Hanmoto announces itself with admirable restraint -- a single light above an unmarked door on Lakeview Avenue, offering no signage, no fanfare, nothing but the quiet confidence of a restaurant that has earned its reputation without ever needing to court it. This is the American-Japanese izakaya at its most considered: a place where the concept feels genuinely inhabited rather than merely adopted. The room is intimate and unhurried, possessed of the kind of mood lighting that flatters both the food and the conversation. The atmosphere skews decidedly hipster in the best sense -- effortlessly cool without tipping into affectation. Noise levels remain convivial rather than oppressive, making it well-suited to a romantic evening or an occasion where one actually wishes to be heard. The menu is deliberately compact, a restraint that signals focus. Signatures such as the Dyno Wings, Salmon Aburi, and Hamachi Tartare reveal a kitchen fluent in the language of Japanese flavour while unafraid to let an American sensibility -- bold, satisfying, approachable -- guide the hand. Small plates arrive with the casual ease of izakaya tradition, inviting grazing and sharing in equal measure. The bar program is a particular strength; the cocktails are handled with genuine care and merit serious attention. Service carries the warmth and easy charisma of a neighbourhood spot that has long since found its footing. The staff possess a breezy, unforced personality -- refreshingly unpretentious, and all the more welcoming for it. For those seeking a date-night destination that trades in atmosphere without sacrificing substance, Hanmoto remains one of Toronto's more quietly brilliant propositions. read more

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Hanmoto is one of those spots that feels a little hidden, but once you find it, you keep coming back. The vibe is relaxed but still has a cool The food reall Service was friendly and easygoing, which matched the atmosphere perfectly. No pressure, just a good experience all around. Definitely a place I'd come back to, especially when I'm in the mood for something a little different but still comforting. read more

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Like many have said... this place is literally a hidden gem. I wouldn't have even known about it unless some friends invited me to dinner there. Located on Lakeview Ave just north of Dundas... its a trendy "hole in the wall" diner with a non-descript entrance and little signage. Food (4.5/5) - menu is izakaya style so most suitable for a group of 3-4. Japanese pub type food but with good attention to flavour and presentation. - Moto Eggs - Japanese style deviled eggs, chicken skin chips, Ikura, pickled chilies, scallions, nori powder & Nanban sauce. These were good... nice texture and flavour. - Moto Bun - Hamamoto Japanese chicken curry, scotch bonnet slaw, pickled chilies & scallions on a coco bun. This was good too... nice mix of flavour and texture with chicken cooked just right. - Karaage Kid - standard karaage with a tartar dipping sauce - was average imo. - Enoki Mushrooms - interesting presentation and nice flavour and texture with the miso butter. Service (4.25/5) - friendly and fairly attentive. Place gets busy and the chefs and staff were hustling to keep up. Atmosphere (3.75/5) - it truly does have the "hole in the wall" feel to it lol. Darker with neon lights, open kitchen and small close tables. Think the tables are bit too small and not a ton of them as the space is fairly small. Overall (4.25/5) - definitely worth checking out and I will repeat to try out some more items on the menu. read more

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A really cool Izakaya dampened by cold service. Hanmoto is unassuming yet interesting, thus the long wait for a table as they don't take reservations. They've got some interesting and incentive dishes, perfect for sharing. The seating, however, is quite cramped and uncomfortable (it's an Izakaya after all...) but outside of our waitress who was delightful, all of the staff were rude and grumpy for some reason: we got attitude from someone who tried to drop dishes we didn't order and even upon realizing she was wrong, she didn't bother to apologize, someone cutting onions in the hallway to the bathroom (yes, you read that correctly) was annoyed, even miffed, that I asked if I did indeed open the right door to the bathroom, and so on. Worth a try, but make sure to go in with thick skin. read more

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My favourite late-night "hidden" corner of Toronto. Everything on the menu just pairs too well with a cold beer (or 2). Our usual order: * Moto Eggs: Japanese-style deviled eggs * Dyno Wings: pork dumplings stuffed in chicken wings * Surf & Turf Hand Rolls * Miso Ice Cream read more

