Last updated on December 28th, 2022 at 10:27 am
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Since my Boston restaurant recommendations was well-received, I decided to do a similar post. This time, the focus is on Asian restaurants in Toronto.
I could be biased but Toronto has some pretty good Asian food. It’s probably because we have a big Asian community over here.
If you’re a local, you might have already heard of these restaurants. If you’re not from here or haven’t tried these restaurants before, you totally should!
Anyone who likes Asian food will have their cravings satisfied when you’re in Toronto, Ontario.
This list is not in any particular order.
Asian Restaurants in Toronto #1: Saigon Star
330 Hwy 7, Richmond Hill
https://www.saigonstartoronto.com/
Saigon Star is a Vietnamese restaurant by highway 7 in Richmond Hill.
A lot of people from Toronto will have eaten here before. There’s a reason why it’s so popular.
Don’t be fooled by the many Asian restaurants nearby. This one sticks out for their food.
When my friends and family ask me where I want to eat on my birthday, Saigon Star is usually the answer. Everyone knows I’m crazy about this restaurant.
Honestly, I would come here more often but it’s not at a convenient location. It does make the two to three times eating here every year that much more special.
King Curry Crab
Their signature dish is the King curry crab. It is absolutely delicious.
People who aren’t curry lovers might outright reject this dish. I completely understand because I was the same way. I can’t really eat spicy food but this one is different, I promise.
Saigon Star’s curry isn’t too spicy. It’s also rich in flavour.
The sauce is perfect for mixing with your rice. Or you can drown the naan in sauce.
Get both to see which one you like better.
If I’m being truthful, I usually get plain rice AND naan. I need both to be satisfied.
Since it’s a king-sized crab, the portion is huge. Depending on how many people share this dish, there are going to be leftovers.
In fact, I get excited because I can eat curry crab again the next day. When I was younger, my cousin and I used to fight over who can take the rest of the curry sauce home. Haha, it’s funny now that I think about that.
Satay Chicken Skewers
Their satay chicken skewers are also worth a try. They serve the dish along with this peanut sauce.
It’s a must-have dish every time I visit Saigon Star, along with the curry crab.
There are many other options on the menu but these two dishes are already a lot. It might not sound like a lot but once you see it in person, you’ll know it’s enough food to keep you full.
One important note – this restaurant is smaller than the other ones on the list. It’s best to book ahead as Saigon star fills up quickly.
Asian Restaurants in Toronto #2: Congee Queen
Various Locations
https://www.congeequeen.com/
Most, if not, all Chinese people have heard of Congee Queen. It’s that famous.
This Chinese food chain have multiple locations all around the city.
If I had to pick my absolute favourite Asian restaurant in Toronto, it’s Congee Queen. Thank god they have multiple locations because I can always eat here.
Saigon Star is great but there are only two items I really like. Congee Queen has a more extensive menu by far.
There are probably about a hundred of items on here, if not more. To give you an idea, the menu size is similar to The Cheesecake Factory.
Honey Garlic Chicken Wings
HONEY GARLIC WINGS. You know in the States, people love buffalo chicken wings? Over here in Canada, we love our honey garlic wings.
Congee Queen is the number one place for honey garlic wings. I can’t remember the last time I ate here and did not order this dish. It’s just not possible.
There are 8 chicken wings and drumsticks per dish so there’s plenty to go around.
It’s something you can get alongside with a rice or noodle dish. You can also eat it alone as a snack.
The honey garlic wings are sweet and sticky. There’s a lot of honey in the dish so unfortunately, it’s not a suitable sauce to put on your rice.
Signature Fried Rice
There is two fried rice dishes that are worth mentioning at Congee Queen – Softshell Crab Fried Rice and Eel Fried Rice.
Does it matter to you if your fried rice looks lighter or darker?
I have a strong preference for darker-looking fried rice. It looks more appetizing that way. Am I the only one?
If you’re like me, get the softshell crab fried rice.
On the other hand, the Eel fried rice is lighter and has more sauce. Congee Queen adds eel sauce on top of the fried rice, which is the best part.
Both are signature dishes. People will have different opinions on which one is better.
Try both of them and see what type suits your taste buds more.
Crispy Squid
Congee Queen has very juicy squid. Their squid pieces are huge!
The texture is chewy and has a lot of flavour despite it being salt and pepper flavoured.
Be prepared for a lot of seafood.
