Korean Village Restaurant in Toronto

It’s amazing how a visit to Korean Village Restaurant can unexpectedly bring back so many fond memories…

Before moving to South Korea in 2007 I had only eaten at one Korean restaurant in Toronto. Picture one of those godawful, all-you-can-eat joints on Yonge Street where quality is compromised for those who prefer an all-you-can-eat binge.

After spending a year living in South Korea’s capital I learned to appreciate the diversity of Korean cuisine. I astounded myself after a few months when I began to enjoy the bright red, fermented cabbage, which all of my new friends raved for. I was curious for kimchi.

Korean Village Restaurant

This past Spring I spent a week overwhelmed by an odd craving for Korean cookery. It had been over a year since I last indulged in a spicy meat lovers bacchanal so rang up my two Seoul sisters (Chad and Burger) who I met during my tenure in Korea to catch up over fond flavours.

Jonathan, like me, had only experienced cheap and cheerful Korean spots in the city and had yet to thrill himself over quality Seoul Food. I was adamant that eve to change his perceptions. After doing a few hours of research I made a reservation at Korean Village Restaurant, patiently watching time fly until the dinner hour when I hopped on my bike and peddled over to Toronto’s bustling Koreatown.

Korean Village Restaurant serves Hite, a popular beer from Korea.

Step Inside Korean Village Restaurant

Korean Village Restaurant is a family run affair, which has been serving an enthusiastic audience on Bloor Street since it first opened in 1978.

The owner, Ok Re Lee, is an always smiling mother who sports a perfectly quaffed ajima (Korean grandma) perm. She’s known affectionately to regulars as Mom, but was an actress in South Korea many moons ago. She made more than 100 movies before she met her husband, a teacher. The duo moved to Canada to open Korean Village Restaurant four decades ago.

Her son manages the dinning room, popping in to say hello as we sit in our own private dining room surrounded by paper-thin thatched walls.

Korean Village Restaurant in Toronto features seven private dining rooms. These intimate rooms are best booked in advance if you’re looking to have a special celebratory night out. Each table is outfitted with a button that rings your server whenever you need to update your order.

Before skipping out the door be sure to enjoy the Korean restaurants curiosities. You’ll find a player piano in the back that operates by floppy disk (talk about retro). The lobby is famously covered in photos of visiting celebrities who’ve visited, from Jackie Chan to Nelly Furtado.

Korean Village Restaurant Menu

After placing your order a collection of authentic house-made banchan (Korean side dishes) arrive at the table. In Korea, side dishes are shared at the table to compliment steaming soups, grilled seafood and barbecue meat. Highlights include kimchi, pickled cucumber, spicy sesame cabbage slaw, fish cake and pickled bean sprouts.

Korean Village Restaurant offers an extensive menu with over 150 delicious dishes that include Korean favourites and Japanese classics.