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Had a fun time at Hanmoto! The vibe feels like you're stepping into a steampunk, underground bar. The restaurant/bar is relatively small, and the outside is unassuming. I would have walked right past it had I not seen people coming out. The drinks here were really good! For food, we shared two small plates since we already had dinner prior. We had a ceviche and Japanese style deviled eggs (came sprinkled with bonito flakes, furikake and a fried wonton piece for some crunch). Both were great light bites. I believe they are open until 2am on the weekends. We got there around 11 and were able to snag the one open table; all others were full, so it's a lively spot to be at at night for sure! read more

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Absolutely loved my experience here! Staff was super nice genuine and friendly! The stuffed wings were huge and soooo amazing one of the best wings i've ever had!! Everything else we tried was also good. Amazing ambience very cozy and casual but also high quality & well curated! Miso nori ice cream i wanted to love but was a tad too sweet for my liking... tastes like a whole can on condensed milk but the nori and crunchy aspect was nice (almost there for me but toooo sweet) read more

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Great little gem for a bite on a night out with friends. The restaurant had a red LED light on which made the vibe of the restaurant so cool and dark. They honestly had very limited spots inside the restaurant. We had a reservation made an hour before we went to ensure there was a spot for us. Service was great, the workers there were super nice and cool. As for the food, my table ordered the Moto Eggs, Enoki, and Miso Ice cream for dessert. To be fair, we actually ate our main dinner meal elsewhere then stumbled upon this little place and had to try this out. We didn't order a lot but it was a good taste test for us! I am personally not sure how the meal portion would be for a singular person who was hungry though. Seems small. We shared these amongst 5 people. Moto Eggs - these were so delicious. So much flavour in the eggs and the yolk was nice and soft. Loved these 5/5 small portion though Enoki - these were pretty good. I'm always a big fan of enoki mushroom. I just wish there was slightly more sauce on the mushrooms. 3.8/5 Miso Ice Cream - super yummy!! However for the price ($12), I expect a way bigger portion. Taste wise: 4/5 I'd love to come back and try their other things! Not sure if I would recommend this place if you're on a budget. read more

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This is definitely a hidden gem! There is no signage and it's a little "hole in the wall" type restaurant. Reminds me of a "Speak Easy". But it's definitely worth trying to find! Most of the tables are meant for 2 or 3 (squished) people and there are 2 tables for slightly larger groups. The decor reminds me of the bars that Indiana Jones finds himself in on his adventures. Now on to the food...this place serves Japanese tapas. All of the dishes are on the smaller side and are meant to be shared so that you get a little taste of everything. We ordered the following dishes: - Nash Dengaku (Miso grilled eggplant) which could've used a little more miso flavour in my opinion, but I loved the beet strings which were decorative, but crispy and tasty! - Moto Eggs (Deviled eggs) which were really well flavoured with just a tiny kick of spicyness! - salmon Aburi (Torched Salmon) which was really tasty with the flavours of the tobiko (flying fish eggs), Kewpie mayo, green onions, and everything else, delicious!! - Dino wings (chicken drumstick stuffed with a pork dumpling) was my absolute favourite!! Beware, it only comes with two pieces. It's so super crispy (like Chinese style chicken wings) and it's super stuffed with the pork dumpling. So if you're looking for something flavourful and unique, I would definitely suggest giving this place a try. A side note, it seems the Miso ice cream is something that is highly recommended, but we didn't feel like dessert, but we'll definitely try it the next time around. read more

This felt like a hidden spot that recently just reopened. We ordered steak, enoki mushrooms, and salmon dish. I really liked the mushrooms and steak as they were super flavorful. However, this place is soo dark and tiny that it felt a little uncomfortable. The server also a little overbearing and in our faces, so it was not the most pleasant experience, especially with the more expensive prices for such small portions. read more

