Mhel – A Japanese-Korean Izakaya with NEXT-LEVEL Bar Snacks! 🍶✨

This place has always been a go-to for drinks (their sake selection is legendary 🍶), but this time, I came for the FOOD—and wow, was I blown away! 🎌🔥 The dishes are small but mighty, packed with bold flavors that pair perfectly with alcohol. Since they work with local farms (farm-to-table style! 🌱), their menu changes weekly (sometimes daily!)—so don’t miss out on surprise specials! The servers are super attentive too, explaining each dish in detail. Pro tip: It’s always packed—RESERVE IN ADVANCE! 📅💯 🍽️ WHAT WE TRIED (AND LOVED!) 🥒 Jabara Kyuri "Crinoline-cut" cucumber (fancy knife work! 🔪) with tangy Japanese dressing. Crisp, refreshing, and the ultimate palate cleanser! 🫛 Tofu & Peas Silky tofu + sweet peas in umami-rich dashi broth. A delicate, harmonious bite—though the broth’s intensity slightly highlights the tofu’s beaniness. Still lovely! 🍲💖 🐟 Madai Muchim Sea bream sashimi with plum kelp & wasabi—a bright, citrusy kick that elevates the fish’s natural sweetness. Summer-perfect! 🌊🍋 🥩 Sogogi (A5 Wagyu Alert!) THE SHOWSTOPPER! 🇦🇺➡️🇯🇵 This Australian Wagyu was buttery, juicy, and deeply flavorful—paired with wasabi and specialty salt, it’s Japanese elegance on a plate. Cooked to exact medium-rare, it was a meat-lover’s euphoria. 🥩💥 🍮 Purin (Caramel Pudding) The undisputed dessert champion! 🏆 Silky, not-too-sweet custard with a bitter caramel top—so balanced, I could devour it solo. Only flaw? It’s camera-shy. 😂📸 🌱 Spinach (Skip It!) Tried it before—just whipped spinach with sesame sauce. Not bad, but the texture wasn’t my vibe. Your mileage may vary! 🚫 🍸 DRINKS: GO WILD! Their yuzu cocktails are chef’s kiss—zingy, refreshing, and ideal for summer. 🍊❄️ I’ve tried multiple drinks here, and ZERO misses. This place gets booze RIGHT. 📍 FINAL VERDICT: Mhel is THE SPOT where food and drinks shine equally—think Japanese-leaning, Korean-infused fine dining with izakaya soul. A must-visit, but BOOK EARLY! (Seriously, say it with me: RESERVATIONS.) 🙌🔥 #Toronto #TorontoLife #TorontoEats #HiddenGems #RestaurantRecs #Izakaya #CocktailLover #FoodieDiaries #GlobalEats