You don’t have to travel overseas—these Asian Toronto restaurants serve dishes that rival the originals.
Love Asian food? Toronto offers a wide variety of Asian cuisines from every corner of the diaspora.
With close to 50 percent of the population being immigrants and nearly 56 percent of them being Asians, Toronto is one of the cities with the most diverse Asian communities in the world. You’ll find not only Chinatown but also Koreatown, Little Tokyo, Little Manila, Little India and more.
The best part is that, since immigrants brought their cuisines along with them, you can get some truly authentic Asian food in Toronto. And I’m here to share some of my top restaurant picks in different Asian cuisines. Read on and start planning your self-guided Toronto Asian food tour.
Best Afghani: Qataghan Kabab
Located in a nondescript plaza in Scarborough's east end, Qatghan Kabab Restaurant is a hidden gem.
Afghan decorations enhance the no-frills atmosphere. There’s even a section at the back where you can dine in a more traditional family-style meal on dining rugs.
The menu features a variety of kebabs and sides, such as mantoo and Afghan bread. The prices are reasonable, considering the quality and quantity of the food.
Must-try dishes: The Beef Kababs are juicy and flavourful. I was intrigued to try the Ghormeh Gosht, a traditional Afghan slow-cooked beef stew with beans and herbs served over basmati rice.
Best Chinese: Congee Queen
When I have visitors who want Chinese food, I always bring them to Congee Queen for consistently delicious food, good portions and reasonable prices.
With an extensive menu (and locations across town), there is something for everyone, from smaller snacks and comfort food like General Tao Chicken to more fine-dining dishes like Stir-Fried Lobster.
Their restaurants are usually busy, but the service is fast and efficient, so you normally don’t have to wait long.
Must-try dishes: These three are always a sure order: congee, Spice & Pepper Salt Squid and Fried Chili Turnip Patties. You should also try their BBQ Duck.
Best Chinese clay pot rice: Good Taste Casserole Rice
If you love a good rice dish, Good Taste Casserole Rice is a must. With locations in North York and Scarborough, they specialize in this regional Chinese specialty clay pot rice, not commonly found in Toronto. Good price, big portions and yummy comforting food that’s great for sharing.
Must-try dishes: The best part is scraping the bottom layer of rice off the pot! It’s flavoured and crispy. I recommend the Four Treasures Rice, which has grilled eel, BBQ pork and assorted preserved meats.
Their rice noodle rolls are made from freshly prepared rice milk, which gives them a smoother and thinner texture than the ones in Cantonese dim sum. I like their Shrimp Rice Noodle Roll.
Best northeastern Chinese iron pot stew: Happy Valley Village
Located in a massive food plaza in Scarborough, Happy Valley Village is probably one of the most unique regional specialty Chinese restaurants in Toronto.
Here you’ll find delicious and flavourful northeastern Dongbei cuisine served in large portions, most notably the Iron Pot Stew.
I liked the way it’s cooked on your own table, and it’s quite special to see. The portions are pretty big, so bring an appetite and a group of friends.
Must-try dishes: They are most known for Stewed Goose in Iron Pot. The Stew Pork Ribs are tender and flavourful. Shovel Stir-Fried Sliced Lamb with Cumin is so good with rice.
Best Filipino: Sampaguita Village
Nestled in North York’s Little Manila, Sampaguita Village is one of my favourite spots for Filipino food. It is a staple among the Filipino community, where you’ll find common traditional dishes.
As someone who was born and raised in the Philippines, I always feel like I’m transported back whenever I dine here.
Must-try dishes: They have the best Lechon Kawali (deep-fried pork belly) in Toronto. It has nice crispy skin and the most tender and moist meat, which is not an easy feat considering it’s deep-fried.
Be sure to also try other Filipino favourites, such as grilled chicken, Pancit, Filipino Beef Steak and garlic fried rice.
Best Filipino kamayan: Tinuno
Tinuno is the unassuming restaurant that was the first in the city to popularize kamayan among non-Filipinos.
Kamayan (or boodle fight) is a unique dining experience where a communal feast is laid on top of banana leaves to be shared and eaten with your hands (which is what the Tagalog word “kamay” means in English).
When doing kamayan, you’ll want to gather a group because the bigger the group, the more impressive the spread looks.
Must-try dishes: A kamayan here typically consists of milkfish, tilapia, squid, shrimp, mussels, pork belly, BBQ pork skewer, okra, eggplant, mango salad and garlic rice.
Best Indian: Mayur Fine Indian Cuisine
Located in a small plaza in Scarborough, Mayur Fine Indian Cuisine is my go-to for Indian food.
This small, no-frills restaurant specializes in Northern Indian specialties like tandoori, biryani, curry and fried food like pakoras and samosas. But if you’re coming hungry, they have an elaborate and reasonably priced lunch buffet that gets quite busy.
