Best of Toronto
The Best Late Night Chinese Food in Toronto
Remember back in the day, when the infamous panda-laden Mr.Pongs truck would cruise the club district after drunken revelers were unleashed on the city at 2am? Given the right circumstances (read: hunger, convenience, a pocket full of bar change, and seriously alcomahol-blurred judgment), eating a giant egg roll off the mobile Chinese food truck satisfied. Nostalgia aside though, it paled in comparison to the experience of a short trip up to one of the many late night Chinese restaurants on Spadina - a Toronto tradition that continues today.
Late night Chinese food on Spadina isn't your normal weekend dining experience - in so many respects. Forget about ambience, a comfortable chair, and a slow-moving yet attentive server. If you're lucky, you won't have to wait in line only to then be seated at a large, round, communal table with drunken strangers quipping slurred phrases like "I think I ate here once but I can't be sure because I was so wasted." And if you're lucky, the lineup you've just managed to navigate won't end up cramping your space after you've been seated.
But minor annoyances aside, which definitely impart charm and legitimacy to the experience, nothing beats a great chow down at one of Toronto's better late night Chinese food joints. They're a great option for a fast, cheap, and delicious meal (and some are known to serve "cold tea" after hours). General Tao's Chicken at 4am in Kensington's Chinatown is something every Torontonian should experience.
blogTO readers nominated and voted on their favourites, and once again Swatow is a champion.
Lead photos left to right by Tim and Tanja.
Swatow
Open until 3am, Swatow is a long-time favourite, is often jeered as being over-rated, and offers tasty food and fast service. Their sizzling beef, giant Chow Mein noodles, wide selection of soups and rice dishes, and generous portions lure in university students and police officers on night patrol, amongst others.
New Ho King
Open until 4am most nights and until 5am on Friday and Saturday nights, New Ho King fans enjoy the restaurant's classic Cantonese and Szechaun style. It's great bang for your buck, and that being so, tends to get really busy. They do take reservations, but don't call them from the club and expect to get one for 2am.
Rol San
Rol San is rather well-known for its relatively poor service and its great food. Many consider it the place to go for Dim Sum but their crispy beef is also awesome. Cramped, dark spaces and mouthwatering dishes await you if you can deal with their two, separate, chaotic lineups.
Happy Seven
Also open until 5am, Happy Seven is another institution on the Spadina strip that offers quick, cheap, Chinese eats. I think I ate here once but I can't be sure because I was so wasted (jokes).
Gold Stone Noodle
Open until just 2am most nights (you know what they say about beauty sleep) but until 4am on Friday and Saturday nights, noodles and barbecue are their forte. Also worth trying is their dumpling soup.
Discussion
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my daughters worst work experience was working at mr pong's what a dump!
What?! No Kom Jug Yuen?
How about the best DELIVERED Chinese food? I've been working my way through the flyers, and there's no DELIVERED Chinese that I've tried that I would rate better than mediocre. Surely there has to be a good Chinese delivery place in the city?
Yeah, no Kom Jug? What is the matter for that? IMO:
1) Kom Jug
2) Rol San
3) Hong Shing
Anon, keep us posted on the delivery situation...interested to hear your findings.
Kom Jug is kind of a one-trick pony (bbq pork) though, isn't it? It didn't get enough reader support to make the list.
Maybe I'm an anomaly, but I almost prefer Lucky Dragon to New Ho King.
I gotta agree with you Jerrold, as much as I love the juggernaut's bbq pork, the rest of the menu wouldn't give it reason to make the list imho... well, maybe the wonton soup (w/ bbq pork).
Kom Jug needs to be on the list. Their other menu items are fine, and BBQ Pork late night is the way to go.
Yeah, but where is the Chinese restaurant that I ate at with Chris Bosh at 3 in the morning?
"the Chinese restaurant that I ate at with Chris Bosh at 3 in the morning"
Doesn't show up on Google maps search ;)
Swatow IS extremely over-rated. And so is New Ho King! BAHH!
King's Noodle should definitely be up there.
i met Mr. Pong's son, Lake... was about to rent one of their properties at Queen/Bathurst. I totally should have asked to take one of their signs.
If you want late night chinese bbq swap Gold Stone for House of Gourmet (Dundas/Spadina). Gold Stone's food is sub-par (even by Chinatown standards). King Noodle has, by far, the best chinese bbq downtown but they close relatively early. Kom Jug is over-rated too.
Gold Stone is a pile of flaming bullshit. Cutlery is always dirty, waitresses are rude ass immigrants and the food is way below par for my standard.
The rats in the back and in the washrooms are a nice touch to the shitty decor as well.
You have to check out Perfect Restaurant in Scarborough...always packed around 2/3 AM!!! Great FOOD
Anomaly :)
Hong Shing should be on the list.... nothing like piling their chili chicken on top of a night of drinking. Hello ulcer city!
Kom Jug Yuen NEEDS to be on this list. It has been a classic for years amongst youth in Toronto looking for the cheap and greasy and completely delicious.
& They are definitely not a one trick pony. The BBQ pork is great and plentiful, but the general tao's is thee best in Toronto. Pad thai, chow mein, sweet & sour soup, all pretty good as well.