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Thumbs Up Korean Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Korean Korean [Edit]
615 Bloor St WToronto, ON M6G
Neighbourhoods: Koreatown, Palmerston, Seaton Village
(416) 536-4106
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 11 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
27 reviews for Thumbs Up Korean Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"Pork bone soup was a revelation." In 14 reviews -
"Ka Chi has more variety and serves beer, but this place, I..." In 3 reviews
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"delicious food (pork bone and kimchi stew are my favs." In 2 reviews
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27 reviews in English
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Review from Alan W.
Toronto, ON
1/2/2012
This is an awesome place for a quick, satisfying, tasty and cheap Korean homestyle meal. I was originally was supposed to Ka Chi across the street, but they had a wait and I was starving so I decided to go across the street to this place and it's a good thing I did,
Service was so courteous, fast and friendly.
The place is had no atmosphere and looked more like a early 80's cafeteria or diner, but that doesn't matter because the food and service was good and cheap.
The kitchen was in the same room as the restaurant and you can hear and see the Korean ladies cook up a storm there.
What I really liked was that the water they serve was filtered and they even used filtered water for their tea too!
All meals came with the typical Korean Banchan small starter dishes which were good. Their Kimchee was great and you could get complementary refills.
I ordered the Bibimbap which was a hearty portion and a great deal at about $6. You have to ask for the Korean hot sauce with it, which is a must.
I left extremely full and satisfied for less than what you can spend at Subway or other mediocre chain restaurants, how awesome is that?!
I am not much a Pork Bone Soup fan, but based on people's reviews and my experience with this restaurant I will definitely be back to give it a try! -
Review from Justine H.
Toronto, ON
1/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
Restaurant: Thumbs Up
Cuisine: Korean
Location: The Annex
Address: 615 Bloor St W
Price Range: ~$10
1: Poor 2: OK 3: Good 4: Very Good 5: Excellent
Food: 2
Service: 4
Ambiance: 2
Overall: 3
Extra information:
*$6 lunch Special (including tax) from 11:30-2pm
I found out about Thumbs Up Restaurant because they are well known on many restaurant review websites for having a killer lunch deal.
And for 6 dollars? I do have to agree.
Once in awhile, I go to Christie to visit the Korean market and have lunch around the area. Last 2 times I was there, I went to Buk Chang Dong Tofu Pot place and I wanted to try something new so I dropped by Thumbs Up. I find their menu to be quite random here. They serve all different 'types' of Korean food and it's not really categorized. I was aware of the fact that some people say they have the best pork bone soup here...but I personally don't like that dish so that didn't interest me very much.
When we sat down, we were given some water and a piece of paper with menu printed on it and we could basically write down how many of what we wanted.
We were given 3 types of side dishes and to be honest, they were all pretty bad.
KimChi was very bland and basically covered in red pepper flakes, the potatoes were undercooked and I don't even know what that shredded cabbage was.
Ordered: #7 Dukbocki 2/5
*Korean rice cake with vermicelli and cabbage in spicy sauce for $5.31
*I love spicy rice cakes and everytime I visit Korea, I would have this at least once a day
*It's a childhood food for Koreans but still very much loved by adults
*I was surprised to see that they used 2 types of rice cakes (the long ones and the flat ones)
*Rice cake was overcooked and way too soft
*They use more chili flakes than chili sauce (gochujang). This could be either way, it's just their recipe
*I could tell that they don't use MSG here at this restaurant
*Usually when I eat this out, it's filled with MSG so it would be super spicy but this one tasted like it was homemade
*Overall it was too bland and watered down
Ordered: #14 Goon Mandoo 1/5
*Plate of 11 pan fried dumplings for $5.31
*At asian restaurants, pan fried dumplings are quite standard and usually a safe item to order
*I usually order these when my main dishes are spicy to balance it out
*Fillings were grounded up pork and some chopped up vermicelli
*Fillings were really mushy, had no flavor and had this unpleasant taste
*These were just bad dumplings overall
Ordered: #17 Ojinguh Bokum 3/5
*Stir fried squid and vegetables in spicy sauce served with rice for $7.08
*Normally I don't really care for this dish but if you've been following my tweets recently, I've been obessed with Spicy squid and Milkshakes!
*This dish is quite big in size (rice and squid)
*This wasn't spicy at all but it had enough sauce to be eaten with rice
*It looked like there wasn't much squid but there was underneath all that cabbage pieces
*I actually enjoyed this dish a lot
*It tasted home made but had overall good spicy flavor
Service was really good at Thumbs Up- there was this girl working by herself and she would constantly check up on us asking if we needed anything. She actually went around asking people how was the food and if they were enjoying it. I think she made my visit extra pleasant by being in such a good spirit!
