BCD Tofu House co-founder Tae-ro Lee dies at 88, leaving a spicy legacy
Tae-ro Lee, the co-founder of the beloved BCD Tofu House chain, has died at the age of 88. His restaurants became famous for popularising soondubu jigae, a spicy Korean tofu stew, across the U.S. The news of his passing was confirmed on March 8, leaving behind a legacy of 11 thriving locations. Born in Hamgyong Province, North Korea, in 1937, Tae-ro Lee studied law at Seoul National University in 1956. By 1967, he had opened Yongdongpo Hamheung Naengmyeon, a well-known restaurant in Seoul specialising in cold noodles.
In the early 1990s, he and his wife, Hee-sook Lee, immigrated to the United States. They settled in Los Angeles and launched Buk Chang Dong Soon Dubu in Koreatown in 1996. The restaurant quickly gained fame for its soondubu jigae, offering over 10 variations, from seafood to kimchi and vegetable options. The original Koreatown location became a late-night staple, staying open until 3 or 4 a.m. every night. Over time, the chain expanded to 11 branches, attracting Korean celebrities and K-pop stars like Blackpink's Rosé and Girls' Generation. Tae-ro Lee's three sons and many grandchildren now lead the company, continuing his work.
Tae-ro Lee's restaurants remain a cornerstone of Korean cuisine in America. His family continues to run the business, maintaining the recipes and traditions he established. The chain's popularity endures, with no original BCD Tofu House locations operating outside the U.S.
