Blog by: Maelynn Le
8 April 2023
All photos were taken by Maelynn Le
Photo: The City of Toronto by Wikipedia
I was in Toronto for a week and it was the BEST food trip I ever taken in my life. The food scene is bizzare in Toronto and it’s so diverse with lots of amazing cultures coming together to create a great food scene. I would classify the Toronto food scene as diverse and vibrant. It also feels very alive and energetic because of the hassle and bustle these food business do to share their creations with their province. It feels very similar to New York as both Toronto and New York are finding innovative ways to make their food scene their own and coming up with new food to share with the world. Anyways, here are the top food spots I reccomend when yoy are visiting Toronto. Two of them being classic Canadian foods you MUST get to get the full authenic Canadian experience!
1. Sue Fung’s Dimsum
Photo: Dimsum items
My first official day in Toronto was a success! I found this modern tradtional dim sum spot in Toronto’s Chinatown called Sue Fung! This place serves great dim sum like Har Gaw, Shui Mai, sticky rice etc! I also tried a baked Abalone tart (snail) for the first time! The tart was super flakey, and the filling had a nice buttery savory, and sweet flavor! Highly recommend trying that tart out because I think they are the only dimsum spot that has abalone! 🎊 Another unique dish I never seen before is their matcha soup dumpling. The pork inside was very juicy and the skin is made out of matcha powder. You can taste the bitterness of the matcha as this XLB was a perfect combination between bitter and savory. You can’t go wrong with any dimsum item on the menu as anything you pick will be delicous! Did you know the plates were made out of palm trees and the to-go containers are made out of corn starch? 🤯 They are trying to reduce the amount of plastic consumed here!
2. The Alley
Photo: Strawberry green tea, Tiramisu , Deerioca ube, Snow velvet Peach Hojicha
I had to have boba when I’m in Toronto! There are a ton of boba spots there that are so bizzare! The Alley in Toronto is one of the more well-known shops here! I know they have locations in Southern California but that is a long commute from where I live. I got to try four of their drinks and I have two favorites I highly recommend trying. The tiramisu and the ube were my favorites! The tiramisu was so rich, creamy, and had a nice coffee flavor! ☕️ The Deerioca ube was so lucious, not too sweet, and the boba texture was very chewy! There was also a nice nutty flavor that I love. I wish the Alley was closer to San Francisco! 😭
3. Arirang Hot Dogs
Photo: Honey Butter, Potato, Sweet Chili, and Churro
Korean corn dogs? I feel like Toronto has every food item you can think of! If you want bomb Korean Corn Dogs and cheese balls, check out Ari Rang whereever is closest to you!Each Korean Corn dog has their own unique flavor, and they are just so crunchy. I went to their Korea town location and one the way, I saw three other Korean Corn Dog places! 😋 The potato and mozerella was one of my favorites because it was so crunchy and the amount of sugar they put on the corn dog was perfect. 💕The sweet chili one was also a favorite because of the sweet, mild, chewy blend that resembles my palate in a good way. I swear, these were the BEST Korean corn dogs I ever tasted in my LIFE! The cheese balls were also an amazing hit, nice savory and sweet combination!
4. Torch Pressed Sushi
Photo: Hokkaido Scallop
Want some fire sushi and Japanese food? Torched Pressed sushi is heaven!!! The best sushi you will ever have!! 🥰 Each torched sushi has their own unique flavor, their rice bowls are very rich and flavorful, the tempura is crunchy and not too oily; any item you get is out of this world! 🌍 My absolute favorite was their surf and turf bowl! The beef was seasoned nicely and tender and the salmon was smooth and buttery! I also love that each sushi tasted different in terms of their flavor profile and nothing tastes the same! I love the torch action as well! 🔥 😇
5. Cannoli Crunch
Photo: Cannoli box
Did you know the cannoli maker, Maria knows how to make over 400 flavors of Cannolis? 🤯 Anywhere from sweet, to the classics, to the savory flavors, she knows how to nail every cannoli! The most interesting cannoli I ever tasted what’s the salmon mousse and it’s basically salmon kind of crushed into this mousse and folded over and it has a really nice salmon flavor! 🍣 There’s also interesting, savory flavor as well like a sushi, meatball and other savory flavors! Each cannoli taste differently, and each cannoli has their own flavor profile that is just so unique and delicious! If you want handmade cannolis, go to cannoli crunch in Toronto!
6. Enchanted Poutine
Photo: Classic Poutine, Deep Fried Curds, Sweet Thai Chili Cauliflower
I got to try Canada’s famous stable which is poutine. Poutine is basically a “play on” mash potatoes; there are french fries, gravy, and cheese curds. I have to say, this poutine really shows what Canada is all about. The fries and gravy have a nice savory and salty combination, and the cheese curds has a nice gooey texture. The gravy is also rich and vibrant, not too heavy for me. Poutine is the ultimate guilty pleasure for Canadians that you should try if you are from anywhere else. This place also has other items as well like chicken and cauliflower wings and small bites like these deep fried curds. Enzo (the owner) makes each dish simplistic as each flavor profile taste very unique. I highly reccomend checking out Enchanted Poutine.
7. Ramen Buto-Nibo
Photo: Boneless Chicken Thigh (Dark), Truffle Miso Mayo Takoyaki, MEGA Mori Ramen
I am such a petite person, I couldn’t finish this 4lb mega more ramen. It was so addicting though because of the different elements and textures that were on this bowl of ramen. The mega more ramen consists of thick noodles in a pork broth, very generously topped with cabbage, bean sprouts, house-made garlic paste, bamboo shoots, and pieces of pork fat, pork belly, pork shoulder, and karrage. This ramen had a nice rich ummami broth with those chewy bouncy noodles. The meat choices were also spot on as well each of them had no bones and each pork item was super tender. It melts on your mouth and is just very addicting. The best ramen ever and you need to try Ramen Buto-Nibo.
