.

What a disappointment! After waiting for about 20 minutes we finally got a seat. After another wait we finally got some food. Our patience did not pay off. None of the side dishes were any good. (Some cucumbers+potato/macaroni salad+broccoli w spicy paste+insufficiently reheated japchae+funky old kimchi+bland bean sprouts+overly salty pickled daikon=a poor showing). The tofu soup, which is supposed to be their trademark, was passable but nothing to write home about. And could we get some rice to go with our soup? Oh that. When they finally brought it out, the bibimbap was skimpy on toppings (only four types) and had way too much rice to go with them.
(2)
Emily L.

I love comfort food and this definitely satisfies the need. I usually have to wait about 30 to 45 minutes to get a seat but once you're in, you can stay as long as you want. The wait staff does the bare minimum but does it well. Right after you get seated, they'll take your order and in about 15 fifteens, your table will be covered with food. I got the seafood tofu soup and the broth was very flavorful but it was hard to eat the seafood. The shrimp still had the heads and shell and the clams were still in their shells. I probably won't get it next time but they have a lot of different varieties.
(4)
Michael H.

In my admittedly limited experience exploring Korean food in this area, this is the best soon doo boo (hot tofu stew) I've found in Boston. It's comparable to the best I could find in five years of exploring Annandale Virginia, which is a sizable Koreatown in the DC metropolitan area. Which is to say, it's good. The seafood pancakes I've had there have been so-so. My recommendation would be to stick to the soon doo boo, especially considering the banchan (side dishes) they give you to accompany whatever you order- it's plenty of food. It can be crowded in the evenings, and they don't take reservations, so expect a wait if you arrive there between 6:30pm and 8:30pm. Also as others have pointed out, they don't serve alcohol, which is unfortunate. A cold beer would be ideal here, especially in the summer.
(4)
Carly L.

This is the best korean food you can get here in Boston. Being from soCal, I have high expectations ...of soondubu ex) BCD & myungdong . I was actually surprised because this place was as good as BCD. The price is fair and so is the portion. This place is always packed, I went at 9 am on saturday and I had to wait for a table. At dinner time, there will be a Q and a bunch of hungry Koreans. Compared to other korean restaurants in the area like Korean garden etc...Kaju is your best bet.
(4)
Sasha B.

Read the other reviews. What else can be said. I went there for lunch and the tofu soup was excellent. Great complex flavor. You'll end up filling up on the large assortment of free apps which they continually refill.
(5)
J M.

For the food itself it was a four star. The deductions are because of poor service and poor business practice. Our server was inattentive and had a fairly bad attitude. On top of that we were charged "tip" with our bill. There were four people on our party. Since when is 20% is a standard item charged to your bill? We didn't say anything because it was not going to make much of a difference at the end of the day, but I definitely did not appreciate the practice. How many other guests would over-look this extra line item and tip again on top of the bill? Very poor. Will not be returning.
(1)
Ellen T.

Yah a tofu house is here finally! I love how I can choose different choices of tofu soups and choose the level of spiciness. The soup is very flavorful and bubbling hot when they bring it out. We also ordered the galbi and it was very tasty. I would avoid getting the bibimbap. We got the galbi bibimbap and there were no veggies in it! Usually they come out all colorful and pretty but it was just galbi and rice..super plain..boo! At least the rice came out crispy and that saved the dish a bit. Service was ok..friendly staff.
(4)
G N.

Food epiphanies are rare, but I had one with the seafood tofu chigae at Kaju Tofu House. There are five levels of spiciness, and I ordered the tofu stew with the fourth level, very spicy. The server first brought out the usual complementary cold plates of appetizers and pickles. Then came the rice. It was ceremoniously served from a searing hot stoneware bowl into a cooler serving bowl. The toasted crust of the rice in the stoneware bowl was then soaked in a tea to make a toasted rice tea for later consumption. The short grain rice by itself was delicious. The tofu chigae was then brought out in another searing hot stoneware bowl. The broth was bubbling furiously and the aroma was heady. I broke a raw egg into the broth to cook and took a sip of the tofu stew. The heat, both temperature and spice were incredible. It had the right amount of umami, garlic, and sweet seafood flavors to make the ideal tofu chigae. It was cool in the room, but I could not stop sweating. I was in nirvana. My wife and five year old son were sitting across the table enjoying the medium spicy (third level) pork tofu stew. My son was panting and rubbing his tongue with an ice cube, but he couldn't stop eating and kept asking for more. The restaurant is small and unremarkable. We came early and were seated right away. By noon the restaurant was full and a line started to form. Most of the customers were Korean. We also ordered the seafood pancake (Korean frittata) and bulgogi (BBQ beef) for our sons. The seafood pancake had less starch than other Korean restaurants, but the seafood was tasty and fresh. The bulgogi was served sizzling on a metal hot plate and was very good. Service was excellent and attentive. The pricing of each serving of tofu chigae is higher than average, but the quality of ingredients were very good and you get what you pay for. I wonder if this restaurant is related to the Kaju Tofu in Garden Grove, CA. Same logo and menu. For the past 6 years, I have been looking for a good tofu chigae restaurant in New England ever since I last ate at the New York area tofu chigae mecca, So Kong Dong in Fort Lee, NJ. I believe that Kaju Tofu House in Allston has ended my search.
(5)
Espresso T.

