Ho Soon Yi Restaurant

Love the aunties that work here. Friendly and fast service, very good for introverts that don’t like a lot of talking or interaction. Very good authentic Korean food made with love. Only complaint is a lot of families bring their kids (the seating area is smaller) and it gets pretty loud with kids crying and yelling.

I was craving Korean food out of nowhere, but Im particularly picky with it because I LOVE Korean food. I often am disappointed with the food in Tacoma, but let me tell youuu! This was AMAZING! The taste quality and amount of food you get is worth the price in my opinion. I’ll definitely be coming back. I watched many people take out and some try to dine in. The atmosphere could use a little updating and is a bit small, but it seems like it gets busy. That’s the special thing about hidden gems tho so no complaints. 9.5/10 recommend!

We’ve been here years ago and remembered the food was good so we came back. Chicken teriyaki and kalbi were both really excellent meat quality and very tasty. Mulnungmyun was a very good one and I’d happily eat it any summer day. Dolsot bibimbap had excellent rice crisp quality but we found it underseasoned overall. Great service!

This restaurant recommended by a good friend of mine, not disappointed, we had bulgogi, seafood pancake and seafood tofu soup.

All the food was fantastic. Didn’t need more words when everything was so authentic. I just loved how Ajumma didn’t give a damn about how everyone was so enjoying the food and licking up all the plates😂

We enjoyed the amazing food served. Pleased, as it was a random choice and were not familiar with the area, amazing food. We ate the chicken teriyaki, served on a sizzling, hot iron skillet. It was very good, the chicken was moist and flavorfull atop a bed of crackling onions. The portion size was great and perfect for the price. We also shared the kimchi rice with beef, which was very delectable and a perfect spice level. They served amazing sides that complimented the dishes well. The waitress was friendly and responsive. She had great timing.

The food is super delicious and portions a pretty big! I love korean food and this is it! It tastes just like in Korea. The service was nice as well. The only drawback is that the interior is kinda outdated. If that was fixed, it would have been really great. As of now, I prefer to go orders. They have an online order option, which is very convenient. My favorite soup is Yukkaejang 육개장. 💗

My favorite spot to get tofu soups. I get this place for takeout once in a while and it hits the spot every time. Comes with side dishes and rice when you order their tofu stew and it fills you up very easily. I always have left overs for the next day and it's still good til then. Definitely come here for some good traditional korean food. I heard that their bbq dishes are good as well.

Food- I'm obsessed with Sundubu Jjigae lol I can eat it every day I wish they had apple salad banchan Service- mid, feels rushed sometimes Ambiance- good but cold

I seem to always be craving some kind of soup and wanted to try a place I hadn't been before. Ho Soon Yi was a perfect spot for some homey Korean food on a cold day. It was pretty busy for a Saturday night. Almost all of the tables were full, but we were able to be seated within ~10 minutes. Since it was busy, the service was not the best and it took a while for us to be able to order. I got the combo tofu soup (had beef, shrimp, clams) with kalbi. The tofu soup had a lot of all of the different proteins, which I appreciated. Soup had a great flavor and wasn't too spicy. The kalbi was tender and marinated well in that sweet and savory sauce. The banchan they served alongside the food was great. I really liked the kimchi (and that is always a good indicator for a good Korean restaurant). Overall I really enjoyed this place and will be in my rotation of Korean restaurants I go to in the Tacoma area.

Came here a few days ago and STILL thinking about the food!! I ordered the Yuk-Gae-Jang and it was sooooo yummy, the brisket had so much flavor I absolutely loved the broth as well! The sides that they serve you are delicious as well. 10/10 will be coming here again.

Yum!! Not an all you can eat but definitely filling. I got the kalbi plate and it comes with banchan. I refilled the banchan three times. It was delicious. The tofu soup was great! The servers there are really sweet and attentive. It's always good to see a small place packed. And the smell when you walked in, smelled so good.

Homestyle at its best. The ahjimas (older ladies) were hustlimg. No bad service here even thought the restaurant was full. There was a reason, the food was so good! I can tell you it's legit. I had the yukejang (spicy beef soup) and this had flavor, lots of beef and spice. My husband had the spicy pork and it was enough to feed at least two people. My daughter had kimchi jigae but as a Korean, I never get this at a restaurant. The panchan was all delicious and fresh. This place is a must try if you're hankering for some Korean in the area!