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Based on Google reviews, we arrived early around 5:57 PM (restaurant opens at 6pm) and there were already 3 parties ahead of us. We were seated immediately upon open, but the interior is quite small and consists of only about 20 seats so once the first round is seated, you're in for a wait. An hour in, we heard that the wait time was 1.5 hrs. I was excited to try an assortment of items from the menu so ended up over-ordering for 2 people. We had two Surf 'N Turf Handrolls which came with beef tartare, tako wasabi, hickory sticks, and a quail yolk. The shiso or perilla leaf along with the fragrant sesame oil made it such a unique and flavourful roll. I couldn't really taste the tartare over the wasabi flavour though. I highly recommend the Dyno Wings which are pork dumplings using a chicken wing as the wrapper. The skin was extremely crispy and the meat was juicy - my favourite dish of the evening. They come massive so they are very filling. The Moto Eggs are Japanese-style deviled eggs with fried chicken skin, nanban sauce, nori powder, and pickled chilis. The amount of umami in these bites were so intense, it has ruined deviled eggs for me as I will always crave this. The Katsu Bun contained a thick piece of panko crusted pork belly, katsu sauce, and soy remoulade in between a coco bun. This was delicious and my partner's favourite dish of the night, but because we had it last it was difficult to finish. We ended off the night with their miso ice cream, topped with arare and nori powder. The white miso and nori paired so well with the ice cream and gave it a salted-caramel concept. This is a must-try! Service was fast during the time we were there, and the interior gives off a grungy hole-in-the-wall vibe with old hip-hop playing in the background. Great spot for a date night or to hang out with some friends. read more

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This is such a cute hole in the wall / hidden restaurant. There's no boards with the name to the restaurant so you'll have to navigate and try to find it via maps. I loved it. Me & 2 of my friends visited Hanmoto for dinner on a Monday night and luckily managed to get a table for walk-in. The vibes make you feel like you're in an Asian country I got the salmon Aburi, it's kind of a like a deconstructed sushi roll. 8.5/10, so tasty & healthy. We also got the eggplant roll, which was quite flavorful but not enough for dinner 7/10. Also got the chicken bun dish, which was so yummy, would get this again 9/10. The service was quick & the servers were so kind. I'd recommend visiting! read more

はんもと! Came here twice this year. First time I got their miso ice cream which was a thick block of really creamy and savoury dessert. Second time, I came to treat a good friend for his birthday and we shared the oysters, dyno wings, katsu bun, and enoki mushrooms. My favourites were the katsu bun, dyno wings (gyoza stuffed chicken wings- say no more!), and enoki mushrooms because they were so flavourful. I would not recommend the miso ice cream too much because it was quite heavy for a dessert. We also got drinks (I forgot which one mine was) but it was good. I do have to agree that everything is quite pricey for what it's worth and probably wouldn't return but I'm glad I came for the experience with some of my favourite people. read more

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My first time at Hanmoto was April 2023. Came back here in August 2024 and boy has the quality deteriorated in addition to the portions being a lot smaller. We got the hot hot tofu, enoki mushroom, eggplant, tuna tartare, and dyno wings. The tofu wasn't spicy at all, had maybe 5 pieces of actual tofu in it, and a whole lot of crunch. The enoki mushroom had good texture but the flavor was lacking. The plant was one tiny eggplant but had really good flavor. The tuna tartare was also a much smaller portion compared to my first time. The dyno wings were probably the most disappointing this time around as the wings were overcooked and the outside was a little burnt. Probably won't go back again anytime soon. read more

No signage necessary for this hole in the wall izakaya in Ossington. Worth the 2 hour wait. No reservations so come early to put your name on the list. Server was really nice and bubbly, made the experience better! Food: - Dyno wings were soo good, no idea how they made this but I'm still thinking of them. Crunchy and delicious. - Katsu sandwich in a coco bun, really innovative and flavourful. - Karaage special - 6 pieces for $16, bone in Japanese fried chicken. I didn't think it was that special, but a good deal. Drinks: - Tried the cocktail with cucumber (forget the name) but really good and refreshing! Overall enjoyed my experience at Hanmoto. It was intimate and had a cool vibe. Will return in the summer! read more

