But it's been a long time since I ate at Swatow and wanted to come here with my siblings for lunch…read moreon my birthday! And the food was delicious as always. I've been coming here for decades and I had many fond memories when I lived in the area. The place is a medium size restaurant and looked exactly the same. The service as fast as usual. Usually there's a long line to get in but we got a table for four right away on a Sunday after 1pm. Then after we ordered our server offered us a larger table which we really appreciated. And glad we did because all the dishes were huge! We ordered to share: -Ginger Scallion Lobster -Shrimps in lobster sauce on rice -Cantonese Chow Mein -Fried squid -Spring rolls Everything tasted great and fresh but I wish the ginger scallion lobster tasted better. It wasn't the same as the one I had at another restaurant on Baldwin St. that closed many years ago. But it was still so nice to return to this iconic Chinatown restaurant.

Use to be the spot, decided to come here for lunch with my mom…read more Food was great, there was no interaction other than the waitress standing by their designated spot gossiping. Ordered my regular Stir Fried Beef rice noodle (lots of Wok Hei) and Fried bean curd with vegetables. Food came out great and tasted great. The only thing I did not like was when my mom barely finish they brought out the bill to rush us out. It wasn't that busy since it was after the lunch rush hour. The thing is when the bill came they overcharged us by a buck and we just decided to leave it be along with tipping them greatly. There was absolutely no interaction or even a thanks for stopping by and come back for more. This was my fave spot to eat whenever I'm craving for Chinese food, guess I will have to find something else. It's also cash only since they have an atm by the washroom entrance.

This was one of the very few HK Cafes that I've gone where the service was so exceptional. I was…read moregreeted by the warmest owner , she sat me down got me a menu and grabbed me some tea. She explained the menu and of course I had to try the baked pork chop rice. The dish was really good and comparable to the ones I have in Hong Kong but the sauce is on the slightly sweeter side. The inside is cozy and super inviting. The star was the owner, she was the absolute sweetest. You don't normally get the best service at these places but the service here was amazing!! Would highly recommend.

Very good lunch deals for cheap with soup, drink, and entree. was enough to take home for another…read moremeal. Owners were very friendly and a nice, cozy atmosphere.

we were picking up medication at the nearby pharmacy and decided to stop by at Juicy Dumpling since…read moreI haven't had Chinese dumplings and bun's in so long! It was so packed but my brother was able to save a table while I did the ordering. This was a very casual and self service type of restaurant in which you can order at the front desk or at their kiosk. They had a limited time "promotion" going on in which you can order a maximum of 2 orders of their xiaolongbao or steamed mini soup dumplings for $2.99 with a minimum spend of $10. But honestly, I've seen this promotion since last year so I'm thinking it's actually a permanent offer. We ordered two orders of their pan fried pork buns, 1 order of their pan fried chicken dumplings, and 2 order of their promotional steamed mini soup dumplings. I thought everything tasted pretty good. The pan fried buns and dumplings were very crispy and quite juicy. My only nitpick is that I wished they put some kind of veggies or chives in their filling. It was just meat and felt too 1 dimensional for me. The steamed mini soup dumplings was actually really good though which is such a surprise at this price point. The outer layer was very thin and the filling was packed with soup. It was very delicious and hearty. Are these the best Chinese dumplings and bun's I've ever had ? No, but they were great especially for the price point. I would definitely come back again next time I am craving Chinese dumplings and buns. Also they take Amex which is always a plus in my book.

If you're craving authentic, delicious dumplings in Toronto, Juicy Dumpling is the place to go!…read moreLocated in the heart of Chinatown on Spadina Ave, this cozy little gem offers an extensive variety of dumplings, both steamed and fried, that are filled to perfection. The pork and chive dumplings are a standout, bursting with flavor and topped with a savory soy dipping sauce. While the menu is simple, the quality of the food more than makes up for it. The atmosphere is no-frills, but don't let that fool you--the dumplings are definitely the star here. The service is quick and efficient, perfect for grabbing a bite in between exploring the bustling streets of Alexandra Park. If you're in the area and want a taste of traditional Chinese dumplings at a reasonable price, Juicy Dumpling should be at the top of your list!