Summary: For $6 lunch, you can't really complain about Thumbs Up. Their food is just average and if you like home-made style Korean food, this might be the place for you. -
Review from Luke S.
Toronto, ON
5/7/2012
I love this place. Consistently delicious and very affordable. No much atmosphere though, more of a cafeteria style place. The service is really good, everyone there is attentive and helpful.
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Review from Payam Z.
10/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
Thumbs Up (obligatory!)
Tasty food, great service, and good value!
What more could you ask for from a restaurant named Thumbs Up?
I ended up at here after having been made to wait far too long for my meal at Central across the corner. That being said, it was easier to notice we were served tea literally as soon as we sat down and that our food arrived within ten minutes of the order.
The waitress realized we didn't have much experience and tried to make helpful suggestions!
The bibimbap was tasty although it lacked on the meat, but I guess you can't expect much for under $7! I tried one of the seafood soups with tofu (can't remember which) and all I can comment is these guys know how to soup it up.
The highlight however was the seafood pancake! It's huge, full of sea food, and very tasty! Definitely recommended!
Overall Thumbs Up left a very good first impression and is probably the best Korean food on the cheap I've had in Toronto!Listed in: 30 Day Yelpathon
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Review from Lauren M.
Toronto, ON
2/23/2012
This place is one of my all time favorite's in Toronto! Super cheap prices, and the food is always good and fresh. They call it Korean "fast-food", and I guess that would be accurate, since I have never had to wait for more than 5 minutes for my food there! Highly recommend.
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Review from andrew m.
Toronto, ON
11/23/2011
I really won't go into much depth about what i ate at Thumbs Up Korean Restaurant. The food is similar to the menu across at Kai-Chi Korean Restaurant and other Korean restaurants along Bloor.
In fact, i must commend the ladies who consistently prepare these Korean dishes to their loyal customers who come and fill their restaurant each and every night.
Thumbs up Korean Restaurant prepares authentic recipes, good food, home cooked style. Plenty of selection at a really good price (usually in the price range of $6-$9.) (Makes me guilty when i eat fast food when i could have a real meal at Koreatown.)
Thumbs Up doesn't invest anything in the decor... it resembles somewhat of a soup kitchen, but that is easy to overlook once you start eating. The food is served hot, and I strong suggest having nice meal at Thumbs Up during a cold winter day. That is if you can get a seat. -
Review from Janet S.
Toronto, ON
10/15/2011 4 Check-ins Here
I should really read the reviews before I go. Every time I go, I forget to order the PBS!
A couple things about this place I truly appreciate:
The kitchen is open. They couldn't possibly be hiding any unhygienic practices.
They use a water filtration system. No tap water for these patrons!
I had the seafood stew, which was okay, but my friend had the kimchi-pork-stir-fry...what do you call it in English? Yeah, he had the jaeyookbokum. I was so jealous, spicy pork with a hint of sweetness, on a bed of soft steamy rice...
I've actually ordered delivery here. It's a little weird, because they use a 3rd party contractor. The pricing is pretty opaque, they don't tell you how much the individual food items + delivery is. They just say "$50" and they include the tip in the price. Oh, and no receipt. Sorta shady.
Next time, I promise myself the PBS. -
Review from Anni L.
8/9/2011
This place seems to be known solely for the Pork Bone Soup. This is the first place that I have tried this dish. Been there several times and it has been consistently good for the most part.
The place feels a bit like a college hangout with a mish-mash of furniture. People definitely go there for the food and not the ambiance.
The owners don't seem to speak much english but with good food being served, and served quickly, it does not seem to matter.
The dish itself comes steaming served with kimchi, bean sprouts, potatoes, and green onions on top. They also bring a serving of soya sauce, sesame seeds, and chives which is essential for dipping for the meat in the dish. The dish is also served with rice. The apetize dishes they bring you are also good.
The price from what i can remember is around $7-8.
One day I was there and actually saw them use a cleaver to chop up this pork bone carcass. When you get to witness the work in progress, that's when you know that the food is fresh. Def. two thumbs up for this place!! -
Review from Ander R.
Toronto, ON
1/31/2012
Couldnt order. Called the restaurant, who gave me a number for their delivery company. When I called them, they told me I couldnt order through them, I had to go to a website.
Maybe I'll try it in person if Im in the area. -
Review from Elaine K.
2/4/2011 3 photos
I came here with a friend and a huge craving for pork bone soup.
The PBS is a little more sour than most, he said it was because of the kimchee content in it. Not bad overall, but still left me wanting.
Otherwise, I was very happy with the quality of the service and price, I'd like to come back and try some other their other dishes. -
Review from Tina N.