Must-try dishes: They have the best Lamb Korma I’ve had in the city. Other favourite dishes are the Veggie Mixed Platter (paneer pakora, onion bhaji, veggie pakora and veggie samosa) and the Goat Curry in a deeply flavourful, aromatic and spicy curry that takes me back to my trip to India.
Best Indonesian: Satay Sate
Tucked in an industrial area in North York, Satay Sate is a hidden gem for Indonesian food, a less common Asian cuisine in Toronto. Their menu is a great way to discover the most traditional and popular Indonesian food.
Must-try dishes: Start with the addicting Krupuk, crunchy shrimp-flavoured chips, with an even more addicting house-made peanut sauce (be sure to savour and let the taste linger).
My favourite here is the Beef Rendang, with its flavourful curry and tender beef slow-braised in coconut milk. I love putting my entire cup of rice on it and just mixing everything so the rice soaks up all the curry goodness.
Best Japanese BBQ: Gyubee Japanese Grill
Gyubee Japanese Grill will always have a special place in my heart because it was the first all-you-can-eat Japanese barbecue restaurant in Toronto.
Expect premium-quality meats, which is surprising in an all-you-can-eat restaurant. There are beef, chicken, pork, lamb and seafood, along with other sides and vegetables. But be sure to save room for desserts, too—they have an awesome crème brûlée!
Gyubee is usually packed and has a waitlist (even with multiple locations across Toronto), so be sure to make reservations.
Must-try dishes: From the all-you-can-eat menu: Prime Kalbi, Sweet Soy-Marinated Short Rib, Pork Belly, Shrimp, Butter Corn, King Oyster Mushrooms, Bibimbap and crème brulee.
Best Japanese omakase: Sushi Yūgen
Tucked inside an office building in Toronto’s Financial District is Sushi Yūgen, No. 3 in Canada’s Best New Restaurants (2024). This intimate omakase spot specializes in traditional sushi using fresh fish flown in from Japan three times weekly.
Choose from a rare under-$100 omakase at the 12-seat sushi counter or step through a sliding door into the exclusive 8-seat Chef’s Counter, which took me back to omakase restaurants I visited in Japan.
Must-try experience: Chef Kyohei Igarashi combines extensive Tokyo expertise and MICHELIN-recognized experience, to create a unique kaiseki-omakase hybrid for the 17-course experience.
Highlights include Truffle Chawanmushi, Awabi (Abalone), Sayori (Japanese Needle Fish) sushi, and Konoko Gohan (Mushroom Rice).
Best Japanese ramen: Konjiki Ramen
Japanese chain Konjiki Ramen opened its first Canadian location in North York during Toronto’s ramen craze (circa 2017), introducing Toronto to authentic, Japanese, MICHELIN-recognized ramen.
Its Japanese flagship has achieved both Bib Gourmand and 1-Star status, and now multiple locations serve Toronto.
Must-try dishes: Their claim-to-fame Signature Clam Broth Shoyu Ramen, which made Konjiki Ramen recognized by MICHELIN, is unlike any other broth in the city.
I also like the Wagyu and Angus Beef Shoyu Ramen, topped with heavenly black truffle. Vegetarians will be surprised by their Vegetarian Ramen, which has a unique and creamy soup base using avocado, soy milk and cream.
Best Korean: Finch JungSooNae
Located in North York’s uptown Koreatown, Finch JungSooNae is a cozy, family-owned restaurant serving authentic Korean cuisine in a homey atmosphere.
It’s one of the few restaurants in Toronto that offers an excellent Korean dish called GanJang GeJang—raw crabs marinated in soy sauce. They also offer a spicy variation called YangNeom GeJang, but newcomers should start with the classic soy-marinated version.
Must-try dishes: GanJang GeJang! Its unique taste blends sweet, creamy crab tomalley reminiscent of fresh uni (sea urchin) with tender crab meat similar to amaebi (sweet shrimp). This iconic Korean delicacy is perfect for adventurous eaters seeking an unforgettable taste of Korea right in Toronto.
Best Korean fried chicken: bb.q Chicken
Since opening in Toronto in 2020, Korea’s popular bb.q Chicken has been my go-to for Korean fried chicken. Known for consistently tender, juicy, crispy chicken, bb.q Chicken offers flavours ranging from traditional Soy Garlic to spicy Caribbean and sweet-spicy Secret Sauce.
Must-try dishes: The signature Secret Sauce—a perfect sweet-and-spicy Korean chili—is beloved even by my friend’s kids. Spice lovers should try Mala Hot for Szechuan-style heat. Milder options like Gangjeong and Gangnam sauces offer balanced sweetness.
Non-sauced standouts include Black Pepper and Cheesling. Don’t miss sides like crispy Shrimp Menbosha, Fried Cauliflower, and Cheese Balls with different fillings like original, sweet potato or chocolate.
