"The Smell Is Too Strong!" Complaints Pour In, Forcing LA Restaurant to Drop Menu Item

According to Financial News, a restaurant in the State of California that served Taiwanese food has stopped selling its signature dish, Stinky tofu. The decision came after a flood of complaints about the strong odor.
On the 5th (local time), the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that Golden Leaf, a Taiwanese restaurant in San Gabriel, removed Stinky tofu from its menu. The restaurant explained that ongoing complaints from nearby residents meant it could no longer offer the dish.
Stinky tofu is a fermented dish widely eaten in Taiwan, China, and Hong Kong. It is a beloved street food in those regions, known for its crispy texture and distinctive flavor. However, its pungent smell makes it a highly divisive food.
The Taiwanese restaurant in question had also faced repeated protests from neighbors over the smell of Stinky tofu. One resident filed a complaint, saying there was a "foul odor," and health authorities and city officials later got involved. They repeatedly urged the restaurant to either reduce the smell or stop selling the dish altogether.
In the end, the city warned that the restaurant could face fines for violating local ordinances, and the owners decided to give up the menu item. According to the restaurant, Stinky tofu had accounted for about 10–20% of its total sales.
The restaurant expressed regret over the decision, saying, "Stinky tofu is not just a menu item; it is connected to our culture." Because many Taiwanese residents live in Los Angeles (LA), Stinky tofu had become more than just food and was seen as one of the dishes symbolizing the identity of the Taiwanese community.
City officials, however, say the issue is not about culture but about odor control. One city council member explained, "We are not trying to ban the sale itself; the smell that spreads outside needs to be controlled." For now, the restaurant has removed Stinky tofu from its menu.
bng@fnnews.com Kim Hee-sun Reporter