Took advantage of their promo and tried the 10-piece beef & onion dumplings ($10.99) and…read moreXinjiang-style fried rice with chopped beef jerky($11.99). The dumplings were generously filled with meat, and the dough had a really nice texture. The fried rice was fragrant, spicy and full of flavour, with sweet bits of beef jerky throughout. Both were delicious and great value for the promo price! However beef jerky in my fried rice was a bit too sweet for me.

Magical Taste of China in Toronto's Chinatown offers a delicious and authentic dining experience…read morewith flavors that truly capture the essence of Chinese cuisine. I ordered their signature stir-fried noodles with beef, which was wonderfully flavorful. The noodles were cooked to perfection, and the beef was tender and juicy. The mushroom and tofu soup was light but rich in flavor, and a perfect complement to the main dish. For dessert, I enjoyed a creamy yogurt with fresh fruit--an ideal finish to the meal. The ambiance was casual, with a warm and welcoming vibe. The service was efficient and friendly, and I appreciated the staff's attention to detail. This is a great spot for anyone craving traditional Chinese dishes in a cozy, unpretentious setting.

Came here after a disappointing meal nearby, and were very happy with the quality, cleanliness, and…read moreservice. Food was great: + Beef chow mien was perfectly crispy and flavored + Pork and century egg congee was excellent + Shrimp and chive patty was good + Taro puff was good

the crab have no curry tasted not liked saigon curry in toronto?…read more1st day in toronto downtown canada .. we came here.. it wasn't that much people.

I've been craving Szechuan-style whole grilled fish for the longest time, so I was really happy…read morewhen I stumbled across this spot while walking on Spadina. The posters outside caught my eye, and I decided to come back with a group of three friends to try it out. We came a bit late around 8 PM, and most of the fish were already sold out except the original. We ended up ordering the Signature Spicy Grilled BBQ Fish ($40), a whole fish served bubbling hot with three toppings (potatoes, spam, and lotus root). You can choose between catfish and turbot, we chose the turbot fish. It looked extremely spicy, but the spice level was actually perfect. It was a bit on the oily side, but pairing it with rice balanced it out nicely. The fish was very tender and buttery, everything tasted amazing! We also ordered the Stir-Fried Egg with Tomato. The eggs were soft, the tomato sauce was rich. Not to mention the portion size was huge, we even had leftovers after eating until we were full. The restaurant itself was spacious, clean, and had plenty of seating. I think they were doing some sort of promotion so they gave us a $25 off coupon, though it expired pretty quickly so we didn't get to use it. I'd definitely come back for that grilled fish.

This is a new Chinese restaurant featuring Hunan and Szechuan cuisine. The spicy dishes emphasize…read morespiciness, not numbness. A few of their dishes come out on a sizzling plate with flames underneath. They are still in soft-opening mode with several specials. You can see the menus via a QR code. The Hunan cuisine is listed as "Hunan Noodles" and the Szechuan cuisine is listed as "Chopfire Menu". The Szechuan dishes are listed with 1 to 3 chilies representing the spiciness. If you can't handle spicy, then avoid eating the chili pieces and you might "survive". The restaurant decided to minimize their food offerings so that they can focus on refining their dishes in terms of quality and taste, including from customer feedback. We ordered the following: 1. Signature Spicy Grilled BBQ Fish ($39.95). 2. Home Stir Fried Beef ($21.95). 3. Bullfrog with Baby Ginger ($19.95). 4. Stir-Fried Cauliflower with Preserved Pork ($15.95). 5. Drunk Oolong (charcoal roasted oolong tea base) x 2 ($5.95 x 2). 6. Lemon Taro Balls ($7.95). We also saw the following: 7. Stir-Fried Sliced Pork with Green Pepper Noodle Soup ($9.99). First 10 customers each day, only pays $1.00. 8. Ink Painting Cocktail ($5.95). The Signature Spicy Grilled BBQ Fish came out on a huge sizzling platter. The BBQ Fish, a Turbot Fish, was very fresh and flaky, easily coming off the bone. There is no head attached like at typical Chinese restaurants but it would not have fit in the platter. The platter had a delicious sauce (soupy consistency and not sweet), luncheon meat slices, lotus root slices, and two other vegetables, along with chili pieces. The entire dish tasted great together with the various flavours. The menu listed it as 2-chili spicy but I could handle it by avoiding the chili pieces. The Home Stir Fried Beef is tender. It is listed as 3-chili but I could handle it by avoiding the chili pieces. The Bullfrog with Baby Ginger has the bullfrog cut up in little pieces; no you don't see a whole frog! The meat was actually good but most pieces have bones in it, so it takes time to eat it carefully. There was ginger slices in it but it, but we thought the slices were quite large! The Stir-Fried Cauliflower with Preserved Pork was very delicious! It came in a sizzling plate. The Cauliflower was flavourful and was not crunchy and not too soft. I've never had preserved pork slices before; it was quite good, not as salty as Chinese preserved vegetables. The Drunk Oolong has comes in a small bowl a with gin and ice. On the side, they include pieces of the charcoal roasted oolong tea leaves so you can smell it; quite a good smell indeed. You can also order it without the gin, which is what I ordered for mine (since I don't drink alcohol). It was such a nice drink! The Lemon Taro Balls dessert was pretty. In the centre was a slice of lemon. The customer service was good. There is plenty of indoor table and counter seating, including a small private room at the back. There is also an outdoor patio during warmer weather. There is pop music playing in the background. There is no free WiFi. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible, but there is no door-open button. There are two gender-neutral washrooms downstairs, so they are not wheelchair accessible. There is paid neighbourhood street parking. Review 2025-026