Probably the best Korean restaurant I've ever been to in the PNW. Food - all the portions were quite large and everything was super delicious. I heard they were known for their tofu soup and the beef tofu soup that I got did not disappoint. I personally also loved the Bulgogi and kalbi combo, which really hit the meat craving spot. The flavors were top-notch and again the portions were large. It was served with rice. The Bonchon was especially good and unlimited as usual and everything was so good especially the Kimchi the seaweed salad and my favorite was the stewed potatoes that had a bit of sweetness to it. Even my vegetarian friend was very pleased and he said this was the best Korean food he has had outside of Korea. The service was quick and friendly. The staff was really grateful when we said everything was really delicious. You could tell they were busy because when we came in as a group of nine, two other large groups came at the same time. You could tell this is a favorite of many. Highly recommend.

Amazing Korean food here! Don't mind the staff, they're just busy concentrating on delivering their delicious food! We got the Korean seafood pancake, stir fried rice and fish cakes, and beef and kalbi bibimbaps!! Thank you, Ho Soon Yi!

I'm so glad we came across this place in Lakewood. We were staying nearby and wanted to have some comforting food after hiking mount ranier. This place had a simple menu & was very comforting. I got the tofu & oyster soup and it was delicious. For the bạn bạn I enjoyed the potato, cucumber, radish, & fish cake. The kimchi was a bit different to me but otherwise enjoyed the food! The service was ok - I wish they had buttons like some Korean places for service but they were nice despite being busy & not as attentive.

Overall great food, service and a simply cozy restaurant. One of the best tofu soup places I ever had. Had the combo of short ribs and seafood soup. Right amount of seasoning and every dish blends well together. I also tried there kimchi fried rice, if you like a more fermented kimchi rice dish this is the place to be.

Came here on Mother's Day. We were quickly seated. Took a little while for our order to be taken. We decided on Beef Bulgogi and Short Ribs, Spicy Pork Bulgogi, and Shrimp Fried Rice. Food came out piping hot...had several banchan of spicy cabbage kimchi, cucumber kimchi, bean sprouts, potatoes, fish cakes, and greens--which were all good. The pork bulgogi had a nice char to it which brought out the flavor. All the food was delicious. This place is pretty small and basic inside, no fancy decor. Service is decent. I would definitely return.

Came here for dinner with my sister and we were blown away!!! The food was amazing and so flavorful!! Our banchans were delicious and always got refilled!! The overall vibe is so homey and the staff is so nice, it truly feels like you're at a Korean aunty's house :) we ended up coming back multiple times!! The prices are also really good for the amount of food you get!!

The food here was delicious. We ordered the seafood pancake, beef rib soup, and kimchi stew, and every dish was bursting with flavor. The side dishes were equally delicious, adding even more depth to the meal. Our server, though I didn't catch her name, stood out with her warm, kind energy (think she had red hair), which made the entire experience feel even more special. What truly stood out, however, was the atmosphere--this restaurant felt like a true melting pot, bringing together people from all walks of life. It was heartwarming to see everyone united by one shared goal: enjoying soulful, traditional Korean cuisine. A must-visit spot.

I already knew this place was going to be authentic when I saw the Korean aunties and uncles in the back whippin up the food. No problem with seating, we got sat right away. Service is fast. The auntie took our order and was straight to the point. I absolutely LOVE the banchan here. The kimchi cucumbers are so so delicious. They have a nice crunch to them and are sour with the perfect amount of spice. All the food was delicious but my favorite was the galbi (short ribs) and the galbi tang(short rib soup). This place is very simple/casual decor. I'm not really big on decor, especially when the food makes up for it. Glad we found this Korean mom/pop shop. Will definitely be back

First time eating here recommended by my landlord. The banchan servings were all for one person considering I came by myself. The server ladies were attentive and friendly. The kimchi jiggae/stew with pork and kimchi was a little spicy for me but otherwise delicious. Had to take home the rest because I got really full. The restaurant felt homey and looks like others also felt the same considering they were all eating together, family style with their love ones. Will surely come back again.

