Filipino street food taken to the next level. Best bao in Toronto, and a fabulous Sunday Fiesta Brunch.
📍2986 Dundas St W
We love Kanto. Their OG location in Market 707 specialises in killer Filipino street food, and their Junction location takes that food excellence to a whole other level.
Their Sunday Fiesta Brunch is phenomenal, both in terms of tasty food but also in terms of value for money. For $28.00 (before tax and gratuity) you can settle in an eat yourself insensible from the huge variety of items that show up over the course of a couple of hours (*Note: eat a wee bit at a time and linger because new dishes rotate into the buffet all the time).
One of the coolest things about the Fiesta Brunch is talking to the staff about what’s what on the buffet: the food’s regional origins; how to mix-and-match flavours; their favourites). If you’re lucky Diona – aka: Tita Flips – the owner and founder will be there. Her passion for the food, and her knowledge, will blow you away – so fun!
And don’t miss their Bao lunch specials during the week. $10 for two of the best pork belly Bao we’ve ever had (and unless you’re a very, very big eater you’ll be stuffed). Diona makes the Bao dough fresh every day, and your order comes out piping hot and fluffy every time.
Can’t wait to get their to try some of their evening menu.
Highly recommended!.
Pork Belly Bao
The dough is made fresh every day, and the Bao are cooked to order so they come out fresh. Trust us, it's worth the few extra minutes wait. And we're told they travel well, so take out (or catered) is a great option.
Assorted Dried Fish
Various types of dried fish: Jeprox; Danggit and Tuyo. Delish mixed and matched with garlic rice and any number of stews. Also delicious dipped in any of Kanto's killer spiced vinegars.
Filipino Hot Dog
Honestly, don't let all the let-downs that you've felt from eating yucky North American weiners turn you off this yumminess. These "dogs" are more like European-style sausage (think Vienna). So good!!
Lechon - Roast Pork Belly
If you're a fan of Italian Porchetta then you just have to try Lechon. Incredibly juicy and tender rolled pork belly wrapped in a loving blanket of crispy, delicious crackling - or chicharon. Super duper delish!
Puto
Filipino sweet rice cakes make wonderful snacks and dessert. But they are also a great pairing with savoury dishes like dinuguan (pork blood stew - which is amazing!). Btw, the purple ones are Ube (purple yam).
Fiesta Brunch mixed plate (one of many!)
Mixing and matching flavours is a big part of Filipino cuisine. The Kanto crew suggested the classic flavour combos for this mixed plate. It was so much fun playing with flavour combos, all of them good!
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