Out & About #421 | Go Topoki + One Zo Tapioca (Round 2)

​Ddeokbokki - otherwise known as Korean rice cakes - are a specialized type of cuisine generally served street-style and slathered in vivid orange-red gochujang sauce. Usually only available from food carts, it was rather surprising to find a restaurant specifically offering up different styles of the starchy, cylindrical specimens. Its location, on the other hand, was less unexpected, for Yonge and Finch is home to an ever-evolving spectrum of food fads and trendy eateries.

Miss Rushka had visited Go Topoki before me, and reported back that she had enjoyed her time there. Other reviewers had praised both the authenticity and fusion aspect of the establishment, all while appreciating the smiley face-adorned utensils.

​Stepping into the restaurant just a few minutes past noon, I was greeted with a spirited Korean welcome (어서 오세요), along with an unmistakable waft of oily fumes. Greasy, invisible odour clouds from the second floor kitchen infiltrated the entire restaurant, saturating everything and anything in its immediate vicinity. My freshly-washed hair could not escape the treacherous vileness.

Few guests filled the dining area on an early weekday afternoon, so I was given the opportunity to choose a table. Booths along the wall readily provided access to charging ports; a password-secured Wi-Fi network ensured that students and tech-saavy guests could remain connected whilst dining.

​< Pictured above and below: Rose Topoki with Bacon and Fish Cake Stick (1 skewer) >

Dining alone automatically limited my options: I could no longer choose several varieties and share them with fellow guests. The classic Red Sauce would have suprassed my spice tolerance, though Brown Sauce (soy) appeared too basic. A Rose Topoki with Bacon was requested - it was depicted as a hybrid of the restaurant's Red and White sauces.

​The hue leaned more towards a vibrant cheddar than the familiar salmon-toned rosé used in Italian pasta dishes, while its base notes comprised of red pepper-laced creaminess as opposed to floral-tinted tomato paste. Coated within the sauce were Korean rice cakes and finely-chopped pieces of bacon, onion, bell peppers, and a few brocolli florets. The final component of the shallow dish was a single sausage - rock-hard in appearance but well-textured in actuality.

Had I not reviewed photos prior, I would have expressed amazement at the size and starchiness of the rice cakes. In contrast to the angular slices commonly found in Chinese dishes, Go Topoki's dish boasted authentic Korean ddeok (rice cake) that was both very thick and very starchy. Its consistency helped to balance the rich consistency and prominent flavours in the sauce, as well as neutralize a bit of its extreme brininess.

​For those that do not posess large stomach capacities, such as myself, a few bites of the slick concoction was enough to induce feelings of fatigue.
That said, the side order of a single Fish Cake skewer provided much relief. While still starchy in lesser amounts, the skewer succeeded in curbing hunger in a significantly less salty manner. The piping hot clear broth was another aspect of the dish I appreciated.

​As part of the diner's opening special, all meals included a complimentary beverage. The selection included tea, soft drinks, and even a steaming cup of Apple Cider. One was not only limited to water during this promotional period.
The cider was served in a clear glass mug that rested neatly in a cork coaster. It was likely that the beverage had bee storebought, as fragments were spotted settling towards the bottom of the glass with the passing of time. Nonetheless, it was warm and delicious, compensating in sweetness where the Rose sauce offered unrivalled punches of sodium and occasional kicks of spice.

​Bathrooms adopted the forms of ridiculously pristine, gender-separated stalls. Homey decor aside, the dynamic light system installed along the perimeter of the mirror evoked feelings of amusement rather than tranquility. It was certainly an interesting touch that added pizzazz to an otherwise straightforward area.

Only one waitress was spotted tending to guests during my entire stay. Between delivering drinks and taking orders, she had also assumed the responsibility of trekking up the staircase to retrieve meals from the kitchen. Despite this tremendous spread of obligations, she remained amicable and extremely attentive.
She immediately appeared with an ice cold glass of water after I downed the last sip of my cider and also provided instantaneous assistance when she had observed me hurriedly gathering my things in preparation for departure.

​Go Topoki is, without a doubt, one of the more economic options along the given section of Yonge Street, making it a great spot to share multiple dishes amongst friends or catch up on casual conversations. The sole aspect that irks me would the inevitable consequence of departing with a head of grease-filled tresses.

I hopped next door to One Zo immediately after, in hopes that I would able to complete my short-lived North York before my transfer expired.
With great speed, I inputted my order, only to be delayed by the sloth-like actions of the staff on duty. As luck would have it, the bubble tea shop did not offer Cactus nor Matcha Tapioca under mid-afternoon hours. Crystal, Mango, and Caramel Tapioca - the trio collectively known as "OneZo Tapioca" seemed the only choices before 3pm.

​I missed the return bus by approximately thirty seconds, watching helplessly on the other side of the intersection as it zoomed by unapologetically. Thankfully, the efficiency-obsessed creature within me already possessed a working knowledge of relevant transit routes. My return was only delayed by a mere ten minutes.

​By the time I had reached home, majority of the ice from all drinks had melted entirely. The OneZo Tapioca Milk remained fragrant and delectable, albeit a bit warm from the unexpected detour.
Mango Tapioca Milk was deemed excessively milk, though adequated in terms of flavour and degree of sugar (at the (melted) 25% ice and 50% sweetness levels).

​Pineapple Date Berry - another one of the pricey fresh fruit smoothies - was only available in a Medium (Regular) size. In spite of its partially disintegrated profile, its complex, fruity composition remained intense and refreshing. Having been blended with real pineapple chunks and enhanced with a final dash of berry concentrate, the drink proved enjoyable even after a heavy meal.

​Purple (yam) tapioca shortly made its appearance I was about to depart. I suppose I ought to plan a third visit later in the day should I wish to experience the Cactus and Matcha.

Final stops of the day involved a brief meet-up at Yellow Cup Cafe in Etobicoke and a Chipotle takeout run at Sherway.​
No, I've never tasted Chipotle before. And no, the takeout wasn't for me either.