Not too long ago, I had found myself wholeheartedly endorsing Gyoza from Hakata Shoryuken as the best pan-fried Japanese dumplings in the GTA.
Fast forward a few days later, a series of events had led me near North York and its ever-evolving strip of eateries. Late lunch at Hakata it was!
Fast forward a few days later, a series of events had led me near North York and its ever-evolving strip of eateries. Late lunch at Hakata it was!
At least two years have passed since my last visit, though I hadn't expected extravagant changes to take place to the cozy Japanese eatery. The $3.50 platter of crisp, juicy Gyoza had been removed from the menu. A newcomer had arrived: Takowasa.
Spirits dampened, we merely decided to request the $13.99 Lunch Combo, which included a bowl of Tonkotsu Ramen and a choice of Karaage Don or Chashu Don. The latter was selected, and the items were split.
Spirits dampened, we merely decided to request the $13.99 Lunch Combo, which included a bowl of Tonkotsu Ramen and a choice of Karaage Don or Chashu Don. The latter was selected, and the items were split.
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I suppose it's been long enough that I hadn't remembered even tasting the Chashu Don at an earlier point in time. The current rendition of the side dish was a mound of plump, short-grain rice drizzled with a mayo-based sauce and then topped with four slices of chashu pork. At the bowl's centre was a heaping spoonful of gritty hot sauce, which I silently scraped away for the sake of my sanity.
The Chashu was tasty, but not as aromatic as I recalled. Moreover, the uneven distribution of fat and flesh proved less spectacular in comparison to other similar establishments. Ultimately, I resorted to the sauce-slathered layer of rice to curb my appetite.
The Chashu was tasty, but not as aromatic as I recalled. Moreover, the uneven distribution of fat and flesh proved less spectacular in comparison to other similar establishments. Ultimately, I resorted to the sauce-slathered layer of rice to curb my appetite.
Reviewing images from a prior visit, I came to the realization that the former version of Chashu Don had been presented with five slices of chashu, each sporting a crisp, charred perimeter. The fat-flesh distribution was also signficantly more uniform.
In terms of appearance, the Tonkotsu Ramen had not deviated from the bowl we had sampled previously. My memory fails to recall the specifics of that visit, but my tastebuds informed me that this visit could have used fewer scallions, bean sprouts that were less raw, and a broth with a lowered sodium content.
Two pieces of chashu adorned its surface. While undoubtedly the same species as those utilized in the Chashu Don, these slices were, regrettably, less aromatic and more rubbery in consistency.
Service was prompt and friendly, given that peak lunch hours had passed. The downstairs bathroom had been kept to a minimum level of cleanliness, though was unbearably cold. The toilet paper dispenser was wedged into an odd order of the narrow, making it difficult to access. In addition, the paper towel dispenser was nowhere to be found inside the gender-separated stalls, but rather in the corridor.
Two pieces of chashu adorned its surface. While undoubtedly the same species as those utilized in the Chashu Don, these slices were, regrettably, less aromatic and more rubbery in consistency.
Service was prompt and friendly, given that peak lunch hours had passed. The downstairs bathroom had been kept to a minimum level of cleanliness, though was unbearably cold. The toilet paper dispenser was wedged into an odd order of the narrow, making it difficult to access. In addition, the paper towel dispenser was nowhere to be found inside the gender-separated stalls, but rather in the corridor.
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My Hakata stamp card remains somewhere under the clutter of my desk, though it is unlikely I'll be making the effort to retrieve it given this recent excursion. (Side note: Lunch combos are excluded from stamp collection.)
My Hakata stamp card remains somewhere under the clutter of my desk, though it is unlikely I'll be making the effort to retrieve it given this recent excursion. (Side note: Lunch combos are excluded from stamp collection.)
One Zo Tapioca had ranked second on a certain weirdo's bubble tea list, just underneath The Alley. I learned that the spot's Toronto-based quarters were within acceptable winter walking distance to Hakata, so I suggested making the chilly trek to verify this claim.
