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Ematei Japanese Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Japanese Japanese [Edit]
30 St. Patrick StToronto, ON M5T 3A3
Neighbourhood: Downtown Core
(416) 340-0472
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
35 reviews for Ematei Japanese Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"Aspara Bacon was done very well and I recommend it." In 7 reviews -
"Black Cod with miso - classic and very tasty." In 8 reviews -
"2) HOTATE BUTTER: Butter scallops with carmelized onions in..." In 3 reviews
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35 reviews in English
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Review from Lynn C.
2/10/2012
I don't think I really got the full Ematei experience because it was just the two of us and we just ordered a couple of Entrees and an appetizer, but the food from what I have tried was very good.
It wasn't very busy on a Wednesday night and the reservations we made wasn't necessary, but as the night got on, the place got busier.
For appetizer, we got the giant roll, which was, well giant.
My friend got the tempura udon, which she say is her go-to food there.
I got the suki-yaki don, which had all the things you would want in a sukiyaki but in a bowl with rice.
The price was reasonable, about $12 each for the three items we ordered.
The key about this place is that it's not your typical korean or chinese ran "japanese" restaurant. If you want go for a pure, unhyped japanese experience, go here. There's no one going "BEST WHATEVER OMG"--it's all all rolls, it's not all sashimi, it's not all japanese tapas--just good old authentic japanese dishes. -
Review from Yashy S.
Toronto, ON
4/15/2012
We were looking to find a great Sushi spot near Queen street and did a quick search and saw that this spot was ranked high on both TA and Yelp. We were expecting to be wowed ...and to find a new spot to add to our on going hunt for good sushi in the downtown core. We did a walk in on a Sunday night at 7 p.m without any issues.
Sadly I didn't read through the reviews, had I done so I would have realized that this a spot for cooked food and not sushi and sashmi. The rolls were were tiny, with not much flavour. The sashimi was mediocre and definitely the smallest slices we've encountered anywhere. Our group of 5 adults and one baby left the place highly unsatisfied. They are baby and pram friendly but try not to sit near the entrance to the bathroom as a slight pee odour permeates throughout that end. Service while cordial was not friendly and was extremely slow. They did provide a high chair for us though, with a smile.
Cost wise we found it to be pricey for what we got. The $30 bento box for one person did not have much at all ( we would have preferred to pay $25 for an all you can eat at Sushi D). 6 pieces of maki (very tiny ones ) were $10 and the thin sashimi slices were $12. Sake was cheap at $4 for 6 oz. For the total cost you would get a better experience and fresher fish at Ki. -
Review from Paul H.
Burlington, ON
2/6/2012
First off I lived in Japan for 5 years so the way I review Japanese restaurants, It's on a bit of a sliding scale. So believe me when I say that this is the most authentic Japanese experience I have had in the city! Starting with the fact that it's almost a hole in the wall that you have to hunt out with a map much like any place worth it's name in Japan. This is a very good start.
The Service: is super friendly, polite and the kind of helpful that i have only experienced in Japan. This is in no small part because most of the staff are direct from Japan, Students or working holiday visa and everyone speaks Japanese; as such this really solidifies that sense of even through your in the middle of Toronto you can feel that while at Ematei you are in Japan.
An example of this is while sitting down the waitress noticed my "One Piece" T-Shirt and we proceeded to talk about our mutual love for One Piece for the rest of the night, all in Japanese by the way.
The Food: As well is as Japanese as it gets. It may not appeal to some people who have never experienced "Real Japanese food" and may not be aware of the subtle flavors and textures that really make Japanese cuisine what it is. The Tempura is among the best i have ever had but the sushi is limited what you can get being a land locked city such as Toronto.
The only thing that's not very Japanese about this place is the price. Though not overly expensive is still far more that i would expect to pay in Japan. Thus i am quickly reminded that I am not in Japan in fact and that this is what you pay to get this kind of quality in Toronto.
I highly recommend going for lunch as they have reasonably priced lunch menu sets that would boost this place to well above 5 stars. But as such i will give this place an enthusiastic 4 stars! 4 and a 1/5 if i can. -
Review from Jill H.
