chinese & japanese in toronto

dear chowhounds-- I'm going to toronto for a weekend trip in early august, any suggestions for good chinese (esp. cantonese) & japanese restaurants? We'll be staying in downtown--and will have a car for at least one day.

Thanks!!

[JonasBrand]

Lai Wah Heen is amazing, really you must go, a bit on the fancy side, but you can have a great meal and not spend too much. If I had to recommend one Dim Sum experiance in Toronto... LWH would be it no question.

For more casual... but still very tasty...

Ema Tei is the most authentic Japanese I have had in Toronto. Great Sushi, Udon, and many true Japanese dishes you just don't see at your run of the mill sushi counter.

New Sky is my favorite in Chinatown (Cantonese). Try the Hot Pot. Awesome chili oil.

All downtown :)

-----
Lai Wah Heen
108 Chestnut St, Toronto, ON M5G 1R3, CA

New Sky
353 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON M5T2G3, CA

Ematei
30 Saint Patrick St, Toronto, ON M5T3A3, CA

[Paula from Toronto]

My favourite downtown spot for sushi is Ki at Bay and Wellington Streets (heart of the financial district). The food is exquisitely prepared, and there's a nice outdoor patio/bar (keeping in mind that it's where the singles often go on a Thursday night).

For chinese, Lai Wah Heen on Chestnut Street (also downtown) is the best, imho.

I am surprised that no one mentioned Ichiriki at Yonge and Bloor. Other than sushi and teriyaki, they also have other dishes like Japanese vegetables, grilled (or maybe broiled) eggplants in miso paste.

Unfortunately downtown Toronto doesn't have great Cantonese food. If I had to choose, I would go to Rol San in Chinatown for dim sum (average price). If you want to spend double but get a bit better food and definitely better service/atmosphere, you can go to Dynasty at 131 Bloor St West for dim sum. Lee's Garden is probably the best place in Chinatown.

As for Japanese -- the best I've had downtown in terms of just the food itself, is Japango. It is a very small place but is the fish ever fresh. It is run by authentic Japanese. I really like the butterfish nigiri sushi, and also the Alaska Roll and the Japango Roll (both are same, a california roll with seared salmon on it, but latter has seared scallop pieces on it). If you are to try one Japanese place in downtown TO, I would say go to Japango. Address is 122 Elizabeth (south of Dundas). I would say this sushi place is better than most of the good sushi places in Vancouver, which is saying a lot!

happy eating!

Here's the top 25 Chinese according to the Now.

Link: http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2005...

Asian Legend on Dundas at Beverley....is a must for Chinese...Dim Sum or Dinner...there are lots of Japanese choices...I like Nami on Adelaide St E at Toronto St....Miranda

Should you have the budget, there's nothing like Kaji Sushi. Chef Kaji is truly a master - he's got to be one of the best chefs in Canada. Kaji is a real experience - the tasting menu is truly incredible. Sushi is only one course - prepare for about 10 different Japanese courses. It's going to cost you a lot, but if you can afford it, it's worth every penny.
http://www.sushikaji.com/

As for Chinese, if you're in the downtown Chinatown (Spadina Road), Lee Garden is one of the very best restaurants. The dishes are more delicately flavoured yet tastier than at other places; they're better presented and more heart-smart, too. (Worth paying a little more for - but still very reasonable.)

reviews:
http://www.toronto.com/section/restaurants/

http://www.torontolife.com/cityguide/landing_restaurants.cfm

Chinese:
City Inn (Market Village: Kennedy & Steeles in Markham
)
Dragon Dynasty Chinese Cuisine
416-321-9000
2301 Brimley Road,
Scarborough

Ding Tai Fung
First Markham Place, 3235 Hwy. 7 E. (near Woodbine), 905-943-9880

Fang's Restaurant
905-947-9969
3225 Hwy 7,
Markham

Japanese:

Japango Sushi
416-599-5557
122 Elizabeth Street,
downtown Toronto

Takesushi
22 Front St. W., downtown toronto
416-862-1891

Omi
451 Church St., downtown 416-920-8991

Mochizuki
416-348-8884
655 Bay Street,
Toronto, ON

Toshi Sushi
Address: 565 King St. W. (at Portland St.),
416-260-8588

Ematei
30 St. Patrick St., downtown Toronto
416-340-0472

Hiro Sushi
171 King St. E., 416-304-0550

Izakaya
69 Front St, East
http://www.toronto.com/feature/13313/

Kuni Sushi Ya (all you can eat menu
)416-260-3188
20 Baldwin Street,
downtown Toronto,

Sushi King (all you can eat menu)
416-515-1957
15 Hayden Street,
Toronto

Hashimoto Kaiseki Yu-zen
6435 Dixie Road Unit 10
Mississauga, Ontario
[phone]
http://www.kaiseki.ca/

Sushi Kaji
http://www.sushikaji.com/
860 The Queensway, Etobicoke
TEL:[phone]

Zen
2803 Eglinton Ave. E.,Scarborough
416-265-7111

Akasaka
280 West Beaver Creek Rd., Richmond Hill, 905-764-9291

Link: http://www.toronto.com/section/restau...

I don't know about the others, but Dragon Dynasty Chinese Cuisine is certainly not Cantonese. It's Hong Kong, like most of the other Chinese restaurants that have opened in the last 10 years.