There are a lot of choices in Chinatown. Small restaurant…read morewith many choices. Selected the Lobster special with fries noodles and I asked for beef garlic but I think I got the dish above that in the menu as it was spicy and beef garlic was not indicated as such. Beef was super tender though!

My girlfriend and I came here for lunch. Overall, the food was good and we had an okay experience,…read morethough there was a bit of a language barrier with the staff. One issue we had was with the billing and payment process. The restaurant is cash only, which we didn't mind -- we just used the ATM they directed us to. However, when we looked at the bill, the total was higher than expected. When we asked for clarification, they told us that an 18% tip was already included, even though we were just a table of two -- and they never mentioned this until we asked. All she does is just smiling at me. It feels like they rely on people not checking the bill or not understanding due to the language barrier. This kind of practice feels dishonest, and we wouldn't recommend it. If you decide to eat here, just make sure to double-check your bill.

Mott 32 absolutely feels like one of those places where the entire experience matters just as much…read moreas the food. From the moment we walked in, the space already set the tone.. dark, dramatic, elegant, and beautifully designed without feeling overly stiff. It has that upscale energy that makes dinner feel like an occasion before you've even ordered anything. Food-wise, there was a lot to love. The signature apple wood roasted Peking duck was definitely a highlight, especially with the tableside carving, which made the whole experience feel even more polished and memorable. The skin had that beautiful lacquered finish, and the duck was rich, flavorful, and very satisfying. We also ordered a few larger dishes for the table, and I really appreciated how everything still felt refined without losing that comforting, indulgent side of Chinese dining. Some dishes leaned rich and luxurious, others were lighter and more aromatic, so the meal never felt repetitive. Service was another standout. Attentive without hovering, smooth without being too formal.. exactly the kind of service you hope for in a restaurant like this. Overall, Mott 32 is absolutely the kind of place I'd come back to for a special dinner, celebration, or just one of those nights when you want the meal to feel a little more elevated than usual.

Finally back for dim sum…read more First off, they need to fix their reservation system. Don't accept 1:45pm reservations if the dining room closes at 2pm. Also, when we call to check if dim sum is being served, it makes sense to inform us of the dining room closure instead of having us come in anyway. We settled for eating in the lounge which ended up being good because bartender, Aiki?, was excellent as our server. Really great. Ordered the following: King prawn Har gow: standard. Not worth the premium Mott charges. Miso black cod dumpling: not good. Wouldn't order again Shredded Peking Duck Spring Roll, Sliced Vegetable : Excellent. We loved this! Nice and crunchy. Delicious duck inside. Good vinegar dipping sauce. Good volume Hot & Sour Iberico Pork Shanghainese Soup Dumplings: Fantastic and unique. The dumplings don't really need dipping sauce since inside there is a hot and sour soup along with pork. These are unique and delicious. Fried Wagyu beef taro croquette : pretty good but really tasted like a Jamaican patty Cold noodle with shredded duck : very generous with meat. Honestly a lot more than any other restaurant that serves this. To be fair no one charges this much either so it should. Flavour could be stronger but certainly decent. Fresh Mango, Coconut, Glutinous Rice Roll: nice fresh dessert. Our favourite. Frozen xiao long bao with chocolate and nut: Tastes like a mochi. Not bad. Dragonball Zen - fun name. Delicious drink. Jasmine Dragon Ball Infused Tanqueray Gin / Peach Liquor Lime / Rose Water / Mint / Seltzer Over $200 for this meal before tip. It's premium an debatable if with it. Will be back but just occasionally.

