The Toronto Underground Market never disappoints me. The TUM team always delivers exciting and new gastonomic experiences. They have even helped create a fan base for re-occurring vendors such as Rock Lobster, Babi&Co, and Oxala.
In my opinion, this TUM offered the best options thus far. This is probably due to the variety of fish and vegetarian options.
I also really enjoyed this TUM because it was my most relaxed one. I have already tried Rock Lobster’s Lobster Rolls and Comida Del Pueblo’s Jalapeño’s Cornbread Grilled Cheese so I didn’t bother waiting in any crazy lines. Instead I paced myself, walked around and scoped the scene, and then acted accordingly. I’m pro these days.
The first vendor I went to was Little Tomato Catering. I enjoyed the Vegetarian Butter Biscuit sandwich with Duck Egg, Asparagus Salad, and Garlic Pesto.
This beautiful sandwich was delectable. The combination of a butter biscuit with a creamy asparagus salad and garlic sauce was extremely rich. It was a good thing I shared it because it could of filled me up too early in the night. *key tip when you are TUM-ing it: share everything to experience more.
Fried offered a Greek dessert called Diples. I’ve never had flash fried twirly clouds before so this had to be the day. The pastry was flakey and sweetened by honey. Its sweet taste reminded my of baklava, just less exciting. I do give the company major points for their branding. I’d eat anything called a ‘cloud’ by a company named Fried.
Up close and personal.
Leonard Pig Candy took the bacon craze to a whole new level and covered it in chocolate. I don’t eat pork so I can’t tell you how amazing it was. I’m sure you can assume anything dipped in chocolate is heavenly, especially when its being served to you by an actress in Mean Girls. Double Whammy.
My mouth was a spoiled brat when I tried Spring Street Bakery’s Kouign- Amann’s. What is this you ask? Well according to Wiki it’s pronounced ‘Kween a-mon’ and its a round crusty cake. The pastries are made with bread dough containing layers of butter and sugar and are baked until the dough puffs and the sugar is caramalized. Thank you France.
I tried too many samples of all three kinds and then bought the Chocolate and the Apple-Calvados (a French apple brandy)
Sexy french babes- Chocolate and Apple-Calvados
People are going nutso for tacos these days. I am a nutso. The longest line I waited in all night was for Seven Lives Shrimp cheese taco. Often fish and cheese are not mixed together in a gourmet taco. Seven Lives probably realized cheese with anything is bound to be a hit and did it up. Delicious and satisfying it was.
Look how beautiful. I love how they offered a mini side salad for my mini taco. They also offered a variety of sauces and pickeled vegetables.
Nomad Food Creations offered a combination of a gyoza and a samosa: a Samyoza. They offered this Japanese and Indian hybrid in three favours: Duck, Scallop, and Tofu.
I love how they differentiated each type of Samyoza. DIY at its best.
I tried one lonely Scallop Samyoza. However it came with all three sauces: Orange Chutney, Chai Yogurt, and Coriander Mint Chutney. The sauces definitely stole the show. I still think about the orange chutney. It had chunks of sweet orange grind which were edible and tasty. I licked the plate shame free.
Eat Here offered a Pulled Pork and Brisket Pa-Juns and a soba noodle salad. A Pa-jun is a korean pancake.
My boyfriend tried the Pulled Pork Pa-jun. I did not eat at Eat Here. I’m such a rebel.
Babi&Co is my favourite vendor at the TUM events. Their innovative delicious Indonesian street food deserves the long lines. Heck, they deserve their own restaurant. They always have a variety of choices and they are always switching it up.
I tried the Corn and Shrimp Fritters with Garlic Chili Sauce. They were pretty sensational. The corn added a sweetness which was balanced well with the hot chili sauce. The fritters were also perfectly crispy on the outside and warm and moist in the inside. However, I do think there needed to be a larger portion of shrimp.
Overall, unreal.
Snakery served Cannelés. Cannelés are a French pastry with a soft and tender custard center and a thick caramelized crust and are to be served warm.
I tried the Vanilla and the Early Grey. They were okay. Maybe they would of tasted better if they were eaten right out of the oven instead of right out of the microwave. Not that it’s a possiblity at TUM..
I love all things vegan so I was super excited when I cam across Bix Bakery. The vegan and gluten-free bakery served “gelato” sandwiches. The gelato is made from coconut milk and came in dark chocolate, pear and lemongrass, and thai basil lime. The cookie flavours were spicy ginger, chocolate, and almond meringue.
I mixed Almond Meringue with Dark Chocolate
And Spicy Ginger with Pear Lemongrass. Both of my combinations were great. I wouldn’t have guessed they were vegan. I would love to enjoy these little gourmet sandwiches more often. Hopefully July TUM…
Oxala is a Portuguese and Mexican pop up restaurant. I think its pretty neat they have combined the two countries flavours together. I mean why not? Mexican and Korean tacos seem to be taking off.
Oxala offered Gordita’s, which is a cornmeal cake stuffed with filling. They offered two kinds: Chorizo and Salt Cod.
I tried the Salt Cod with Mashed Potatoes and Olives, Salsa Verde, Crispy Garlic, with Parsley, Cilantro and Lemon. I now know I do not like salt cod. It is too fishy for me. I would love to try a gordita again with a different filling. I did enjoy how Oxala got very creative and mixed so many flavours and ingredients into one sandwich.
Cookie Martinez was saved for last, as dessert should be. The spread of baked goods would have put any bake sale to shame.
I got the Triple ‘D’ Brownie. I’m not sure what the D stands for but if I had to guess it would be for ‘dangerous’. I thankfully enjoyed it in the car ride home. If I realized how tasty they were at the market I may have been three brownies in too far.
