Yueh Tung

Tucked away on the second floor of a building on Elizabeth Street, Yueh Tung has been holding down the Financial District since 1986. Founded by Michael Liu and Mei Wang as the city’s first Hakka spot, the restaurant is now run by their daughters, Jeanette and Joanna. It’s a proper piece of local history that sits in what used to be the original Chinatown, keeping that no-frills, family-run energy alive while the glass towers of Bay Street shoot up all around it. You aren't going here for the decor; you're going for the consistency that’s kept the place packed with office workers and families for nearly forty years.

You’re here for the chili chicken, which is the dish that basically put Hakka food on the map in Toronto. It’s the standard for a reason, but the Manchurian chicken, crispy beef, and Hakka sweet soy noodles are just as reliable if you want to branch out. The menu is massive, so there’s plenty of room for stir-fries and vegetarian options if you’re coming with a group. It’s a casual, walk-in-friendly setup, so don’t stress about reservations unless you’re rolling deep. Expect big portions and a meal that feels like it actually belongs to the city’s history.