The fusion restaurants of Toronto

If there’s one place in Toronto that perfectly encapsulates everything amazing about its fusion-led cuisine, it’s Momofuku Shōtō. The small restaurant has just twenty-two seats, arranged around a long bar that offers fascinating views into the open kitchen. The chefs (led by Brit Jed Smith) create a complex, exciting tasting menu that follows the seasons and takes inspiration from just about anywhere. You might find Dungeness crab seasoned with schmaltz (rendered chicken fat found in Jewish cuisine) and Indian madras spices, or Welsh rarebit with Comté and truffle. Morels might be paired with shiso in an omelette soufflé, while halibut is cooked with sorrel and yoghurt. There are four other Momofuku restaurants in Toronto, but Shōtō is the one that continues to push the boundaries of fusion cooking.

shoto.momofuku.com

A classic tale of food-truck-goes-permanent, Rasa is trendy, edgy and a prime example of Torontonian cuisine. Everything is designed to be shared and comes as small plates, which are all influenced by the city’s diverse population. You can get a taste of the Middle East with their make-your-own shawarma platters, or head to Italy with the truffle gnudi and Grana Padano crisps. There’s plenty of Asian influence – just take a look at the torched scallops with yuzu aioli and Thai fermented chillies – and even South American (lamb ribs with chimichurri and pickles is a house favourite).

rasabar.ca

From French-Korean to Dutch-Indonesian – Noorden is a seriously cool bar with a surprisingly good food offering. Based around the idea of ‘rijsttafel’ – a Dutch-Indo meal of lots of small dishes – there are some very interesting things to try. The most famous is the ‘War Fries’, essentially chips covered in mayonnaise and peanut sauce, but look out for the beef tartar, too, which comes with pickled Asian pear and krupuk, a sort of Indonesian prawn cracker. Flank steak is cooked in rendang spices, grilled romaine hearts are dressed with chilli and goat gouda, and roast carrots come with yoghurt and crispy quinoa. Be sure to try a few cocktails, too, as well as the extensive gin and tonic list.

noordento.com

Cantonese for ‘big brother’ (but can also mean boss and is a term showing respect to elders), DaiLo is a distinctly pan-Asian affair, with the odd touch of subtle French flair. The menu is mouthwatering to look through, with incredible dishes like truffle-fried rice and crispy octopus tacos. But while there is definitely an Asian focus, it’s the little elements on the plate that prove the chefs know exactly how to mix cuisines. Miso aioli with seared napa cabbage; scallion pancake chips with Peking duck and wontons with homemade XO sauce and an almond crumble are just a taste of what's on offer.

dailoto.com