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    Joodooboo

    4.6 (178 reviews)
    ModerateKorean, Delis
    Closed Closed

    Joodooboo Photos

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    JOODOOBOO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Joodooboo

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    fried dooboo set
    Jeron W.

    Joodooboo is an interesting concept, a korean restaurant that has great vegetarian options located on market and 42nd in Oakland. We came on a busy saturday evening, and there's not many seats to begin with, made worse by their order-first system that could leave you without a seat after you order. Lots of outdoor seating but even those seats were filled that day Onto the food: I ordered the fried dooboo set. The taste and portion isn't bad, but I guess I'm a little baffled by the set itself. Typically in a Korean restaurant, you get banchan with your main dishes. At Joodooboo, the concept is the banchan *is* your main dishes. Again, the food is pretty good, but just not a typical Korean restaurant

    Fried Dooboo Set
    Darice W.

    We came at a busy time in the evening on a Saturday, and right off the bat, the ordering system at this restaurant did not leave us with a good impression. Since everyone has to order before sitting, a huge line formed in the front room of the restaurant despite there being some empty spots, making it crowded and uncomfortable both for customers and for servers. It seemed like a waste of the space in the front room, which had a table for two that sat empty as no one wanted to eat right next to a crowd of people. What's more is that we requested to eat in as a party of three, but after ordering, there were no actual tables with seats for three, and there were also signs saying not to move chairs around. We saw several other groups standing around in random places after ordering, waiting for a seat as well. Why not confirm if people are eating in/taking out before entering the restaurant so that to-go customers can head to the counter and the eat-in customers know there will actually be a spot for them relatively soon? This entire system did not make much sense to us and was the first time we'd encountered such an arrangement at a restaurant. As for the actual food, we were impressed by the freshness and flavor, especially of the tofu, but the portions were a bit lacking for the price and none of the menu options besides the noodles were really filling. All in all our experience was a mixed bag.

    Menu March 2026
    Emily C.

    The food is really fresh and healthy here, and they do tofu well. Other than that everything fell short for me. The price point is high for small portion sizes. The fried dooboo set for $22.50 came with a bowl of rice, fried tofu, small banchan and salad, a bowl of soup, and less than half of a peeled Cutie tangerine. The portion of tangerine felt like an insult-- really, a whole tangerine or at the very least half a tangerine could not be given? The dishes tasted bland. My partner ordered the acorn noodle bowl which had more flavor. Despite this, the restaurant is popular and seating can be difficult to get. You pay at the counter and the food is brought out to your number. The rest is self-service including water and bussing your own table after eating.

    Fried Dooboo Set
    Jenny Z.

    Tofu is one of my favorite food! Joodooboo does a fabulous job highlighting the tofu. The menu selections are limited, but I find this kind of experience to be telling because these are their tried and true offerings. I will say I did find the price of the fried tofu (dooboo) set to be quite steep at $22, but both the presentation and taste is indeed phenomenal. The banchans are incredibly unique and are seasonal, so your next visit may be a completely new experience. During my visit, my favorite was probably their kabocha soup. I found the base of the fried tofu to be on the saltier side but eating it with the subtle sweetness of the soup helped balance it, along with the other delicious bites. The store itself felt spacious, but there aren't that many seatings indoor. There are a few tables out front, so be prepared on cooler days. Street parking only, but we didn't have any trouble finding a spot around 1p on a weekday. They also sell these amazing sesame shortbread-like cookies at the cashier, I'd recommend getting one or two for the road home!

    Fried Dooboo Set + Nori Acorn Noodle Bowl
    Seth E.

    My friend and I went here around 5pm. It was still early enough in the afternoon that it wasn't too busy. The restaurant itself is small, but there's still a decent amount of seating both inside and outside. You can order at the front where you'll be given a number if you opt to dine in. From there, you can find your own table to sit at if there's space. We ordered the Fried Dooboo Set, Nori Acorn Noodle Bowl, and Big-Eye Poke. The food came out shortly after placing our orders. The fried tofu in the Dooboo set was a bit salty, but tasted good. The rest of the plates were light and blended well when eaten together. The noodles from the noodle bowl were refreshing. The egg was made to perfection. The fish had a good spice level and paired well with the rice from the Dooboo set. Overall, a healthy and refreshing meal! If you need water or extra plates, you can get it yourself towards the back of the restaurant near where you return the dishes. There's plenty of street parking outside right in front. Service was quick and the staff was friendly. Would definitely come back for the noodles!

    Ajay K.