9/19/2011
As many of the posts indicate, Ematei is one of the most authentic Japanese restaurants in Toronto. It is izakaya style, meaning small plates are served here for sharing.
I've been here a couple of times now, but the last time I went, I got some serious food poisoning!!!! I had their sashimi and sushi for the first time when I got sick, so I am guessing that this was the problem. :(
Unfortunately that left a bad taste in my mouth (literally) and I will not be coming back to Ematei............ -
Review from Bob R.
Etobicoke, ON
OK. I repent. Hadn't been for a while; ( 1st in late 80's)now back a number of times . Quality and Consistency win. Sushi bar or nearby obviates Siberian neglect. Staff familiarity helps . Good value Omakase.Authenticity+.
Ramp it up a star!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/5/2011
Ok so I'm retro(at least)+ have had a couple of bad experiences-back table cold food soso sushi wi… Read more »
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Review from Hazel P.
8/25/2011
This is an authentic Japanese restaurant. Location is convenient & easy to get to. The décor is pretty boring compared to some of the more modern Japanese cuisine restaurants downtown. But it's a nice, quiet spot. No standing in line for three hours at this place! Food is a bit pricey, but I don't mind that once in a while since the quality is good. They do take out too, if you're not inclined to stay & eat.
P.S., I'm a non-drinker so I always answer not sure when asked if a place serves alcohol. *grin* -
Review from Peter C.
North York, ON
9/13/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Ematei is one of the few authentic Japanese style restaurants that I know of in Toronto.
I like their decor and mood, great place for a group of friends to meet, a date, or even a casual dinner with family.
I've only been here for dinner, and usually the prices are a bit higher and some things feel overpriced. However, the food is always delicious.
I have never tried their sashimi and sushi yet, but i see a lot of people ordering it as well as their hot pot items.
I have tried their:
Baked oysters - Perfect
BBQ Duck - Juicy meat, delicious flavor
Curry Pork Cutlet - Lots of curry sauce for the rice, crispy Pork
Salmon Roe Ochazuke - Tasty Salmon roe in a nice light tea broth, great for a snack or a small meal
BBQ Chicken leg - well made, bbq sauce is great.
BBQ Chicken skin - Crispy and delicious!
Chicken soft bone - Crunchy and can't eat just one!
Tonkatsu Egg Rice Bowl - Love the sauce that goes with it, its nicely made, filling and satisfying.
Also to add, their tonkatsu and egg rice bowl is also one of the better ones i've had in toronto region.
I try my best to try new items everytime I visit this restaurant, and try to not spend too much while I'm at it.
Definitely give this place a try, it is an enjoyable and cozy experience! -
Review from Doris L.
Toronto, ON
9/9/2011
Food is always decent.
Had a horrible server this week. Went it at non-peak hours. Lots of tables. I asked for a specific table, and the watiress said it was for 4 people only. I looked around and told her there's nobody here. One of the chefs overheard and apologized and let me sit where I wanted. She was horrible, she didn't even offer the warm towel afterwards and just asked another server to take my order. -
Review from Robin D.
7/9/2011
I really like this restaurant and its decor. I think its a gem.
They have lunch specials on display as you walk in past the bar. Specials change periodically and range from $8 to $12.
My last visit, we were seated in a rectangular wooden table with an opening in the middle. Waitress explained in Japan they put sand inside and charcoal to light a fire. I thought it was cool! -
Review from Kiwi M.
Toronto, ON
9/7/2011
Ematei is one of very few authentic Japanese restaurants in Toronto.
They are located under an apartment building and the interior is authentic as well.
I have mixed reviews with the food here.
First off,
Sushi/Sashimi here is not that great. For a mid-to-highend restaurant (as they are fairly pricey), their fish is mediocre.
However things take a turn when you order from the kitchen (not from the sushi bar). Like Teriyaki, Don buri, Don katsu, shabu shabu are all very authentic and tasty.
Their lunch menus are the best value though, they have this 'combination' where you get some tempura + teriyaki + rice for $8.50 and it's just what I want.
I would take my gf out on a date here. -
Review from Jeet A.