Excellent!! Highly recommend!! Always get the soft tofu soup and it NEVER disappoints.

This was honestly one of the best pricing for what you are getting. The service was really good. It's a very small restaurant, even when it was packed they had great service. The food was amazing. Kalbi and bulgogi really flavorful. The side dishes had amazing flavor.

Hands down the best Korean restaurant in Washington state. Having moved from Seoul and LA, my standards for Korean food are high. I've tried a few different Korean restaurants in Seattle,Lynwood, and Federal Way area, and I was most impressed by this place! The place is quite cozy and has an older vibe - non-pretentious and welcoming. The servers were very nice and friendly. We were starving after a hike to Rainier but the food came out super fast! We ordered galbi and spicy pork bulgogi combo and kimchijjigae. We loved the spicy pork! Tender meat and the right amount of flavor and heat. Kimchijiggae was really amazing - reminded of the home-made stew from Korea. The soup is quite thick and spicy with large chunks of kimchi and some pork. Very representative of the traditional version of the soup and had so much depth and flavor. The portion was quite large - we took at least half of the soup back home! Highly recommended if you are craving some old-fashioned, homemade Korean food!

I came here based on the Yelp reviews. I ordered the clam soondubu tofu soup. I liked that it wasn't excessively salty like many other places I've tried. The banchan was tasty too. Everyone there was friendly.

Rude service , only care for their regulars the rest get attitude. Our food was cold and tasteless. Definitely skip this place

I was craving Korean tofu soup, but wanted to go to a Korean restaurant I haven't been to yet. Ho Soon Yi is located on South Tacoma Way, which is fairly close to where I live. It is right across from T-Town Cafe, and they share the same parking lot. As soon as we walked in, we were seated at a table for two. It wasn't that busy since it was a Monday around lunch time. We glanced over the menu to see if there was anything enticing outside of what we intended to order. My sister ordered the Beef Tofu Soup, and I ordered what I would call the Mixed Tofu Soup (it had beef, clams, shrimp, and oyster). As usual, the tofu soup dishes come with a side of rice and side dishes. We also ordered the pan-fried seafood pancake with scallions. I believe the prices here are a bit higher in comparison to other Korea restaurants in the area. The seafood pancake was a lot bigger than I expected though, so that was a pleasant surprise given it was $18.99. The seafood pancake wasn't my favorite, it was lacking some flavor. It comes with a sauce (I think it was soy sauce), so definitely dip the pancake into that to add some flavor to it. The side dishes that were served to complement the tofu soup were okay. There were a couple we didn't like as much, but overall was okay with it.

Amazing Korean food and service to match! Kimchee soondobu with mushrooms and beef is my new favorite! Pan seared Spicy bbq pork is fantastic Smokey spiciness and as always the Kalbi short ribs are marinated to perfection. Kim chee ponchan is always fresh and delicious. Variety and a always rotating menu of vegetable sprouts in vinegar, soy marinated diced potatoes, radish. Come early for the best experience. There can be a decent wait during peak hours so plan accordingly. Music or sports on tv's is usually played and makes for a pretty upbeat environment.

The food is quite good, and despite being a small restaurant, the staff works efficiently to turn the tables over quickly. While the service may not be very attentive initially, they are quick to respond once they have your attention. The prices for the food are fair, and they offer plenty of sides with refills. It's one of our to go to for Korean foods.

Growing up near LA I was lucky to experience a lot of good Korean restaurants, and this place was just as delicious!! the vibe is nothing fancy but that's exactly what we were looking for-- just good, comforting, authentic Korean food. Service was quick, kind, & attentive. We also loved the complimentary tea :)

Food: The Korean Army stew checked off the boxes on a cold day. It was spicy and savory with a nice bite due to the aged kimchi. I was pleasantly surprised of how tasty it was. I loved the seafood pancake, it was filled with delicious morsels of seafood in each bite, I think it was leek or chives but it was a nice addition. Service: Fast and courteous. Ambiance: This place can get packed and it gets a bit loud, but it's a great place to catch up and chow down

No frills restaurant. The staff were friendly and food came out hot and fresh. The only thing is it's pretty expensive. They do have a lunch menu if you're able to go during the week!

