Restaurant Review - Ginger - Taste of Health

521 Bloor St West (E of Bathurst)

416.536-3131

I have often bemoaned the fact that there’s no healthy fast food in this town, so time-pressed consumers like me either go without lunch or grab a crappy muffin from a coffee shop.

But now I’ve found Ginger, a tiny Vietnamese eatery on Bloor Street just east of Bathurst, and have become their biggest fan. Opened 6 months ago by sisters Kim and Hieu, Ginger has everything a time-starved diner could want – healthy vegetarian food, fast and friendly service, and really good value.

My favourite order is made up of 3 “salad rolls” (1.75 each): Yam and Avocado Roll; Jicama Roll; and Crab and Avocado Roll. Each ‘roll’ order comes as 3 pieces of what looks like sushi, though the ingredients are quite different. Wrapped in rice paper, each set of rolls has its own special fixins – Yam and Avocado has slivers of raw and cooked yam, chunks of avocado, beansprouts, leaves of fresh(!) mint, pickled carrot, and peanut sauce on the side. It is utterly yummy and the mint adds a refreshing zing. The Jicama roll contains slivers of raw jicama root plus vermicelli (a dainty rice noodle), and comes with a side of soya sauce. No wheat, no gluten, no dairy, and no MSG.

Each order is made fresh on the spot, yet the average wait time for my order is only 6 - 9 minutes (amazing) depending on how busy the little 20 seat cafe is, and the bill comes to 5.99 including tax. Best of all – I can eat it and drive at the same time.

Later in the fall I’ll be trying some of their vegetarian soups (3.95) which include Asparagus Shiitake Soup and Tofu Coconut Mushroom Soup. Heftier vegetarian main courses include Lemongrass Tofu and Veggie Springroll with Vermicelli (5.95), Spicey Honey Tamarind Tofu with Udon (5.75), plus five other choices.

The menu caters to carnivores as well with beef, chicken, and fish dishes, so everybody will find something to like here. Even my favourite salad rolls can come with shrimp or chicken.

The place is open 11am - 11pm daily, and does catering and delivery. Their little white laminate tables and plastic chairs are not exactly conducive to a romantic dinner out, but it’s an unpretentious spot for a sit-down or takeout meal that will leave you feeling well nourished. Two other Gingers can be found at 546 Church St, and 252 Carlton St.  Yum!   

Review by Julia Woodford