Tongdak

What is Tongdak? Located at 50 Gerrard Street East near the Church-Wellesley corridor and Toronto Metropolitan University, Tongdak is a retro-leaning Korean fried chicken counter founded by hospitality veteran Jin Park. Moving away from the heavy, sauce-drenched batters common across the city, the concept pays homage to 1980s-style *yetnal tongdak*—golden whole birds deep-fried to yield paper-thin, crackling skin and juicy meat. The space is bright, compact, and utilitarian, operating primarily as a rapid-fire takeout hub with limited casual counter stools for quick on-site dining.

Tongdak Menu & What to Order Order the signature Tongdak Box, an entire fried chicken crowned with toasted garlic chips and crispy fried tteok (rice cakes), served alongside cubed pickled radishes and dipping sauces that accent rather than smother the meat. For individual meals, the Chick Queen Box offers boneless chicken dusted in snow cheddar or glazed in sweet-and-spicy yangnyeom, while the Garlic Sandwich layers a crispy thigh fillet with sweet honey garlic sauce and garlic mayo. Complete the spread with stretchy deep-fried mozzarella cheese balls and a side of spicy gochujang tteokbokki; all chicken served is halal-certified.

Know Before You Go Seating is strictly walk-in with no reservations, so plan for takeout or delivery if you are dining in a group. Peak rushes hit heavily during weekday student lunch hours and late-evening dinner runs, so ordering ahead online can shave off wait times. Transit access is simple with College subway station and the 506 Carlton streetcar just a short stroll away, while street parking along Gerrard East is very limited.