Oriental Congee — Restaurant in Toronto

Very Disappointing Treatment of Vulnerable Customers

We had lunch here today, and while the food itself was good, I was deeply upset by how the restaurant treated a vulnerable customer. An elderly lady using a walking aid came in to place a takeout order. The cashier, a young lady, was very patient and kind in helping her choose the dishes and complete the payment. After paying, the cashier politely invited the lady to sit down and wait for her food. However, shortly after, the chef — who I believe may also be the owner — came out and yelled at the elderly lady. He told her she would have to wait over an hour for the food and insisted that she wait outside rather than sit inside the restaurant, even though there were several empty tables available. Today was extremely hot and sunny, yet no chairs, water, or alternatives were offered to accommodate her. If the preparation time was too long, the owner could have simply suggested dishes that were quicker to prepare or explained the situation politely. Instead, his tone was rude and dismissive — even towards his own cashier. Food quality aside, this experience left me with a very negative impression. A restaurant isn’t just about serving good dishes; it’s also about showing basic respect and compassion, especially toward elderly or vulnerable people. I hope the management reflects on this and treats future customers with more kindness...

A recent visit to Oriental Congee was tinged with surprise, and not of the pleasant variety. While the establishment is known for its diverse range of congee, my encounter was marred by a rather distressing billing experience.

Without prior knowledge or explicit consent, I found an extra charge on my bill. Upon inquiring, it was casually brushed off as a 'tip'. This abrupt and non-consensual inclusion of tips came across as not only unprofessional but also felt like an infringement of the patron's rights.

Being charged extra without consent is disconcerting and creates a sense of mistrust. Transparency and open communication between the restaurant and its customers are crucial for a healthy dining experience. Unfortunately, on this particular occasion, Oriental Congee fell short of the mark.

Such practices are a deterrent for customers and, despite the restaurant's culinary offerings, this incident forces me to reconsider my patronage in the future. Customers should be aware of this practice before they choose to dine at...

Most affordable and tasting congee in Toronto/GTA. They’re not as fluent in English and speak what seems Cantonese or Mandarin but the woman there is friendly (despite the language barrier I have as a non-Chinese person) and the food is tasting.

They only accept cash or debit, so please keep this in mind, likely allowing for a reduced price (no credit card fees charged to store). They have a parking space, mostly free, after 5pm and I’ve been able to park so far, without being ticketed.

I’ve likely gone more than 10+ times over the last few years. They are unique in opening at 7am and closing at 7pm (ie. opens earlier than any other congee places) and they do close on Tuesday’s.

The beef flat noodles, as pictured, is my favourite dish there but I do find that they’re sold out sometimes when I visit in the evening.

Will def...