An Unnoticed Gem: Manpuku Modern Japanese Eatery

I randomly came across this restaurant when I was actually planning on going to another place. I decided to try out this place because I remember hearing good things about it and I figured, why not try something new instead of always going to the same place?

curry don カレー丼   $6.99 + tax

I call Manpuku an unnoticed gem because it is a relatively small restaurant hidden in the corner behind the food court in the Village by the Grange complex. Of the two times I've been here, the restaurant has been fairly empty, but I think it would be crowded with maybe even line ups during school days since the complex is connected to the Ontario College of Arts and Design. The restaurant is authentic and the Japanese waitresses are also the chefs who make your food in a semi-open kitchen.

gyuu don 牛丼  $8.99 + tax

chicken udon チキンうどん  $5.99 + tax

The food here is great and the serving portions are pretty big. Whenever I come here, I'm always left wishing I had a bigger stomach! Unless specified, most of their meat dishes offer a choice between beef and pork. Either way, they give you a large amount of meat (yay for meat lovers!). Of all the Japanese Udon places I've been to in Toronto, I feel that Manpuku makes the best udon. The soup base is light while still flavourful and the texture of the noodles is just right. However, I thought the curry was a bit too sweet, but it may be because I'm more of a fan of spicy curry.

takosen たこせん   $2.99 + tax

Manpuku also has great side dishes and appetizers. I've never heard of takosen before seeing it on the menu here. It is basically a takoyaki sandwich - takoyaki in between two shrimp senbei (Japanese rice crackers). A tip for the takosen is to eat it right away or else the cracker turns soggy and then everything just gets really messy.

Manpuku Modern Japanese Eatery

105 McCaul Street 

Toronto, ON

Taste: ★★★★☆
Environment: ★★★★★
Service: ★★★★★
Price: $