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| - The shabby, sterile and strangely trendy decor really does a good job of reminding me of the many open street eateries and night market stands I've seen and ate at while in Taipei, and the place is just as small. But alas in Toronto's food scene, Hoja Luwei is a new face in a city crowded with ramen and pho places, nearby array of Korean shops and the like, and not a whole lot specifically Taiwanese.
It's a kind of mish-mashup of a noodle bowl that you're getting yourself into. From an easy to understand checklist menu, you can pick a prescribed bowl option and throw some add-ons, or make your own, with a dizzying limitless array of ingredients and options that all cost a pretty penny each, so pay attention to what you choose. It was helpful in having a staffer guide me through. A small selection of craft beer is on offer, and they even have a Formocha stall inside for some bubble tea fix.
Surprisingly my bowl was filling despite looking small. The spicy broth I chose has a good tingly warm punch. I suggest not going overboard with the toppings, not so much because each additional pick cost a finger there and a toe here, but because you may find it's too much to handle for a puny bowl to get it all mixed in.
It's a decent fun new noodle bar, but definitely not at street food prices.
{TTC: a couple blocks west of Bathurst subway station.}
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