Mhel

Tucked away on a quiet stretch of Havelock, Mhel is the kind of room that makes Bloorcourt feel like a neighbourhood again. Husband-and-wife team Young Hoon Ji and Seung-Min Yi run this tight, wood-lined snack bar, drawing on their Korean and Japanese heritage to shape a menu that leans heavily on umami. The name is a nod to the Jeju word for anchovy, and that focus on foundational ingredients carries through to the daily-changing small plates. With only 12 bar seats facing the open kitchen, the space is intimate, stripped back, and entirely focused on the work happening over the charcoal grill.

Since the menu shifts based on what’s available from Ontario producers and specific imports like koshihikari rice, don’t walk in expecting a signature dish. Instead, lean into the sake list and whatever fish is hitting the grill that night. It’s a no-reservations spot, which means you’ll likely be standing in a line if you show up at peak hours; getting there early is the only way to guarantee a seat at the counter. It’s a loud, bustling environment that works just as well for a solo meal as it does for a catch-up with a friend who appreciates a well-curated plate.