Toronto, ON
6/30/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Tucked in from the hustle of Queen Street W. this place transports you to Japan. There is even an authentic samurai enclosed in glass here! haha. Also for a larger group you can get one of those private rooms where you sit on the floor with your shoes off. (Wear cool socks). The staff are very friendly in spite of the language barrier (Hey even more authenticly japanese). The food is cheap and it's really fresh and tasty.
I've read reviews here where people have recommended aspara-bacon.....I couldn't find it on the menu and the waitress was very confused when I asked for it. (I had a japanese friend w/ me who helped me out and still no luck) -but anyways the hotate (scallops w/ sauteed onions in butter sauce) was really good. The beef ribs are soo tender. If you get the sushi/sashimi combo they put wasabi between the rice and the fish so you dont have to keep applying your wasabi.
-Once the sushi chefs see that your a regular they treat you like old friends. That's pretty darn cool. -
Review from Hideki K.
7/1/2011
Ematei is a great traditional izakaya.
The place is authentic Japanese with a nice variety of menu options (from sashimi to yakitori to household food items). It is my go-to Japanese spot when in town. -
Review from Johnny L.
Toronto, ON
2/1/2011
Ematei is a fun place in a quiet corner of the street that has apparently existed for over a decade. We came here with another couple, at their suggestion. I didn't know this place even existed and probably never would have had they not told me about it. There are plenty of tables, including a party room behind blinds where you sit on the floor and a big square party table in corner, too.
We ordered lots of food and drinks:
BBQ duck - crunchy skin, juicy meat, awesome
Hotate scallops - delicious
Black Cod with miso - classic and very tasty
Spicy salmon & tuna rolls - I'm not a fan of any spicy mayo rolls but everyone else seemed to think they were good
Gyoza - crispy outside, fresh and steaming on the inside
Tempura veggies - very well fried - not greasy
King mushrooms - excellent
Shitake mushrooms - even better than the King
Spinach with bonito - gotta put some greens in ya
BBQ spare ribs - tender and moist
This is great Japanese restaurant with very good value for the money. We're definitely coming back! -
Review from Laura C.
Toronto, ON
11/28/2010 5 photos
I thought it was excellent. Once walking through the doors you feel like you've been transported into a japanese izakaya.
I was excited to bring my parents here to try some more aunthentic japanese food, as opposed to the chinese version we get.
They have a long long list appetizers ranging from grilled eggplant, to soft bone chicken, to hotate butter (yum), to soft shell crab. Prices were good ranging from ($3-7 each, hotate was more $11.95) and good quantities to share. You could build a whole meal out of these appetizers izakaya style.
I got the Omakase for $48. It was a lot of food, and good enough to share for 2 ppl + 1 to 2 appetizers.
It was delicious! Including Sashimi, soba noodles, black cod, pickled sardines, tofu, grilled eggplant, sushi and dessert among others (7 dishes). It was a good variety, however my dad did point out that the ingredients were not something amazing, but something common but dressed up delicately (i.e. miso tofu, jellies+ fruits for dessert).
I recommend this totally for a date. It's quiet and you can find a nice spot with shareable food. There is also a tatami room at the back, good for larger groups.
The sashimi was quite good. you can get 6 pcs of your choice for $10.50 or get a meal out of it for $27.00 of a variety + soup+salad. Or an appetizer version for less.
It's really fresh, and of a great quality. I've had better, but I think it's quite good at this price point.
This is something different. Worth the visit!
So with all this food - sashimi app, 1 order of salmon sashimi, katsu don, soft bone chicken, hotate butter and omakase + small sake = iit was $40 a person and we were super full (3ppl) -
Review from Yi Qing S.
Toronto, ON
9/12/2011
Ematei is, according to all of my Japanese friends, as authentic as it gets in terms of Japanese cuisine in Toronto.
That being said, keep in mind that most of us are not used to REAL Japanese food and may not like it. And that's okay. Really, it is. A lot of REAL Japanese is much simpler and less strong-tasting than the westernized stuff we have here.
