Why Come Here? Cheap, interesting Korean/American Diner food, late night, hipster atmosphere
Right Amount for 2? 3-4 small plates
When researching restaurants for my recent trip North of the Border, I looked for places unlike anything we have here in New York (’cause who wants to try the best Italian in Canada)? So when I found a spot offering a spotย a blend of “Korean and North American diner food,” I quickly added it to my list. After eating there, I can tell you Oddseoul belongs on yours too.
From the moment you start trying to find the place to the moment you leave, you get the feeling these guys don’t give a damn about anything except serving good food. There’s no website, no phone, no reservations and no sign. When you get there, you look for what could pass for an old barber shop with a wooden exterior, big windows and the telltale barbers pole. If instead of an old Italian guy with scissors you see a hipster shaking cocktails, you’ve made it to the right place.
Step inside and you find a small industrial rustic space complete with faded brick walls, large vents and reclaimed wood tables. The decor follows the same don’t-give-a-damn philosophy as the marketing with boomboxes, a mounted bear’s head and a flag that seems to be some sort of combination of the US and Korean (sorry Canada). Gonna go out on a limb and say those three things have never been in the same room before. The music is loud and heavy on the 90s to quell any doubt this is a place for a quick, boozy meal. Waits supposedly get long during peak hours (although we had none at 7PM on a Friday) and the kitchen is open until 2AM. So if you can’t squeeze it into your dinner schedule, at least be sure make a late night pit stop.
When it comes the food, most items are meant for sharing with a lot of small plates and a handful of rice bowls and entrees. The menu isn’t online so I’ve forgotten some of it, but expect a mix of Korean and diner food like Bulgogi Cheesesteaks and Squash Poutine. Such combinations are often hit or miss, but I was pleased with everything I ate here. Best of all, most of the dishes were in the $5-7 range and four of us with three drinks got out of there satiated for under $100. Try pulling that off in New York. Here’s what I recommend:
Squash Poutine 
For those not familiar with poutine, it’s one of Canada’s National Dishes (along with anything doused in maple syrup). It basically involves smothering french fries in gravy and cheese curds. So think of this as the healthy version. Crispy diced squash replaces the fries and sesame sauce, kimchi and mayo the gravy and cheese curds, making it pretty much nothing like the original except for the little tooth picks you get to eat it with. But hey, if that’s the only complaint you can come up with, they’re doing something right.
The Loosey 
Oddesoul’s signature dish is basically your classic Patty Melt with a touch of Korea. It’s toasted bread topped with short rib patty, lettuce, American cheese, kimchi and a special sauce. It’s about as dinery as it gets, and I bet it gets even better closer to the 2AM closing time. Get one for every 2 people to share.
Pork Dumplings These were a special, maybe because they don’t meet the “diner” portion of the restaurant’s mission. Not that the owners seem like they would care the much. Whatever the case, they were crispy and covered in a very enjoyable tangy sauce and if you see them, order with confidence.
Bulgogi Cheesesteak 
Another Korean-ed up classic American sandwich. The bulgogi beef makes this more of a sloppy joe (and perhaps even looser than the loosey) while the mustard adds a spicy touch. It’s a little less exciting than some of the other dishes, but still highly worthy of your eats.
OddSeoul
90 Ossington Avenue (Humbert & Argyle)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
