I have been curious to check out this spot for a little while now, and was surprised something like this existed in Toronto. As someone who posts a lot of plant-based food content in Toronto and other places I travel to, it was only right that I go in and share my honest thoughts and review. I went last weekend, right before checking out Thai Mart and LightUpK! Before reading the review, make sure you follow me on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook as I will be posting more food and Toronto content! For a preview of what to expect, watch the video below!
About and location
Tsuchi Cafe is a plant-based cafe offering Japanese food, desserts, and drinks. The word Tsuchi means soil, as they focus on delivering high-quality food while prioritizing environmental sustainability. The cafe was established in 2020, but I only heard about it a few weeks ago, so I was eager to try since I didn’t know something like this existed in Toronto. It’s located at 688 College Street, Toronto, which is in the Little Italy neighbourhood. It’s a small cafe with limited space inside and outside, so definitely try to get there early or be ready to enjoy the food on the go, there is not a long wait time! In terms of parking, there is limited parking on the street, but there is a paid parking option nearby.
Price
As mentioned before, they do position themselves to offer high-quality items while promoting environmental sustainability, which usually means there are more costs involved. I took a picture of the menu, and since this is not a neighbourhood I’m usually in and it was our first time, I decided to try a few different things. The total came up to $83.19 after tax, with the most expensive thing I had was the tsuchi plate at $27 (but it does come with several things inside), and the least expensive was the Tsuchi ginger soda at $5.75 (not including the paper bag, which was 30 cents). So yeah, it was a little pricey, but was it worth it?
Taste
Full disclosure, both my sis and I were excited to try the vegan karage, but I was also curious about the full menu to see how the different items taste. We did have vegan karaage in Tokyo a few years ago from Izakaya Masaka, which was amazing, and it set the standard for vegan karaage and overall vegan Japanese food. I also went to a sustainable cafe in Shibuya as well which also gave me an idea of Japanese cafes. Nonetheless, here’s a review of everything I ate:
- Tsuchi Plate: This set was not bad for a sampler of what to expect from this cafe. The broth in the Mini Red Takana Shoyu Ramen was nice, and although it’s a little small (hence mini), it was decent. I also ended up mixing other items like the corn potato salad inside with the broth to absorb the flavour because, on its own, it was a little too cold and bland. The onigiri with karagee inside was ok too. I was surprised by the minced impossible katsu because I really didn’t taste any of the plant-based protein, but it tasted more like a croquette, similar to what I had at Japadog. I’d recommend trying this if it’s your first time and you want to stick with just a few items to get.
- Karaage: As mentioned, this is the menu item that we were both interested in. Given what we tried in Shibuya, I think our standards were a bit high. Nonetheless, I still found it to be tasty and good because it has the right amount of crispness, and the textured filling inside does make it more hearty. The sauce it comes with reminds me of a tartar sauce, which was really creamy but with a sweetness that was a tad overpowering. Given the texture and flavour of the karaage, I would think it would be better with BBQ sauce!
- Katso Sando: I was excited about this personally since I love making it at home when I can or trying the vegetarian versions at Katsupan. This was decent because it is stuffed with a giant katsu, cabbage, and sauce, but it’s a little pricey for $8.
- Kare Pan: My absolute favourite from here without a doubt is the kare pan. Essentially, it is the same name in Tamil (curry bun) because this is a fried bun (donut-like) that has a crispy exterior but fluffy inside, filled with a delicious and savoury curry filling. Here it is their “beef” curry, which was genuinely so good because it melts in your mouth, leaves a little spic,e and overall comforting feeling. I would genuinely love getting a whole box of these if I can, and unfortunately, it’s only available on the weekends!
- Strawberry Cheesecake: Initially, I thought this was a Mother’s Day special, but I think not. Either way, it was pretty good for a vegan cheesecake! You get a similar taste to a regular cheesecake, and I like that the strawberry flavour trumps anything else when eating it.
- Miso Caramel Macchiato: This wasn’t bad at all, and I think the miso helps give it a distinct flavour while having a nice, familiar coffee taste. This is a popular option at their cafe, but it is $7, so it is pricey. If you are looking for a coffee-type beverage, I think this is a good option.
- Tsuchi Ginger Soda: Out of the two drinks, I did like this was the most because it was refreshing, especially during a hot day. You can taste the kick of ginger, but it is not too strong, and it helps cleanse the palate between meals.
Overall
In conclusion, I am happy I went, and I can see myself going here again, or at least ordering takeout, because it was a little cramped inside. I love that something like this exists in Toronto, and I hope they continue to expand their menu and hopefully add more locations near me. I think it is a bit pricey, but given the sustainability focus and quality meals provided, it makes sense, but it’s not something I can get frequently. My personal favourites are the kare pan and the ginger soda. Once again, love that this exists, and let me know if you plan on checking it out! Don’t forget to follow on social media (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook) as I will be posting more Japan and food content!