    The organic house-made tofu is the star of the show at Joodooboo. We tried different variations in the fried tofu set and the acorn noodles. The fried version was definitely our favorite and came with a delicious sauce. The noodles were on the bland side. I would say the portions are quite small for dinner and we left kind of hungry at the end of the meal - I could see this being better suited for a light lunch on a weekday.

    Fried Dooboo Set with Dungeness crab add on!
    Alice C.

    I've been on the mailing list for years but never found an excuse to cross the bay bridge (iykyk). Finally, I decided to come here with a friend who lives in the area. The location is walkable from the MacArthur bart station, but there's not a lot around it, so it's quite a detour if you are not in the area for any reason. The shop itself isn't big; you order at the counter, and they also have plenty of take-home options (especially the banchans). There are a few dinner options, but the menu is small -- a dooboo (tofu) rice set, acorn noodles, or just a rice bowl with banchan. All their banchan is made with seasonal, local ingredients, and the ones I got with the dooboo set were delicious. I was pacing myself so I don't finish all of them too quickly! The highlight remains the fried dooboo. It's a hunk of soft tofu fried to a perfect crispiness, covered in a savory mushroom gravy. I honestly don't know how it's so crispy after sitting in sauce, but it's seriously addictive. We also got the seasonal Dungeness crab over our rice, which is so fresh and deliciously seasoned, but there were a few shell fragments that wasn't picked out cleanly. By the end of my meal, I actually wasn't completely full. I could order a few more banchan and still finish the all! Overall, the food did not disappoint, despite my high expectations. If it were in my neighbourhood I'd be coming back again and again for the banchan. The menu is a little barebones for the travelling that I have to do, so for now I just have to be jealous of everyone who lives nearby and can pick up something without travels upwards of an hour each way.

    Soup... vegan cream of mushroom?
    Billy L.

    I recently started a vegetarian diet and was craving Korean food, so I looked for a spot with vegan/vegetarian options. This place kept popping up on Reddit as a recommendation, so I decided to check it out. I was sitting in my car on their website about to place an online order when I saw the wait time was 25 to 30 minutes. I figured I would just go inside and order in person to see if it would be quicker, but it ended up being about the same wait. The place was packed, so not surprising, just something to keep in mind if you are on a tight schedule. I ordered the doonboo set, which came with fried tofu in a soy based sauce, salad, tofu banchan with mushroom, pickled daikon and jalapeño, and a vegan soup. The soup really stood out to me. It reminded me of cream of mushroom and had a deep umami flavor. I did not go in with huge expectations since vegetarian Korean food is not what I am used to, but I was honestly impressed. Everything tasted fresh and thoughtfully made. They even included a small piece of tangerine, which was a nice touch. The meal was $22, but with tax it came out to about $25, not including tip. I was still slightly hungry afterward. That said, the flavors alone would make me come back. The soup was easily my favorite part. One thing to note is that the restaurant is on a neighborhood corner with street parking only. I had to circle a few times before finding a spot. If you are on a time crunch, I would not recommend dining in. Ordering ahead and picking it up about 30 minutes later would probably be the better move. Overall, not the fastest or cheapest lunch, but really solid vegan/vegetarian Korean flavors and worth trying if you are in the area.

    Nori Acorn Noodle Bowl
    Samantha D.

    Every since learning that Joodooboo makes their own tofu, I had to come try it. Even close to closing time for lunch, the tables were close to filled. I got the nori acorn noodle bowl with a side of their daily special banchan which was ojingeo-jeot that day. Fresh ingredients and filling without making you feel overly stuffed. The tofu holds - firm and silky, almost a meaty texture. The noodles were so umami with the fish sauce and mushrooms. Even though there was no meat, it still felt so savory and meat-like. I could barely finish the noodles. The ojingeo-jeot was spicy with a little sweetness. It was too spicy for me, but the texture was great - soft enough that I felt like I wasn't chewing for an infinite amount the time. It doesn't feel like a traditional Korean restaurant, a much more modern take given the interior design. However, it still has those Korean flavors that you expect - a great place to grab a bite.

    Nori Acorn Noodle Bowl
    Wan-Yu L.

    Joodooboo has been recommended to me by several friends now, and I was finally able to stop by. The shop is small and cozy, with very limited seating, most of which are outdoors. The food tasted fresh, and the house-made tofu was delectable. Aside from the tofu, the other dishes didn't really standout to me. My friend ordered additional banchan, but we thought they were just fine. The seasoning on the food was on the lighter side. I definitely left still feeling a little hungry, which didn't feel great considering their price point. I would not recommend this place to someone with a big appetite.

    Nicole M.

