SBCD Korean Tofu House – Soulful Seafood Soontofu in Tanjong Pagar Centre & Millenia Walk

Korean restaurants are aplenty in Singapore, from BBQ grills, fried chicken and savoury pancakes to soulful tteokbokki, japchae and many more. Besides satisfying our cravings for one or more of the above, Korean side dishes are staples and must-haves in any Korean restaurants. Every outlet may differ slightly in its arrangement and preparation of the side dishes, which end up as its unique selling point that would either attract or backfire on diners.

I have probably drunk tons of Korean stews and munch on miles long of kimchi before settling on a few favourites outlets in Singapore. SBCD Korean Tofu House is one such specialty shop that churns out piping hot stews in claypots, painstakingly prepared using a 10-ingredient secret recipe soup paste. Nothing beats homemade dishes especially when vast amount of emphasis goes into the boiling, curdling and pressing of Paju-imported mature white soybeans for the ultimate taste and consistency.

The rich flavoursome broth is a result of meticulous research and improvision by Chef Nam Kyoung Soo, the founder of SBCD, for the past 8 years before opening SBCD. This is not your MSG-loaded nor mass-produced packet soup from the supermarket. Instead, what you get is a comforting pot of Korea Soontofu (meaning soft tofu) with your desired pairing of ingredients from exquisite selections like Abalone, Seafood, Oyster, Intestines, Fishcakes and Dumpling.

Each soontofu allows diners an option of one of the four spicy levels – Mild, Medium, Spicy and Crazy Hot. First visit here and I had already plunged head on for the Crazy Hot which was a sea of red topped with even more small chili for more than just a tongue-tickling sensation. If you could take spiciness like a pinch of salt, this would be what the Koreans called, daebak!

I absolutely loved the Hot Stone Rice that came with the soontofu set. The steamed rice was extremely fluffy that it felt like eating clouds. Depending on preference, you could even soak it in the broth.

As for the side dishes, they were six silver saucers of delights. I am not the hugest fan of fish but the fried fish here contained such soft tender flesh that flaked at the slightest tug of my chopstick. Unlimited servings of thin sheets of seasoned seaweed and crunchy pickles almost had me overeating while the kimchi held a touch of saltiness against its chilled profile.

The Seafood Soontofu $19.90 is my soulmate. In my sixth patronage at SBCD (and counting), I ate this loyally. Brimming to the surface were crabs, mussels, shrimps and blocks of tofu filling the gaps with a glorious egg right smack in the middle. As I dug deeper, I unearthed chopped squid, clams and more silky smooth tofu upon a bed of minced meat.

The generous amount of ingredients packed in a compact bowl made for a hearty stew that left me deeply satiated. With crabs dripping from the precious broth, each bite spurted with the spicy juice juxtaposition with the sweetness of the crab meats. The mussels were plump while the squid retained a soft texture which made chewing easier. The highlight is in the silken tofu, though wobbly and tasteless on its own, brought out the umaminess of the broth and formed the backbone of the dish.

The taste of tofu in broth was delicate, smooth and of decadence. The seafood made good accompaniments with their subtle sweetness and luxurious pampering. Bonus points for the fluffy rice and side dishes too.

The only other side I tried was the Fried Dumpling $12.90. It was stuffed with minced meat and strands of vermicelli before being fried into crispy pockets. Not your gyoza kind of texture, but still decent.

Upon payment at the cashier, I helped myself to the complimentary Yakult located beside it.

All in all, I could hardly find fault in SBCD’s version of the Seafood Soontofu, generously filled with my favourite elements. SBCD is confident and sharp in its take on the soontofu. It offers variety and delivers quality. Each slurp is a hook that brings me closer to the oceanic gems.

SBCD Korean Tofu House

Tanjong Pagar Centre

7 Wallich Street, #B1-01/02, Singapore 078884

Tel: +65 6386 6441

Millenia Walk

9 Raffles Boulevard, #01-114, Singapore 039586

Tel: +65 6873 6441

Website: http://sbcd.com.sg/

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