REVIEW | Bryan's BBQ - Korean AYCE with more restrictions than options

A group of us went to eat at Bryan's BBQ after we discovered Joon's Restaurant (read about it here) was closed every second and fourth Tuesdays. There are a ton of Korean restaurants in the Bloor and Christie area but Bryan's happened to be across the street and they had an all you can eat barbeque so we decided to give it a try.

Photo from BlogTO

REVIEW | Seoul Restaurant - just another mediocre 'cheap eats' restaurant in Koreatown

Seoul Restaurant is another one of those Korean-family owned casual restaurant in Korea Town.  They specialize in hot pot cooked dishes with seafood, dumplings and also in Korean street food 'boon-shik.'  However, don't expect top-notch service and memorably delicious food as this joint is more for a quick & affordable meal.

REVIEW | Tacos El Asador - serving authentic favourites from El Salvador & Central America

There's definitely no shortage on restaurant that offer tacos with their own twist.  However, when you're looking for the real authentic El Salvadorian tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, etc. there's one place you should head to, and that's Tacos El Asador - a small hole-in-the-wall restaurant located in Koreatown, at Bloor St. & Clinton.

 

REVIEW | Kevin's Taiyaki 붕어빵 - Korean/Japanese fish shaped dessert that's too good to resist

There's a few things we love about the frosty Canadian Winter, despite freezing our butts off!  It's none other than these fish-shaped waffle cakes called Boonguh Bbang / Taiyaki, filled with either red bean, black bean, green bean or custard.  They're available in Toronto via Kevin's Taiyaki.

REVIEW | Sam James Coffee Pocket - a no-fuss, no-BS, quickie coffee bar in Koreatown

I'm sure many coffee-lovers in the city are already aware of the two Sam James Coffee Bar locations on Harbord and King St.  It was a mere coincidence that on one afternoon, I happen walking on Bloor Steet (just had some Korean soondubu that day) that I saw this hidden gem called the Sam James Coffee Pocket!  And, what a perfect name for this location.

REVIEW | Yakitori Kintori - izakaya that specializes in yakikushi by KINKA family (creators of Guu, Kinton, Jabistro)

A new izakaya that specializes in Yakitori (skewered & grilled chicken) just opened in Koreatown at Kinton Ramen 2's second floor location.  This is KINKA family's newest restaurant addition in Toronto.  They're best known for the ever-popular Guu izakaya, JaBistro, and Kinton Ramen.  As a huge fan of skewered food, I couldn't wait to try it out.  I made my way there for late dinner during their soft opening.

REVIEW | Royal Boonsik 로얄분식 - spicy rice cake, fish cake soup, tempura veggies, kimbap & more Korean fast food!

When you're in Koreatown, or Uptown, there's an abundance of restaurants that offer 'Boonsik.'  Boonsik basically means Korean fast food that is prepared and served fast with typical menus  being mandoo (dumplings), dukbokki (spicy rice cakes), and twee-gim (various deep fried veggies).  One restaurant that offers boonsik that has been consistently offering delicious food is none other than Royal Boonsik in Koreatown.

REVIEW | Barrio Coreano - Koreatown's new hot spot offering Korean/Mexican creations

There's a new hot eatery in Koreatown! Barrio Coreano, by the creators of Playa Cabana, has situated itself among Korean family restaurants in the area and taking the neighbourhood by storm.  My visit was on a Thursday night as a walk in (as online booking was full) and was lucky enough to get a seat!

REVIEW | Hodo Kwaja / 호도과자 - Toronto's first walnut cake bakery offering korean redbean desserts

If you're familiar with many Asian cultures, they tend to have a lot of dessert with redbean paste, such as red bean flavoured ice cream, red bean sherbet, and so forth.  One of the most popular Korean dessert using red bean is none other than walnut cakes.  The First walnut cake bakery in Canada is Hodo Kwaja, located in the Bloor Street and Christie area, which we like to visit often!

REVIEW | BnC Bakery & Cake House - tasty Korean bread, pastries, bubble tea and cake, the list goes on

There's a lot of dessert places in Toronto, but have you tried Korean ones? BnC Bakery & Cake House is one of the few Korean bread retailer & supplier in the Korean community in Toronto and surrounding areas.  They supply their baked goods to Korean grocery stores and shops as well as sell them directly in their 3 'Cake House' locations in Toronto.

REVIEW | The White Brick Kitchen - a lovely Brunch in the midst of Toronto's Koreatown

Brunch on the weekends is a welcome treat when you work a 9-5 job Monday to Friday. However, living west and traveling east on a weekend can be a little tiresome because it feels like a day of commute for me.  The thought of trying out The White Brick Kitchen in Korea town was tempting enough for me to finally make that trek.

Arisu Restaurant - extensive menu but go for the premium Korean BBQ

For some korean barbecue, I paid a visit to a restaurant called Arisu on Bloor, just east of Christie station.  There used to be a McDonalds at this location years ago but after it moved out, this real estate location has been going downhill.  I remember  there were so many different restaurants that took its place but all of them went out of business before their 2-year mark.  That's until Arisu came in.  It's still going strong and when we went, it was busy - which is a good sign!

 

Joon's Korean Cuisine - awesome place for dak galbi (spicy chicken)

Dak Galbi (Spiced Chicken) is a popular South Korean dish that everyone should try.  In Toronto, Joon's Korean Cuisine is known as the place to go for Dak Galbi and you can definitely tell, as they always have a full house.

There are two locations in Toronto for Joon's - by Christie/Bathurst Station on Bloor Street, or in North York on Yonge Street.

The dish consists of marinated chicken pieces in spicy sauce with cabbage pieces along with add-on toppings such as: rice cake (a must), ramyun noodles, vermicelli noodles, extra veggies, and mozzarella cheese (another must).