When you walk around Toronto, one can can’t help but notice the diversity of people in and around the city. Our Fodor’s guide book also showed us many fabulous restaurant options for every budget and food type. Our first stop was of course…
Korea Town – Feels like Home
Where else would a Korean-American family go when visiting another country? We’ve eaten at a Korean restaurant (and sometimes the only Korean restaurant) in every country we’ve traveled. Korea Town in Toronto was a must, since one of our friends grew up there. She recommended a few spots, and we ended up choosing Buk Chang Dong Soon To Fu.
I loved how this place had all the fabulous smells of a small Korea house back in Seoul. They offered seating even with a sleeping preschooler, which was great since he slept through dinner. Our boys ate bulgogi, while Prof ate some delicious soon doo bu (soon to fu).
I couldn’t help but wander into Hanji. It was filled with handmade paper…a DIYer’s dream. There was so much to see…
Chinatown – Jam Packed Place
Well, if you’re going to visit Korea Town, you’ve got to make it to Chinatown. It was busy town, bustling street vendors, grocery markets, bargain clothing shops, and restaurants.
We were intrigued with seeing roasted duck in the window…whole.
Hands down, we ate one of the best hand made dumplings! One fried and one steamed dish, our bellies were full and happy.
Little Italy’s Not So Little
According to Fodor’s Travel Toronto, Little Italy used to have pizzerias and a few shops here and there. Nowadays, many have moved out to the suburbs, which has turned Little Italy into a bustling place with a variety of restaurant choices, while still keeping Italian pastas and pizzas shops around.
In another part of town, we ate at a modern pasta joint called Levetto.
The drive felt longer in the rain, but we made it. Little Linus passed out and missed lunch all together, but Piano Man had a special freshly made plain spaghetti pasta with salt and pepper, his personal favorite. Prof and I split a green salad with strawberries and rigatoni pasta dish. Freshly made pasta makes a HUGE difference! If only we could live in Toronto, we’d come here again and again. Yum!
However, visiting Little Italy was a must, so we went for an Italian gelato treat back in the city.
Little Tokyo’s Japanese Ramen Noodles
Piano Man had a hankering for ramen noodles and getting fresh noodles seemed to be the way to go. We ordered a typical ramen noodle house dish and one with a little garlic oil added. We expected clear broth-styled soup, but instead we ate a creamier version.
The creamier version was not a hit for our kids, but we finished it up. If you’re ever up for garlic oil in your ramen noodle soup, maybe a dash of this stuff would have been better. It’s pungent stuff!
Missing a Visit to Greek Town
Weather derailed some of our plans on our last night in Toronto, but we did meet hospitable and kind food vendors around the city. Many of those food vendor owners were Greek, and Prof easily had a nice conversation in Greek. To their surprise, they had a lovely conversation with Prof. That’s what I love about diversity in the bigger city – people coming together and getting to know one another.
Other Fabulous Foods and Restaurants
You could spend a lifetime in Toronto and never eat the same meal twice. That’s how diverse the food choices are in Toronto. It’s a foodie’s paradise.
If we had more time, or ever make another trip someday, we would try Thai (one of my personal favorites) and visit Greek town. And of course, visit Korea Town again! We didn’t have the time to stop by a patbingsoo (Korean shaved ice dessert) joint, but next time we’re in Toronto, we’ll be sure to have some.
Where would you eat in Toronto?
Related Links:
TRAVEL: Go Free to the Toronto Railway Museum
TRAVEL: Inside the CN Tower
TRAVEL: Centerville Amusement Park on Toronto Island
TRAVEL: Indianapolis Street Photography and Food Photos
How to Take a Family Road Trip with Seven
TRAVEL: Fabulous Food & Shopping in Cleveland
