Preface: Welcome to one of my Short City Adventures. These are shorter not due to any lack of affection for the featured locations, but because the visits were either brief, offering just a glimpse of the city, or because the cities only have a handful of attractions. Join me and discover whether these cities might interest you.
Toronto is Canada’s largest city and often called “New York‘s little sibling” – a comparison that’s both fair and revealing. It has multiculturalism, the skyline, the urban energy, but scaled down and less polished. For someone from China living in the US, Toronto offers something specific: exceptional Asian food at reasonable prices, and a Chinatown that’s actually in the city center rather than an hour-long subway ride away.
We made two short trips to Toronto, staying downtown the first time and in Richmond Hill the second. Richmond Hill has a significant Asian population and excellent restaurants, though the commute to downtown is considerable. Both trips shared the same mission: eat well, and eat authentically.
Toronto vs New York
The comparison to New York is unavoidable because Toronto clearly models itself on that template. But Toronto feels like a secondary version – the tall buildings, diverse neighborhoods, and waterfront are all there, just without quite the same intensity or polish. The city isn’t particularly clean, and lacks distinctive character.
The Food Scene
Toronto’s Asian food scene is the real draw. The city’s large Chinese, Hong Kong, and broader Asian populations have created a restaurant landscape that rivals anything in North America.
Congee Queen became a favorite. The mushroom dishes are exceptional, the fried rice exemplifies proper Cantonese technique, and the roasted goose (燒鵝) tastes authentic – crispy skin and tender meat just like Hong Kong. The prices are remarkably reasonable compared to similar restaurants in the US.
Moon Palace Cantonese Cuisine might offer the best Cantonese food outside of Hong Kong or Guangdong. We ate until we couldn’t continue. The flavors are authentic rather than adapted for Western palates.
Isaan Der in Richmond Hill is another excellent option for Thai food, particularly convenient if staying in that area.
The advantage over New York: accessibility. The best Chinese food in New York is often in Flushing, requiring significant travel from Manhattan. Toronto’s Chinatown sits right in the city center.
Chinatown and Other Stops
Toronto’s Chinatown resembles Flushing in atmosphere and authenticity – the signage, groceries, bakeries, casual restaurants where English is optional. For someone from China, it brings a sense of home without the long commute. The neighborhood isn’t pristine, but it’s functional and genuine.
We visited Little Norway Park for views of Lake Ontario and the Toronto skyline – pleasant without being extraordinary. Dundas Square (Sankofa Square) functions as Toronto’s Times Square, with bright screens and commercial energy. We skipped the CN Tower observation deck, content to view it from the ground. An evening at karaoke rounded out the trip – more accessible and affordable in Toronto than most US cities.
The Honest Take
Do I like Toronto? It’s complicated. I like what Toronto provides – excellent Asian food at reasonable prices, accessible Chinatown, the functional aspects of a diverse city. I don’t particularly love or dislike Toronto as a place.
Toronto works best when you know exactly what you want from it. It’s a practical city with excellent food rather than a destination city that also has good restaurants. For anyone from Asia living in the US, Toronto offers something valuable: a quick trip to authentic food and familiar cultural spaces at reasonable prices. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need, even if the city itself doesn’t inspire particular affection.
Toronto: A Functional Food Escape Across the Border
Preface: Welcome to one of my Short City Adventures. These are shorter not due to any lack of affection for the featured locations, but because the visits were either brief, offering just a glimpse of the city, or because the cities only have a handful of attractions. Join me and discover whether these cities might interest you.
Toronto is Canada’s largest city and often called “New York‘s little sibling” – a comparison that’s both fair and revealing. It has multiculturalism, the skyline, the urban energy, but scaled down and less polished. For someone from China living in the US, Toronto offers something specific: exceptional Asian food at reasonable prices, and a Chinatown that’s actually in the city center rather than an hour-long subway ride away.
We made two short trips to Toronto, staying downtown the first time and in Richmond Hill the second. Richmond Hill has a significant Asian population and excellent restaurants, though the commute to downtown is considerable. Both trips shared the same mission: eat well, and eat authentically.
Toronto vs New York
The comparison to New York is unavoidable because Toronto clearly models itself on that template. But Toronto feels like a secondary version – the tall buildings, diverse neighborhoods, and waterfront are all there, just without quite the same intensity or polish. The city isn’t particularly clean, and lacks distinctive character.
The Food Scene
Toronto’s Asian food scene is the real draw. The city’s large Chinese, Hong Kong, and broader Asian populations have created a restaurant landscape that rivals anything in North America.
Congee Queen became a favorite. The mushroom dishes are exceptional, the fried rice exemplifies proper Cantonese technique, and the roasted goose (燒鵝) tastes authentic – crispy skin and tender meat just like Hong Kong. The prices are remarkably reasonable compared to similar restaurants in the US.
Moon Palace Cantonese Cuisine might offer the best Cantonese food outside of Hong Kong or Guangdong. We ate until we couldn’t continue. The flavors are authentic rather than adapted for Western palates.
Isaan Der in Richmond Hill is another excellent option for Thai food, particularly convenient if staying in that area.
The advantage over New York: accessibility. The best Chinese food in New York is often in Flushing, requiring significant travel from Manhattan. Toronto’s Chinatown sits right in the city center.
Chinatown and Other Stops
Toronto’s Chinatown resembles Flushing in atmosphere and authenticity – the signage, groceries, bakeries, casual restaurants where English is optional. For someone from China, it brings a sense of home without the long commute. The neighborhood isn’t pristine, but it’s functional and genuine.
We visited Little Norway Park for views of Lake Ontario and the Toronto skyline – pleasant without being extraordinary. Dundas Square (Sankofa Square) functions as Toronto’s Times Square, with bright screens and commercial energy. We skipped the CN Tower observation deck, content to view it from the ground. An evening at karaoke rounded out the trip – more accessible and affordable in Toronto than most US cities.
The Honest Take
Do I like Toronto? It’s complicated. I like what Toronto provides – excellent Asian food at reasonable prices, accessible Chinatown, the functional aspects of a diverse city. I don’t particularly love or dislike Toronto as a place.
Toronto works best when you know exactly what you want from it. It’s a practical city with excellent food rather than a destination city that also has good restaurants. For anyone from Asia living in the US, Toronto offers something valuable: a quick trip to authentic food and familiar cultural spaces at reasonable prices. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need, even if the city itself doesn’t inspire particular affection.