We had the spicy pork and kalbi beef bi bim bop dishes, both of which were delicious, packed with veggies, served with about 6 delicious sides, and came sizzling hot. We will absolutely come back to try additional menu items. The space looks to have been a fast food restaurant at one point, and this current iteration is a homey improvement, decorated with wood and plants.

While searching Yelp in Tacoma, WA for Korean restaurants, one restaurant caught my eye that I had wanted to dine at, Ho Soon Yi. The Yelp reviews were very promising, and the photos of the dishes looked very mouth-watering. And thank you to my Yelp friend, Paul M., as he had noted how much he loved this restaurant, with numerous check-ins! Opened about 20 years ago and then sold in 2017 to its current Korean owner, the family-operated Ho Soon Yi is located in Lakewood in south Tacoma. Lakewood is the largest Koreatown in the Pacific Northwest, so it's no surprise that this authentic Korean restaurant is located here. Menu offerings at this restaurant, as typically found in most small Korean restaurants, include: * Appetizers: seafood or kimchee pancake, japchae, rice cakes. * Fried Rice: kimchee, beef, chicken, shrimp. * Cold Noodles: radish water kimchee, Naengmyeon. * Hot Stone Pots: bibimbap (rice w/ veggies, egg, meats). * Soups: beef rib, soft tofu with seafood or meats. * Meats: bulgogi, spicy pork, kalbi, teri chicken, combos. * Seafood: black cod, monkfish, squid, mackerel, flounder. * General: rice cake soups, stews, noodle soups. * Lunch Specials: kalbi, bulgogi, teri chicken, mackerel, beef brisket soup, soybean paste stew. The restaurant is known for their various tofu soups/stews and their bbq meats (kalbi, bulgogi, spicy pork) served on sizzling platters. All food is cooked in the kitchen. Having spent the Easter weekend with our grandson in Vancouver, Canada, we hurriedly drove back to Sea-Tac, where we would be spending the night before our flight back home the next morning. A few miles more, then we'll be in Lakewood, with thoughts of having lunch at Ho Soon Yi. Although we missed the lunch specials, the regular menu would suffice. We were salivating with the smoky bbq aroma that engulfed the dining area where people were scarfing down their delicious eats. We had the following: * Hot tea (complimentary). The barley tea was served piping hot and perfect for the cold weather that was in the 50's. * Kalbi and spicy pork combo. We're so glad that we ordered just one entrée, as it was a huge portion that we couldn't even finish with all the banchan and rice. The kalbi and spicy pork were served on round onion slices in a sizzling cast iron platter and having been marinated in a most delicious sauce! Both meats were soft, tender, charred, juicy and so flavorful! Perfectly cooked and so delish! Loved the spiciness of the pork! * Banchan: fishcake, kim chee, eggplant, kim chee cucumber, bean sprouts, Korean potato. Loved all the banchans, and they were quickly refilled when the server saw when any of the small serving dishes were empty. Lots of flavor in each dish with the right amount of spiciness that went well with hot rice! Staff was friendly and very welcoming. Our server promptly took our order, with the food being served within a reasonable amount of time. She checked on us periodically to refill our banchan dishes, tea, and water. When done, you pay at the counter. The small restaurant has about 50 seats and it was still crowded, considering it was at an off-peak time of 3p on a weekday. It's a popular restaurant for Koreans and locals. The restaurant was clean with some Korean décor (wall paintings, Korean vases) and a wall TV for sports watching (owner is a Seattle Seahawk fan). No fancy ambiance, just a good family-style restaurant for good eats. Hours of operation are daily from 11a to 10p. Free parking right outside the door in a private lot shared with T-Town, a Korean dessert cafe that is perfect for an after-meal dessert. We were very impressed by the delicious taste of the kalbi, spicy pork, and banchan, as well as the very generous portions that were served. Great customer service in a casual setting as if your Korean grandma was cooking for you. Can't wait to return to try their other menu offerings the next time we're in Tacoma!

One of my favorite spots for traditional Korean meat and soup dishes. They also have good combos here too. I got the combo beef tofu soup with kalbi. The portions for both the soup and the meat were pretty generous especially compared to other places with similar options. The banchan did not disappoint at all. Service was a bit slow but the food totally made up for it!

