Keumsan Korean Restaurant Vancouver

Keumsan: Soft Tofu Stew and Korean Pot Rice in Marpole

Keumsan is a neighbourhood Korean restaurant on Granville Street in Marpole that specialises in two of Korea's great comfort foods: sizzling soft tofu stew (sundubu jjigae) and sotbap, rice cooked to order in individual iron pots. It opened in July 2025 and was busy almost from day one. In 2026, Vancouver Magazine gave it an honourable mention for Best Korean.

Here is what to know before you go, including what to order and how to make the most of a visit.

About Keumsan

Keumsan took over the former Ming Tak Hong Kong-style café space at 8363 Granville Street. While the name is new, one of the owners is already well known in the area. Chef Taeshik Kim's cooking focuses on fundamentals: careful broths, rice cooked properly, and dishes that taste familiar to anyone who grew up eating Korean home food.

That narrow focus is the point. Rather than trying to cover every corner of Korean cuisine, Keumsan concentrates on doing a handful of comfort dishes extremely well, and it shows in how many diners come back for the same bowl.

The Menu

How It Works

Order a sotbap or a tofu stew as your main, and add a grilled meat plate to share if you are dining with others. Sotbap is cooked to order, so allow a little extra time. When you finish the rice, the traditional move is to pour hot water or tea into the pot to make nurungji, a toasty rice porridge from the crust at the bottom.

What to Order

• Abalone sotbap: pot rice topped with abalone, the most luxurious of the rice options.
• Eel sotbap: rich, glazed eel over rice cooked in the pot.
• Beef sotbap: a heartier option topped with seasoned beef.
• Soft tofu stew (sundubu jjigae): silken tofu in a bubbling, spicy broth, available in several styles.
• Grilled meats: shareable plates of grilled meat to round out the meal.

Dietary Needs

Tofu stews can be made in different styles, but most broths contain seafood or meat. Ask staff about vegetarian options and allergens.

Drinks

Keumsan keeps the drinks simple, with soju, Korean beer and soft drinks to go with the stews and rice.

Atmosphere and Dining Experience

The room is cosy and casual, with a steady stream of neighbourhood regulars and families. Expect a line at peak dinner times.

• Best for: solo meals, casual dinners and cold, rainy days
• Noise level: moderate
• Dress code: casual
• Good to know: sotbap is cooked to order, so it takes a little longer than the stews

Location: Marpole, Vancouver

Keumsan is at 8363 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC V6P 4Z8, in Marpole near the south end of Granville Street, close to the Arthur Laing Bridge and a short trip from Richmond and YVR. Marine Drive Station on the Canada Line is a short bus ride away, and the #10 Granville bus stops nearby.

Hours of Operation

Keumsan serves lunch and dinner. Check its Linktree or Instagram for current hours and holiday closures before visiting.

Reservations

• Keumsan is mainly a walk-in restaurant.
• Expect a wait at peak lunch and dinner times; arriving early helps.
• Check the restaurant's Linktree for current booking and takeout options.

Price Range

Keumsan is affordable to mid-range. A tofu stew or sotbap makes a full meal on its own, with premium toppings such as abalone and eel costing more.

Awards and Recognition

• Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, Best Korean: Honourable Mention (2026)

Contact Information

• Address: 8363 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6P 4Z8
• Website: linktr.ee/keumsanrestaurant
• Neighbourhood: Marpole, Vancouver
• Cuisine: Korean comfort food, sundubu, sotbap

Frequently Asked Questions

What is sotbap?

Sotbap is rice cooked to order in an individual iron pot with toppings such as abalone, eel or beef. Keumsan is one of the few Vancouver restaurants that specialises in it.

What is Keumsan known for?

Soft tofu stew (sundubu jjigae) and sotbap pot rice, along with grilled meats.

When did Keumsan open?

Keumsan opened on Granville Street in Marpole in July 2025.

Where is Keumsan located?

At 8363 Granville Street in Marpole, Vancouver, close to Richmond and YVR.

Does Keumsan take reservations?

It is mostly walk-in. Check the restaurant's Linktree for current options.

Is Keumsan good for a quick solo meal?

Yes. A single stew or sotbap with banchan is a complete meal for one.

Has Keumsan won any awards?

It received an honourable mention for Best Korean at the 2026 Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards.

How do you eat the rice crust in sotbap?

Scoop out the rice, then pour hot water or tea into the pot to loosen the crust and make nurungji, a toasty rice porridge.