Best Malaysian: Gourmet Malaysia
Gourmet Malaysia, located in a Scarborough plaza, is a no-frills restaurant specializing in Malaysian, Singaporean and Indonesian food. Its very extensive menu makes it a great way to try specialties from these three less commonly found Asian cuisines in one spot.
Must-try Dishes: Beef Curry Roti Canai (buttery and flakey flatbread that soaks up the curry), Singapore Laksa (a delicious heartwarming curry noodle soup with coconut milk. I prefer this over the Assam Laksa) and Penang Char Kwei Teow (a popular Malaysian hawker dish of Stir-Fried Ho Fun Noodles with the charred smoky wok hei flavours I look for).
Best Middle Eastern: Byblos
Byblos is not your typical Toronto-style Middle Eastern restaurant. With cozy upscale vibes and a tapas-style menu, its uptown and downtown locations are great places to have a special meal or a date night.
Don’t expect the usual shawarma and kebabs. Instead, you’ll find inventive dishes and twists to Eastern Mediterranean dishes with bold, daring flavours. Their lamb ribs feature tender, fall-off-the-bone lamb with a unique Middle Eastern flavour profile: a nice crunch from the dukkah, spiciness from the red chilli shug and sweetness from the yogurt and raz el hanout glaze.
Must-try dishes: Turkish Manti Dumplings, Lamb Ribs and Black Truffle Rice
Best Syrian: Aleppo Kebab
Located in a modest Scarborough plaza, Aleppo Kebab specializes in Syrian and Armenian cuisine. If you haven’t had Syrian kebabs, you can try them at this small family-owned restaurant… but expect a wait as it’s a neighbourhood hot spot.
Must-try dishes: The adana kebab is made with marinated spiced ground beef cooked on a charcoal grill and is packed with flavour. It is dense compared to fluffy Persian kebabs. Despite being labelled as spicy, I didn’t find it spicy. I love that the order comes with pita and hummus as well.
Best Thai: Pai Northern Thai Kitchen
With its hip vibes and relaxed atmosphere, coupled with delicious Thai food with authentic flavours, Pai is one of my most frequented spots in downtown Toronto.
It’s a great place to eat where the locals hang, but be sure to come early or make a reservation because Pai always gets a lineup.
Must-try dishes: Pai serves Toronto’s best aromatic Khao Soi—fresh egg noodles in golden coconut curry with crispy noodles, coriander, and green onions—and flavour-packed Pad Gra Prow, holy basil pork stir-fry with fried egg and spicy nam prik nam pla sauce. Also delicious: Chef Nuit Pad Thai, Gaeng Panang, and Thai Iced Tea.
Best Tibetan: The MoMo House
The MoMo House, owned by Tibetan immigrant Garab Serdok, is a must-visit for authentic momos—traditional filled dumplings.
With three Toronto locations, including one in Parkdale’s Little Tibet, the menu is focused on momos, served steamed or fried, alongside flavourful variations like Chili Momo and Butter Chicken Momo. Choose from vegetarian, chicken, beef, or pork fillings to customize your momo experience at this local favourite.
Must-try dishes: Don’t miss their two most popular items: Butter Chicken Momo and Chili Momo. Order them fried for crispy, juicy perfection. The Butter Chicken Momo stands out, with its wrapper deliciously soaking up the rich sauce.
ALSO SEE: Eat + Explore Little Tibet
Best Vietnamese: Pho Metro
Nestled in a small Scarborough plaza, Pho Metro is a beloved, family-run spot for traditional Vietnamese cuisine. The extensive menu includes authentic Pho, broken rice dishes, Hue-style spicy noodles, rice paper wraps, and vermicelli soup.
Must-try dishes: Pho here features a clean, flavourful broth. Try the Phở về Dòn with tender fatty brisket. Spice lovers will like the bold, spicy Bún bò Huế noodle soup. The Bò kho (Vietnamese beef stew) offers fork-tender beef and a savoury-sweet broth.
If you’re opting out of noodles or soup, order the delicious Cơm Đặc Biệt—house-special rice topped with grilled pork, chicken, beef, and a perfect fried egg.
Best Vietnamese banh mi: Banh Mi Nguyen Huong
Banh Mi Nguyen Huong is one of Toronto’s hidden food gems in Chinatown, known for delicious and affordable banh mi.
This unassuming Vietnamese bakery serves authentic sandwiches packed with generous fillings and bold flavours. Perfect for a quick, satisfying meal, the fast and efficient service ensures you’ll have your sandwich in minutes.
Must-try dishes: Order the Grilled Chicken Banh Mi—fresh cilantro, cucumber, tangy pickled carrots and daikon, all tucked into a mayo-slathered, crispy French baguette.
