With the explosion of ramens and izakayas in Toronto, it has been quite a challenge to find new Japanese culinary experiences. I was introduced to the hidden gem of Koyoi by my friend and was greatly looking forward to it. Entering the restaurant immediately transports you to Tokyo in the 1990s with a hint of Lost in Translation with the nostalgic ambience and furnishings.
For an intimate space like Koyoi, reservations in advance is definitely a must to avoid disappointment in the wintry cold. We started off we hot Japanese tea to whet our appetite and warm us up. To start, we had the beef tataki where the generous portion of grated daikon and green onion combine well with the perfectly executed slices of beef well-seasoned with a secret sauce that includes ponzu and mirin.
In the manner of Japanese tapas, we had the chicken karage where the skin was crunchy and the meat moist and juicy. Still craving more chicken, we ordered fried chicken Okinawan-style with special tartar sauce which was a great delight as the flavour profile was refreshingly original amongst the many variations in other Japanese izakayas.
Reserving much room for the dessert course, my dining partner and i ordered the matcha green tea cake which was a delight as it was served with a vanilla gelato sprinkled with crunchy cereal and fragrant matcha powder. And ending the izakaya experience is the apple and cheese tortilla with ice cream. The tortilla texture was crisp and aromatic from the light cinnamon dustings and yet different from the typical Canadian crepes. And when combined with the richness of the cheese, this dessert is a true triumph for this nostalgic izakaya.