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| - In the ever-changing Korean restaurant landscape in K-town #2, Mot Na Son has held it's own for over 5 years. Not so insignificant, when you think about it's proximity to subway stations, lack-of-parking situation, and hours of business*, relative to other mainstays** in this area.
Smack between North York Civic Centre and Finch subway stops, along the Yonge line, it's easy to walk by so many other options. Furthermore, I've watched many-a-car ticketed along this strip of Yonge - I warn: dare not try it. And compared to a late-night (3am) to 24-hour options, Mot Na Son's reasonable business hours seem "inconvenient".
I think the main reasons this place (and the kebab shop next door) sticks around, are low rent and high quality. The latter is what you need to know about:
- Service is paced and patient (vs. rushed with grunts, bells, and finger pointing... you know what i'm talking about).
- The owner will make recommendations if you ask, in English or Korean. And he won't try to sell you too much food.
- Mixed-age customer based (vs. young kids)
- Soup + stew combos are very filling
- Menu includes words: "traditional" and "modified". I always get the "traditional" which the owner has cautioned might not suit North American tastes. It's always delicious and the word "modified" scare me.
Tips: There's a parking garage in the Metro across the street and along back streets. If walking from subway, the shortest walk is from Empress/North York Centre station. It'll take you 10 minutes tops.
* 3-4am is the norm for Korean joints, and then there's a couple 24/7 places.
** They all seem to have the same shabby decor.
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