And on the other side of the spectrum: you may THINK you are all cool and culturally refined when you tell that cute Japanese girl in your politics class that you love such-and-such because it is TEH REAL JAPANESE SHIZZ but your little scheme will fail when she a) tells you that even though she is Japanese, she hates that nasty shit (not out loud, of course -- I believe the English translation for "that is nasty shit" in Japanese is "how interesting!"), and b) will proceed think you are seriously weird because it is universally agreed upon by all members of her generation that it is nasty shit. Um, what was the point of this rant again? Oh right -- do not try and make yourself like something that you don't. If you order something here and it comes out completely different to what you were expecting, order something else next time you come back. Or, you know, don't come back. Totally up to you.
Now, onto the real review. I have been here twice -- once celebrating the birthday of a friend of mine (a Japanese exchange student) and the other time having lunch with a friend. Both times I have concluded that everything on the menu is very, very good -- that is, if you are not expecting something along the lines of "California rolls" and "Sushi Pizza" *. The birthday boy had been there numerous times before and would probably still be going there at least once a month if he hadn't gone back to Japan.
Now, if you have read my other reviews, you will realize that a) I am possibly the most boring individual alive when it comes to ordering food because I always order the same damn thing, and b) what I just said, but louder, because it's true and I'm not afraid to admit it. So yes, both times I ordered the same thing -- eel fried rice. The first time it was actually on the menu, but the second time for some reason it was not, so I decided to ask the kitchen if they could still make that since I wasn't about mope around and order something else when I'd basically been dreaming about eel fried rice in the six months** between my first and second visit to this place. Seriously people. IT IS SO GOOD.
As for the non-food-related parts -- it is definitely a more upscale restaurant, and this is reflected in its prices, some of which are pretty affordable and others which are, um, not so affordable when one is on a budget. The service is a bit of a hit and miss and the atmosphere is good for some needs, not good for others. I would say to go there for special occasions more of the formal and/or low-key variety, especially since the lighting and decor lend it a more serious, sober mood.
* Again, not that there's anything wrong with that. I frickin' love Sushi Pizza.
** This would be a shorter time period if I weren't so darn poor. -
Review from Nadia M.
York, ON
12/21/2011
The service can be rude or it can be great... it varies, always a wait for a table but best Sukiyaki anywhere.
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Review from Jay W.
Markham, ON
11/12/2010
For the longest time, Ematei was the only spot in TO where I could find real Japanese people working in a restaurant that didn't specialize in sushi. It was probably the closest thing you could find to an izakaya in TO before the Guu clan came over from Vancouver. Unfortunately, the atmosphere isn't as fun and boisterous as an izakaya, so it's really just a regular Japanese restaurant.
They do have yakitori items on their menu but unfortunately you can't watch them grill the skewers in front of you. The food is authentically Japanese, but the quality of the food isn't as good as their new competition Guu. If you're frustrated by the long lineups and no reservation policy of Guu, give Ematei a try! -
Review from susan c.
Updated - 7/24/2010 3 photos
I don't know what's going on here but each time I go back the food seems to get worse.
- The short rib yakitori was stringy and tough; like chewing on old shoe leather.
- The chicken leg yakitori was dry and devoid of flavor; it could have been chicken breast for all I know.
- The ankimo (monk fish liver) was OK but not transcendent the way it ought to be.
The butter scallops were still good and I enjoyed the chicken katsu but Ematei is barely getting three stars after my last meal there. I hope things shape up soon!Listed in: Must Eat, See, Do in Toronto, My Food & Drink Faves in…, Fishy Business, Japanese Restaurants Run by…
3 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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4/16/2010
I'm still a fan of Ematei so I'll retain the 4-star rating but on a recent visit, I did not like… Read more »
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Review from Andrea W.
Toronto, ON
Guess what: California rolls are not real Japanese food. Neither is sushi pizza or dragon rolls. Chicken or beef teriyaki is also not actually Japanese (authentic teriyaki is for broiled fish).
What is very authentic Japanese is the menu, the decor, the drinks list, the cooks and the waitresses at Ematei. It is by far the most Japanese place I've found in Toronto, and my opinion is reinforced by the number of expats who eat here regularly. In fact, it helps to speak some Japanese if you're ordering at Ematei since the wait staff is very much ESL.
Having spent most nights of the week in an izakaya (pub) during my stint in Japan, I was really missing the small dishes of comfort food and the homey atmosphere that don't get reproduced in Toronto's Japanese-inspired restaurants.
