Citysearch Editorial Review. Snuggled into the corner of an Edmonds strip mall is this cozy Korean restaurant to warm up any winter day in Seattle. People crowd near the host desk, which seems to have no real system for deciding who gets the next table, but persistence pays off and customers are eventually seated either at the tables to the left or the private booths on the right. The waitresses systematically slip out of their shoes as they climb the steps to the private booths carrying sizzling trays of meat and vegetables to groups of diners. On the menu, there’s plenty to choose from—the giant seafood pancake comes filled with delicious nuggets of shrimp and octopus, making an excellent starter, but the best way to warm up a winter’s day is the array of spicy tofu soup. The red broth will gently burn off any chill while the soft tofu melts in the mouth, dissolving any worries and countering the spice. Come prepared with patience as there is often a line to be seated, but once you are, you’ll relax immediately here.…

food is not the only reason you go to a restaurant. I love Soontofu. Although it was not the same as the one I had in 2006 on my first trip to Seattle, Soontofu was still delicious. However, If I'm to be served by the angry old lady who served me in 2006 and then this year, I would pass this restaurant this summer. I'm puzzled what's wrong with her? Good food and a bad waitress! What a combination!…

The People Who Work Here Are Racists. I would not recommend anyone to go there purely because some of the people (not all) who work here are racists. If you are not Korean or even white, you?ll get the most awful service in the world or in my case no service. One incident and worst: they simply ignored my party when we were there. About three or four other parties behind us were served, given appetizers, and their food while we didn't have anything. We didn?t even have water. The server came back around with appetizers and we?re thinking ?finally, appetizers? she looked at us (with nothing), and gave all the appetizers to everyone around us who already had appetizers and their food. We got up and left. Other people I know, even Korean friends with inter-racial relationships have had the same problem and will never go back.…

I had what's apparently a different experience from most.... After reading all of the posts about the horrid service of Hosoonyi, I really have to disagree. I visited here as I live in Edmonds myself and the food was supposed to be excellent. Well, I found that the food was really good and there doesn't seem to be a lot of disagreement in that category. If you like Korean food, I'd wager you'll really enjoy the food here. I just received good service which is what seems apparently out of the ordinary, from what everyone seems to be saying. The service wasn't really exemplary, but I didn't have any complaints and thought the service was just fine. The waitress was attentive and paid us enough mind that we didn't need to flag her down. I'd recommend this place to lovers of Korean food.…

Looking forward to coming back... My brother and I came here and really enjoyed ourselves. We laughed about how people said that the service was not so hot, and even unattentive...so of course we were looking for that. It never happened. Our server was very nice and did just that. Took our order, served us...I mean, what more can you ask for? A personal serenade? Anyway, we ordered the Bi Bim Bop and it was very fresh and full of flavor. The ingredients were good quality and we are looking forward to coming back and trying out some new dishes.…

Bad Service!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Even though Food was good, the service was SO BAD I never gonna go back there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My water was never filled up and Waitress was basically screaming! checked the previous comments they all noted bad service!!!…

Some of the most homey Korean food you'll find. The food at Hosoonyi is really, really good, but yes, the service, as everyone has noted, is terrible. My boyfriend is Korean American, and I am white. If I go to Hosoonyi with him, we get stellar service (mind you, I have never, ever had my water refilled in ANY Korean restaurant). If I go alone or with other whities, we wait FOREVER for our food. There is one woman working there now, as of this review, who is quite sweet, charming, and attentive, but we'll see how long she lasts.

I disagree about the seafood pancake - I find it incredibly undercooked. But the kimchee tofu soup is world-rocking, and at under $8, a fantastic meal.…

Solid Korean restaurant. I've been going to Hosoonyi since it opened. I usually have my mother (who's Korean) order since she's Korean and will yell at the staff if they aren't attentive. As the previous person said, they treat non-Korean Asians the worst. The quailty of the kalbi meat has gone down hill over the years. I would say it's an average Korean restaurant. I usually rate a good Korean restaurant by quality of their kimchee, kalbi, and cheege.…

one of the best Korean joints to eat, but.... ...yeah, the service. The guy there (always wears glasses) is always accomodating, but a few of the older Korean ladies...well, let's just say that there's a shared observation with other Asian Americans that they only accomodate Korean and white customers. Aren't either? Uh-oh.

I brought my uncle there once. His glass was empty, and he needed it from the kim-chi he ate. No one came. It wasn't that crowded yet. I had to get up, and get a pitcher, and bring it to the table.

When I went with a friend, we ordered three dishes, at a table for two. This doesn't include the 'panchan'. We asked if it was possible to move, and the lady looked annoyed and rolled her eyes. Again, it wasn't crowded, and all the food wasn't even on the table yet. But we forgot, we're neither Korean or white, so nope, we can put the excess plates on my lap.

And yet, overall, I do recommend it. The food is good, and it's worth the wait. It's a roll of the dice with what server you get, but if it's the guy, you won't be neglected.…