    A lovely experience. Everything was extremely fresh and flavorful. The menu is brief. My friend and I both had the fried dooboo set. The fresh, lightly fried tofu comes in a puddle of delicious sauce. Paired with fragrant rice and a mixture of banchan (seasonal kimchee, crispy, slightly dressed salad, a featherlight dashi with silky tofu and tiny mushrooms, fresh berries and one other delight with shaved asparagus). The set is filling but light. You leave the table feeling satisfied but not feeling stuffed. They have interesting wine and sake options. I think the wine is takeout only, but the sake is chilled and ready to drink. They also have a few beer selections and some good nonalcoholic options. The space is clean and bright, and the very polite staff really bustles. The indoor is seating is limited, but the outdoor seating doubles the available space. It was hoping at 6 pm on a Saturday. The restaurant is located in a mostly residential area, so parking isn't too bad. Definitely recommended.

    Fried Dooboo Set
    Todd N.

    I love Joodooboo! The service is friendly and the staff is always happy to talk about the specials of the day. The food always makes me feel so good after eating. It's amazing to have so many veggies and whole foods that are so well-prepared and pair perfectly with a hearty bowl of rice. The ambiance is chill, though I just wish they had a bigger space or more tables! I hope Joodooboo stays there forever - Joodooboo for life!

    Farmer's Bowl
    Jade L.

    There's nothing like the taste of fresh, homemade (or in this case "house-made") tofu. It truly hits the spot without any of the chemical additive taste present in store-bought tofu. I came here with a group before going to a Bad Art comedy show nearby. We all ordered different things from the menu; I opted for the farmer's rice bowl with fried tofu instead of fried egg. While the tofu was the star of show, I also really enjoyed the banchan. All the ingredients tasted quite fresh and high quality, which probably directly translates to the rather high price point of the bowl. This place was pretty busy on a Friday night with many turning out for dinner. The restaurant is kind of small, and seating is on a first-come basis. Just something to keep in mind, as this place is not ideal for medium or large groups. I also want to note that there is no ordering kiosk in-store, so you either must order online or wait in line to place an in-person order with the solo cashier. The latter isn't really time efficient though, so I recommend the former.

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    Really surprising excellent new ethnic place with a young vibe and an incredible tasty menu

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    Ask the Community - Joodooboo

    Is it 100% organic, including all vegetables, sauces, and oils, not just the soy?

    I don't think exclusively, but it does seem to be mostly very high quality produce, some of which may not be available organic because it's specialty Asian veggies, etc.. I remember seeing a box on the wall that had organic soy printed on the side.

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    Moo Bong Ri Korean Restaurant - Spicy Beef Short Rib

    Moo Bong Ri Korean Restaurant

    4.5(1.5k reviews)
    0.6 miTemescal, North Oakland
    $$

    I think I have a new favorite Korean spot in the Bay! It's a cozy restaurant tucked away in…read moreTemescal. Service was quick and the waiters were helpful. I came here on a really rainy day and this was the perfect place for warm, hearty soup. My boyfriend and I ordered the beef short rib soup and the garlic pork wraps. The portions were massive! We were basically able to make this 2.5 meals and we're both pretty big eaters. The soup was so flavorful despite being light, and the short ribs had a good chew without being too stringy. The garlic pork wraps were also delicious. I ended up ordering the soup again a few days later when I had a stomachache! I'll definitely be back here sometime in the near future.

    If you read my previous review of this restaurant, you'll take note that I had never set foot in…read morehere. That's because it was such a convenient food delivery spot for me during the pandemic that I never bothered. This was my first in-person dining experience here. Instead of pouring contents out of takeout containers, Jamie and I were engaged in a very hands-on preparation of our hotpot order. We went with the $47.99 Medium Pork Bone Casserole which served two hearty appetites (Photo 7). It consisted of a mammoth, meaty pork rib mixed with cabbage, potato, and sesame leaf in a flavorful soybean pork broth. For even more calories, we also requested the $3.99 Ramen Noodles (Photo 5). Add the generous servings of Banchan (Photo 4), and we were assured our gluttony remained intact. FOOD - 4 stars...high volume of Korean goodness AMBIANCE - 4 stars...enough space to allow for excess splattering SERVICE - 4 stars...industrious crew here TOTAL - 4 stars...ever dependable for delish Korean hot pots RELATED - Exploring Temescal? Here's my collection of places l've patronized and reviewed: https://yelp.to/F2bQQYNsSK

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    Moo Bong Ri Korean Restaurant - Photo 1: Montage of images from Moo Bong Ri

    Photo 1: Montage of images from Moo Bong Ri

    Moo Bong Ri Korean Restaurant - Medium Pork Back Bone Casserole + Sujebi ($52.98) - pork rib w/ cabbage, potato, sesame leaf in soybean pork broth. Broth is delicious.