The place is always busy and with a line. While the spicy tofu soup is good and the side dishes plenty, the other dishes tried (bbq and rice pot), are just very average. A bit puzzled by all the raving reviews here as I've definitely had better Korean food nearby. The place isn't that big, although it does feels quite homey.
(3)
K W.

We were so glad to see a tofu house opened up in BOS. We came as a group of 5ppl to try it out. The answer in short was it's all right. would i come back? maybe. would I be a regular? maybe not. I think i can make better sundubu than them, and i am not even Korean.
(3)
Sheri T.

For a newly opened joint, this place is already generating buzz among Koreans which is a good indication of it's authenticity and good taste. Came here on Sat for lunch the staff greeted us in Korean (how I wish I had retained my Korean lessons :p) and we were given cold water without asking. There were about 3 waitstaff and everyone is friendly. They have a very extensive soft tofu offering ranging from beef to seafood to dumplings etc. I ordered the combo seafood soft tofu + stonepot bimbimbap for $17 it's a great deal. The bimbimbap was a bit bland but the presentation is nice. The soft tofu is definitely the jewel. I picked mine as normal spicy and it's just right. It came with tons of seafood, 3 oysters, 3 clams, 3 shrimps and they provide you with a raw egg. The soup had very good savory and richness to it. My friend order the bulgogi which was grilled perfectly and you can taste the very tangy sweet sauce that they had marinated the short rib in. It's one of the best I had in Boston as most places either burn the meat or overcook it. Their bachan was quiet wonderful as well - you get 6 small dishes + kimchi + lettuce. Our small dishes were shitake mushroom (very very good), sweet potato, pickled cucumber, bean sprouts, small fishes and seaweed salad. All were fresh and tastefully made. We ordered extra bachan afterwards as they were so good and the cute waiter gave us very generous portion. The rice as mentioned comes in stonepots which they can add hot wheat tea to so that you can enjoy all the sticky goodness to the very last piece of rice :)
(5)
Lauren F.

I have finally found an amazing, authentic Korean restaurant where the prices are not through the roof! It's a little hard to find, but once you walk in, you're back in Seoul. Everyone eating there was Asian, which was a good sign. Korean reality shows were on TV and they even had the help buttons on the table to call your server. The dolsot bibimap was delicious and the side dishes were fresh. Even the kimchi tasted better than most restaurants. Definitely a must if you like Korean!
(4)
Sally L.

I had the beef and octopus tofu soup yesterday. It was a bit saltier than I expected, but it was extremely delicious! Will go back again and drink a lot of water!
(4)
Tom M.

The combos are a great deal, ideal for two people to share and very affordable especially compared to the prices at surrounding k restaurants. The tubu is usually as spicy as you order it, but it can be a little too mild. This place has my favorite banchan by far; great variety and quality ingredients. The restaurant is small (which i prefer anyway) but also tidy, clean, and cool. If you go in at the right time you can catch a drama, which gives the place a nice atmosphere.
(5)
Joe K.

This place is definitely one of a kind. Food here has been delicious and they have a great system to alert the waiters. The only complaint would be how small the place is and the wait time could last an hour if your not in before the rush.
(5)
cassandra L.

We always wanted to try out Kaju Tofu but we always ended up at color or Hanmari due to the long line at Kaju Tofu. We finally made it for lunch today. Like what most yelpers said, they had the best Seafood Pancake and Tofu soup. We had the combination- tofu kimchi and oyster soup and beef Kalbi and tofu clam soup with bulgogi. Hands down the best Korean food we had in Boston. Although they have a button where you can press to get a waitstaff attention, their service are so attentive that we don't even need it. The portion are huge! We hv way too many food. A word of advice. Go for the medium spicy instead of spicy. There is enough heat in the medium spicy. Can't wait to go back!!!!!
(5)
Kevin L.

