What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Korea? Is it BTS, Blackpink, or maybe Baby Shark – doo doo doo doo doo doo…
How about Korean cuisine? With the Hallyu wave rising around the world, not just Korean pop culture is getting popularized, but Korean food too!
Strangely, speaking of Korean food triggered flashbacks of my early years.
My first Korean food experience was an all-you-can-eat Korean-BBQ. Being the carnivore I am, I was able to eat different cuts and types of meat as much as I want. The only thing that prevented me from clearing all the food in the restaurant was my stomach. If only my stomach wasn’t limiting me. Ah, the feeling at that time was just awesome and unforgettable!
And who can forget about the iconic banchan (side dishes) they provide at every meal? The side servings of sweet potatoes, japchae (glass noodles), kimchi, cucumber salad, or tteokbokki (rice cakes), made the meal more wholesome. It can almost be a simple and satisfying meal for one with a bowl of plain rice.
Anyways, enough of me rambling about the past. Let’s go explore some of the best Korean foods in Toronto and the different cuisines they have to offer.
1. Korean Grill House
Image by Anna C.
Address: 3280 Midland Avenue, Scarborough, ON M1V 4W9
Phone: 416-754-8141
An oldie but a goodie.
This Korean-BBQ restaurant has been operating for many years. I remember our first time here was more than 15 years ago and they are still around. They have few locations throughout Toronto now but our usual is the one located on Midland and Finch.
Have a special event coming up, like someone’s birthday (don’t forget to surprise them with a birthday cake) or just celebrating? Then this place should be on your list. The restaurant is pretty spacious so accommodating your group won’t be a problem. However, I suggest you call to book in advance as this place does get busy quite often.
For big meat eaters, we have a feeling you’ll enjoy this place as their beeves are nicely marinated. Their kimchi also had the perfect level of sourness and spiciness that hit our taste buds just right.
I must warn you though. Don’t dress in your fancy outfit when you are going to have some Korean BBQ. Since you’re barbequing, the smell will linger on your clothing and it may not come off until after a wash or two.
Like any all-you-can-eat, if you order excess food and you cannot consume it all, they will charge you extra for the wasted food. So, please order accordingly.
Another item to note is that there are two AYCE options. The lunch menu is limited on what you can order.
After your meal, don’t call it a night just yet. Within walking distance are a couple of bubble tea places (Gong Cha and Coco) that you can hit up. Why not grab one to go before the night is over.
2. IRYEWON
Image by Tom S
Address: 2215 Steeles Ave W North York, ON M3J 3N2
Phone: 416-650-9384
One word, WHOA!
The food at Iryewon was definitely no joke and caught us by surprise. It was super delicious!
Their Sam Sun Bokeum Bap, which came with a small side of their jajangmyun (or jjajangmyun) sauce, Chicken Katsu, Ja Jang Myun for four, and Kam Pung Shrimp was one of the best we had in a long time.
Especially their Ja Jang Myun sauce, it was to die for. The rich sauce flavour, beef, and onions were all cooked perfectly together.
While the place isn’t very big, it can accommodate a couple of large groups. If you decide to come here with many people, you may have to wait a while or get separate seating.
This Korean restaurant is efficient and has great service. The staff was very friendly and the food came out hot and fresh.
I only wished they had a better variety of side dishes. It was only pickled radish, kimchi, and raw onion slices. Luckily, their food made up for the lack of side dish options.
3. K-Food Kitchen
Image by K-Food Kitchen
Address: 6328 Yonge Street Unit 121A, Toronto, ON M2M 3X4
Phone: 416-512-6969
Opened not too long ago, this gem has been slowly building up awareness.
We wouldn’t have noticed K-Food Kitchen if we didn’t have a business to attend to at Centerpoint Mall.
Tucked away in a small corner, this Korean restaurant serves one of the best gimbap at a cheap price. For those of you who don’t know what gimbap is, it’s similar to the sushi rolls that you would find in sushi restaurants, but with different fillings.
You have a choice of 5 different flavours of gimbap to choose from and they only cost $7 for 10 pieces.
The portion size for each gimbap is also enticing. They are about 2 inches in diameter and stuffed with a lot of toppings. We would say the toppings to rice ratio is somewhere like 3:1.
Best of all, everything was made to order.
We had their Bulgogi, Tuna, Spicy Pork gimbap, and the boneless Honey Soy Garlic Chicken. And what a satisfying meal it was.
Although they opened not too long ago, you may want to call in advance to place your order.
Why? Because when it comes to good food, it doesn’t stay unnoticed for long.
K-Food Kitchen, you have not seen the last of us. We will be back!
4. Makkal Chon
Image by Denise P.
Address: 1979 Lawrence Avenue East Scarborough, ON. M1R 2Z2
Phone: 416-757-3945
Located in a small plaza near Warden and Lawrence, Makkal Chon has been there for quite some time. We have seen their neighbours changing now and then, but Makkal Chon was the only place that stayed strong.
This is a small restaurant, so don’t expect to show up with a large group in hopes to get a table quickly.
Also, because of limited seating, if you happen to go during their busy hours and don’t get a table; then you can expect a wait time of 30 minutes minimum.