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I really wanted to love this place, but sadly it was a pretty average meal for how much hype they get. I went on a Wednesday night to avoid having to wait 1.5 hours for a table. Previously, I had gone on the weekends and never committed to the wait. The interior is very cozy and unique, emulating street food in Japan. I like the vibe that the restaurant is going for but it's definitely cramped. My friend and I had both been wanting to try Hanmoto for a while so we were a bit overzealous with the ordering. I'd probably order 1-2 dishes less. Tofu: Started off with this one and it was delicious! A little spicy, a little tangy, some coriander for freshness and crunchy topping for texture - mix it all together in one bite and it's a great appetizer! Tuna Tartare: This is where I was really disappointed - the tuna chunks were quite large for "tartare" - and the sauce/seasoning tasted very similar to the tofu dish. I would just skip out on this one next time. Dyno Wings: Very hefty and filling but slightly on the dry side. I think this is one of their most popular dishes but it's nothing to write home about. Katsu Bun: Large katsu sandwiched in the middle of a coco bun -- quite delicious, but also very filling. The sauce was a little tangier than I would've preferred but pretty good overall nonetheless. Enoki: Buttery and charred enoki -- can't go wrong there! Cocktail: I ordered a cocktail that had kefir lime leaves in it and it was very refreshing and tasty! The service was also iffy -- considering how small our table was, we didn't understand why all of our dishes came at the same time. We could barely fit every thing and it was an uncomfortable dining experience. Overall, I wouldn't suggest to come here with a friend, however, if someone invited me, I wouldn't be strongly opposed to the idea. Perhaps this restaurant was too hyped up for me and didn't live up to my expectations. read more

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let me tell you i waited outside in the cold for 40 mins on a thursday night but it was soo worth it. It's just a couple minutes walk away from Ossington and tucked on the side of the road w no signage. if you know me you kno i love fried chicken and the first bite on those dyno wings was a revolutionary crunch; a boneless gyoza stuffed chicken wing drenched in a sweet soy glaze and kewpie mayo; a must try. the katsu bun was also very tender and had a good katsu sauce all on a pillowy coco bun. I would def come back and order the same things or more! read more

Hanmoto - dino wings - Japanese Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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We love Han motto! We find ourselves returning here often. The prices are great and the food is delicious. It's a hole in the wall restaurant that transports you straight to Japan. The ambience is incredible from the metal cutlery to the neon lights the vibes are done perfectly. All the food is delicious too. Definitely a restaurant to visit read more

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I have been to Hanmoto twice now and both times have been more than amazing! It's a small place so you may have to wait for a table, but we didn't wait more than 10 minutes both times with just walking in. They don't have an extensive menu but everything on their menu is so delicious! I especially loved the handroll, dino wings, deviled eggs and curry sando! read more

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This blink-and-you'll-miss-it Japanese resto-bar looks like a total dive but tastes like a Michelin restaurant, and its unique charm will win you over from your first sip or bite. The oysters are a must -- they're always super fresh, delightful specimens dressed up with a perfect hit of umami. Last night we also tried the seared salmon, it was literally a build your own sushi roll kit, and was SUPER delicious -- don't forget to add a dash of that sweet soy sauce. The chicken curry "bun" (more like a burger) was overflowing and absolutely finger-licking good. I've had the dyno wings before and those are also unusual and excellent. To wash it all down, my frothy cherry cocktail -- and my husband's Manhattan -- were top notch. Bottom line: if you love hidden gems that offer serious quality and character, this is it. read more

Finally went during daylight hours and got some good pics! This place is still one of my favourite izakayas I've ever been to, the dyno wings are absolutely unreal. read more

