I love that a walk down The Danforth is like a walk across the world. A Japanese ramen restaurant next to a Mexican Burrito House. It is such an adventure.
The Inspiration
My friends Vicky and Esther were visiting from Vancouver and just like old times we went out for ramen. Instead of Ichikame Shokudo on Victoria we went to Nakayoshi at 812 Danforth Avenue.
The Appetizers!
FYI I love seaweed salad. It is one of my favourite foodie treats. I have only had one I did not like but overall, they are almost always delicious. My mom introduced me to it years ago and I am so grateful.
The one at Nakayoshi is not just a good seaweed salad, it has an extra fantastic sesame dressing that was drizzled over the top taking it, well, over the top delicious. Yum! I want to go again just so I can have that salad.
The Agedashi Tofu is deep fried tofu but I believe those are also bonito flakes on top which added depth of flavour to the tofu and the sauce. We spun the tofu around in the dark flavourful liquid and it was absolutely delightful. I love it when a restaurant impresses me with tofu.
The Ramen
It was the hottest day of the year which we should have known would happen when we made plans for ramen in Toronto! I think we were total badass foodies having hot soup while it was blisteringly hot outside but Vicky was extra tough. She got the Spicy Miso Ramen flavoured with pork slices.
This ramen was spicier than Ichikame Shokudo‘s but not over-the-top hot, according to Vicky. She often gets tired after having ramen because of the MSG but that was not the case after having this red bubbly bowl of goodness. Considering the temperature that day, that is a very major foodie coup.
Esther ordered the Tonkotsu Ramen made with salt flavoured pork born soup with bbq pork slices. Total comfort food! Look at that creaminess… They also remembered not to serve hers with green onions, as requested.
I ordered the Miso Ramen. I really wanted that extra special something that I get with miso. It is like receiving a foodie hug. This was a total winner. Rich but not too heavy. It was a work of foodie art.
I enjoyed every slurp and every noodle.
Foodie Conclusion
It is amazing how food can erase time and space when you are back with friends going on foodie adventures. Both Vancouver and Toronto offer the world of food and I am so grateful I could spend such a shockingly hot afternoon with my friends from the west coast on The Danforth.
Our service was excellent, the food was great but it was more expensive than other places I have been to. Still, ramen in this area is not as common and easy to come by as the neighbourhood I lived in when I was in Vancouver. That said it was the perfect lunch out despite the crazy heat. I give this foodie restaurant experience four and a half out of five wooden spoons.
I truly believe food should bring us all together and be the greatest inspiration for making new memories together. Thank you so much Vicky and Esther! It was wonderful.
Looks delish!
Oh it was!!!
You have a way with photos and words, Suzie! You caught the essence of our experience. Always a pleasure to hang out with Suzie the Foodie!
Aww… Thank you Vicky! I am so glad I did our foodie day out justice. Love hanging out with you both. Always!
Hi Cynthia, thanks for the giveaway!! I would love to share with us trip with my partner Austin. We haven’t been able to travel much this year or do much outside of hanging out at home because of the work grind. We work opposite sides of the week so my weekends are his work days and his weekends are my work days! We both wake up around 3:30-4am to make sure we get to work out together, sleep around 9pm and then work work work. We love food and all of our dates are pretty much just trying food haha. I grew up in San Jose and my boyfriend grew up in Oakland so we are Bay Area natives and following you on social media has opened our eyes to a foodie scene and has gotten has to go out and try new things! We are the type of people that sticks to the same restaurants once we like it, but have become more adventurous in our foodie adventures after seeing all the amazing food you try. Also love how you promote fitness on your insta along with all the food you try!! Healthy balance 🙂 Instagram handle: hkimkins online pharmacy business model