Fried Rice Noodles with Beef Black Bean Sauce
Let me tell you something, Chinese people love black bean sauce. For us, eating black bean sauce and garlic on everything is practically a rule.
It’s for a good reason. They are 100% delicious.
They serve this noodle dish to you with the sauce on top. It’s delightful mixing the sauce and noodles together.
The restaurant cooks the noodles extremely soft so you can easily slurp the noodles.
There’s plenty of beef in this dish but it’s the sauce that makes the difference. The sauce makes this SO yummy.
Why Eat at Congee Queen?
Congee Queen is an affordable Chinese restaurant with generation portions and a lot of menu choices.
You feel like you’re paying your money’s worth for the food you’re getting. The price is pretty affordable.
On the downside, you can’t order too many dishes to try at once because one dish is too large. It’s okay though because you can keep coming back.
Asian Restaurants in Toronto #3: Dragon Pearl
865 York Mills Rd #2
https://www.dragonpearlbuffet.com/
Dragon Pearl is a buffet-style restaurant with a different delivery and/or takeout menu.
You can’t exactly order takeout at a buffet restaurant, can you?
Sesame Shrimps
Dragon Pearl used to have sesame shrimps on their menu but they took it out. Kind of. If you take a look at their menu, there’s only sesame chicken.
I’ve been a loyal customer for years so it’s something that was previously on the menu. I have to ask them personally but they’ve always made it for me.
You should be able to still order it though if you ask. You’ll just have to call them on the phone since their online menu doesn’t have the sesame shrimp option.
I haven’t tried their sesame chicken but I’m assuming it’s decent as well. If you have tried it, how was it?
Some people might be picky about how sesame chicken or shrimp isn’t an authentic Chinese dish. Yes, it might not be very local but it tastes good so why not?
Cantonese Chow Mein
Both Congee Queen and Dragon Pearl makes Cantonese chow mein. However, the noodles at Dragon Pearl are better. It’s more flavourful.
Congee Queen separates the sauce and noodles for Cantonese chow mein (probably so that it won’t get soggy). They are in two packages for takeout.
Dragon Pearl mixes the two together.
Obviously, takeout and delivery is not the same as dining in but when restaurants do separate the two, the dish does taste different. It’s also not as easy to mix.
Maybe that’s why I have a preference for Dragon Pearl’s one instead.
Shanghai Noodles
Shanghai noodles aren’t generally spicy but the one at Dragon Pearl is. You can even see the little pepper flakes.
It adds a zing to the dish, making it standout compared to others.
Like Congee Queen, Dragon Pearl is generous with its portion so you’ll find a lot of meat, vegetables, and noodles.
Grilled Salmon
Dragon Pearl calls this grilled salmon but it’s more like teriyaki salmon. It certainly tastes like it.
Isn’t grilled salmon usually just with salt and pepper?
This one has plenty of sauce with some vegetables at the bottom. The sauce goes well with rice.
It’s surprisingly affordable too. Salmon can get pretty expensive.
Although Dragon Pearl’s dine-in experience is a buffet, you can have your own mini buffet at home with all the food you get.
Salmon + Sesame Shrimps + Rice + Both Noodle Dishes = a very satisfying and filling meal.
Asian Restaurants in Toronto #4 – Fishman Lobster Clubhouse
I’ll keep this section short because I already have a dedicated blog post for Fishman Lobster Clubhouse.
It’s a place that has thousands of reviews on Google.
This restaurant has very fresh seafood, especially their lobsters and crab. Your waitress will even bring the live seafood to your table. This is the time to take pictures for Instagram or check to see how fresh your food will be.
There are multiple options for how you want your lobster to be cooked. Most people get the Hong Kong style but try the maggi sauce option. I tried it once and never looked back.
It’s the place to go to when you’re having family dinners or celebrations. People who enjoy fresh seafood and a lively atmosphere will enjoy this Toronto restaurant. Also, with their set menus, you’ll be beyond full by the time you finish your meal at Fishman Lobster Clubhouse.
Final Notes – Asian Restaurants in Toronto
Keep in mind that all of these restaurants are a bit out of the way. You pretty much need a car to get to these places, although people who live in North America are probably used to driving around.
These are the few places I always go back to (loyal customer right here) so I wanted to share these with my fellow Asian cuisine lovers.
If you have a more Westernize palate, check out my best pasta restaurants blog post.
Now to You – Asian Restaurants in Toronto
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Xoxo,
Nicole