REVIEW: Dumpling House in Toronto

While a lot us enjoy our dumplings at dim sum on a lazy hungover Sunday, some of us can't resist this culinary staple and bust out for the deliciousness of a grease fest during the week. If you're one of these people that likes dumplings whenever, wherever, or even all the time 24/7, then keep reading.

Dumpling house on Spadina Avenue in Toronto's Chinatown serves up delicious dumplings available in two configurations: steamed or fried. Fillings range from lamb, pork and shrimp, vegetarian and seafood. The fried are really fantastic and the steamed, well, they're OK (kinda mushy and not that tasty, actually).

Other dishes that deserve mention are: hot and sour soup (one of the best in Chinatown), bean curd and cucumber salad, shanghai noodles and eggplant in spicy garlic sauce.

Prices range from $3-$9. Dinner for 2 with tax and tip $20.

Dumpling house is located at 328 Spadina Avenue, north of Dundas Street.

Fried Pork and Shrimp Dumplings


Eggplant in Spicy Garlic Sauce


Hot and Sour Soup

REVIEW: Phoga Banh Cuon in Toronto

Have you ever been led astray by the plethora of Vietnamese restaurants in Toronto? Scared to go looking outside of your comfort zone of, let's say, Pho Hung?

Don't fret anymore for Phoga Banh Cuon is a place wherein one can seek comfort and solace (even on one's least courageous of days).

Specializing in Banh Cuon (see image above), this place turns out freshly made rice flower rolls, made to order, filled with delicate ground pork and wood ear mushrooms. Sounds amazing, no? It gets better, believe it or not. Douse these babies with delicious nuoc cham marinated with scotch bonnet peppers and garlic and you'll be set for life. All of this for only $6 a pop. Sound too good to be true? Check it out for yourself!

Phoga Banh Cuon is located at 1772 St Clair Ave West in Toronto and also has your standard fare of Pho and Bun. Come early on weekends as the place fills up quickly.