8. Pablo Cheese tarts
Photo: Cheese tart display
If you never had a cheese tart in your life, you are missing out! Pablo’s cheese tart I believe originated from Japan and made its way opening locations in Canada and NY. Cheese tarts are suppose to taste savory but have a bit of sweetness. My favorite flavor of cheese tarts is the original one because it does have a nice savory flavor with some hint of sweetness that make it light. The tart shell is also nice and firm to hold the cheese in. The strawbevery flavor was also my favorite because the strawberry jam was perfect. The light sweet jam oozing all over the cheesetart is mouthwatering. They have a lot of cheese tarts to choose from but those two and the peach tart were my favorite ones of all time.
9. Roji Monster
Photo: Roji crepe, Matcha zenai, Taro shaved ice monster
The cutest and delicious desserts you will have in Markham! 🥰 If you love desserts and cute foods, Roji Monster is for you! There are a variety of Asian inspired desserts to choose from and they even have some savory items as well 🍜 ! 🥭 I love that Roji crepe mango flavor because of the soft crepe texture and it was super light! The shaved ice was a nice delicious treat to have and the matcha zenzai was a nice hot matcha dish with black sesame and matcha Mochi!
10. Thai Grand Room
Photo: Grand Pineapple Fried Rice
⭐️ BEST THAI FOOD YOU WILL FIND IN TORONTO! No joke!!!!!!! The Thai food at Thai Room Grand is the bomb and the place to be! All of the dishes are not only portioned well, but the flavors are just so irresistible! My favorite was the Khao Soi because the noodles were super chewy, the curry sauce has great spice, and the dish was so warm! 🍍 Have you also ever had fried rice on a pineapple? Now this is a GRAND presentation! The rice was cooked perfectly, the addition to the pineapple added sweetness, and the flavor profile is more salty and sweet! My favorite dish ever!
11. The Cups
Photo: Injeolmi (soybean powder with chewy Mochi, and almond flakes)
You want fresh, filling, and fun desserts? You need to check out The Cups in Toronto! Their desserts were very tasty and I was full at the end! The fruit croffle is basically a waffle and a croissant together with some fruit! It was so flakey because the croissant texture is basically the waffle. Very butter and flakey! The Injeolmi shaved ice was very silkey and I love the Mochi addition! It was overall nutty, savory, with hints of sweetness! You need to try out their Injeolmi shaved ice the most!
12. Millie’s Desserts
Photo: Soufflé cupcakes, crepes cakes, and burnt basque cheesecakes
Want some delicious crepe cakes, cupcakes, burnt basque cheesecake, and more? Millie’s Desserts is a quaint spot with tons of desserts! They are mainly known for their crepe cakes and items, but make other desserts as well! My favorite flavor you need to try is the Original (creme brûlée ) because it’s so rich and creamy! You get a nice taste of that carmalized burnt bitter flavor throughout tasting the cake! 🍰 I also reccomend their soufflé cupcakes because it’s a super light cupcake that isn’t dense like a tradtional cupcake! One of the best cupcakes I ever tasted!
13. Orote Restaurant
Photo: Harmultang(spicy seafood soup)
Authentic modern Korean food in Toronto? I thought you never asked! Orote is the perfect sophisticated Korean dinner spot for you to enjoy! I got their black cod, yellow tail
, potato ongsimi, Harmultang(spicy seafood soup), and rice (soy sauce, egg yolk infused miso, green onion). I loved that harmultang because of the different varieties of seafood there was in that pot of soup. There were so many different umami elements and flavor that was bomb. The soup had a nice light broth and it was perfect for a nice cold day in Toronto. On the side, I had their rice infused egg yolk with miso and that took the rice into another level. Make sure you out some of the soup into the rice because the soup gives a nice light flavor that elevates the rice even more.
14. Choux Lab
Photo: Chouxs, Vanilla Ecaire, and Mango tart
BEST CHOUX YOU WILL FIND! Not only the texture of the choux was perfect, but the fillings impressed me so much. Choux lab does not skimp out on the amount of filling the choux can fit inside. The flavors of each choux were very distinct able as well! My favorite flavor you must get is their passion fruit because to me, it was more refreshing. It tasted pretty light and you get a nice sweet passion fruit flavor you are looking for. The raspberry choux was on point as well. You taste the nice tart sweet flavor the raspberry has and it’s just amazing. Honestly, any flavor you try at choux lab will be a massive hit as the flavors really stand out and the shell of the choux was crisp. You should also try their tarts and eclairs as well while you are there.
15. Second Cup of Coffee
Photo: Butter Tart
If you don’t know what a butter tart is, you can only find these in Canada! The sweet tart consists of a filling of butter, sugar, syrup, and egg, baked in a pastry shell and the filling can be firm or a bit runny! I got this butter tart @secondcupcanada and in my opinion, it was a bit too sweet for my liking, but I’m glad I got to try one! 🥰 It had a nice tart shell and the filling was firm and sweet! Definitely try a butter tart when you are in Canada! You CAN’T find them in the US (unless you know somewhere that sells them).
16. The Social Blend
Photo: Display of Korean Macarons
I didn’t have the chance to go to the Social Blend location however, I saw there was a pop-up at Pablo Cheesetarts in Markham. If you don’t know what a Korean Macaron is, it’s like a french macaron, but the butter cream is much larger. It’s like you are eating an ice cream sandwich if you think about it. I guess in a Korean macaron, there is more height within the macaron verus the french macaron. I tried their blueberry cheesecake and it definitely tasted like cheesecake. The shell of the macaron was perfect and the filling was creamy and fruity. It was so perfect that I want to try more flavors next time I come back to Toronto.
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