649604 Wed Sep 02 16:22:14 -0700 2009 8 23 Ontario (including Toronto) 0 5000301 I have been wanting to try some of the Korean places on Yonge Street between Sheppard and Finch. So, thank you, Chowhounders, for leading me to Buk Chang. I had their specialty: a silky tofu stew, served bubbling hot in a steel pot. Sides are purplish mushy rice and a selection of Korean thingys: kim chee, a sweet soybean, a refreshing soybean and sprout salad, and a spicy pickled crunchy thing. I am sorry for my ignorance, but I really don't know much about Korean food. But, I know I like it. The servers were quite gracious. I was the only white guy in the place. They brought over the tofu stew. The customer is supposed to crack a fresh egg into the soup. I didn't know that. So, I nodded politely and let the server do it. He smirked. I smirked. The food was very delicious. The tofu was quite soft and velvety. The broth was spicy, and well made. The purplish rice was really quite good. They refilled the various little side dishes without even being asked. The bill: $7. Oh, plus $1 for a soft drink. I tipped 33%, bringing the total tab to $12 all-in. Then walked over to Canaan Cakes on Spring Garden. I have been wanting to plug this place for awhile. I love it. They are super-friendly, and serve delicious Korean walnut cakes and other baked goods. A huge bag of walnut cakes is $5. I ate 4 and have 16 left for the family. They come in red bean and custard, and each one has a crunchy walnut baked into the walnutty cake. They are seriously good and seriously addictive. Try them. What a wonderful city. Wed Sep 02 16:22:14 -0700 2009 12420 Fwagra 1 5000362 I really like that place. The few things they do they do really well. Wed Sep 02 16:46:02 -0700 2009 5000301 204258 Everythingtarian 1 5000401 Go a few blocks north at Yonge & Cummer and you'll find Traditional Korean restaurant. Their soondobu is much better than buk chang, imo. Wed Sep 02 16:56:44 -0700 2009 5000301 14629 aser 2 5000408 Thanks for the tip. I want to try other Korean places. Can you tell me why TK is better? And, can you tell me what other Korean (non-tofu) restos I should try for the best in Korean food? Wed Sep 02 16:59:30 -0700 2009 5000401 12420 Fwagra 3 5000456 The depth of flavour in the broth, it's much more complex. The spice levels too are much stronger, I find buk chang have toned down their spice in light of the crossover success. Even when you ask for hot, it is rather mild. That strip alone, there are tons, try any of these places. There've been quite a few threads. Oh Geul has a large menu w/ lots of banchan, Sariwon is higher end with better ventilation, Man Doo = dumplings. That's just the tip of the iceberg. The link feature has been crippled, couldn't add Seoul House, which is 180 Steeles w. They have charcoal for their bbq. Wed Sep 02 17:18:55 -0700 2009 5000408 14629 aser 3 5001032 agreed with aser about the depth of flavour in the broth - the difference between TK and BCDST is like homemade chicken soup vs the powdered instant cuppa soup, no comparison! besides, TK serves more side dishes and everything (to my knowledge) is homemade. plus, ifyou like the crusty rice on the bottom of your stone bowl, and can't finish it at the resto, TK packs it for you to take home (on request) whereas BCDST doesnt if you like walnut cakes the best in my opinion are to be found at the walnut cake place on the little side street west off Yonge, just south of ManDoo Hyang (at 6068 Yonge) - cant recall the name but the shop is hardly noticeable, faces north and leads you into a clothing store. their cakes are fresh and packed full of filling (red bean, custard)! their shaved ice with red bean topping is very refreshing on a hot day... Wed Sep 02 21:45:34 -0700 2009 5000408 19661 berbere 4 5002172 OOOooo! Another bakery to try out... Thu Sep 03 09:41:45 -0700 2009 5001032 14940 jlunar 2 5000574 seconded! one of the best soondobus i've had in TO and the bibimbap (seasonal spring variety) was easily the best bibimbap I've had period. Their banchan (side dishes) are very authentic. Wed Sep 02 18:17:05 -0700 2009 5000401 96253 chocabot 1 5000950 Oh... the walnut cakes... om nom nom... custard kind.... nom nom nom. Other places also have potato hodo kwaja. Still. Custard! --- http://www.foodpr0n.com/ -- food. is. love. Wed Sep 02 20:48:03 -0700 2009 5000301 14940 jlunar