I grew up on something called Gribenes.  Here’s the definition of Gribenes according to Wikipedia:

Gribenes or grieven (Yiddish: גריבענעס, [ˈɡrɪbənəs], “scraps”) are crisp chicken or goose skin cracklings with fried onions, a kosher food somewhat similar to pork rinds. Gribenes are a byproduct of schmaltz preparation.

I remember my grandmother serving it on Friday nights and holidays but haven’t had it in decades. (I’m not joking). Needless to say I knew when I saw it on the the menu at Essen that I would be ordering their gribenes.

What I didn’t know is that I could order buckets of the stuff! Essen makes a gribenes that is PERFECT. I’m still talking about it even a week after visiting their restaurant!!

Now Essen serves up other dishes that resonate with me seeing as I grew up with this type of food. For example: Their chopped liver is also outstanding.

I also enjoyed their Jewish Ramen which is described as egg noodles, matza balls, soft egg, brisket kreplach and veggies. I would order this dish again in a nano second.

My tummy was also introduced to their braised brisket, duck fat fries, roasted cauliflower and their unique caesar salad.

I should also mention that Essen serves some wicked cocktails that are beyond creative!

Hope you get a chance to visit this restaurant soon. You won’t be disappointed and I promise you will leave FULL Very. Full. I know that I will be taking my mom here on her next visit to Toronto.

For more information:

Essen, 1282 Dundas St. W, phone:  (416) 534 0407

Twitter: @essen_toronto

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/essentoronto

Disclosure: My meal was complimentary however all opinions are my own.

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The other day, I received a last minute invite to check out the Grand Opening of Touhenbokus Ramens’ newest location at 2459 Yonge St. I didn’t mind at all, as I live about  2 km’s away and was curious to visit. You see, I was invited to the Grand Opening of their first location (261 Queen St) where I indulged in some ramen – but  this particular invitation was inviting me to sample their tapas and cocktails. I was intrigued to say the least. (ie …no ramen?)

When you enter the restaurant, you immediately notice the “more upscale” decor than their Queen W. location. I really think they did a great job with the space…just the right amount of classy and hipster. (does that make sense)?

I then found out that there’s TWO menus. A lunch menu (with ramen options) and a dinner menu that will be served after 5 pm. (ie tapas and cocktails).

Indeed I sampled a cocktail that was off-the-chart-amazing.  It’s called the KINGYO (remember this) and it’s made with Shohu, mint, hot peppers and soda. What a unbelievable combination. I would order this again in a heart beat. Talk about refreshing.

I also sampled the food. Something tells me that I will be returning to try the Godzilla’s Egg! (see above menu)

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I went on a Ramen Crawl last winter and guess what? My fascination for Ramen continues.

The lastest ramen restaurant I checked out just opened on Dec 29th. It’s called Isshin Ramen and is located at 421 College St.

The menu consists of:  8 different types of ramen (including TWO vegetarian options), 4 appetizers, 3 rice bowls and 3 desserts.

I asked the waitress to assist me in ordering and before I knew it I ordered the “Isshin “Spicy” Black Tan Tan Ramen”– Thick twisty noodles in a miso broth, topped with wok fried ground pork, spicy chives, bok choi, black sesame, pork belly, cha-shu and a home made chilli oil. Once again – I’m no expert but all 3 components really worked for me (the broth, the noodles and the toppings). It was DELICIOUS.

They encourage you to use the mortar and pestle to grind the black sesames and add it halfway through to enhance the experience. I was impressed with this added touch!!

I also had the chance to try “Crunchy Chicken Karaago” – crispy crunchy flavourful bits of chicken, deep fried to perfection and served with a garlic kupe mayo. Ate all three pieces even though I’m not such a huge fan of chicken and I was FULL.

The meal ended off with a Fresh Mango Pudding which is made in house daily with fresh mangoes. It was light and refreshing not to mention a perfect way to end the meal.

I read a review on BlogTo today that highly recommends the Isshin “Red Miso” Ramen. I have no doubt that I will be returning. Cant’ seem to get enough Ramen during the winter.

For More Information:

Isshin Ramen, 421 College St, Toronto, ON 416 367 4013

Twitter: @isshinramen

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ramenisshin

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I was on Twitter a few weeks ago and noticed that a new ramen restaurant was opening in Toronto. I was so excited seeing as I’m a  huge Ramen fan. I clicked the “follow button” and asked if they would  keep me in the loop when they were opening.

Shortly after, I received an email asking if I would like to attend their opening. I quickly said “YES…COUNT ME IN”.

They opened today for a media preview and I was one of the lucky people invited into their restaurant, which only has 36 seats!! Touhenboku Ramen is located at 261 Queen W. and in my opinion this is a great spot for a ramen restaurant.

Touhenboku Ramen features ramen soup that is made from chicken broth. It can be ordered be with your choice of lean pork, rich pork or chicken chasu. Plus you can choose between thick or thin noodles, which are made from their own blend of flour.

I tried the Garlicky Touhenboku Ramen and was surprised that the broth was so thick but it was indeed one huge bowl of flavorful ramen. I’m sure by the time winter is over I will have tried their other options, which are: Original, Spicy, and Light.

Sadly I didn’t have a chance to try their Chiffon Cake but it looks great, doesn’t it?

Thannks @ortdavid for the photo #iPhoneproblems

For more information:

Touhenboku Ramen: 261 Queen St. West, Toronto 416 596 8080

Twitter: @TouhenbokuRamen

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I have slowly crawled thru many ramen restaurants over the last year.

To be honest I have been going to Ajisen Ramen (Yonge/Sheppard) for many many years.

Last summer/Fall? I went to Kinton Ramen and then this winter I hit  Sansotei, Sansouka, Ryoji and A-OK ! Full disclosure, I am not a “ramen” expert so I’m not even going to talk about the broth, the texture of the ramen, or the garnishes. I’m just going to say that I would return to all of the above restaurants in a nano second. Please note, that these restaurants are hugely popular with line ups at 8 pm in -15 weather!! My recommendation: go early!!

Here’s a few photos to give you an idea of my ramen crawl.

Ramen from Sansotei

Ramen from Santouka

Ramen from A-OK

Forgot to tag where this ramen was from. Oops

PS Thank you to my friends who went with me to these Ramen Restaurants. You are all troopers!! (and good friends)

For Further Information:

Sansotei 179 Dundas St. West, Toronto (647) 748 3833

Santouka 91 Dundas East, Toronto (647) 748 1717

Ajisen Ramen 5229 Yonge St, 322 Spadina, 7010 Warden Ave.

A-OK Foods (Ramen and Snack Bar) 930 Queen St. West (647) 352-2243

Kinton Ramen 51 Baldwin St, Toronto (647) 748-8900

Ryoji Ramen & Isakaya 692  College St. Toronto, (416) 533-8083

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The same people behind Food Truck Eats are organizing SLURP NOODLEFEST!This event has my name written all over it,  as I’m a huge fan of ramen, pho, and other noodle dishes.  Be warned though – there’s a limited amount of tickets available so hurry and purchase your tickets soon K? (you have been officially warned).

Tickets are $10 and are now available online at http://slurp.eventbrite.com. Hope to see you on Sunday March 3rd.

Buy your tickets soon!!

P.S while you are marking down food events in your calendar – can you please mark down that Macaron Day is Wednesday March 20th!! Will be blogging about this amazing event too!

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