Yupdduk Bloor — Restaurant in Toronto

For practically $13, it wasn't worth it. It is way too expensive (we only got it since we travelled far to try it), the experience was not good, the product was not up to expectations, and we had to wait 15-20 mins for the food in a specific area that didn't make sense.

First of all, I felt very prejudiced against when we first came into the place. The woman talking to us was instantly annoyed. She really needs to be trained in customer service skills, basic kindness, and common sense (please see last paragraph). She ruined the experience for us. I really looked forward to trying tteukbokki for the very first time but her attitude really upset me. Edit: I thought she was only this way to us because of our personal characteristics but looking at other reviews, she has been like this to Korean people too!

Second of all, the takeout amount is VERY little for the price. I highly recommend going to another location if you're looking to eat a lot and/or want to buy a tteukbokki amount that's worth your money.

Thirdly, we were really looking forward to the cheese but it came in a small container and was grated. Unlike the pictures we saw in reviews, our cheese did not melt the same way at all. You can look at our pictures to understand what I'm trying to say. I think it's because we didn't dine in. However, that should not have meant the cheese would be different. Edit: Actually never mind. I've seen pictures of people who took takeout and somehow their cheese is different from ours. Were we purposely given different cheese?....

Fourthly, we chose level 1 spicy & it is VERY spicy (It's exactly like the famous Korean fire noodles). Too spicy (and I am one to handle spicy food and enjoy it). Definitely not "level 1." So that is another thing I found upsetting. Some people can't handle spice or dislike spice. Does that mean they should not try tteukbokki? Everyone should be able to. The spice overtook the flavour and was too much. An unnecessary and unhealthy amount of spice. Eating it hot was a real challenge. It was still spicy when cold but a bit easier to eat.

Lastly, why are people unable to buy things from other places and eat them in the restaurant (we immediately went to a table to wait for the food because I had food and wanted to eat it comfortably but she made us sit at the entrance where there are only chairs even though the entire place was practically empty. So I had to play a balancing game), especially when they have bought food from the restaurant itself? Also, if people specifically order takeout, perhaps that is because they want to eat some of the food at the location they got it from and the rest, at home or while walking. We ate food from another place and therefore knew we would be unable to finish the tteukbokki. But we really wanted to try some when we got it. The restaurant only had people at 2 tables (only 1 when we were waiting for the food) so I really do not understand the problem. It was not like it was packed and we were taking seats away from people who were dining in. There were many available tables. The place was...

First.. Please excuse the poutine in the pic we got from costco - it’s definitely not included here 😂 We got the Yupgi combo as a takeout during our visit to Toronto - spice level 1 tteokbokki with glass noodles and cheese added on (sausages are included), steamed eggs, and rice balls. It was my first time trying Yupdduk cause I can’t visit Korea ($$$), and I was so happy to find this in Toronto.

The food was amazing! I debated between Level 0 and Level 1 spice, because I’m not good with spices even as a Korean lol but I ended up getting Level 1. The rice cakes weren’t as spicy, but when I got to the glass noodles and fish cakes, it got really spicy for me because they absorbed the sauce much more. As a reference, I find carbonara buldak to be spicy so… there’s that. The sauce was definitely intense. It’s spicy, salty, thick, and bold. A tteokbokki Youtuber I like describes the sauce to have a strong fish msg flavor, and I was definitely able to taste that. It’s not “fishy” in a bad way at all - it’s this strong fishcake flavor. Which I really enjoyed!! I think it’s cause the base of the sauce is made with seafood/fish stock (anchovies, crabs, etc). If you’re into this type of intense tteokbokki more, you’d love this place. The steamed eggs was a perfect balance with the spiciness. It was like pudding! They definitely strain the eggs before making it. It had some sesame oil flavor, and it was just sooo good. The rice balls were also a great compliment to the spiciness. The overall balance of the Yupgi combo was amazing! I would just note that for take out, the mozarella cheese comes unmelted. They write a note on the container to microwave it for 1.5 min, which I did.. but unfortunately, it does depend on the microwave you have. The one I used at the hotel made it overcook with 1.5 minutes, so it hardened as you can see in the picture. I microwaved it a bit less for the second batch, but it was still pretty overcooked. It ended up being rubberish so we couldnt really eat it 😞 I would either keep a very close watch while you microwave and keep mixing, or honestly, just dump the mozarella straight into the tteokbokki while it’s hot and melt it in there. The service was good too. We only went in to get the take out, but the servers were kind and offered me a chair to sit while waiting.

The atmosphere.. The inside interior looked nice. We went in at night so they had the lights dimmed for the pocha, and it was a great atmosphere for group of young adults to go for a drink/hangout. BUT, the hygine was pretty questionable. I got a look at the opened kitchen while getting the takeout, and even in the dark, I could see how dirty it was. The grease, the stains around the cooking area, etc… Just not really taken care of well. I’m just going to hope it was the lighting, but it does make you hesitate a bit.

Overall, great food and experience trying authentic,...

08/30/2022 - Went here for my anniversary as well as for my second time eating here. I wanted to get my s/o's input on the restaurant but low key for my cravings as well 🤫. The employees were really nice like the first time I was here, and their service was fast as well. This time, there was a lot more people eating in the restaurant and I think at one point almost every table was occupied. The employee who took our order was very nice and brought our water, plates and untensils out right away. Our cups had soap in it and they kindly told us that they would get us another one. My girlfriend decided to get the Rosé Toboki (serves 2-3) for us to share and the last time I was here, I ordered the level 2 spicy food and decided to get level 3 this time! I love spicy food and already decided that I'd get level 3 this time so I did. Tbh level 3 was very good but quite spicy, my tolerance is decently good and I enjoy spicy food. However personally I think that when I come back here in the future, I would stick to level 2 spice. Level 2 is a good level of spice, and I would only get level 3 if I order takeout so I can eat at the comfort of my own home. 😅 the level 3 spice hits the spot differently but it is not for public audience to see my foodgasmic tears. Overall I would come here in the future and do recommend trying this restaurant still if you haven't done so already.

06/30/2022 - Went here for the first time, the food was good and satisfied my cravings. The employees were nice and service was fast as well. I decided to get level 2 spicy and that was a good idea, normally I love spicy food and would have gotten level 3 spicy but decided to go with level 2. If I come back here again, I'll try the level 3 spicy. The place was not busy at all around 2-5pm so you can easily find seatings during those times. The price per person is not expensive at all. The restaurant's location is hard to drive to and it's also hard to find parking so I recommend taking public transportation. There are lots of other stores and dessert places nearby as well so you can go there right after eating here. Overall my experience was good and I would definitely come...