One of five Chinatowns in the Greater Toronto area, this one is the one most commonly referred to as “Chinatown” and is located downtown along Dundas Street and Spadina Avenue. Here’s where to eat at this staple heritage district that celebrates Chinese-Canadian heritage, and has been since the late 1950s. One of the largest in North America but with many of its best restaurants all lined up on the same street, Downtown Chinatown in Toronto is one of the best places for a foodie tour, and in this list, we’ve included 9 of our favorites.
1. Dim Sum King
Dim Sum King is the largest dim sum restaurant in Toronto, located right in the heart of Downtown, just steps away from the Art Gallery of Ontario. Lovers of Beijing food have been flocking to Dim Sum King for years, making it one of the most popular of its kind in the city. From Shumai and Har Gow dumplings to Chicken Feet, greens, and buns, you’ll find a hodgepodge of deliciousness here.
Where: 421 Dundas Street West, Toronto, ON, Canada, Toronto, M5T 2W4
2. Chinese Traditional Buns
A little hole-in-the-wall spot that has some of the best buns you’ll eat in the city. Try their soup dumplings, wontons, and steamed buns packed with flavorful meat and disappear into dumpling heaven. We’d also highly recommend trying their Dan Dan Noodles, which are noodles coated in a sesame sauce topped with chili oil, ground pork, and sometimes peanuts.
Where: 536 Dundas Street W
3. Canton Chili
Canton Chili is an after-hours destination because it’s open so late and is a perfect for a night out. The concept came from combining traditional Cantonese flavors with Indian chili, giving it its name. Their Chili Chicken is one of their standout dishes but they’ve got a little of everything from fried shrimp to orange duck to Szechuan style tofu. Don’t forget to peruse their late night menu which runs from 5pm to 3:45 Sunday-Thursday and until 4:45 on Friday and Saturday.
Where: 418 Spadina Ave Toronto
4. Bahn Mi Nguyen Huong
Open since the 80s, Bahn Mi Nguyen Huong is a no-frills and authentic Vietnamese stop on your Chinatown food tour. Their Bahn Mis are only $5 and come on soft, scrumptious French bread filled with everything from lemongrass tofu to cold cuts to sweet honey sausage. If anything, consider stopping here just to experience the OG of bahn mis in the city.
Where: 322 Spadina Ave.
5. Juicy Dumpling
For lovers of fresh and hot Shanghainese-style dumplings (or soup dumplings), Juicy Dumpling is your go-to spot. Expect somewhere that’s fresh, quick, and cheap! For Downtown Chinatown restaurants, this one is probably one of the better on quality and price. For only $2.99 you can get 6 pork dumplings or for $5.99 you can get 6 pork and crab. They also do pan-fried soup dumplings, buns, and various small plates like cumin chicken.
Where: 280 Spadina Ave Unit M-N
6. Pho Hung
If you want really good and authentic Vietnamese in Toronto’s Downtown Chinatown, then Pho Hung is your choice. While Toronto has a lot of Vietnamese restaurants and we know it can be hard to find something authentic and of good value, we’d say that Pho Hung is just that, with no frills, no gimmicks, just good tasty pho and other Vietnamese staples.
Where: 350 Spadina Ave.
7. Dragon City
Head to Dragon City, one of Toronto Downtown Chinatown’s mall and head to their Egg Waffle Stall, but be prepared to wait. She has a line, almost always. The perfect street food, the waffles are hot and fresh, fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Where: 280 Spadina Ave.
8. Rol San
Rol San has moved to a new location with a bit of a swankier interior, but it’s still the same delicious spot to get rice rolls, dumplings, and more. An excellent option for dim sum in the area at a cheap price point, Rol San has been a Downtown Chinatown staple and it definitely deserves it for its hot, fresh, quick, and cheap approach to all-day dim sum.
Where: 388 Spadina Ave
9. Mother’s Dumplings
A dumpling spot that’s a bit newer on the scene, opening in the early 2000s that has quickly become a Downtown Chinatown staple in Toronto. They’re made with a traditional family recipe with top ingredients and has since been awarded with a Michelin Star. This is one dumpling spot you’ll have to see for yourself.
.Where: 421 Spadina Avenue Toronto
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