Some of my favourite Ematei izakaya dishes: aspara-bacon (asparagus wrapped in bacon, yesss!), butter scallops, mushroom foil, buta kimchi (okay, that's Korean), zaru soba, kabocha tempura and yakitori. I don't recommend the kani foil since it's not real crab. The unagi chahan (they call it 'charan' for some reason) is great.
Something awesome for winter is that you can reserve one of the tatami rooms for a nabe party, which is the Japanese version of a hot pot party.
Note: I haven't had the sushi at Ematei. When there are a thousand other places for sushi in this city, I like to order things that are less ubiquitous.
Bonus: Do you know what 'Ematei' means? An 'ema' is a small wooden wishing plaque that can be purchased at Shinto shrines. 'Tei' means shop, so 'Ematei' is 'shop for prayer plaques'.Listed in: My ROTD, Never Let Me Down
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Review from Ben K.
Toronto, ON
10/8/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I've eaten here regularly for almost a decade. It is a hidden gem. Truly authentic Japanese and always delicious. The prices are very reasonable for the high caliber of the dishes available.
I highly recommend the Katsu Curry. I think it is sadly overlooked by most folks looking for more standard Japanese fare.
I think the restaurant itself could do with a light makeover, as it's beginning to show it's age, but it just goes to show that it has proven its cuisine has stood the test of time. -
Review from Adam P.
Toronto, ON
1/27/2010 1 Check-in Here
I probably should have read reviews before going here because I was totally taken by surprise of the lack of the "usual" Japanese cuisine. I have never heard of this izakaya.....now I have and I'm better for it.
Once you can wrap your head around this type of cuisine it is worth experiencing. I ordered some sort of box (which I thought would be a bento box), and there was nothing similar about it (not even the shape of the box). Inside I had this aspara-bacon, some black cod, a whole shrimp (why can't the heads be removed?), some vegetable (was it even a vegetable?), another fish (was it fish?) with some weird bone structure, and pieces of tuna and salmon sashimi.
Final assessment: Different and not regrettable. I for a while I felt like I was not in Toronto (maybe it was because there were no windows or natural light). I think people should give this a try if you are willing to think outside the bento box and experiment with the traditional type cuisine us Torontonians are not used to. -
Review from Em L.
Toronto, ON
5/1/2009
In my opinion (of which I have many!!), Ematei is one of the best and authentic Japanese restaurants in the city. Tucked away underneath an office building and offset from the street, it is hidden away in an unlikely location on St. Patrick Street just steps away from Queen St.
I've been going to Ematei for years... probably from the time that it opened many, many moons ago. Kaji of Sushi Kaji fame, I believe, was the chef who got the place going at the beginning and the staff who are there now have been there since I was a wee young 'un.
It is super consistent and one of the first places in Toronto to offer omakase. Ematei's strength is that the dishes served up from the kitchen is on par, if not better, than the items from the sushi bar. But the sushi is nothing to sniff at either -- fresh and uncomplicated, which is exactly what sushi should be (don't get me started on those mayonnaise and spicy sauce laden rolls that pass for sushi in this town).
We generally start with a bunch of tapas-like small appetizers of fish (like black cod or salmon neck or belly), tofu (like agedashi or hiyayakko), chicken (yakitori or karaage), stewed veggies and the like which are all shared. And then finished off with a ramen, zarusoba, udon, or chazuke.
Ematei is like walking into a little slice of a Japanese izakaya. It's longevity is a testament to the quality and consistency of their offerings. Looking for one of the best and authentic in Toronto? Definitely try Ematei. -
Review from David S.
Toronto, ON
10/25/2009
Our visit to Ematei was based solely on Yelp reviews and testimonies from another unnamed site that rhymes with testaurantica :) I'll be honest, I've never had real Izakaya in Toronto so we were hoping Ematei would deliver. It did not.
Ok, to be fair, I was looking for something a little more hip and youthful. I kinda guessed it would be very Japanese traditional based upon the descriptions from others. Perhaps that's why I felt let down. I did enjoy the majority of the food though. Aspara Bacon was done very well and I recommend it! The Chicken Karage was good but Shinsen Gumi and Nan Chuu Izakaya makes it better.
