Hapa Izakaya

There are multiple reasons why I wouldn’t go back, from inedible food to slow, scattered service. Focusing primarily on the food, we had ordered a variety of dishes. The Edamame is on the menu as having been ‘marinated’ so it wasn’t a surprise that they didn’t come out looking the bright green steamy way we’re used to — however the dark camouflage green made them incredible unappetizing. From what I can tell the marinade is soy sauce, and they probably sit in a fridge in it all day. We also ordered the kimchi and I can normally power through the most pungent of fermentations, but this was far too salty, and I the additions of sesame and (what I believe was) dried wakame only confused the dish. We also ate the Kaarage (standard, relatively bland), the Kobe Meatballs (all except one had gristle in it), and the Okonomiyaki which, while beautiful, was nothing but mush. The flavours were completely indistinguishable. We were left being the kind of dinners who just push food around to make it seem as if we ate more than we did, to avoid being rude.
My review lies on the other end of the spectrum from the other Unilocalers, it seems, but there are too many brilliant restaurants in this College street district to spend another night pushing food around my plate.

Service is slow, but the servers are very apologetic about this.
The décor and ambience is nice. The place is pretty big. You can see the chefs prepare the food in an open concept kitchen.
The food:
1. Karaage: $ 10 — crispy and delicious. Price is on par with other sushi places
2. Lobster sashimi: $ 17 — I was really excited to have lobster sashimi because i havent seen this offered anywhere else. the most unique thing on the menu, but it wasnt any good. The lobster is pretty tasteless and rubbery even with the sauce provided. Not really worth the price. I would skip this.
3. mackerel sushi: $ 12 — this was my fave sushi. It was seared on the spot. So soft and flavourful. Order this and you won’t be disappointed!
4. Fire cracker sushi — $ 13 — seared in front of us. It wasn’t bad, but didnt stand out. The mackerel is better!
5. Chicken wings: $ 8 — this was nothing special, but pretty crispy.
6. Apple filled dumplings with white sesame ice cream: $ 7 — this was my second fave. Very unique. The filling Is in a gyoza. The homemade ice cream was the best. Very flavourful.
7. Peach alcoholic drink — this wasn’t good. I can’t remember the exact name, but it was bland.
Overall, this place is ok. For two people, the price came up to $ 110. Pretty pricey with food that was only somewhat unique. Granted, i didnt try everything on the menu, but It’s a place I would probably only try once because there are other japanese tapas places in the city and this place didnt really stand out for the price i paid.
This place has potential, but they need to hire more wait staff and improve or add to some of the menu items. If I went back, I would try the bao sliders. We couldn’t get it because my friend doesn’t eat beef. This place also seemed to be popular for drinks and snacks.

Staff is great! Very aware of the customer, made me feel welcome. I found the venue because I was attending a jfl42 event, Rhys Darby at the royal theatre the first Friday of the event. I saw the chalkboard sign for sapporo and was curious. Because of how well Mackenzie the bartender did his job, making sure I had a refilled drink and checking how I was doing every so often, I felt very welcome. I have come back 3 more times within a week and recommended it to all my friends since because of his outstanding customer service and I have met new staff today, especially Amy, that are just as friendly as eager to please the customer.

Live music and a chill place to come and drink and eat:)!ask for Celina she was an amazing server!

the halibut risotto and lamb were amazing on the summerlicious menu. I personally really liked the sea urchin appetizer as well. also had the lettuce wrapped pork from their regular menu which was delicious. the white sesame ice cream had an amazing flavour– so creamy!
i didn’t like how dry the mashed potatoes were that came with the lamb. Also the portions were small, as expected at an izakaya.

You know what? I’m going to lose a lot of friends for this. But all of them say this place is good. … Well in my years of Japanese izakaya it’s honestly not traditional enough and too much fusion. Servers are slow and just not authentic enough compared to all other izakayas I’ve been to. Good grade is not in point at all! The taste and style is just not authentic izakaya at all. Tastes too fusion and even the most popular that I thought (Guu) is not that authentic and that is even more authentic then this. Chefs are Japanese and mixed, kinda explains it all. Servers don’t pronounce the welcomes properly and just no efforts. I say it’s more like a all you can eat Chinese owned grade restaurant for food and servers from Jack Astors. Bottom line meh! … The service is Soo slow I’m bored to death!!!