I had dinner which was good however when I came outside to my car my window was smashed in and my stuff was stolen out of the back of my car in daylight. They do not have cameras that cover the parking lot if your vehicle is damaged and or stuff is stolen from your locked vehicle

Food is always good here! A little pricey... parking lot is full a lot of the time but you can still find parking. This is always good Korean food if you are craving authentic!! Service is good!

We had the lunch special party and it was amazing. The kids loved it. I had the pop Cardi B, and it was so hot and crispy. Perfectly made. We ate all the banchan because it was all delicious. Food came out super fast. Parking is tight and hard. T town next-door is great for dessert.

We got so lit off of the sojus, beers, food and laughter. Food was so amazing that I had to order some take out on the go. Definitely recommend coming here for a wholesome night out or pregame.

After a long adventure snowshoeing around Ashford and Mt. Rainier, cold, wet, tired, and hungry, this beacon of light showed up outside my car window. First, the banchan. Delicious. Everything. Kimchi, pickled radish, potatoes, fish cakes. When you finish the banchan within 2 minutes, you can ask for more. I ordered the spicy pork hot stone bibimbap. It was sizzling and aromatic, the rice on the bottom had the perfect crisp. The pork was full of flavor. I was in heaven.

Great place. It's a bit on the repurposed abandoned diner side of things, but it was awesome food. I can put up with meh decor if the food is good. The service... I'm not sure how I can put it without sounding bad. It was very good service, but it was the no BS tolerated service you get in certain areas of LA and OC counties. I honestly prefer it, but some people get upset if they don't get their ego massaged with their meal. Be prepared if you're a delicate snowflake. The spicy chicken was spicy enough that I didn't need to ask "is this supposed to be spicy?" You definitely know it's spicy. It was a lot of chicken too. I was stuffed when I finished. Mmmm. Everyone else loved their dishes as well. Zero complaints. I appreciated the good chopsticks. I hate those warped ones you get at many places. It's so much fun when one is straight and the other is shaped like a J. Anyway, come on down for excellent Korean BBQ. If I lived nearby I'd probably be there often, and by that I mean daily.

Pricey but I had to try since it was 4.5 star. Will see, we ordered spiced pork lunch special.

Burned my mouth trying to immediately eat it all. This place is definitely a to go spot in Lakewood, I have yet to be disappointed with any of their dishes. Service was quick and the food was hot. Like seriously, be careful with the bibimbap .

Finally a restaurant that gives me back the Los Angeles Koreatown vibes! Some Korean friends also vouched this as very authentic and reminds them of home cooking, and I can see how it is. While in Tacoma, we made an even further journey south to Lakewood, where this place is, and I definitely will say that it is worth the trip. We went here as a party of 5 and did family style, just to try out a variety of dishes: Seafood pancake: a large seafood pancake filled with a lot of squid. A mix of soft and also very crispy especially on the edges, perfect pairing with the side of soy sauce + vinegar mixture. 2 soon tofu combos: beef + oyster / clams / shrimp, plus the meat of choice. We got the galbi beef ribs and the spicy pork bulgogi. The galbi is very good - quite tender and the tendons are very easy to chew. The pork bulgogi is also amazing - a bit spicy but the meat itself is very soft, with a nice grill flavor. Even the fat tastes good, as I normally just tear it out. The tofu soup is very flavorful and there is sufficient amounts of meat and seafood within. It is one of the better tofu soups I have tried so far. Don't be scared of the pricing of the combo - the portions are gigantic and one combo can easily feed 2 people. The rice that comes with the combo looks bottomless - 3 of us got a good amount of rice in one bowl! Radish naengmyeon: the cold noodles - not too big of a fan of this just because I do not really like fermented stuff but friends say it is still good. I tried a little bit and liked the chewiness of the noodles. Banchan - even though I do not really eat kimchi, I liked this kimchi as it is a bit on the sweeter side. The fish cakes, which are my favorite banchan, has a slight spicy kick which is quite different from the usual. Service is kinda okay but as is typical of a Korean restaurant - a bit hard to flag down the server but requests are still fulfilled in a timely manner. Overall, this place is worth the journey, and if it were closer to Seattle, I would go here pretty regularly.

Small and gets busy during lunch and dinner. Some menu options aren't available all the time. Side dishes are yummy and would go back.