Ahh... I feel like I should stop this review because I'm being biased. I just want my delicious dishes, Orion beer, funky decor, and blasting j-pop music when gorging on Izakaya! Is that too much to ask for? If you want traditional Izakaya - go here. If you're 35 and under, I say keep on hunting for Izakaya in Toronto - I know I will. -
Review from WaYnE c.
Maple, ON
3/30/2010
I went along with 8 friends with 6:30 pm reservations on a Saturday evening and took the inside large square table. We did our drink orders where one of them got Umeshu, and was asked if she wanted it 'On the Rocks' and she said sure. Knowing she has had Umeshu before, she told me it didn't taste as good. Do wait staff usually ask if you want it 'On the Rocks'?
Reading from a prior review that it is an Izakaya style and I got off work to go there, I got Yakitori apps (gizzards, skin, wings, meatballs, hearts). Basically the 5 left-side items on the Yaki selection. Salt or soya option, and my friendly waitress suggested salt, Arigato! Aside from wings being 3 middle pieces for $4.50, I really enjoyed it.
I got the Soba as well, which is standard fare for any other Jap restaurant. I tried a piece of Chicken Katsu, and it wasn't bad but I was admiring about 3-4 of my friend's shared Seafood Nabe and another friend's fresh looking Chirashi.
The whole group kept chatting it up, laughing maybe even bothering other customers from time to time and we eventually over stay our welcome when we just sat their with our empty tea cups continuing our conversations as the waitress brought over the bill and started to clean up around 9:30 - 10:00 pm or so.
I have to say the wait staff are awesome and I guess I personally enjoyed the traditional feel of the decor. About 30min before we left, I told my friend there doesn't seem to be music, but then when we got up to leave we heard some Mexican music? Anyone can confirm that?Listed in: Oishii, Fire'd - Asian
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Review from Maxine S.
Montréal, QC
9/7/2011
Overpriced and suboptimal quality of food.
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Review from Melissa F.
Toronto, ON
6/18/2009
I know sushi very well, but I don't know Japanese food all that well. While sushi is a tiny sliver of what Japanese has to offer, I soon found out the rest of the cuisine at Ematei.
I can't say I personally loved it, especially since the bill reached 30$ (after tax and tip) and I didn't feel like it was amazing. but I can attest to Ematei have 100% Japanese Staff and many 90% Japanese customers.
This little restaurant is nice if you know and can appreciate the full spectrum of Japanese cuisine, but I will admit, I am only in it for the sashimi and rolls (of which they were above average for Toronto, aka- not drowning the sushi in mayo or excessively battered deep fried grossness).
Yes, ematei is "authentic" and was suggested by a Japanese friend of mine.
I probably would only come back if somebody demanded I take them to an authentic Japanese owned and operated restaurant. The food is good, just not great. and more pricey than I care to spend for a few pieces of quality raw fish.
The menu has a variety of appetizer sized things that hover at about $10. Then they have some nice udon and fried rice bowls (VERY glutinous rice) that range from 12-15$. If you want sushi you can get 15 or so pieces for about 25-30$.
Nothing stuck out for me, although service was good quality.
The atmosphere kind of looks like its in a basement even when it is ground level. No natural light here. But the atmosphere is cozy and reminds me of sushi bars back home in Vanouver. Even though there isn't really inspired izakaya type food, the menu and feel of the place is more like an izakaya than most of the mediocre Japanese places Toronto offers. -
Review from Steph L.
12/31/2009
Izakaya style - if I were a Japanese business person looking for a place to have snacky food and drinks after work, this would be the place.
The restaurant is easy to miss if you didn't know it was there. It's larger inside than expected...but still cozy and dark.
The waitstaff is super courteous and nice.
I felt welcome when I walked in.
I like drinks. They had Japanese beers and I enjoyed my cassis and oolong tea.
We ate a lot of things including tempura, sashimi, rolls, katsu don, grilled fish, etc.
Standouts:
*Beef Tataki - Slices of beef sirloin, seared just over high heat but still raw on the inside.
*Chicken Yakitori - They had several different types for tasting.
*Scallops..buttery goodness..melt in your mouth.
A great place to go with a few of people to share different things.
