Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger
  • ~ Home ~
  • ~ What I Think ~
  • ~ What I See ~
    • Events
    • Food
    • People
    • Places
  • ~ What I Make ~
  • Blog Series
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Disclaimer

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

2/13/2018

 
​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.
Picture
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.
Picture
Picture
​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.
Picture
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.
Picture
Picture
Picture
​< 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.
Picture
Picture
​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.
Picture
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.
Picture
Picture
Picture
​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.
Picture
Picture
​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.
Picture
Picture
Picture
​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.
Picture
Picture
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.
Picture
Picture
​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.
Picture
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.
Picture
​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.
Picture
Picture
Picture
​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).
Picture
Picture
​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.
Picture
Picture
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.

Comments are closed.
    Picture

    Who Am I?

    Formerly an avid owner of several interest-based portals, Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger presents precisely the elements expected. From experiments in the kitchen to miscellaneous musings, from IGOT7 reflections to developments in transportation infrastructure, it's all consolidated here. Welcome to the raw, unfiltered side of Quirky Aesthetics.



    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013


    Categories

    All
    Ahgabond Adventures
    Ahgase
    Arctic Aquarium
    Atlantic Canada 2018
    Barrie
    Beauty
    Birthday Buddy
    Calgary 2023
    Chinese New Year
    Conquering COVID 19
    Daily Randoms
    Eyes On You World Tour 2018
    Food
    Friends
    Hallyucon
    Hamilton
    Hong Kong
    Iron Ring
    J Movie
    K Drama
    K-Drama
    Korean Beauty
    K Pop
    Los Angeles 2017
    Macau
    New York 2018
    Ottawa 2019
    Pilates
    Random Rant
    Restaurant Review
    Seoul
    Shopping
    SSMC
    Taiwan
    Vacation
    Vancouver 2013
    Vancouver 2014
    Vancouver 2015
    Vancouver 2016
    Vancouver 2020
    Vancouver 2022


    trazy.com

    RSS Feed


WHAT DOES "QUIRKY AESTHETICS" MEAN?

Quirky =  a term that commonly refers to something/someone distinctly different and unique
Aesthetics = the visual aspect of things



Together, Quirky Aesthetics refers to the things, events, and happenings seen and perceived by this blog's creator - quirky perspectives in a visual form.

Contact ME

​Subscribe

Join our mailing list today!
Join Now
© Quirky Aesthetics. All rights reserved. Last modified: August 10, 2015.