    Medium Pork Back Bone Casserole + Sujebi ($52.98) - pork rib w/ cabbage, potato, sesame leaf in soybean pork broth. Broth is delicious.

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    Dan Sung Sa - Seafood Spicy Soft Tofu Soup

    Dan Sung Sa

    4.0(1k reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    Came here with a friend Monday night after 10pm. Love that it's open late night (until midnight)…read moreand love the vibe of this space... you walk in and it's pretty decent sized - there are booths surrounding this restaurant; it's nice to have a private space to yourselves. Movie posters are splattered on the walls decorated with vinyl records and the like. Overall, such a cute hole in the wall late night spot. For the record, I eat mostly pescatarian/vegetarian diet. So their menu isn't really catered to that so much minus a couple things here and there, but I managed to order the tofu bibimbap (and a couple bottles of soju). My friend ordered french fries and spicy korean fried chicken. The server that took our order was so kind, thank you for being attentive :) Wasn't able to catch their name, but we really appreciated the service. Overall, food was delicious and we left feeling full. Also the place is super vibey!

    What was once a late-night staple has unfortunately become a fading memory. The issue with Porno…read morebar is its inconsistency. Every time I visited over the years, there seems to be an entirely new rotation of staff, yet they all share the same customer service issues. The workers look like they don't want to be there (I get it, it's work), and that disinterest shows a bit more than it should, draining the energy from the room. The food mirrors this inconsistency. We frequently stick to what we consider safe items like the porno fries, spicy fried chicken, and spicy rice cake. However, during our last visit, we decided to try the seafood pancake, the Bulgogi burger, and our usual corn cheese. Somehow, all three dishes were a disappointment. The seafood pancake was dense and doughy, while the Bulgogi burger was a bit of a soggy mess. Even the corn cheese, the coveted item that used to keep us coming back, missed the mark. It was pooling oil that left a greasy mouthfeel. While the ambiance remains nice, the kitchen simply underperforms on too many of its dishes now. With all of the new Korean restaurants and pochas popping up in the area, there are far better options available. Sadly, nostalgia isn't enough to justify coming back when the food and service continue to slip.

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    Dan Sung Sa - Interior

    Interior

    Dan Sung Sa - Feasting

    Feasting

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    Pyeong Chang Tofu House - Spicy pork bbq

    Pyeong Chang Tofu House

    4.1(1k reviews)
    0.6 miTemescal, North Oakland
    $$

    Good service, food is great. I would get fried chicken here again…read more Soy garlic was the best one. Soondubu and bossam was all around good. Their kimchi is sour, just the way I like it.

    A fairly new Korean restaurant in the Korea Town area of Telegraph Avenue in Oakland. Street…read moreparking only and definitely don't leave valuables visible or in your car. A sign on the restaurant also reminds diners of this risk. Saw two nearly naked men sunning and lieing on the pavement while driving around looking for parking. Try to park on busy and visible Telegraph vs a side street. PCTH has a modern vibe with very solid wood tables and benches. The restaurant gets noisy even when half full near the end of a Friday lunch hour. We ordered two of the lunch specials and an Appetizer of Soy and Garlic Fried Chicken (1/2 order of 10 pieces composed of wings and drums). The chicken was very good with a nice crispy exterior and coating of S&G. The two lunch specials - Mushroom Beef Soon Tofu Soup and Spicy Pork Box Lunch were not spicy as what we're used to, a medium on the soup - get spicy if you want more flavor, while Spicy Pork was more sweet than spicy. But still good for their version of spicy pork. The soup also comes with a whole pot of crisped rice for soup dipping / soaking. A nice addition. As for Banchan, nothing spectacular that wowed us. Pyeong Chang is another nice addition to the competitive Korean restaurant area in Oakland's Temescal region, just not the safest of area when it comes to parking your car. A friend saw the restaurant on YT so be weary of media hype and make your own judgment. There are many good Korean restaurants in the area and this just happens to be one of the newer hipper ones.

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    Pyeong Chang Tofu House - Excellent!! Right up there with ktownLA

    Excellent!! Right up there with ktownLA

    Pyeong Chang Tofu House - Dinner spread: (Middle)Steamed Pork + kimchi, seafood sundobu + 2 complimentary small sundobu + beef

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    Joodooboo - korean - Updated May 2026

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