Portions are snack size. So, if you are hungry expect to spend a bit more...or you can order one of the boxes or entrees...but the other items are more fun.
Overall, a great spot and I will return for sure! -
Review from Joanne W.
6/22/2010 5 photos
Trying to figure out what to eat for dinner last night, my friend and I ended up at Ematei. He mentioned an "authentic Japanese restaurant", so I decided to check it out with him. If it wasn't for him, I would've definitely overlooked this place. It's like a hidden gem on St. Patrick. It was a Monday night, so not many people were in the restaurant - so we quickly got a seat. A little dark on the inside, it was a little quaint place, and fairly relaxing.
There was quite the selection hefty - so it took us forever to decide what we wanted. Not only that, my friend and I decided to share the food among us both. So that a bit longer. The waitress quickly brought out a small appetizer that contained pickled vegetables for us to start. Using my trust Yelp app for the BlackBerry - I got to see the other reviews to see what everyone else recommended.
So here's the food that we got from most recommended to the least (however, all dishes were great!):
1) GRILLED BLACK COD: This was absolutely delicious; had a little buttery taste to it, and the fish was the smoothest I've ever had. Definitely a recommend!
2) HOTATE BUTTER: Butter scallops with carmelized onions in a sizzling dish. I was so amazed by how the flavours worked together. I never had buttered scallops before, so I have nothing to compare to, but it was better than the hotate carpaccio that I had a Guu Izakaya.
3) ASPARA BACON: I like bacon, I like asparagus. 'Nuff said.
4) MISO SOUP: Not your typical miso soup - they added some enoki mushrooms to give it more flavour. Loved it!
5) BEEF TONGUE: (Forgot what it's called on the menu). Just a bit too chewy for my liking. I think they added a bit of pepper on it for taste.
Overall, a great experience. A bit on the pricier side -- I think it was about $50-$60 for those dishes in total. -
Review from Michael O.
Toronto, ON
1/30/2011
It's rare that a restaurant actually reminds me of the country from which the cuisine comes, but Ematei actually reminds me of Japan.
Hidden off of Queen West, it took me months before I finally stumbled in, but when I did I was greeted by a warm but dark and worn 1970s mock-shoji interior that feels like a number of the unpretentious restaurants I came across in Japan.
Decent service combined with very Japanese Japanese food--the nigiri is large slices of tender and fresh fish and wonderfully presented--make it a find.
It's not the best sushi in Toronto, but it's definitely worth a visit if you're nearby and have a hankering. -
Review from Deanna W.
11/11/2008
Friendly japanese restaurant that puts out tasty japanese comfort dishes like ramen, yakitori, grilled fish, donburi. Sushi is decent but can be had better elsewhere. Stick to the cooked food. Lot of Japanese expats or businessman can be seen here too for homecooked dishes. I like the tempura-nicely fried not too oily, nabeyaki udon and beef sukiyaki is a treat too if find someone to split it with. They also do shabu-shabu too for groups of people! Decor seems very early nineties. ;)
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Review from Charmaine L.
Richmond Hill, ON
8/17/2010
We went to Ematei for dinner on saturday, it was an okay experience. I think the restaurant has been overrated from the other yelp users. But then my standard for Japanese restaurant is usually pretty high and maybe it is not fair to Ematei because I just have an amazing meal at Inakaya just the day before. I thought the two were being compared from some of the reviews here, but now I can conclude Inakaya is definitely a much more authentic japanese restaurant then Inakaya. You can get a much better deal at Inakaya, for example for the same $25 sushi combo, the selection of fish that I got from ematei are just mediocre stuff, nothing come out screaming. However for the same price, you can get toro, unagi and really fresh hamachi from Inakaya. Overall Ematei is just ok, I gave it a 2.5 due to the soso service that i have received.
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Review from Joanne S.