I'm Korean, and soft tofu (soon-du-bu, or SDB) is one of my favorite dishes. A lot of great SDB places are located in Los Angeles, CA, where I'm from. I'm guessing that the name "Gaju" (meaning "California" in Korean) reflects pretty well of the great SDB taste that I really enjoy whenever I'm back home in LA. I walked into Gaju SDB around 7pm on a Wednesday evening. The place isn't too big, but had a lot of people wanting to try out the new SDB place in town. So it was quite crowded, and my friend and I waited about 15 minutes or so to be seated (I was thinking of coming here with a big group some time soon, but I don't think they could handle a group bigger than 8 people during dinner time). They took the orders before we could sit down, so that the food would come out soon after we got seated. For $12, you can choose from about a dozen different types of SDB. My choice is always simple. Beef. You could choose from four different "spicy" levels: not spicy, normal, spicy, or very spicy. Also, you could ask them to exclude MSG from your SDB if you want, which I thought was a plus, if you're not a big fan of the effects of MSG. I ordered a "very spicy" beef SDB without MSG. My friend ordered a "spicy" kimchee beef SDB without MSG. Although the service was friendly, the food we ordered came out somewhat mixed up. I think I ended up getting a "spicy beef SDB with MSG", and my friend got a "very spicy kimchee SDB with MSG". I liked how mine tasted, so didn't say anything about it, but my friend found her soup a little too spicy, and didn't want the MSG in the soup. Understanding that things could get a little crazy during the busy dinner hours, my friend just politely told one of the waitresses how the order got a little mixed up. Even during the busy hours, the waitress willingly took the dish back, and remade the SDB for my friend. She even came back to ask us how it tastes, and smiled when we gave her the thumbs up. The taste of the SDB here aren't the BEST I've tasted. But I'm probably spoiled by the great Korean food places in LA (also my mom makes SDB like a boss). I appreciate finally having a SDB place near Boston, where I think lacks good Korean restaurants. Finally a decent Korean restaurant I would recommend to those craving some GOOD Korean food.
(5)
Erdan L.

I love this place. The only Asian restaurant I keep going back in Boston area.
(5)
j k.

Ok, so, I gotta throw this place a bone. The soon dubu is about as good as it gets for now in the greater Boston area. Why five stars? Because it's as good as it gets here. I've tried a many soon dubu places across the globe and most in LA. I'm a little old skool - I still think that Sokongdong is better than Beverly even though there are a plethora of chains now in LA. To my brethren from LA, NY, and Seoul, you will be disappointed, so manage your expectations! But food is a local affair and it is unfair to penalize based upon global experiences. So here's the blow by blow. -Service is decent. They actually answer the ringer (the door bell looking thing on the table - it's how you get service during the meal and ask for your check...) relatively quickly even when busy. Also, downside, they don't crack the egg and put it in for you. -No boricha in my neurongi. -Neurongi was a little on the unburnt side. I think that they added water too quickly. -The chun is okay. Nothing to write home about. It was a bit soggy. The soy sauce / scallion was on. -The oy kimchee was on the sweet side and good. -The kimchee was good. Might have even been homemade. -The kalbi cheem / eggplant was also good. -Broccoli in kochichang good. -Egg/crab jeon done well. -Muuk also done well. -Origino mucheem done well. -Kongnamul - flavor was definitely off. Also, they left the tails on. -Bulgogi was okay. -Flavor of the kimchee oyster, combo, and seafood soup were all good. White was flavorful and on. The average or potung hotness was a bit spicier then other places that I have been to. -Also, the flavor of the soon dubu wasn't as rich and deep as I have had in other places. It's like they didn't let it ferment as long as they should have. Even with the negatives, all in all, about as good as it gets in Boston. Every other place I've been to tried to pass of soon dubu soup as chigae and just tries to make it spicy to cover the lack of flavor.
(5)
boom b.

The food was good, the service was really nice and accommodating. I guess the heater wasn't working because it was freezing in the restaurant. By BOSTON standards, I give it four stars.
(4)
Kathy L.

Went there for lunch today. Tofu soup had great flavor though one of 2 clams wasn't open so had to discard. I can't recommend the Bibimpap - a lot of veggies, much of it lettuce. It was disappointing. Go for the soup and skip the seafood pancake. Side dishes were good and the waiter asked if we wanted seconds. The staff were very friendly and kept the tea coming.
(3)
Shahzad S.

Excellent sundubu which seems to be a rarity in Boston. I think safe to say rising above much of the competition bringing a west coast standard to Boston. Service was excellent as well.
(4)
Mander H.

I always thought Korean food wasn't my favorite, but Kaju changed my mind. A friend recommended their soft tofu soup, and it surpassed all expectations. The service was fast and friendly as well, and our waiter was happy to help us out and tell us how to crack the egg into the soup or that we weren't supposed to remove the rice bowl lid with our bare hands (oops). The side dishes were AMAZING. And the soup itself was delightful. This is a new favorite restaurant. Mmmmm.
(5)

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Address : 58 Harvard Ave
Allston, MA, 02134
Phone (617) 208-8540
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :10:00 am - 10

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Kaju Tofu House

58 Harvard Ave, Allston, MA, 02134

Kaju Tofu House Menu

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