Second time going to Hapa (went there once two years ago when they had a Groupon) — this time it was for a Summerlicious dinner.
The starter was good (Japanese arancini) though the flavour wasn’t very distinct. It sort of felt like I was eating a filet-​o-​fish but in ball form.
I got the main with the grilled lamb and mashed potatoes. It came with veggies that resembled gai-​lan (which were weirdly super bitter). I couldn’t really taste the sauce that came with it.
Dessert was a bit better with the white sesame ice cream and apple pie gyoza.
Overall, it wasn’t bad, just not what I expected.

Absolute worst service EVER, even the food couldn’t make up for it — not that it was good to begin with,
Let’s talk about the food first. Came here for Summerlicious and I ordered the Japanese Arancini, but they were sold out so I settled for the Endive and Gorgonzola salad — it was a pretty average salad, I actually forgot there was any mushroom in it until I saw a piece while eating. For the main I got the Grilled Lamb Chops which came with instant mashed potatoes. Yes. INSTANT mashed potatoes — it stuck together and was gummy, I could lift the whole clump up with my chopsticks (I bet you’re wondering WHY I’m eating mashed potatoes with chopsticks, keep reading my friend). The Matcha Crème Brulee was watery and had curds — which happens when the cream is too hot when the egg is incorporated.
The service was absolutely horrible. The only way we made it through the dinner was because another waitress, Celina, was attentive to our table, meanwhile our waitress, Yicong, barely gave us any service. She didn’t give my friend a water, she didn’t give me a fork and knife for my lamb chop (hence why i was using chopsticks), she didn’t give us our dessert, she didn’t check up on us. she pretty much neglected us the whole dinner. I observed her waiting other nearby tables perfectly fine.
Lena was the one who got us a jug of water, brought out our food and got us our dessert (I had to ask for the dessert since Yicong wasn’t nearby), while waiting other tables as well.
When we finished our dessert, Yicong came to clear our tables and asked «Did you guys already ask someone for the bill?» No, we’re asking you because you’re our server.
If only we had Celina, it would have been just the instant mashed potatoes and watery crème brûlée that ruined the night.
We, are never, ever, ever, coming back to Hapa.

For those who are worried about the tapas-​sized plates, here’s a $ 25 Summerlicious meal which leave you satisfied:
Appetizer: Spot Prawn Ceviche is beautifully presented in a stemless wineglass. The spot prawn and cucumber avocado salsa are served with wonton chips. You’ll probably want to take pictures of this appetizer; it’s so pretty.
Entrée: The Kinoko Ishiyaki would turn many people away because it’s a vegetarian dish, but don’t be fooled! It’s a mixture of enoki, shiitake, and king oyster mushrooms and rice, and it’s served in a big hot stone bowl. Flavourful and filling.
Dessert: Matcha Crème Brûlée or Japple Pie Gyoza (deep fried gyoza filled with apples and served with ice cream) were both very nice ways to end the meal.
Atmosphere: Compared to other izakayas, this one is more sedate; however, on the bright side, you can have a conversation. And although the kitchen staff was listening to Marc Anthony, the rest of us were listening to remixed old-​school R&B. A good Japanese addition to Little Italy.

First summerlicious of the year! Great start we had the uni and the ceviche both looked and tasted fantastic, had the rice bowl and the halibut the rice was fantastic while the halibut is ok, nothing too special. Desserts were the least of my favourite brulee was watery, while the apple gyoza was ok. Gyoza was served wiith ice cream which was so good! Was a black sesame ice cream home made and ofcourse it wasnt black! Delicious
Great place!

Fly in my water? Okay. Fly in the replacement water? Gross, but mistakes happen. Twice. When I’m told, «you can live with it» by the waitress, I think it’s time to leave.
This place is absolutely appaling.

Great place for Japanese tapas.
The servers were very nice and friendly. I’d definitely come back

Hapa has definitely lost its touch. When it first opened in Toronto, I use to enjoy the food (although it had small portions) and it gave me reason to come back.
I just went again for a friend’s bday the other night and thought most of the items were rather salty and unspectacular.
The service though is always good here.