Toronto, ON
12/23/2011
Last night we had dinner at Ematei with our nephew and our daughter who recommended it. Based on reviews we had high expectations. The restaurant has a casual, authentic ambiance with lots of people celebrating the holiday season. My husband and nephew had Sukiyaki with a tray of fresh ingredients which they cooked as they ate. Their dinner was ready in about 10 minutes. My daughter had Chirashi which arrived shortly after from the sushi bar. After more than an hour passed, I asked the waitress about my Salmon Teriyaki, a simple item to prepare. She rushed into the kitchen and informed me it was coming but there were many orders ahead. After 15 minutes more, another waitress told me the Thursday evening Chef was "slow" and suggested I order from the sushi bar. My choices had to exclude items that involved the Chef in any way (e.g., soft shell crab for Spider Roll). I chose Makisushi and California Roll. After another 10 minutes, the waitress returned looking stressed since the Chef had made my dinner and would be upset if I cancelled. So, I accepted the dinner. The plate had two slices of Pacific salmon which were overcooked and served with a dollop of uninspired potato salad. The Japanese love mayonnaise but this was not delicious potato salad. To compensate for the Chef's fiasco in the kitchen the waitress brought us a special dessert - oranges! My daughter commented that this was the standard fruit served at the end of Ematei meals. I cannot recommend Ematei, unless you are prepared to wait endlessly and do not mind accommodating an unhappy Chef, frightened waitresses and unconcerned management! Apparently, the other chef is fine. Be warned!
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Review from Aaron B.
3/1/2010
This place was okay in my opinion. Not some place I'd rush to again, but it was decent. I ordered the Una Don (grilled eel on a bed of rice) because it is one of my favorites and an excellent yardstick by which to judge a Japanese restaurant and here it was pretty bad. But it might not be their focus...I mean they may specialize in the snacks and not care if their meals are lower than ordinary. They also didn't have but one kind of tea - "green tea" - and the waitress didn't know anything about it (although the menu also had oolong and I don't know why she didn't mention that when I asked what kinds of tea they had). The atmosphere was good and if I wanted to kick back some umeshu with some homesick Japanese pals then this is probably where I'd go instead of the trendy and no better quality sushi joints that dot along this part of Queen St.
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Review from h. n.
Mississauga, ON
11/23/2009
i'm sure this place is better than 1 star, but let me tell you WHY i'm giving it 1 star.
i've heard great things about this restarant from a friend so one night, we all decided to go. since i recently got back from Japan, my friend wanted me to go to a japanese restaurant that is actually owned by japanese people here in toronto.
with a HUGE craving for tonkatsu curry rice, i believed i wouldn't be disappointed (again, from the great things i've heard). arrived at the restaurant and ordered my meal. 30 mins later the waitress comes out and says this....
"sorry, we have no more rice"
yes... you read that right!! she said they were out of rice!!! it was only 8pm *still some what dinner time on a saturday night*. i'm so baffled beyond belief!! how can you own a japanese restaurant, or i guess you can even say an asian restaurant and have NO RICE?!?!?!??! it's like going to a bar and saying, sorry, no beer!
*sigh* at that point... i wanted to just leave. u don't understand how disappointing it was when you have this MAD craving for something, and you're missing out on the most simplest thing!
btw, the waitress' english wasn't that great. she later did explain that if we wanted rice.. we'd have to wait another 45 mins. at this point, i'm NOT waiting that long for my meal since i've already waited 30 mins. plus my friends who ordered sushi, already got and finished their meal!! yes.. they had sushi rice.. but no normal steamed rice.
anyways, i then asked the girl if the ramen was good. of course she answered "oishii desu!" (it's delicious) ... i ordered it anyways. soon after i got it and let me tell you folks!! do NOT ever.. i REPEAT.. DO NOT ORDER RAMEN at this restaurant. worst ever!! well... not WORST.. just in par with instant noodles. infact.. it felt like i was eating instant noodles.
so ya... that explains why i'm giving this restaurant 1 star. i will go back cause i'm STILL craving that tonkatsu (been 3 weeks now since i've left japan) but if they're out of rice again, i might just fall on the floor crying.
NO RICE!!! seriously!!! how?!?!?!? i'm still just as confused and surprised. they totally dropped the ball BIG TIME!!! -
Review from art f.
Toronto, ON
9/13/2010
i can think of better individual places for sushi, ramen, onigiri, grilled fish (shioyaki), etc., but ematei does everything quite competently and the prices were reasonable (i went for lunch). i'd choose this place over a chinese/korean-run japanese place any day. the service was fast and friendly and from my experiences in japan, the atmosphere was authentic.
