Mini oyster festival at BCD Tofu, a sweet ending at Simply Vietnamese

A combo of Oyster Deluxe Rice (topped with Ginko Nuts and Seaweed) and Tofu Soup, above and below, was the Chef's Special on Saturday afternoon at BCD Tofu House in Fort Lee, a Korean restaurant that boasts a bigger menu than its North Jersey rivals.

I asked for my tofu soup with only seafood, including oysters, instead of the beef-seafood combination that comes with the Oyster Rice.

By VICTOR E. SASSON

EDITOR

Organic tofu, free side dishes that include a scrumptious fried fish and a varied menu are just three reasons BCD Tofu House in Fort Lee stands out among its Korean comfort-food competitors.

You pay a couple of dollars more for a complete meal of organic soft-tofu soup, fresh egg, complimentary side dishes and rice, but you get more ($11.99 at lunch). 

On Saturday, this oyster lover was drawn immediately to a Chef's Special -- a lunch combo of Oyster Deluxe Rice with Tofu Soup, plus seven side dishes, a belly busting meal I couldn't finish ($16.99 plus $1 for an all-seafood tofu soup).

My ravenous son also ordered too much:

The LA Gochujang Pork Combo -- marinated pork belly cooked in the kitchen with a spicy red-pepper paste, and Tofu Soup, but he asked for the standard size of soft-tofu soup and was charged a la carte ($20.99 plus $11.99) instead of the combo price of $18.99.

We took home leftovers, including a couple of wedges of the terrific Haemul Pajun or Seafood Pancake, which is made with squid, small shrimp and scallions ($9.99).

Seven side dishes, including crunchy broccoli, seaweed, cabbage kimchi and shredded radish, come with every meal.

The fried, batter-dipped yellow croaker is so popular extras cost $1 each, unlike the other side dishes, which are replenished for free.

In addition to side dishes, you get a fresh egg to crack into the bubbling broth of the soft-tofu soup.

Spicy LA Gochujang Pork.

BCD Tofu's rice-flour Seafood Pancake is one of the best I've ever had.

One of the bonuses of the Oyster Rice prepared in a hot stone bowl is a crunchy crust.

We encountered a short line on Saturday a little after noon. No reservations are taken. Parents can monitor the children's playroom from flat-screen TVs in the dining room.

BCD Tofu House is part of a Korean chain with restaurants in Los Angeles, New York and New Jersey. In Fort Lee, the restaurant is at 1640 Schlosser St., in the shopping center that once had a Barnes & Noble bookstore and cafe; 1-201-944-2340. Open 7 days, large parking lot, playroom for children.

As a loyal customer of Simply Vietnamese in Tenafly, I received a complimentary Vietnamese Coffee at the end of our meal last Tuesday. Strong black coffee drips into a glass with sweet condensed milk.

Simply Vietnamese

At Simply Vietnamese, my wife can't resist a bowl of Pho with Pork ($12), made with an anise-flavored broth that sets its apart from all other Asian noodle soups.

As for me, my weight has been creeping up lately, so I was trying to avoid all the carbs in the rice noodles.

I ate modestly -- an appetizer of Broiled New Zealand Mussels ($9.50), a side of Bok Choy sauteed in garlic sauce ($6.50) and a small bowl of brown rice ($2).

You get 10 green-lipped mussels with a wasabi-ginger sauce.

A side of Bok Choy comes with fresh cilantro.

I ate my brown rice and bok choy wth a spoon.

More fresh cilantro floats atop the beef broth in Pho with Pork, and it's also part of the garnish that comes on the side (with bean sprouts, fresh lime and sliced jalapeno pepper), below.

The addictive shrimp chips and chili sauce are complimentary.

Simply Vietnamese, 1 Highwood Ave., Tenafly, is a BYO; 1-201-568-7770. Open 7 days, free street parking.

At BCD Tofu House in Fort Lee, fewer customers means less service

When you order organic soft-tofu stew or another entree at BCD Tofu House in Fort Lee, free side dishes include terrific kimchi, center, and a small battered and fried yellow croaker. Want another fish? That's $1 extra, but the other side dishes or panchan are replaced for free.

By VICTOR E. SASSON
EDITOR

I've eaten at the popular BCD Tofu House in Fort Lee when it was packed and we had to wait for a table, and when it wasn't and we were seated immediately.

Strangely, we got better service at lunch time in January, when we had to wait, then on Tuesday afternoon, when many of the tables in the popular Korean restaurant were empty.

We were seated immediately at a table near the doors to the kitchen.

We placed our order for Pork Soondubu or soft-tofu stew and Oyster Soondubu ($12.99 each), as well as a small order of Steamed Dumplings ($6.99).

I asked for brown rice instead of the traditional white rice.

That's where the problems began.

I got my brown rice, but the male server forgot to bring my son his white rice, and we had to remind him. 

Later, when I asked for another brown rice, the server went into the kitchen, but I never got the second portion.

Usually, at a Korean restaurant, the complimentary side dishes will be replaced as soon as you finish them. 

This time, our male server asked us which seconds we wanted, instead of replacing all of the empty dishes.

Organic and non-GMO

These minor service glitches didn't distract us from the high quality of the delicious Korean soft-tofu stew, which is made with 100% organic tofu.

Of course, organic tofu is your guarantee the soy beans that went into it weren't genetically modified.

We asked for our stews to be made "spicy." You can also specify "danger."

A fresh egg is provided to crack into the bubbling broth of your soft-tofu stew.

If you ask, BCD Tofu House will serve you brown rice instead of white. Both come in a metal bowl with a cover.

Shredded radish in a sweet dressing, left; spicy raw squid, top; and seaweed are among the side dishes that came with our meal.

Details

BCD Tofu House, 1640 Schlosser St. (take driveway into shopping center), Fort Lee; 201-944-2340.

Open 7 days 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Alcohol available. Free parking. No reservations taken.