두부공방 DUBU GONGBANG — Restaurant in Duluth

Came here for the GRAND OPENING of Dubu Gongbang and I have to say it did not disappoint! Me and my family were visiting from Tampa, FL looking for more authentic korean cuisine and this place hit a home-run!

1.) Atmosphere - Very relaxed, scenic, modern yet simple interior blew me away. The owner’s attention to detail shows in the decor and layout of the restaurant. The centerpiece tree was brought over from South Korea and that fact alone blew me away. Seating is organized and table layout is very spacious and comfortable. 5/5!

2.) Service - What I love about this place was that there wasn’t one (1) assigned server to certain sections of the restaurant or at least I couldn’t tell. We have several staff members come to our table to deliver our food and check on us periodically throughout our stay. Very professional staff indeed! Everybody seemed to be working together to help each other which is always a good sign in a kitchen/ food-service restaurant!

3.) Food - Overall, a fantastic place to eat a healthy korean traditional style meal with all their assorted tofu dishes. Nothing was over-seasoned or overwhelming in terms of flavor profiles. Everything was very balanced and light tasting. My body appreciated it after finishing but yet still feeling pleasantly full.

I ordered the following:

• “Plain Soon Dubu” - their classic and recommended dish! The soup was satisfying and warm and just pleasant to the stomach. Silky smooth tofu had perfect texture!

• “Oyster Seaweed Soon Dubu + Half Mackerel” - clean, green, and a healthy version of the classic Plain Soon Dubu. The seaweed was fresh, the oyster’s were nicely sized and the soup was refreshing! Mackerel was grilled to perfection. Not over-seasoned and still moist and not dried out. My three year old loved it!

• “Kimchi Pancake with Squid” - Hands down the best kimchi pancake i’ve eaten at a restaurant. Portion size was HUGE, texture was CRISPY to perfection, and flavor was balanced!

Overall! Happy and satisfied we ran into this place! I pray for blessings over this business / restaurant! Check it...

I had an exceptional dining experience at this newly opened restaurant, Tofu Gong Bang, and it left a lasting impression. From the moment we walk in, the elegant name of the restaurant reflects its philosophy—an emphasis on craftsmanship, quality, and care in everything they serve. This is a place where tofu is not just food but a delicacy made with precision and dedication.

The restaurant exudes a tranquil and refined atmosphere, making it an ideal spot to enjoy a meal in peace. The staff's genuine customer service stood out—they were attentive, warm, and clearly committed to ensuring an excellent dining experience. I immediately sense that this is more than a business for the owner; it’s a passion to provide healthy, nutritious, and thoughtfully crafted meals for their guests.

I had the pleasure of trying dishes I had only heard about before, such as the oyster seaweed soon tofu (굴매생이 순두부) and fresh thistle stone pot rice (생곤드레 나물 돌솥밥). These dishes were absolutely unique, and while they may not suit everyone’s palate, I personally loved them for their distinct flavors and incredible nutritional value. To complete my meal, I opted for a combo that included perfectly grilled mackerel, which complemented the main dishes beautifully.

The side dishes were equally delightful and prepared with care, but the highlight for me was the stir-fried burdock root (우엉볶음), which was simply outstanding. Every bite reflected the dedication and thoughtfulness of the kitchen. It was clear that the restaurant prioritizes quality and customer satisfaction over financial gain, aiming to provide a memorable culinary journey for every guest. I wholeheartedly recommend Tofu Gong Bang to anyone seeking a dining experience that combines nutritious, delicious food with heartfelt service and a serene atmosphere. It’s not just a meal—it’s a celebration of craftsmanship and care, and I look forward to returning to explore more of their thoughtfully...

If you are the kind of sucker who tips at least 18% no matter the time of day and no matter the service you receive then boy is this the place for you. Food and atmosphere aside, if you tip less than what the service staff wants, they will be aggressive about it by loudly attempting to shame you in the restaurant. I don’t think the staff here understands the basic concept of a “tip”. If it’s not at the customers’ discretion then you need to include it in the price tag, not complain about it to a paying and already-tipping customer’s face, it’s completely class-less and unprofessional. I would say sorry to hear that management is not paying the service staff a living wage, but wait, it’s not my fault you choose to participate in this toxic industry practice, and since the staff feels entitled to so much more money for putting food and pour-it-yourself tea on the table, they can generate the lost revenue from a never returning customer to show how competent they really are.

In response to the restaurant’s reply: The reasoning for the tip amount was already explained the first time we were asked about it, this terrible experience happened when we revisited, so there is no misunderstanding that this establishment has trouble understanding a tip amount less than 18%. We did not assume your inquiring tone was out of malice the first time, but when we revisited the staff loudly complained and did not ask how they can do better, if this is an attempt at trying to improve then it’s a sorry one and you can’t blame the customer for not giving this place a chance after that. No matter how good the food is, if this is how the staff is trained to ask for more tips then one star is all it deserves in my opinion. I’m not sure how you mean by leaving a one star review “in the back”, if you have a front area where I can leave the same review I can...