Jin Dal Lae Korean Restaurant — Restaurant in Toronto

When I recently visited Jin Dai Lae Korean Restaurant, nestled in the heart of the old Korean town area at 647 Bloor Street West in Toronto, I was in for a delightful experience of authentic Korean cuisine. Stepping inside, I immediately sensed the bustling energy of this popular spot, evident from the slight wait we had to endure before being seated. Little did I know that this minor inconvenience would be outweighed by the gastronomic delight that awaited me.

As we settled at our table, I eagerly perused the menu, seeking out the restaurant's renowned specialties. After careful consideration, I decided to order the Dolsot Bibimbap with beef Tartare and the Haemul Pajeon, a Korean pancake brimming with a tantalizing blend of goat and vegetables. These dishes were highly recommended by the staff, and I couldn't resist trying their most popular items.

Our food arrived promptly, a testament to the restaurant's commitment to service. The aroma wafting from the sizzling stone bowl of the Dolsot Bibimbap instantly captivated my senses. As I mixed the ingredients together, the flavours harmonized beautifully, resulting in a satisfying medley of textures and tastes. The tender beef tartare added a delightful richness, elevating the dish to new heights.

Next, I turned my attention to the Haemul Pajeon, a crispy pancake loaded with an assortment of succulent seafood and vibrant vegetables. Each bite delivered a satisfying crunch, followed by a burst of flavours that danced on my palate. The balance of the seafood and vegetables created a symphony of taste, leaving me yearning for more.

The thoughtfully curated combination of flavours, coupled with the attentive service and inviting ambiance, made for an unforgettable dining experience. It's no wonder that this eatery has earned a reputation as a go-to spot for those seeking an authentic taste of Korea.

Whether you're a connoisseur of Korean cuisine or simply an adventurous food lover, a visit to Jin Dai Lae Korean Restaurant is an absolute must. With its prime location, delectable dishes, and warm hospitality, this culinary gem promises to transport your taste buds on a delightful journey through the vibrant...

There are few spots with lines at Christie. The crowd of restaurants make for stiff competition. Yet, at dinner most nights, there is a line waiting outside of Jin Dal Lae. It is a basic restaurant filled with people, tables inset with korean barbeque stoves, and large immovable pews. The benches were pitched so steep my back ached by the end of dinner. The tables were spaced so awkwardly and fixed to the ground that you had to lean forward to eat. All this to say, I put off having a meal here for years.

The restaurant, full, was loud. The pews forced you to lean forward or yell to speak to your table mates. Most opted to yell. The walls were barren aside from some pictures of food and ads for soju. This is not a quiet place for dinner. We ordered a pancake, pork bone stew, spicy braised beef, grilled mackerel and jjajangmyeon. We waited. The servers, while kind and professional, did not make up for the wait. We smiled to one another limply, already sore and annoyed by the sound as we sat in the din.

And then the pancake came. And it was crisp and well seasoned.

And then the beef and then the mackerel and then the pork bone stew. And it was all wonderful. We smiled again to each other, tepidly, because we did not want to stop to chat; we had agreed to quiet with those smiles. We ate in our own silence.

The beef was stewed in a flavorful broth and cooked with fernbrake. It added a chew and earthiness that was welcome. The pork bone stew was topped with an abundance of perilla seeds that popped and crunched and contrasted the gelatinous pork. I have eaten these dishes many times in many other spots near Christie, and these were the best I’ve had.

I certainly would not come back for dinner, the noise and the irritation was a little much. The food, delicious, was not enough for me to come in a group, either, where I would want to hear the people across from me. But I would happily come back for that beef, again and again, on an off time on the weekend and I would put in noise canceling earbuds and...

I’ve been to Jin Dal Lae three times in the past 2 months and each time they have been extremely busy, to the point where there are people lining up outside to have a seat. When there are 50 other Korean restaurants in Koreatown, having a lineup at Jin Da Lae just comes to show the success it has and the reputation it has to it’s competitors in the area.

We ordered the Rabbokki and it was probably the best rabbokki I’ve ever had. The rice cakes were cooked perfectly, not too hard, but not too soft. They still had the perfect amount of chewiness to them. The ratio of spicy to sweetness was just enough for me to handle and wanting more.

The bibimbap was amazing (although it can be quite hard to mess up a bibimbap). The sauce from the Rabbokki was so good that I used that as my sauce for my bibimbap, rather than using the gochujang bottle. Portion was amazing, as well. I find a lot of Korean restaurants skim on the bibimbap portion, but not this place. I can usually finish a bowl by myself but I found I had enough leftovers to take home.

The deep fried dumplings were also amazing. Even more amazing that it came with a slide of coleslaw, some apples, and freshly cut cucumbers. I have never seen any other restaurant give complimentary sides to a dumpling dish, and this was a huge winner for us.

They also have complimentary, re-fillable, side dishes. Everytime I’ve gone, we’ve gotten: Glazed potatoes, kimchi, radish kimchi, peppered cucumbers, bean sprouts, and a few other things.

The lady who runs the front of house (who I’m assuming is also the manager) is incredibly friendly, incredibly hard working, all while maintaining superb customer service. She does not make you feel rushed at all, and makes you feel welcomed to the restaurant. It’s a very warm-hearted atmosphere.

Absolutely love this place and I find it hard to picture myself eating at any other Korean restaurant that is not Jin Dal Lae. Jin Dal Lae has won my loyalty and we will be...