It was our first time going to Happa Izakaya but it will now be the first of many. We hadamazing service accompanied with delicious food. Ordered the avacado tuna dip-​loved it, fish tacos– TO DIE For, probably the best we have ever had and a hot rice bowl which was amazing as well!
Definitely going back soon with lots of friends next
time-​good food and company with a chilled out ambiance (if you love old school hip hop, this your place)!

Great venue and service. Mckenzie. And his team were attentive and quick g that it was a busy night. Can’t wait to come back and try the full menu. Always love the option of having Sapporo on tap! Their drinks list is
not a bad list, not too many sweet drinks which I like.
I attended and evening which there was spoken word, a band and great people enjoying themselves. I can not wait for the next Thursday like this! A definite must to add to your repitoire of places to check out.

Came here for a company Christmas party. Disturbingly good food. The fried chicken and teriyaki sliders were particularly amazing. Great backroom with an open kitchen and a nice front bar area. There’s no half way about it. This place is full on good.

Hapa in Vancouver has a very good impression on me. Now we try to visit Hapa in Toronto.
EBI MAYO has the light fried prawn sitting on a piece of bread that are fresh and with mayo tastes good.
SPICY PORK ISHI-​YAKI (Rice, minced pork, flower, chives, egg, tomato, lettuce, spicy miso, served in a hot stone bowl) is average.
Curry Butter Chicken — It tries to mimic the Indian Butter Chicken, either the taste is not as good and the Naan is nowhere near its original. Although the spice used is Japanese, the taste somehow still is no comparison with the Indian cuisine.
The Halibut fish ball with liquid green wasabi tastes ok as the fish ball is not stiff enough and when you bite it, it melts like tofu.
There are not that many people at 7pm. The back section is closed and is open for us. Just a few people having drinks in the front.
If I ever have to go to Izakaya for any food again, I will definitely go to Guu which is so much better either in food or environment in Toronto (see my review on Guu). In contrast, Hapa is better than Guu in Vancouver. Isn’t it funny

Came here at their Hapa Hour. Special menu with special price for tapas. Beef tataki was delicious. The beef was juicy, and the spicy sauce was a good match. It was so delicious that we finally concluded our meal with one more order. Negitoro, tuna on garlic toast, was good. It would be better if the toast could be toasted a bit longer and made it crispier. Mackerel sashimi was fresh and it was blowtorched at our table. Hapa wings were deep fried with light batter. Bourbon maple sauce was on the side and it was yummmm. Green tea crème brûlée was very rich in green tea. Great dessert! All servers are very friendly and cheerful. They all shouted in Japanese at the time we asked for the bill. I asked the server what did they say, and he said they first said the table#, and «get the bill ready», and then «thank you». Great ambiance and it’s such a nice place to hang out.
**There is a Green P close by**

When I came here for Valentine’s Day, my date had a crutch in one arm, and flowers in the other. He was struggling to get through the door and when the bartender saw him, he wanted to help him carry the flowers. However, the hostess scolded the bartender, «No! The flowers are for his date! Let him carry it to her!» It worked out and I blushed like a little school girl. The food was great and we had a Sparkling Shiso (yuzu and shiso liqueur with champagne).
I had the Baby Got Back BBQ Pork Back Ribs (tender fall off the bones, honey soy marinade with wasabi mashed potatoes). So good. Yummmmm.
It was nice.

Having done a review in 2 years, I’m starting this up again as people have requested. Today, let’s begin with Hapa Izakaya
This place is right in the middle of a beautiful area — Littlie Italy. I had the opportunity to try this place out on a weekday right after work and I have to say, I was quite impressed.
I arrived at this restaurant at around 530 on a Wednesday, so not a lot of people were there. We were told by the waitress that we are still in Hapa Happy Hour, where you can order some of their fans favorite from a special menu at a discounted price.
My friend and I order a few dishes but I was especially impressed with two items:
Beef Tataki
Ebi Mayo
I would recommend this place if you are around the area. Is this the best I ever had? Not really, there are a lot of competitions now when it comes to izakaya such as Guu, Ryoji, Fin and Nome. But I will definitely go there again.