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The entrance is on Lakeview, it's a bit hard to find. It's a dark hole in the wall place that is quite small with limited tables so come early as they don't take reservations. The salmon aburi which is like DIY hand roll and it had great flavour. The moto bun is like sloppy joes but with curry. I really liked the bun that they used since it was super fluffy. We also got their hamachi tartar and dynowings. Both tastes delicious as well. Lastly, for dessert, we had their miso ice cream. I had to wait a bit for the ice cream to melt because it was pretty frozen on the inside. I don't really know what miso ice cream is supposed to taste like but to me it tasted like salted caramel! read more

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Great place to grab a drink and some small bites. Entrance is a little easy to miss, so check photos of the exterior to make sure you're at the right place. It's a cozy place with dim lighting and dated seating, but I do think it adds character to the space. Our drinks were great and the food was all tasty. My favorite was the surf and turf hand-roll. I'd definitely come back with friends for late nights chats and snacks. read more

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Favourite dish: moto eggs - such a unique dish and there were so many different textures, which made it a delight to eat! Other items: Katsu bun - first time having a pork belly Katsu bun and it was delicious. Such a thick cut of meat and it was so juicy (keep in mind pork belly pretty fatty)! Tuna tartare - again, so many textures and overall very flavourful and refreshing Salmon aburi - I wouldn't get this again... it just felt like a deconstructed aburi sushi that wasn't anything special read more

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A really fascinating set of fusion dishes based on Japanese izakaya staples. The ambiance feels almost dingy, but endearingly so. It's really quite pricey, but then again, anything izakaya-adjacent in Toronto tends to be. read more

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Overrated in general. All the dishes are small, greasy and salty. I think the steak and eggplant dish is pretty good, the rest are gimmicky and the actual taste is lacking. Plus extremely overpriced for the portion. Service is horrible. We are a group of 5 people were told they were expecting 20% tip for party of 4 people or more. I've never heard of such a thing. It's always been for at least 6+ people everywhere else...Then when we ordered their bao, the waiter never told us it can't be split when we ordered, and when it came up as one piece and we asked for a knife to split it, he refused to give us a knife and said it would be too messy if we want to cut and split. But in fact, there's a thick piece of meat in there and could have totally been cut up to smaller pieces without issue. They just want you to order more. The miso ice cream is very good. Everything else is mediocre or bad. Service is terrible. Would never go back and would not recommend to anyone. read more

Hanmoto - Wings stuffed with dumpling filling. Too heavy and greasy. Lights so red you can't see things well. - Japanese Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

I've been wanting to try this place for a while and I finally went! It's a but hard to find since there wasn't any signage and it's a few steps into a more residential looking road. You won't see it unless you are looking for it. Once you step inside though, you're brought to a whole new world. Grungy vibes with low light, and a very cool atmosphere. The dishes are very unique, and are small tapas made for sharing. We tried the: Moto eggs - think deviled eggs Dyno wings - crispiest chicken I've ever had. Ever. I don't know how they fried this but the skin was so crunchy without being hard, and the meat was juicy and succulent Salmon aburi - salmon served with pieces of seaweed so you can make your own mini hand roll! This was really delicious Moto bun - japanese curry chicken served in a bun. This was a bit messy but the flavours were good Miso ice cream - this was a bit of a gamble as I was intrigued, but it's also a very adventurous flavour. It has a savory and sweet double tone to it - similar to how salted caramel is. However the miso was quite strong and I wasn't used to having it in ice cream - so I didn't love the ice cream as a whole. But I'm glad I tried it, or else how would I know! You can only find it here, would you give it a try? This restaurant is pretty small. Not much seating so I recommend coming in pairs and no more than that. There is 2 small tables that can seat more, but definitely reserve in advance if you want the. read more

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This place is a rockstar! We came here for drinks and quick bites on Saturday night. The place doesn't take reservations, so they said it was an hour waiting but we got tables within 30 mins. We tried few items to share, cocktails and beers. Everything was amazing, good music and staff was friendly. I definitely recommend this place! read more