I got the Braised Beef Noodles with classic noodles. Great food! I am traveling in Toronto for work…read moreand stopped by when I started craving home cooked beef soup. I am taiwanese and I have to say this was delicious. There is someone actually making noodles in the back. Service was quick and very nice and upbeat. My server was Kelly and she was great- I ate in and took what I didnt finish to-go and she even separated my noodles from the broth! The mango green tea was also fantastic. Thank you!

Toronto Review 4/Many: I went to this excellent Lanzhou spot with another person as one of my…read moreearlier meals. Our server, Sophia, was bubbly and friendly, giving suggestions and helping with the ordering process for the other person who wasn't as sure what they wanted. We eventually went with two appetizers and two entrees, which was more than enough food, and honestly, we could have only ordered one appetizer. The better of the two appetizers was the CAD 8.95 Hand Shredded Pepper Chicken/手撕椒麻雞/Shou Si Ji. The dish consists of cold chicken in a flavorful sauce, topped with some greens. The chicken was tender, with a mild, pleasant spice and a bit of numbingness from the Sichuan peppercorns, along with some fragrance, presumably from sesame oil. It reminded me a bit of salivating chicken you find in some Szechuan spots, but it was more aromatic and a bit less spicy. The other appetizer was the Steamed Edamame/岩鹽毛豆 with Himalayan pink salt for CAD 5.95. The other person chose between this and the vegetable dumplings, as he avoids pork, and it was, of course, lighter than the other appetizer. The decent portion of edamame was topped with some pickled carrots as a garnish. My main dish was the Braised Beef Noodles/紅燒牛肉面/Hong Shao Niu Rou Mian. The dish included several options, including size, noodle style, and spice level. I chose the large for CAD $20.95, medium spice, and for the noodle style, I chose flat/宽面, as it was closest to the prism style I like at Lanzhou spots in the States. Along with these, I also added a tea egg for an extra CAD 2.95. Outside the add-on, the dish also had a couple of large slices of radish. Compared to some spots in NYC, I slightly preferred the QQ/bouncy texture of the noodles at a spot near me. However, the broth was better here with a balanced amount of mala, though I would likely order spicy next time, as I tend to add chili oil to the relatively lighter Lanzhou broths. The beef was also much better, being tender with a mild chew regardless of whether it was tendon or other cuts. The tea egg was flavorful and worth the add-on, especially when the inside was dipped further into the broth. I can see why others order this. The other person went with the Signature Stir-fried Noodles/招牌炒面/Chao Tatiaozi. There was an option of protein, and he went with Chicken for $17.95 and added the same egg. I tried a bit, and there was a pleasant pepperiness with a bit of numbing flavor, but less than my dish. The noodles had a good bounciness and overall had a slightly better chewiness than mine. This was lighter overall, but also tasty. This spot has apparently come to the US already at the Mall of America, and I would love it if there were a location closer to me. Good place.

I never look for chinese food. But I came here due to its michelin reputation…read more As solo diner, I appreciate they offer half serving. Ordered squid and french toast. But received an extra gift (shrimp) for being a solo diner. I was speechless. I have been a solo diner locally and different countries, but this is first time receiving gift for being solo. What a sweet gesture. Great ambiance. Lovely service. Every single food is finger licking!! Literally!! Food is hype-worthy. Didn't expect this from chinese restaurant. It seems they 'twist' the typical ingredients...making it unique, bold, creative. Already plan to be back (bringing 'forces') ....more tummy to try more dishes...

Food was good, ambiance is good, but I wouldn't expect too far off a Cantonese restaurant…read more Personally I liked my noodles a bit sweeter, this was very savory. Sesame French toast was good but I wanted the tea infused milk syrup to have a stronger taste.