Myeongdong Gyoza Kalguksu - Korean Restaurant (Thornhill) — Restaurant in Vaughan

I was aimlessly scrolling Instagram food posts last night when I stumbled on this spot. The food-- especially the dumplings/gyoza-- looked fantastic, and I was certain it'd be somewhere far, far, away. To my very pleasant surprise, it turned out the restaurant was just 2km from my home! Needless to say, "dinner tomorrow = sorted!". And wow, I just finished my meal, and immediately had to hop on and fire off a review, it was just THAT impressive. I'm just one person, but decided to get two dishes; the Bossam set, and the Gyoza. Both were absolutely bursting with flavour, and clearly utilize quality, fresh, ingredients. I seriously don't think I've ever had a better dumpling-style dish from any of the countless dumpling-style dishes around the globe. These are absolutely massive, and one order could quite safely fill up two people. But I just can't get over the incredible flavour and overall quality. And the Bossam set... everything just comes together so flawlessly; the perfect marriage of deep flavours and textures. The kimchi might actually be the best I've had at any Korean restaurant, and the soup that accompanies was excellent- a contrast to everything else, in that the broth was more subdued in flavour, yet at the same time "deep" if that makes sense- I'd almost call it refreshing if it weren't for the (superlative) noodles. My order was takeaway, but I did experience the warmth and kindness of the waitress I dealt with- she was fantastic in our brief interaction. Needless to say, I am so thrilled to discover this new-to-me gem, quite literally right around the corner from where I live. Korean is one of my favourite cuisines, and maybe I don't know the best spots, but I've just been so disappointed by so many of them, whether downtown or here, uptown- I'm so glad to find one that really delivers at a high level. I cannot wait for my next visit, and will surely introduce several friends. So nice when you find a hidden treasure like this right under your nose! What a quality flavour-bomb of...

KALMANDU GUK Broth was extremely good, with very strong beef flavour and slightly peppery... not watered down at all! Noodles tasted pretty fresh and cooked well Two big pieces of dumplings with thin skin (perfect ratio as it wasn't too doughy overall)... also had a very strong leek taste The dish was topped with vegetables (mushrooms, onions and zucchini)

KONGGUKSU Same creamy consistency as perilla seed noodles, if you've tried that before They provided a generous serving of noodles, which was very filling! The 'soup' is made entirely of cold, frothy soy milk... so if you like soy milk, definitely give this a try in the summer as this dish is seasonal! But it can be a little boring as you continue to eat it since that's the main flavour... Topped with halved cherry tomatoes and cucumber slices, making it a pretty healthy and refreshing vegan/vegetarian-friendly dish Servers give you salt so you can make the dish more salty if you want too (dish is naturally a bit sweeter)

OTHER Came on a Saturday afternoon for late lunch and there were quite a lot of people- we had to leave our phone number and wait around 10 minutes to get a seat inside (didn't want the patio because it was WAY too hot). Service was friendly and they provided corn tea too (which was really nice as I love corn tea and not all Korean restaurants serve it LMAO). Also worth mentioning is the kimchi side dish, it tastes SUPER fresh and well seasoned! The server also came back and refilled our kimchi, which was nice :) I noticed that almost every table in the restaurant was Korean, so this definitely seems like an authentic choice for Korean...

Myeongdong Gyoza Kalguksu: A Taste of Korea Worth Seeking Out Myeongdong Gyoza Kalguksu offers a genuine slice of Korean culinary artistry, and its accessible location makes it a must-visit for any food enthusiast. My recent visit revealed a restaurant dedicated to quality and flavour, where handmade ingredients elevate familiar dishes to new heights. The clear stars of the show were undoubtedly the dumplings. The Ki kimchi and pork dumplings, in particular, proved to be a revelation. Generously sized and bursting with flavour, they could easily constitute a satisfying meal on their own. The delicate wrappers gave way to a succulent filling, showcasing a masterful blend of textures and tastes. The kalguksu (noodle soup) was equally impressive. I'm fairly certain the noodles were also lovingly crafted by hand, possessing a delightful chewiness that perfectly complemented the rich, savoury broth. Each spoonful was a comforting embrace, warming from the inside out. Not to be overshadowed, the bulgogi dupbap delivered a powerful punch of flavour. The marinated beef was tender and flavourful, and the dish was incredibly filling. Myeongdong Gyoza Kalguksu isn't just about the food; it's about the experience. The dedication to handmade ingredients shines through in every bite, creating a symphony of flavours that lingers long after the meal is over. If you're looking for authentic Korean cuisine that is both delicious and satisfying, Myeongdong Gyoza Kalguksu is a destination that deserves a place on your...