First off this place is really tricky to find, there some stuff you can't order for takeout that you can only order if you dine in which seems like the good stuff just to let you know, we ordered the karage kid, it was piping hot really crispy and flavourful, but I wish I could order the menu that is not for takeout but that's okay, still really good service and food came quick and fresh so no complaints , the chicken tasted really good with the sauce, tender not dry, other than that wish I could've tried the other food but I have to dine in next time read more

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WOW .... just wow . Toronto's food is just speechless ! The Ossington strip is the way to go when your visiting Toronto. Skip all the touristy things and come here ! We came here on a Friday night. No wait but also it was during the Coronovirus outbreak . We were greeted immediately . Service was on point . I had no complaints . They seemed to really enjoy their job and only positive vibes ! Drinks - 5/5 , for the most part they have a good selection . The place is really small so the selection is small but all you really need is a good beer and some hot sake for this place ! Food - 10/5, the food was amazing!! Honestly On the top of my favorite meals I've ever had . We had the following: 1. Tofu - very good taste . Lots of flavor ! Traditional asian tofu dish however the ingredients they used were so much more emphasized ! 2. Salmon Aburi - so yummy . Delicious flavor . 3. Chicken Bun - Probably the top dish for me here . I'm so glad my fiancé ordered it . I thought it was just going to be one of those asian regular soft buns . Holy crap I've never had a bun like this before ....... I'm originally from 3 miles out from Ny so my standards are high .. and you won't taste a bun like this . 4. Uni bowl - OMG i don't think I can go back to regular uni . Holy crap this was SO fresh . This was actually the top dish for me next to the bun . 5. Chicken wing- a must order !! Such a different tale on chicken wings . The taste was amazing and wrapped inside was a dumpling ! So I subtracted a star because the bathroom was disgusting ... it was horrible and the place itself looks a bit dirty so it did make me take a second take . But I mean the food was too good . Anyways- totally worth checking out ! read more

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It's a no from me...? I'm really confused about this place. It's far off the subway line, small, dingy, loud, and dark...not my ideal ambience. I came on a Friday night and it was packed. I had to wait 15-20 min for a table...so I went to a nearby bakery. We got a call to go back to the restaurant but the table was still not ready. Any who I looked at the menu during this time and a few dishes caught my eye. The servers were friendly and explained the menu well. The water was also refilled quite promptly. I decided on a few items to share (it's a tapas style restaurant); the aburi salmon, the eggplant, the tofu, and the yellowtail. The dishes were prepared fairly quickly and were quite inventive...unique aspects like ceviche yellowtail, build your own aburi sushi, and fried beets on top of eggplant. I like the variety of vegetarian options they had. I have to say the eggplant was my favourite dish - very unique and great flavours! All the dishes tasted quite good I have to say. It was pricey though...about $10-12 per dish and very small portion sizes. As expected for tapas/izakaya - but I'd rather stick to Kinka Izakaya which allows reservations and larger portion sizes. This place is unique but the ambience wasn't for me. I won't be back unfortunately. read more

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This was the COOLEST hidden gem in Toronto. 100% recommend for the most special secretive dinner. We got there right at 6pm when they opened which was the way to go since people will wait for hours to get seated here. Our server was awesome, super kind. The ambiance was so different but loved the intimate vibe. read more

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I hesitate to recommend this secret little spot, lest it get too busy for me to get into, but my kindness prevails. Hanmoto doesn't have a sign or a door. It's dark and romantic and street af. Street foods, street vibes. You're in a Shanghai alley, a basement in Tokyo, a house bar in Bangkok. Bombastic flavors, like sweet chili glazed hot wings, curry buns, or a steak grilled to perfection. Fresh tastes also abound, like the amazing tuna tartar. Great selection of Japanese beers and sake punctuated by some viscous cocktails. Service is friendly and quick. Don't tell your friends, okay? read more

