Lee Taero, the founder of BCD Tofu House who helped bring Korean food to the mainstream in the U.S., has passed away at 89. He opened the first location in LA Koreatown in 1996 with his wife, building the restaurant around one signature dish—soondubu. Long before K-food went global, BCD played a key role in introducing and popularizing soondubu in the U.S., later expanding to New York, New Jersey, Texas, and beyond, becoming a major K-food staple. It even grew into more than just a restaurant—BCD Tofu House was seen as a Korean cultural phenomenon. During her 1-year anniversary performance at the Grammy Museum, Rosé also mentioned it as her favorite spot in LA. Long before K-pop and Korean content took off, and without any outside push, he was already making a name in the U.S. with soondubu. A true pioneer. Rest in peace. 미국에서 한식 대중화를 이끈 ‘북창동 순두부’ 창업자 이태로 회장이 향년 89세로 별세했습니다. 고인은 1996년 배우자와 함께 LA 한인타운에 1호점을 열고, 순두부라는 단일 메뉴를 중심으로 사업을 시작했습니다. K-푸드가 세계적으로 주목받기 훨씬 이전부터 북창동 순두부는 미국에서 ...