Any University student from Toronto’s downtown core has
likely visited Salad King – in fact, Ryerson students even get a 20% discount
if they go during the off hours of 2-5pm. Their meals cater to price conscious hungry
students with affordable price points and fairly large portions.
Take their crispy spring rolls ($4.80), it arrives three to
an order and each are a fair size. Even though they were predominantly filled
with bean vermicelli, there was still ample flavour from the oyster sauce laced
vegetables and bamboo shoots. Since they were freshly out of the fryer, they
arrived scorching hot; crispy and satisfying.
The tom yum soup
($3.80) was also a decent sized bowl. Containing little in terms of ingredients
(merely sliced white mushrooms and coriander), nonetheless, the broth was
nicely spiced without being overly acidic or powerful. It’s a similar base that’s
used in the street noodle soup ($9.25), a delicious main I’ve had in the past
when I was craving the soup in a heartier meal form.
Having had their chicken phud
thai in the past ($9.95) (a decent version although not as “authentic” as
places like Pai), the kari noodles
($9.95) proved to be an interesting rendition of the rice noodles – still incorporating
egg, vegetables and bean sprout, but the sweet and sour tamarind sauce replaced
with curry.
The kari’s only
flaw is the curry powder itself, which sticks to the rice noodles making it
hard to stir fry evenly. It’s not the most appetizing when you end up with a
mouthful of the strong spicy and slightly bitter powder. Perhaps diluting it
with a bit of water and making a slurry will help ensure a more even coating on
the noodles.
You can really disregard the number of chilies on their menu
as they allow you to customize spicy dishes from medium (a little kick) to a
range of chilies starting at one (nice) and ending at twenty (may cause stomach
upset - at least you’re warned).
I’ve never gotten more than three chilies (start mopping
your brow) because that’s spicy enough. I’ve also never left hungry … with $20
you’re bound to be sedated or even leave with doggy bag in tow.
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Gastro World's Grading System
- Anything under 5 - I really disliked and will never go back
- 6 - decent restaurant but I likely won't return
- 7 - decent restaurant and I will likely return
- 8 - great restaurant that I'd be happy to recommend
- 9 - fantastic restaurant that I would love to visit regularly and highly recommend
- 10 - absolute perfection!
Is That It? I Want More!
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