654-14 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu
tel. 02/545-4840
HOURS: Daily 24 hours
COST: Entrées less than ₩10,000
SUBWAY: Apgujeong (Line 3)
Tofu comes in all shapes and forms at this Apgujeong-area institution—pan fried, in salads, minced with beef and nuts—but the star of the show is sundubu, a rich, spicy stew of silky-soft tofu, egg, and vegetables in a chili-heavy broth.
Sundubu is typically made with a bit of seafood, such as clams or shrimp, but Cheongdam Sundubu has upped the ante by offering around a dozen different versions, incorporating everything from beef to curry and ham and cheese.
Note that despite the prevalence of bean curd very few items on the menu are actually vegetarian.
The decor and service here are pretty bare-bones, but the quality of the food can’t be faulted.