While most families labored in the kitchen during Thanksgiving week, my family decided to skip the holiday hassle and travel to Toronto, Ontario (where, naturally, American Thanksgiving wasn’t being celebrated). And, while there was no turkey or mashed potatoes in sight, I got to try some of the most interesting and delicious bites in the city. So, without further ado, here’s the scoop on six restaurants I visited during my trip.
Mapo Korean BBQ (708 Bloor Street West): Nestled in the heart of Toronto’s Koreatown, Mapo Korean BBQ is a lively and charming place to eat. The restaurant was buzzing with loud chatter when we arrived, but the amazingly hospitable servers made sure we were well taken care of. Our main courses came quickly and, as is routine in KBBQ restaurants, were cooked to perfection right in front of us. We enjoyed the thin-sliced pork belly and beef short ribs, but the stars of the show were their marinated meats. The salty flavors of both the marinated beef ribs and the bulgogi were delicious both on their own and wrapped in lettuce. In between bites of mouthwatering pork and beef, we enjoyed traditional side dishes like corn cheese (my favorite!) and spicy cucumber salad. The meal was, admittedly, on the pricey end, but the quality of the food and service made it money well spent.
Tianjin Auntie’s Steamed Bun (77 Huron Street): Although Huron Street is packed with pan-Asian restaurants, this cozy eatery stood out as a great place for a midmorning meal and friendly service. Hidden in the downstairs area of a building complex, Tianjin Auntie’s offers Northern Chinese breakfast foods like fried crullers, soups, and of course, stuffed buns. While the fried crullers were spongy and warm, the sweetened soy milk had a slightly burnt taste and the sesame paste biscuits were dry and underwhelming. However, the heavenly stuffed buns canceled out all our disappointment. The pork and chive steamed buns were soft and jam-packed with filling, and the beef and onion pan-fried buns had the right amount of crunch and salty flavor. Plus, at only 8.59 Canadian dollars for a serving of four buns (about 6 American dollars), this breakfast was a true steal.
House of Gourmet (484 Dundas Street West): Don’t get me wrong, I love fine dining, but something about the casual and homey atmosphere of House of Gourmet made the gusty winds outside seem less daunting. We shared a dish of warm and crunchy gai lan, topped with an indulgent drizzle of salty oyster sauce. My sister tried the pork dish, which was deliciously crispy and served over a generous portion of rice. Unfortunately, my wonton soup was slightly disappointing—while the wontons were generously stuffed and wrapped expertly, the broth was surprisingly thin with little flavor. But for the affordable price and fast service, it was definitely worth the visit.
Fresh Kitchen + Juice Bar (386 Bloor Street West): Looking for an afternoon pick-me-up, we stumbled upon Fresh Kitchen + Juice Bar, Toronto’s original vegan restaurant. The restaurant was well-lit with comfortable turquoise booths and an open juice bar. The cold-pressed smoothies we tried were earthy and refreshing—Heartbeet, a carrot, beet, apple, and lemon smoothie, was tart and smooth, and the Green 2.0, packed with leafy greens and apple, was slightly savory with a kick from the ginger. We also ordered matcha, which was nicely sweetened with maple syrup and spiced with cinnamon. The ginger fireball, on the other hand, was a miss—it was spiced heavily, which was nice for a sip or two but too strong to drink a mugful of. We also ordered a plate of hand-cut french fries, which were slightly crispy on the outside and salted delicately. Since we only had the fries to eat, I’d be interested to try their main courses, but the prices (14.00 Canadian dollars for a smoothie?) would likely stop me from rushing to return.
The Haam (342 Adelaide Street West): If I were to go back and re-experience one restaurant from this trip, I would choose The Haam in an eyeblink. Combining the best of Japanese and Mexican food, this was truly the most effortless blend of two cuisines I’ve ever tried. The bulgogi taco was filled with butter-soft and flavorful bulgogi and topped with creamy queso, tangy chipotle mayo, and onion. The gochujang barbacoa taco was equally delicious, combining delicious marinated brisket with slightly spicy picked vegetables and cheese. The restaurant was dimly lit, making it a great place for a cozy yet sophisticated meal and putting the cherry on top of a delicious meal. Next time I’m in Toronto, I’ll make a beeline for The Haam to try their other fusion dishes.
Mogouyan Hand Pulled Noodle (124 Dundas Street West): Mogouyan was certainly one of the sleekest and most elegant franchise restaurants I’ve seen in a while. Their servers were friendly and promptly carried amazingly large portions of noodles to our table. I ordered the Mogouyan classic beef noodle bowl, which came nearly overflowing with noodles. The noodles were doughy and submerged in a rich and spicy broth base, and the beef was tender and flavorful. As with most noodle bowls, this one was far too much for one person (unless you’re like my dad, whose stomach is a bottomless pit), so I only ate about one-third of the dish. Still, I enjoyed every bite that I did eat and it was a delicious meal—a great way to finish off the trip.
Although there’s a world of delicious food out there, I hope that I’ve inspired you to plan a trip to the Six with these recommendations. Toronto’s restaurant scene is nothing short of extraordinary and innovative, so go explore! Happy eating!
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