Our Faves

Hong Fatt

443 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON, M5T 1G6

Rated this place:

posted Mar 19 2009

Chinese BBQ at its best!: I wouldn't trade Hong Fatt's old school yellow tables and 8-table hole-in-the-wall restaurant for anything. It's basic and simple at Hong Fatt. Don't even bother looking at the menu, let alone order anything besides their BBQ because that's what they do best. The chefs here are true "old school" Chinese cooks and have putting out deliciously barbequed and moist meats Chinese-style for years at this corner of Dundas and Huron in Chinatown.

For around $5, you can get any combination of barbeque pork, soya sauce chicken, regular chicken, roasted duck, roasted pork or bbq squid on rice, egg noodles or rice noodles in soup - and you're good to go. My favourite? Soya sauce chicken and barbeque pork on rice noodles in soup - comfort food at its best.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• BBQ
• chinese
• char siu
• bbq pork

King's Noodle Restaurant

296 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON, M5T2E7

Rated this place:

posted May 17 2009

Great noodle soup dishes!: Of all the casual Chinese restaurants along Spadina and Dundas in Toronto's Chinatown, King's Noodle stands out for their noodles. Just don't let the hanging roasted pigs and bright-orange squid in the front window scare you away. Step inside for a nice getaway to a typical Hong Kong eatery.

Having undergone a recent renovation about 2-3 years ago, it's as busy as ever at King's Noodle. Their speciality is - go figure - their Wonton Noodle Soup, made with the best wontons in Chinatown. Get the classic Wonton Noodle Soup with egg noodle or for the rice noodle for a fun change-up. You can combine your noodle soup dish to your heart's content with any of the additions: bbq pork, roasted pork, chicken, soya sauce chicken, bbq squid, beef brisket, and more.

If you like congee, King's Noodle isn't too bad but paired with the fried Chinese donut stick, it's a killer combination. King's Noodle also offers a great dim sum menu, ordered per dish at your table (no trolley carts being rolled around here). Another favourite of mine at King's is the Vegetable Rice Roll - great for a late night snack or light lunch.

Xe Lua Restaurant

254 Spadina Av, Toronto, ON, M5T2C2

Rated this place:

posted May 12 2009

A Fave Pho Place in Chinatown: Usually dubbed some kind of variation of "Train Pho" or "Choo Choo Pho" to many Toronto Pho regulars, Xe Lua has come a long way from its beginnings as one of Chinatown's original Vietnamese noodle shops. Recently reopened 1-2 years ago after major construction, the shop is located on the second level where it hides from unknowing diners but is often brimming with its faithful customers.

The new Xe Lua Restaurant is a great spot to watch the activity on Spadina Ave. from above while enjoying some of Chinatown's best Pho. Now, while some argue that Pho Hung has the best Pho broth in the neighbourhood, I admit that I prefer the soup at Pho Pasteur and Xe Lua. I'd recommend the Beef Brisket Pho for a melt-in-your-mouth beef noodle experience; the Grilled Pork with Spring Roll in Vermicelli "Bun" dish; or my all-time favourite, the Chicken Satay with Rice Noodle.

Finish off with a hot Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk or milkshake (mango, strawberry - or durian, if you dare!) for a promising and fulfilling meal.

Pho Pasteur Restaurant

525 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON, M5T1H4

Rated this place:

posted Jun 5 2009

Mouth watering beefy flavoured broth: Huge. Vietnamese friends have been recommending Pho Pasteur for ages - a place that appeases even their parents - the ultimate pho critics. The 24 hour spot is what most pho restaurants looked like 5-10 years ago - but the delicious soup and friendly service will make anyone forget the lack-lustre decor.

The beef noodle soup here is made as it should be - simmering for hours on end, each flavour present and tame at each mouthful. Go for the beef rice noodle /w beef brisket or the typical #1 mix of everything to find a new wonderful tasty treasure at each delve into the soup. Ratio of noodles to meat is good, the latter is generous. The "bun" dishes are great for a hot summer day, as are the fresh rolls which are usually served super-sized. Fruit shakes are smoother and milkier than the are icy.

Pasteur is definitely top notch pho in Chinatown (my next pick would be Xe Lua) although it's a little more expensive than your average Pho restaurant ($7 for a small soup and $4.50 for a filtered coffee /w condensed milk) - but it's worth the splurge for that delicious, mouth watering broth!

Asian Legend

418 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON, M5T 1G7

Rated this place:

posted May 17 2009

Tons of great Northern Chinese specialties!: One of the best nouveau Chinese restaurants to hit the Toronto scene, there are now six locations all over the Greater Toronto Area. Northern Chinese, Shanghai and Taiwanese-inspired cuisine bring spicier flavours, unique techniques and specialty traditional dishes to Chinatown. Not only does Asian Legend stand out because of its flavours - but it's classiness as a Chinese restaurant is hopefully a growing movement among Toronto's Chinese restaurants. So, what should you order when you go to Asian Legend? Here are some favourites. Start with the steamed soup-filled pork dumplings, packed with tons of flavour - just be sure to slowly bite into it using your spoon otherwise you'll lose all the delicious soupy goodness. The rolled beef + green onion pancake is delicious and crispy. The General Tao chicken is like candied chicken and is addictive. The glutinous rice roll with meat floss - sounds like a nightmare - but is a one-of-a-kind dish done best here. The braised pork is packed with flavour without any of the fat trimmed. A final favourite is the "dan dan" spicy noodles in peanut sauce, try to get as spicy as possible, for a great noodle dish packed with a peanut bite - amazing. Finish the meal off with a red bean pancake (similar to the beef + green onion pancake but deliciously sweet) or the fried doughnuts / balls with red bean paste in the middle, served covered with icing sugar. They're difficult to find elsewhere in Toronto so don't miss out when you're here!