Seoul Tofu Restaurant in Monterey Park

Seoul Tofu Restaurant is a decent choice for Korean cuisine in Monterey Park. Located on the second floor of the Monterey Park plaza, the restaurant offers a spacious environment and a relaxed and casual atmosphere. Walk in, and find on display a bonsai tree and bowls of creatively placed beans to the left of the entrance. Along with the restaurant’s artistic décor, some walls are covered with wallpaper of Asian style structures or pictures of Korean dishes. Two flat screen televisions hang on either side of the walls, and shoji screens line the top of the restaurant. Guests can be seated comfortably in this clean and roomy restaurant.

The dishes are listed on placemat menus, and guests can choose from a selection of tofu soup, special dishes, or a combination of both at their preferred level of spiciness. Since I don’t eat spicy, I just went with the ‘Plain’ level and kept everything non-spicy. I ordered the Pork Tofu Soup and the Rice with Assorted Mixtures (Stone), or Bibimbap. The meal came with side dishes, or Banchan, which included a fish for each guest, kimchi, kelp, bean sprouts, peppered broccoli, two eggs, and potato salad in the shape of an ice cream scoop. Then, the attendant brought out the tofu soup as it simmered and cracked one of the eggs into the tofu bowl. The tofu had a nice texture, and the soup tasted good.

Seafood Pancake with Green Onions

When brought out, the Bibimbap sizzled, and the attendant proceeded to mix the dish for us. The rice was crunchy and chewy, but the restaurant can increase the quantity of vegetables in the dish. Otherwise, guests could find themselves eating a disproportionate amount of rice. I continually mixed in the banchan and tofu soup with the rice, and service was kind enough to refill the banchan for us. Lightly flavored, the food was wholesome and fulfilling.

Rice with Assorted Mixtures (Stone)

As for beverages, we were served Jasmine tea, but the restaurant also offers soft drinks such as Sprite and Coke. Service was nice and respectful, and there is a parking structure at the plaza. Altogether, Seoul Tofu Restaurant is a good place for casual dining in a relaxed environment.

Seoul Tofu Restaurant

141 N. Atlantic Blvd. #200
Monterey Park, CA 91754

(626) 943-7765

Entrance

Restaurant Interior

Restaurant Booths

Menu

Restaurant Interior

Banchan

Banchan

Pork Tofu Soup

Pork Tofu Soup and Bibimbap

Mixing of Bibimbap

Mixed Bibimbap

Photos by Christine C.

Cheesecake Factory at the Grove in Beverly Hills

Buzz! Buzz! The vibrating pager notified us that our table was ready at the Cheesecake Factory. Found in the heart of the Grove at Beverly Hills, this two-story restaurant is one of many locations in the U.S. restaurant chain. With a mosaic-covered elevator and gorgeous architectural design, the Cheesecake Factory emanates a luxurious style and elegant ambience. Guests usually expect a wait, but the restaurant provides parking validation and a pager that vibrates when a table becomes available. With the pager, guests are then free to explore the rest of the Grove or the nearby Farmer’s market.

After a 20-minute wait, my friends and I were paged to return to the Factory. Having sat down at our table, we flipped through the menu to explore its variety of mouthwatering desserts and scrumptious main course offerings. Service was attentive and courteous, but the restaurant gave off a rushed feeling, as the place can get pretty packed and busy. Watch out for congestion and cramped table booths.

Fettuccini Alfredo with Chicken

Our meal came with fresh complimentary loaves of bread, which were delicious. There is a selection of cocktails and beverages to choose from, and I ordered a tropical iced tea, which was infused with passion fruit. From the main course menu, we ordered a Fettuccini Alfredo with chicken and weren’t disappointed. With freshly grated Parmesan cheese, the pasta had a rich taste and texture. My friend tried the Chicken Salad Sandwich with french fries, which was also palatable. A caveat, though, is that the dishes are notoriously high in calories, so it’s not the best place to eat for those who are going on a diet. However, the restaurant has rolled out a Skinnylicious menu, now with low-calorie options for the health-conscious.

Finally, what kind of meal would we have if we didn’t try the cheesecake? We had the Lemon Raspberry Cream Cheesecake and the Tiramisu Cheesecake. The dessert presentation was aesthetically pleasing, and the flavor was a delight to the palate. The Lemon Raspberry tasted tangy and sweet, and the

Lemon Raspberry and Tiramisu Cheesecake

Tiramisu had a luscious chocolaty and coffee flavor that was rich and creamy. With cheesecake to end our meal, the Cheesecake Factory provided a sweet and memorable dining experience.

Cheesecake Factory
189 The Grove Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 634-0511

Restaurant Interior

Restaurant Booths

Lemon Raspberry Cream Cheesecake

Tiramisu Cheesecake

Sandwich and French Fries

  

Fettuccini Alfredo with Chicken

Photos by Christine C.

Teppanyaki at Tokyo Wako

Dancing flames. Flying spatulas. A complete cooking utensil drum set. Can you smell the meat sizzling on the teppanyaki grill? Located on the 2^nd floor (above the 24 Hour Fitness center) of Atlantic Times Square, Tokyo Wako Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi in Monterey Park offers a dining experience that combines food with entertainment.

As I set foot inside Tokyo Wako, my first thought was its modern feel. Strings of red orbs hung from above, creating a relaxed and contemporary ambience enhanced by chic décor and dim lighting. Before getting seated, customers have the option of the sushi bar or teppanyaki grill. For teppanyaki, two or three parties are seated together at a grill.

For a reasonable price, the menu offers a variety of choices, from a pocky ball to filet mignon. Sushi rolls include distinctive dishes such as a Baked Lobster Roll and a Golden King Crab Roll. From the options, I ordered a traditional California Roll. While the rice was somewhat dry, the roll is filling and warrants a passing grade. For the teppanyaki, I tried the chicken and salmon. The meal is served with a choice of steamed or fried rice ($2.50 extra), hibachi vegetables, soup, and salad. The salad came with ginger dressing and a mix of seasoning, and the soup du jour was onion soup, which I’m not a big fan of.

Then, a chef rolled out a cart of ingredients and cooking supplies. Preparing the meal, the chef had cooked, danced to a beat, and made pop culture references, all while orchestrating the visual and fire effects of a light show. After the presentation was over, it was time to give the entrées a taste test. Juicy and full of flavor, the chicken had been cooked with a squeeze of lemon. The taste of the salmon was mild, but the creamy sauce provided can be added to enrich its texture and flavor. While the food was not world-class, my taste buds had approved. With a casual atmosphere and friendly service, Tokyo Wako is a decent dining option where it is acceptable to play with your food.

Tokyo Wako
500 N Altlantic Blvd #201
Monterey Park, California 91754
(626) 300-0154