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Gamjatang. Mom's Korean Food. Koreatown Toronto

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My continuing obsession with gamjatang or Korean style pork bone soup took me to Mom's Korean Food in Toronto's Koreatown (again) for dinner 😄

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Mom's Korean Food is a humble little shop with basic furnishings but quite comfortable inside. This casual eatery has been in the hood for over two decades. Clientele is diverse, not just homesick Asian students 😃 Many are regulars.

The friendly "mommy" looks out from the busy kitchen whenever she has a chance to smile and greet customers. The single youthful staff was extremely busy but was steady and friendly. He calmly obliged customer requests despite running the front from taking orders, serving, clearing tables and collecting money all by himself.

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It's amazing what the little ajumma (Korean aunt) shops in Koreatown can serve up 😄 The little ajumma kitchens churn out practically every Korean staple.

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Mom's Korean Food's gamjatang comes with the usual complement of boiled rice and banchan or small size dishes.

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Mom's Korean Food's pork bone soup is one of the most loaded I've tasted so far in Toronto. The pork spine bones were cooked with nappa cabbage, potatoes, perilla seeds, fermented bean paste, chili powder and other spices.

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Perilla seeds is one of the definitive ingredients of gamjatang, though not all Korean eateries use it in their pork bone soup. Perilla seeds have an interesting nutty bite and a slight toasty flavour. I enjoy my gamjatang more when perilla seeds are in the dish.

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Potatoes are also key in gamjatang which literally means "potato soup". There is no consensus even among Koreans on whether "gamja" refers to the pork bones or to potatoes but personally I like the comforting sweetness potatoes add to my soup 😄

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Leafy nappa cabbage boiled till soft and juicy. Nice! Especially with the salty-spicy soup sponged up by the sweet pulpy vegetable.  

But, Mom's Korean's gamjatang doesn't have bean sprouts, which would have made the dish complete for me.

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Pork neck and spine bones, the star of the popular iconic dish. The fall-off-the-bone tender meat, and there are lots of it, is juicy. The meat tastes naturally sweet which balances well the salty spiciness of the watery soup.

The portion was generous. I paid CDN9 (tax and tip included) and I was completely filled.

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👉 Mom's Korean Food is a budget friendly ajumma (aunty) eatery for good authentic Korean home style food. They serve good gamjatang. I would be back for other dishes in their extensive menu.

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Restaurant name: Mom's Korean Food
Address: 612 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6G 1K7
GPS43°39'52.6"N 79°24'49.5"W 43.664622, -79.413755
Tel(647) 748-2988
Hours: 10:00am to 12:00 midnight

Non Halal

Date: 6 Apr 2017

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