When it comes to food, it’s just so good here. Some would even say that this place serves the most authentic Korean food they have ever had in Toronto.
Our usual here are the Pork Cutlet, Pork Bone Soup, BBQ Eel on Rice, Kim-chi Fried Rice, Spicy Pork on Rice, and the Mackerel Vegetable Wrap. But the Pork Bone Soup is definitely our top pick, especially during the winter season. The meaty pork bone, spiciness, and the potato that soaked up all the soup’s flavours make you want to come back again and again.
What also makes this restaurant stand out are its side dishes and they would switch it up now and then. So, on your next visit, it could be totally different. And they give you six to seven side dishes! How awesome is that?
This place is a must-try if you haven’t been here before.
5. The Fry
Image by The Fry
Address: 6012 Yonge St, Toronto, Ontario
Phone: 416-546-0483
All this talk about Korean food, how can we not mention their famous fried chickens.
When it comes to Koreans, they know how to spice it up and make it exotic.
The flavours they have include Chicken with Green Onions, Chicken in Spicy Sauce, Soy Garlic Chicken, Chicken in Sauce, Crispy Chicken, and of course, the original Fried Chicken.
Not only are their chicken flavourful, but the portions are also pretty big as well.
Compared to competitors, their wings are not heavily battered. This creates a crispier and lighter eating experience.
Our personal favourites were the Fried Chicken with Green Onions and the Fried Chicken in Spicy Sauce.
Also, not only do you get the wings and drumsticks, but the whole chicken as well – doused in those awesome flavours of theirs. KFC, Popeyes, and Church’s, are you listening? Why are you only limited to two flavours: spicy or non-spicy?!
Don’t worry, you can still opt to get the wings if that’s what you prefer.
Can’t get enough of chicken, then we got you covered. We have taken the liberty of finding some of the best chicken wings around Toronto.
6. Song Cook’s
Image by Kristian U.
Address: 72 Steeles Ave W #6, Thornhill, ON L4J 1A1
Phone: 647-678-8000
Serving the Thornhill community since 2010, SongCook’s Korean Restaurant should be on your list if you want to experience traditional and authentic dishes to be enjoyed with friends and family.
Some of their tables and seating areas are designed with low tables and heated floors to reflect the traditional Korean-style dining experience. It’s definitely worth trying if you haven’t experienced it before. However, if you prefer the common tables and chairs, those are available too.
It seems they are following the digital trend, like many other restaurants these days, and doing away with paper menus. You’ll need to scan the QR with your phone to read the menu. So, phone data is required.
Their TangSuYuk had a beautifully balanced sweet and sour sauce that opens up your appetite with every bite. Along with their earthy and salty JjajangMyun, these two dishes paired so well together! And let’s not forget about the KamJaTang. It was so pleasant and delicious with the pork bones soaking up the flavours nicely. We just loved sucking the meat off the bone.
Just like K-Food Kitchen, this restaurant is tucked in a small corner and could easily be missed, especially with so many surrounding commercial buildings.
7. The Famous Owl of Minerva
Image by Ben Lo
Address: 4733 Steeles Ave E #2, Scarborough, ON M1V 4S5
Phone: 416-292-7275
With 12 locations to choose from, and two locations that are open 24 hours, 7 days a week (North York and Mississauga – Burnhamthorpe location), The Famous Owl of Minerva has Toronto and their neighbours covered.
Our usual spot is the one located on Steeles. The service there is great and the portions are very generous. We can always count on Owl whenever we are craving some late-night Korean food.
We can see why they have stayed in business for over 20 years and expanded to so many locations.
Enjoying their food can also be at the comfort of your own home too, as you can find their products in most Asian supermarkets – ideally Galleria, a Korean Supermarket.
8. Yummy BBQ
Address: 16 Mallard Rd, North York, ON M3B 3N1
Phone: 647-748-5158
Yummy BBQ used to have a restaurant located in downtown Toronto. However, not sure when this happened but it was later closed down and they were nowhere to be found again. A few years later, we just so happened to find out that they reopened in a food court on Don Mills – The Diamond at Don Mills Plaza.
While most of the menu stayed the same – from what we could remember, there were some changes as it need to adapt to a food court environment.
One of their popular items, the BBQ Special, you were given a grill and you cook the meats (your choice of beef, pork, and/or chicken) yourselves. However, if you were to order that now, it comes cooked for you as this is not something that is allowed in a food court since it’s a fire hazard.
But with the introductions of the lunch special, it was a great addition to their menu. The BBQ Ribs is one of the top choices to get here. The galbi ribs are tender and juicy, and if you get it with their gochujang sauce (when you ask to make it spicy, which is highly recommended) the taste is even better. There are also other lunch special dishes that are worth getting like their BBQ Beef or Stir-Fried Beef. Also, check our review on Yummy BBQ on why we love this place.
Whatever your choice may be, just remember to ask for spicy if you can handle a bit of spiciness.
Given the popularity of this place, especially during lunch hours, you may want to call ahead and place your order as the wait time can be long if you were to order in person – during extremely busy days you could be looking at 30 minutes to get your food.
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