Toronto, ON
2/16/2011
Thumbs Up is a good place to enjoy some Korean cuisine if you're not looking for fancy surroundings. It's sparse where the kitchen takes about 1/4 of the restaurant, so overall the place can hold about 20 people.
I ordered the Pork Bone from here and found it to be okay but definitely not the best as people have stated before me (beef was tender but I thought the broth could have been more flavoured). I assume what's good about this place that keeps people coming back for more are the huge portions, low prices and super friendly staff. Dishes are about $5 - $7 each and a side of kimchi and pickled daikons are always refillable.
Yup, A great place for a cheap fixed meal. -
Review from Feifei R.
Vancouver, BC
7/4/2011
Great values! I had pork bone soup, served with side dishes and rice $7. I couldn't finish it there, even tho I normally eat a lot!~ I packed the left over home and cooked with Vegetable for two more meals. Yummy!
Food was good, especially relevant to its price! Service is friendly.
Yet, Korean food are good, but it was just too much meat and fat. The frozen soup was like a frozen butter cake. I guess eat it one in a while should be fine, but not too often. -
Review from shyni y.
1/15/2011
Not my place of choice. The restaurant is called "um ji boon shik" in Korean, the word "um ji" implies "finest" or "best". The word Boon Shik refering to quick to make,snack - like foods, most closely resembling fast food in western society. It's my favourite kind of food - all time favourite being ddukbokki - the spice rice cakes.
This is by far one of the worse ones I've been to, only because they skip out on the garnish that makes the food - which the Seoul Boon Shik next door does not.
I've been here several times - it was the first restaurant I've been to. I find the flavours rather bland and improperly seasoned - yet the price is same as another boon-shik or a regular restaurant. The name of the place is an irony.
The pork bone soup here even, isn't that great. Go to Minerva's Owl for pork bone soup - that's what THEY are known for - and they opened new locations because of how popular their pork bone soup is.
It's more like Thumbs down, if you ask me.Listed in: Korean & Asian Restaurants
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Review from Julianna C.
Calgary, AB
12/5/2010
As per reviews, I opted for the pork bone soup. I'd never had it before, so this was my cherry pork bone soup... (sounds appetizing, no?)
I was amazed that the pork bone, when trying to handle it with my chopsticks, was comparable to the size of a small child's head. Holy momma! This was quite an experience in-and-of itself. If you have any qualms with feeling like someone ripped a section of pig's vertebrate out and dropped it in your soup for your culinary delight... do not order it. There is little question to where your dinner came from, in contrast to say, McD's chicken nuggets ('From a CHICKEN!? No way!) Any how, the pork bone really enhances the flavour of the broth... delicious!
Very pleased with the food and the service.Listed in: Where to Eat Korean in TO
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Review from Lauren M.
I just realized how often I come here! (once or twice a week!) Thumbs Up is therefore being upgraded to 5 stars, I obviously keep coming back for good reasons!!
-great service, the ladies and guy that work here really are just so lovely, they all make me smile!
-SO cheap (pretty much everything on the menu is either $6 or $7 including tax. And $5 for lunch. Hell yeah!)
-not crowded
-delicious food (pork bone and kimchi stew are my favs)
This is hands down (or thumbs up?) my fav cheap eat in the city.Listed in: My fav cheap eats, Korea Town favs, Pork Bone Soup rankings
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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8/3/2010
Gotta start updating some of these.
I still go here all the time. It's very consistent. It's a lot… Read more »
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Review from Giselle g.
Toronto, ON
11/9/2010
I'm not going to review the pork bone soup. I tried it once and realized that I hate pork bone soup.
I go here for the fried dumplings which cost about 5 or 6 dollars. The bibimbap is also great here.
The best thing at Thumbs Up is their kimchi side dishes which are included with your meal. They make this cold potato salad thing that is very addictive. -
Review from Weiwei G.
2/26/2011
Amazing!!! Best place to get pork bone soup in Toronto, as my friend said!!! And she had tried over 20 Korean restaurants in Toronto for their pork bone soup!
No fancy decoration, very tiny, great for fast lunch/dinner or family. But the staff are very friendly, and their food is so great! Feel satisfied after I had a bowl of a little bit spicy soup in the winter season. And it only cost less than $10 including tips!!!
Thumbs-Up is really thumbs up!!! -
Review from Jay C.
Toronto, ON
11/22/2011
I ate a quick dinner here after getting my haircut down the street at Goa.
It's a small, super casual place. We were greeted upon entry and quickly brought a pitcher of water, cups and menus. I ordered jajangmyeon (black bean noodles, $6 tax included), a dish first introduced to me during my Korean drama phase. (Both girls and guys in the k-dramas are always slurping up these noodles while they cry or are otherwise down on their luck, so it must be good!) My +1 ordered bibimbap ($7 tax included).