Delicious spot with a casual and relaxed atmosphere in the West end! The yellowtail hamachi was good with light flavours and fresh fish. The salmon aburi was tasty, had bolder flavours and the roll-your-own sushi concept was fun. Even though the photos don't do it justice, the famous Dino wings were so good we ordered 2 servings! The devilled eggs were just ok, none of the flavours were exceptional. A bit bland considering all the toppings they put on it. The surf and turf handroll was both aesthetically pleasing and delicious! The quail egg on top gave it more richness. Though the rice to topping ratio was too much towards the end of the roll! Not pictured was the Katsu bun which basically tasted like a pork Big Mac! It was ok but really heavy on the sauce. Would recommend coming really early or really late, since it's small and fills up quick! Also there's a lot of MSG in the food so that's probably how they get it all to taste so good! read more

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Wow, if you want fresh uni and sushi this is the place to go. The fish of the day is always changing which makes it unique and seasonal. Very intimate setting with small tables and candle lit tables. My friend brought me here and was very impressed. Staff was very friendly and knowledgeable of the menu and made recommendations. We shared several dishes but the uni stood out the most a must try. Overall excellent quality and sushi place. read more

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Had the Moto bun, katsu bun, salmon aburi, moto eggs - all delicious. Service was meh but food quality more than made up for it

This place is a must visit - felt like I got transported back to Japan after stepping in to a dimmed low key izakaya style spot! Incredible interior feel and the dishes were all shareable and spectacular. Must visit, near ossington! Great starter of a day food trip. read more

Hanmoto - Interior - drinks - Japanese Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Unique atmosphere with a speakeasy vibe - makes you feel like you stumbled upon it accidentally peering down a rainy alley. The restaurant isn't too big and always packed but for the right reasons. The menu is like izakaya-style - snack size eats and it's all about shared plates there. The food was unique and delicious. Dyno wings and hand rolls are a must-try but everything on the menu is a knock-out. Cocktails were great and servers are friendly. It's hard to find anything bad about Hanmoto. Definitely a repeat and one of the go-to spots I take friends to when visiting Toronto! read more

Hanmoto - Japanese Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

I did not realize this was a sister restaurant to my favourite OddSeoul on Ossington, but after eating here, I might have a new favourite sister. Hanmoto did not dissapoint! I did not mind sitting next to a rice pot and seeing food being prepared at an arms length away because the ambience was just so cozy. It's like being at home, nothing formal about it. They keep it dark, with only a few sources of light, so you're not wondering how this place is a restaurant and not a garage. Again, this all adds to the experience and i'm not complaining. We ordered a sake on the server's recommendation but I didn't enjoy it at all, and a white wine. We shared the Karaage chicken special which was very tasty; dry rub on the chicken and a tangy dip on the side. The dyno wings were my favourite and i cannot wait to go back and have them again. Not pictured unfortunately, i should have waited for them to arrive! Salmon aburi was underwhelming, i wouldn't order it again. One thing i noticed immediately and loved about the service was that they kept replacing our napkins with fresh ones! Nice little touch. Towards the end, however, we were very rushed and basically handed the bill and two servers took turns checking on us to see if we were ready to pay. It was an unfortunate turn of events to what was by that point a great experience. There were still empty tables, no one was waiting - but i guess thats all part of the Hanmoto experience, don't get too comfortable so you'll want to come back soon! read more

Hanmoto - Salmon aburi and karaage - Japanese Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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So here is the thing - I wanted to love this place. After the long waits, the anticipation, the sunday closure disappointments. I finally got to try the place but while the food and staff were great ... I am not sure I dig the digs. I know some ppl love it but the 3 seater is weird. The bathrooms have character but I just would rather it be sanitary. Ok ok fine I'll focus on the food. The Salmon Aburi to die for. Extra $1 for more seaweed - be careful. Enoki mushroom was great. Okra was soso. Everyone loved the beets and eggplant but it didn't do much for me. Staff is fantastic. Really can't say enough about that. Will I be back? MAYBE. If there is no line up. read more