Introducing Ethnic Foods to Kids - Need Recommendations
Our 3 kids (ages 12, 9 and 7) love ethnic foods. As a family, we've identified 24 different ethic foods in the GTA we want to try. We've already visited the following.
1. Chinese Mother's Dumplings
2. Japanese Various Sushi Restaurants
3. Ethiopian Nunu's
4. Thai Thai House
5 Med. Tablue
6. Turkish Kabul House
7 Italian Terroni
8. Indian Amayra
9 Greek Mezza on 2
10 Iranian Banu
11. Jamaican The Real Jerk
Anyone have suggestions for the following:
1 Peruvian
2 Salvadorian
3 Mexican
4 Cuban
5 French
6. Vietnamese
7 Brazilian
8 Korean
9 Laotian
10 Sri Lankan
11 Cambodian
12 Pakistani
In addition to the food, we also talk about the customs and traditions of each country. Maybe a little dorky, but a fun learning tool we all enjoy.
P.S. Toronto Rocks! We are lucky to live here.
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Mother's Dumplings
421 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, ON , CA
Banu
777 Queen St West, Toronto, ON M6J 1G1, CA
Thai House Restaurant
506 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V2B3, CA
By letrell
on Aug 20, 2011 04:10 AM
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For more upscale Peruvian, I'd go to Boulevard Cafe, especially while it's warm so you can enjoy the beautiful patio.
For casual Peruvian, Mexican and Salvadorian, I would go to the food court at the Latin plaza at 9 Milvan Court. It's like being in another country. There are probably 8 (or more) vendors, each from a different Latin American country: Peru, Mexico, El Salvador, Chile, etc. There is very little English being spoken there, and it's a wonderful experience. From the Peruvian vendor, order the lomo saltado with beef. I know Chile isn't on your list, but the empanadas from the big Chilean bakery are wonderful (hmm, or were they from El Salvador? either way, it's the big bakery at the end of the food court).
For Sri Lankan, I would hit up either Rashnaa for a sit down restaurant or go to Babu Catering for a huge hot table full of goodies. At either place, I'd order string hopper and kotthu roti (at Babu, you have to order both items, as they are made to order). If you are at Rashnaa, try a dosa as well. Babu makes very good dosas, but since it's carry out, they lose some of their crispness during travel.
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Rashnaa
307 Wellesley St E, Toronto, ON M4X1H2, CA
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For Peruvian, try Boulevard Cafe. For korean, I dont know a kid that wouldnt like Korean BBQ. my fave is at Yonge and College, my Korean friend said it wad very close to authentic (as youd find here). As for Mexican, maybe El Trompo in Kensington?
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El Trompo
277 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON M5T2M1, CA
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Our kids love Korean BBQ but I have only been to one in the GTA: Swish by Han. I've been to Swish 3 times and it is consistently awful. Greasy, Salty and way overpriced.
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Swish by Han
38 Wellington St E, Toronto, ON , CA
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Swish by Han isnt good Korean BBQ. You need to hear to Bloor west or FInch/Yonge for good authentic BBQ. Korean Village is the Bloor West strip is a good choice.
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Korean Village
628 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6G1K7, CA
Swish by Han
38 Wellington St E, Toronto, ON , CA
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Sounds like a lot of fun for the family!
I have a couple of recommendations:
Sri Lankan - Hopper Hut , 880 Ellesmere Road - Watch out, the spice levels can be unbelievably hot!
Vietnamese - Pho Bistro at Warden & Lawrence - No doubt there is better pho elsewhere, but the food is pretty darn tasty here, and the space is clean and comfortable, which cannot be said about many of the other pho restaurants I've been to.
French - Le Select Bistro - Toronto has many options, but for value and the experience, given that you've got a full family to feed, this would be my recommendation.
http://www.leselect.com/
Thai - I don't see this on your list, but probably your best option would be Khao San Road.
http://www.khaosanroad.ca/
Hungarian - Gourmet Schnitzel House (You didn't ask for it, but I have a recommendation!
)http://gourmetschnitzelhouse.com/
Czech - I know you didn't mention it, but I highly recommend Prague Restaurant in Scarborough. The location is great for children. It's set on a park, and there's lots of space for children to play and run before or after a meal, and the room just feels very old country. I enjoyed the food very much and felt it was quite authentic.
http://www.praguerestaurant.com/
Austrian - The Old Country Inn in Unionville - I haven't been in a while, but it was enjoyable the time I went. Don't know where you're from, but that area is quite picturesque, and it would make a nice day trip, if you're living in the city.
http://www.oldcountryinn.ca/
Dim sum - Lots of fun for kids - Rol San on Spadina has great food, but no cart service. If you would prefer cart service, maybe someone else can make a recommendation.
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Hopper Hut
880 Ellesmere Rd, Toronto, ON M1P2W6, CA
Rol San
323 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON M5T2E9, CA
Le Select
432 Wellington St W, Toronto, ON M5V1E3, CA
Old Country Inn
198 Main St, Unionville, ON L3R2G9, CA
Khao San Road
326 Adelaide St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1P7, CA
Gourmet Schnitzel House
2286 Kingston Rd, Toronto, ON M1N 1T9, CA
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I enjoyed Hopper Hut. I didn't find the food very hot and spicy, but I have an asbestos mouth. For Vietnamese, I really recommend trying pho at Pho Dau Bo (Finch and Weston). I think the broth there is more fragrant than most.
I don't think you're going to have much luck with Cambodian or Lao food in the GTA, sadly.
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Hopper Hut
880 Ellesmere Rd, Toronto, ON M1P2W6, CA
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