Delicious Korean dishes in a simple space. I forget what fast food restaurant this was way back in the day, but it was converted into a cute little Korean restaurant in South Tacoma Way. My kid got the Kalbi ribs and he loved the flavor and char on the meat. I got the dolsot bibimbap, which is a mixed rice served in a sizzling stone bowl. The portion is very generous and they give you a bottle of the gochujang sauce to spice up your dish to your preferred liking. Plenty of side dishes (banchan) to accompany your main meal. Very attentive and friendly staff and decently priced food.

A homey spot with homey Korean food a bit outside of Seattle. Very much a hole in a wall spot, family-run. They're pretty busy on a Saturday night and almost didn't seat us an hour before closing so they're probably very understaffed. Recommend to call ahead to make a reservation. With that said, service was actually super fast and food came out swiftly starting with 12 different banchans; all of which were delicious and some I've never had before. We a got a few big plates to share: the Dumpling Soondubu (family size), Seafood Pajeon, and Bulgogi. I liked everything that we ordered. Tasted similar to Korean food I've had previously in LA. Portion was great for sharing but their food is by no means cheap. All things considered, we still really liked our meal so this is a decent spot for authentic Korean food.

Food is good. Staff is friendly. Wish prices hadn't increased so much over the past several years; everywhere.

I LOVE HO SOON YI. Honestly this place is one of my fave hidden gems in Tacoma. They have great lunch specials, and all their soups are amazing. Everything is 10/10. Their cucumbers are so bomb. I just ate there last week and I want to go again. It's the perfect comfort meal. Inside is clean, and the servers are so nice. Great comfort meal

Rdawg has been coming here for years and although he only goes now once a year during our vacation they still recognize him. I was bummed they couldn't make a dolsot Bimbap to go but that's okay food is still really delicious.

Tldr: best Korean place in the area. Environment: chill humble place it's really clean and very homey Service: they're really quick and friendly. Food: the food is one of the best for Korean food. My friends have been coming here forever and I can see why, I ordered oyster tofu soup and it was really flavorful and packed with soft tofu and it comes with six sides and rice. The japchae is really good here too, gotta try it.

This is easily one of the best Korean restaurants in the state. Feels very homestyle, honest, made with love. Staff are attentive and fast. Love this restaurant.

Decent selection of banchan (kimchi, potato, pickled seaweed, fish cake, spicy cucumber) Pork +squid combo was sweet, well cooked, and plentiful. The spicy fish stew broth was better than its contents. The fish was bland and the radish was not cooked enough (for my personal taste) The servers gave us refills on the side dishes, and the overall experience was okay. It just took a very long time to get our food.

We came here on a Saturday at 5pm and were seated immediately for a party of two. There were not a lot of people here when we arrived but about 20 minutes later it was completely packed. There is a parking lot around the building but is quite small. We ordered the soft tofu soup and spicy pork bulgogi combo ($28.99) and the bibimbap ($12.99). For the soup you can pick any of the options at hte top and we opted for the beef tofu soup. It was a simple soup with just tofu, broth, green onions, garlic, and egg but I liked the simplicity and it tasted good. The spicy pork bulgogi was spicier than I expected but I liked the flavor of it. I thought the bibimbap was just okay; it was just your typical bibimbap and was nothing special. The service was actually solid! I usually don't expect it at Asian restaurants but multiple servers came by a couple times to ask if we wanted refills of any of the banchan so that was a pleasant surprise. They had fish cakes and potatoes which are our favorite banchan which always makes us happy. This is a good place if you're craving Korean food and some tofu soup on a cold day.

Wow, what a fabulous lunch spot! We loved every dish but especially the seafood pancake with scallions, the tofu bibimbap, and the tofu seaweed soup. If I lived closer I'd be in there once a week!

Love this place!!! This is NOT a fancy restaurant (I think the building was once part of the fast food chain "Skippers) and you don't get to cook the meats table side, but if you like authentic Korean food, quality ingredients, and prepared to perfection at a reasonable price then you will like Ho Soon Yi! We ordered the pot stickers (Gyoza), the pork dolsot bibimbap, and the Kalbi and had a wonderful meal. Can't wait to come again and try more menu items.