A small space consisting of no more than three tables and drink preparation area, One Zo Tapioca immediately presented itself as a takeout joint with kitschy design elements.
I browsed the menu in search of their most popular picks, as a Top 5 Drinks list was nowhere in sight within the store. The girls behind the cashier pointed to the menu beneath my nose, noting the common choices as those bearing hearts next to them.
I browsed the menu in search of their most popular picks, as a Top 5 Drinks list was nowhere in sight within the store. The girls behind the cashier pointed to the menu beneath my nose, noting the common choices as those bearing hearts next to them.
The spot was reasonably quiet for a weekday afternoon, which enabled an opportunity for extensive clarification. No introductions and recommendations were provided for first-time visitors, so it was merely the responsibility of the consumer to request additional details.
Much like your local boba vendor, One Zo Tapioca offered an expansive selection of drinks, ranging from classic milk teas to fresh fruit slushies. The distinction lay in that different flavours of tapioca could be added to one's beverage, and that all forms of the tapioca were crafted in-house. Some drinks included tapioca, while others could be ordered solo.
On average, the drinks were priced one dollar higher than CoCo's, but on par with similarly-packaged independent tea shops (such as One Ten Cafe). The bill totalled fourteen dollars for one Medium Mango NiuNiu and Large OneZo Tapioca Milk Tea.
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The Mango NiuNiu was only available in one size - Medium - and included Mango Tapioca. Amongst the least budget-friendly items on the menu, it rang in at a whopping $6.19 before tax. Neither ice nor sugar levels adjustments were permitted for this beverage either.
Thankfully, the result was neither too milky nor too sugary. The smooth concoction was indeed brimming with the essence of fresh mango, while the Mango Tapioca contributed a soft chewiness. It should be noted that there were no evident traces of mango flavour in the pearls themselves though. Slightly disappointing was the absence of partially blitzed mango chunks.
Thankfully, the result was neither too milky nor too sugary. The smooth concoction was indeed brimming with the essence of fresh mango, while the Mango Tapioca contributed a soft chewiness. It should be noted that there were no evident traces of mango flavour in the pearls themselves though. Slightly disappointing was the absence of partially blitzed mango chunks.
Accompanying the OneZo Tapioca Milk Tea was a trio of toppings: Crystal Tapioca, Mango Tapioca, and Caramel Tapioca. All were of the same colour family and thus identical to the human eye after being submerged. They were also alike in terms of taste to the point where only delicate QQ properties could be sensed.
In spite of the hefty $6.19 price tag, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the drink and its surprisingly aromatic properties. The black tea base had not been masked by the addition of milk powder, nor had its consistency been altered noticeably. The tapioca pearls lighter and softer than the average starchy add-on, which made for an enjoyable consumption devoid of satiating aftereffects. The substantial portion was another bonus.
In spite of the hefty $6.19 price tag, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the drink and its surprisingly aromatic properties. The black tea base had not been masked by the addition of milk powder, nor had its consistency been altered noticeably. The tapioca pearls lighter and softer than the average starchy add-on, which made for an enjoyable consumption devoid of satiating aftereffects. The substantial portion was another bonus.
At our time of visit, the following had yet to make their daily debut from the kitchen: Green Tea, Cactus Tapioca, and Matcha Tapioca. However, should I find myself in the area once again, I'd be more than willing to re-visit.
Be warned though: Your regular favourites of grass jelly and pudding are not offered here. Abide by "The Virtue of Patience" - the staff's English skills are a little lacking, but friendly enough if you are willing to listen.
Be warned though: Your regular favourites of grass jelly and pudding are not offered here. Abide by "The Virtue of Patience" - the staff's English skills are a little lacking, but friendly enough if you are willing to listen.
Last on the agenda was Miniso, for I had purchased the incorrect wrist guard size during my last visit.
Once inside the store, however, I became engrossed in the distractions surrounding me.
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Ultimately, I departed without a new guard, but with a mini frog-shaped pan (matcha pancakes anyone?) and duck plush neck pilliow in tow. Oops.
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