While we waited for our orders, we were brought four little apps (kimchi, sprouts, pickled radish? and a fourth one that I wasn't sure about). The server also brought up fried dumplings, but they were not meant for our table. Oops.
The food came quickly and was decently tasty, but nothing extraordinary. For $13 dinner for two, it was great bang for our buck. Maybe next time I'll try their pork bone soup!
Recommended for a quick, cheap and filling meal! -
Review from Alexander L.
Toronto, ON
9/10/2010
Honest goodness.
Pork bone soup was a revelation. Service with a smile, and value that can't be beaten. Ka Chi has more variety and serves beer, but this place, I think (still thinking about it to be honest) has the edge. -
Review from Connie T.
Toronto, ON
12/30/2008 1 photo
Hands down, the pork bone soup here is the closest restaurant meal that has resembled my mom's cooking. The soup stock was gorgeous, with a flavour so rich that the pork must've been simmering in the cauldron for over a day. The pork, too, was fall-off-the-bone fantastic, and the potatoes, sprouts, and spices piled on top of it created the most soul-warming meal I've had in a long time.
It's a basic mom-and-pop place, exploding with Koreans and group chatter. I only mention this because it passes the customer test: you know a restaurant must be good if it's primarily populated by the people who actually eat the cuisine on a daily basis.
Anyway, I haven't been to this place in a while, but I've heard the offerings have decreased in size. This is only hearsay from one person, though, so I am willing to chance it again here, just to replicate that yummy experience from before. Plus, no harm in trying -- you can eat here for way under $10. -
Review from Jason K.
11/7/2010
holy cow. or should i say holy pork bone!
people on this site weren't kidding when it came to good pork bone soup. first off, i really dig the fact that the kitchen is "open concept" at this really small eatery, and you can see that the chefs are little korean ladies.
to chime in on other folks' reviews of thumbs up (although i fear that it will start getting crowded with all these 4 and 5 star reviews)
- mad cheap.everything on the menu at most 7 bucks. and they have a $5 (taxes in) lunch deal.... i just wish i worked in the area....
- service is great. the dude working our table was very courteous and polite. it made me laugh every time he said thank you when he did things for us.
- food was really really good. we were 4 people, and had ordered 5 dishes (eyes were definitely bigger than our appetites).
i am definitely coming back.... -
Review from Marie B.
Toronto, ON
2/6/2009
Living in the area for the last 4 years has given me ample opportunity to try pork bone soup from different restaurants. This is my favorite so far. Generous portions, broth that is both spicy and flavorful, and pork bones with meat falling off with barely a nudge. And you can't beat the price!
Others crave chicken noodle soup when they're sick. I crave gamjatang!
Other tasty items on the menu - mandu (dumplings), mandugok (dumplings in soup), jajamyung (not sure if I spelled that correctly but its noodles w/ black bean sauce)
Two thumbs up for Thumbs up! -
Review from James S.
1/7/2011
I have no idea about Korean food or really Asian food in general. But the food I had at Thumbs Up was both great in quantity and quality. What really stood out to me was the genuine friendliness of all the employees whom I had dealings. As I say I have no idea about the food other than a sense but would recommend it.
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Review from Fiona F.
3/20/2009 2 photos
This is my other favorite Korean eatery in Toronto, along with Buk Chang Dong Soon (further down Bloor, near Christie). Service is always with a smile and a good variety is on the menu. I recommend the bulgolgi and spicy squid stir fry plattter (#20 on the menu I think).
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Review from Wendel P.
Toronto, ON
8/2/2010
We went here on the weekend to try their pork bone soup- amaaaazing! It was a revelation and we will be back for more. We also had the ramyon and rice cake- delicious! As others have said the service here is far far better than that at Ka Chi. At Thumbs up we were served by very smiley lovely ladies who actually seem happy that we were frequenting their restaurant. Ka Chi, when we went, made us sit at a table we didn't really want to sit at as there were only 3 of us...or something like that...Anyways, Thumbs Up is a definite new favorite! Go there. Eat Soup!
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Review from Chris B.
6/30/2011
It is such a simple place, but the bibimbap they serve has got to be one of the cheapest bibimbaps available in Toronto, but has also got to be one of the most delicious things in Toronto. It is so simple, but I come back, almost every day. I don't know what else a place like this needs to do to get 5 stars, and so I am giving it 5 stars.
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Review from Chantal D.
Toronto, ON
1/31/2011
Prices are great, but the selection is pretty small. Also, I thought it would be far busier because of how great the reviews were; it was a Saturday night and we were the only ones in there! The food was delivered quite quickly, but I can't say that it was anything amazing. Not bad, not great. Maybe I'll try it again and order something else to see if I just got the wrong thing (Spicy Beef and shrimp stir-fry with rice).
