At the newly opened Korean Tofu House, soup is the featured item. As lackluster as this may sound, their soup is far removed from the insipid soup of cheap hors d’oeuvres and late-night snacks.

Rather, the Tofu House serves up large bowls of delectable authentic Korean broths alongside copious amounts of lavender rice and kimchi, a traditional dish made of fermented vegetables.

The Tofu House opened up last month on Northeast 41st Street and Brooklyn Avenue Northeast, just down the street from Starbucks and Taco Del Mar. The restaurant’s dining area is small, but spaciously arranged with no more than six or seven tables.

The service is quick and friendly, and take-out is available, though the restaurant’s atmosphere is so appealing, you might not want to.

As the name suggests, tofu is the focal point of most of the dishes. Among their specialties, the Seafood Tofu Soup is an especially appetizing option, albeit a hot one. This dish of clams, shrimp and oysters is served right from the stovetop with the broth still boiling.

Each soup entree includes a bowl of lavender rice, to be added to the broth, and numerous side dishes, including pan-fried tofu in soy sauce, kimchi and pickled radish. UW junior and Asian studies major Alex Swanson, who ordered the soy bean paste soup, found the Tofu House’s entrees to be more than plentiful.

“It’s a good place to come with friends for dinner because they serve more food than I can eat by myself,” Swanson said. “I can’t physically fit that much food in my stomach.”

Despite the sometimes surfeit portions, Swanson was impressed with the healthy quality of her meal.

“It’s a really healthy option. Korean food is great, high-energy food,” Swanson said.

She added that she was impressed with the authenticity of the Tofu House’s cuisine.

“The menu is entirely Korean and most of the food comes from family recipes,” said co-owner Paul Kong.

Although soup is their forte, the Tofu House also offers a number of Korean barbecue dishes including beef bulgogi and spicy barbecue pork. Most entrees are reasonably priced at $7.99, which includes rice and side dishes.

Although the Korean Tofu House does not at present serve alcohol, Kong said that they are in the process of attaining a liquor license. The planned additions of beer and wine to the menu should complement the food nicely, as a cold drink would balance their often scalding soups.

With winter just around the corner, the Korean Tofu House should offer a perfect refuge for rain-drenched students in need of a hot meal.

Reach reporter Joe Darda at arts@dailyuw.com.