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| - Hanmoto is a tiny, hole-in-the-wall-izakaya-dive-bar (is that even a thing?) located on Lakeview Avenue, a tiny street west of Dundas and Ossington. It is definitely easy to miss if you do not have your eyes peeled.
My girlfriend and I ordered the following dishes:
- Salmon Aburi: Torched salmon, sushi rice ($10)
- Hamachi Tartare: Sweet chill ponzu, shiso, avocado ($12)
- Uni-Bomb: Uni roe, chicken skin chips, sushi rice ($15)
- Katsu Bun: Panko crusted 24hr pork belly, soy remoulade, lettuce ($7)
- Dyno Wings: Stuffed chicken wings ($8)
- Miso Ice Cream: Nori powder, toasted rice balls ($7)
The unanimous favourites included the salmon aburi, hamachi tartare, uni-bomb, and miso ice cream. The miso ice cream was particularly an eye-opener, with the saltiness of the nori pairing exceptionally well with the sweetness of the ice cream. While the katsu bun was super flavourful, it was a bit too fatty for our palates (i.e. fried pork belly + a ton of mayo, or "soy remoulade") - it is definitely for sharing. The dyno wings were also pretty good, but compared to some of the other amazing dishes, ultimately became more of an after-thought.
Overall, the food, combined with the intimate vibe and coziness of this establishment makes it great if you're taking someone on a date, or simply catching up with some friends. Definitely recommended.
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