Everything they say is true. This place is a blast, and the food is absolutely brilliant. One of Toronto’s bests.
Guu Izakaya, the Vancouver Japanese pub institution, exports the greatness to Toronto. Toronto tries to kidnap the best of all Canadian cities – the rise of gourmet poutine and Japanese food is no coincidence. Our own insecurity feeds this buzz, so we can stay south of Steeles and quell any cockiness from the justifiably proud Montrealers and/or Vancouverites.
You may know how it goes – the hostess stays outside and minds the 20 or so in line (always a line). Once she pries open the weighty front door, it’s instant surprise party. Loud, smiling, chanting. Almost exclusively communal tables (we sat on the end so impact was minimized). Small $5 plates, $15 Sapporo pitchers. Love it.
- Takoyaki – deep fried octopus balls w mustard mayo and an Asian style BBQ sauce
- Okonomyaki – deep fried pancake w mustard mayo and BBQ
- Kakuni – sweet miso braised pork belly with boiled egg
- Grilled saba – simply the best whitefish I’ve ever had the pleasure of ingesting
- Homemade udon noodle w kimchi
- Salmon natto yukke – salmon sashimi, garlic chips, diced veg, raw egg yolk all mixed together and put in nori.
- Tontoro
- Karagge
Just get those, I promise you will flip. Go. And go early, and be patient, and be tolerant of the 2hr time limit.
Go to foodpr0n.com’s post on Guu, they have some great photos. Go.
