As a Latina who was born and raised in Panama City, Panama, by Indian parents, food has always been a significant part of my life. My dad, as a licensed foodie, raised me to become one just like him, by introducing me to all kinds of foods.
]All aspects of food, such as its flavours and spices, have always been important to me, and quite nothing makes me happier than eating delicious food with people I love, or while I’m snuggled up watching Gilmore Girls.Â
Since I lived in Panama my whole life, moving to Canada was a big adjustment, and it took a lot of time to fully settle in and start my new life. Whenever I reflect on my old life, I reminisce about the home-cooked Indian meals I used to enjoy back home.
After living in Toronto for a few years now, here are my top five foodie-certified restaurants!
- Benares
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If you are craving authentic Indian food, Benares is the place to go! Located at 49 Front St. E., this restaurant blew me away from the moment I tried it. The chicken tikka masala and lamb vindaloo are to die for! There is nothing more comforting than a veggie samosa and your favourite curry with basmati rice.Â
Not to mention, it’s impossible to enjoy Indian food without garlic naan, which is a key staple. The thing I most like about this place is the amount of flavour and spices they add to their dishes. As someone who grew up with a dad who loved to spend his time cooking delectable food, having a variety of flavours is essential to me. I’ve had Indian food from a few places in Toronto, and this one definitely stands out the most.
- sukhoTHAI
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The funny thing about Thai food is that growing up, I was never really a fan of it. After moving to Toronto, I started gaining more exposure to the cuisine and immediately fell in love with it. With multiple locations around the city, this restaurant has raised the bar every time I visit.Â
The flavours are deep, and you can tell the restaurant stays authentic to the Thai flavour. My favourites include the pad thai and yellow curry, both enriched with the perfect amount of spice and sweetness. It is a must-try on my list.
- Hey Noodles
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When living in Canada’s bitter cold, who doesn’t appreciate a nice hot bowl of noodles? I’ve been to a few different noodle restaurants, but Hey Noodles always sticks out the most. Located at 478 Dundas St. W., this restaurant allows you to build your own bowl.Â
My all-time favourite is the pork belly protein with all the toppings, including an egg, green onions, peanuts, and spice and numbing seasonings. Again, the spices!
In my opinion, the thing that makes this restaurant so much better than others I’ve tried is the amount of richness filled in one bowl. The meat is always tender, the broth is perfectly flavoured, and the noodles are thick and chewy. Especially in cold winters like these, this is my favourite place to warm up.
- Aroy Urban Thai
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Although I love going out to eat, staying in and ordering my comfort food is one of my ultimate night-time activities. Aroy Urban Thai has the yummiest pad see ew I’ve ever tried. I can’t explain the chewiness of the noodles and the perfect combination of Chinese broccoli and chicken. My mouth is watering as I attempt to describe it.Â
It has become one of my favourite take-out restaurants in Toronto, and I know the outcome will always meet my expectations. I might even order some right now and watch some Netflix.
- Saltyz Grill
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Nothing hits better than a good cheeseburger. Another take-out option is Saltyz Grill, and I assure you, you will not regret it.Â
The southern burger has the perfect amount of toppings, such as onion rings, but also a good portion size to get everything in one bite. It’s filled with sauces that complete the burger and make it the perfect meal. The saltyz fries, which are essentially loaded fries with their ridiculously good home sauce, complete the whole meal.
Although there are still a number of restaurants I would like to try in Toronto, after a few years living here, these are definitely my go-to’s. There is nothing that makes me happier than a good, fulfilling meal.