Ha Gow Dim Sum House

this place is a HOT MESS, seriously
I don’t think they know how to function properly unless you’re just ordering off just-​eat
We placed an order over the phone which was very difficult as the person was clearly new (not blaming her for anything) it took many times repeating the same thing over and over while she looked it up on the menu.
Eventually, we went over to pick it up, and this is where the real issue was. The little guy there with an attitude problem was super confused and asked for my name (which I never gave or was asked when ordering) when I said I never left a name he rudely asked what my order was (I ordered about 10 items which i cant recall off the top of my head) Any ways, he was just rude about everything
here is the best part
THEY DON’T HAVE A DEBIT OR CREDIT MACHINE
I asked If i could use a visa and he just pointed to a sign that said CASH ONLY, he then told me to go to ⁷⁄₁₁ to use an ATM… great like I want to pay a $ 3.00 ATM service fee …
so I left, and we were just going to ditch the whole order and go to mcdonalds but It was closed so we ended up going back
My bf went in this time, because I was stressed out over the way we were treated and what not… He then came out of the place AS STRESSED OUT AS I WAS
the little guy at the front seriously has no business working with the public and has no idea what customer service is all about, saying your so busy isn’t really a good excuse and maybe its not the best time to be training someone on a Saturday evening during dinner rush,
I suggest you avoid this hot mess restaurant with bad customer service and 1920’s payment system
If you order then do it over just eat which is clearly the only way they know how to do any business

I was craving for Dim sum on Sunday morning, and I stumbled upon this place on Unilocal while I was searching for a good Dim sum place in the east side of Toronto.
It is a tiny place on Danforth. When we arrived, we thought it was closed from the outside because the sign on the door said «closed» and it was SO dark inside! We had to literally push our faces against the window to check if there was anyone inside. Indeed there were people eating. Rough start.
As I mentioned, this place is dark and small… not the greatest atmosphere at all. About six to seven tables. I get it is a small, family-​owned restaurant that gives «homey» feel to it, but seriously, please at least keep the place look like it is well-​maintained.
Food was okay, nothing special about them. They were warm as they came straight out from the kitchen. But I would rather go further to have better Dim sum in better atmosphere.
Overall, if you are near this area and craving for Dim sum so much that you need to eat in five minutes, this place will do.

Ok to be fair to them I am writing an update. Returned a few times for dine in and take out. Once you get over an often painful ordering process and slow wait time since it’s all fresh, they give you splendid dim sum. It’s delicious. Just be prepared for the annoyance before the dim sum.

My husband and I came here for afternoon Dimsum today, and we were quite surprised by the quality.
We had their combo, which included deep fried wontons, shrimp rolls, a spring roll, two har gow, two Sui Mai, and two beef Sui Mai, one another type of dumpling, and lotus leaf wrapped sticky rice. We also ordered the deep fried taro with curry chicken, and spinach shrimp dumplings.
Overall the food was really good for what we can find within the GTA. Hands down, better than anything you find in the close-​by Chinatown.
We highly recommend the lotus leaf sticky rice, it’s awesome! Balanced flavours, and full of yummy fillings, they don’t skimp!
The service was fine, and they have self-​serve area full of condiments, extra utensils, hot tea, and napkins. So if you want extra of something, you can help yourself!
We will definitely be back, it will probably be our go-​to place for Dimsum whenever we crave it!

Cheap and cheerful
I found the service and the food pleasant and good. Its casual, prompt, self-​serve tea (which I like) I liked everything I had, and not the best Dim Sum I’ve had in Toronto, I found this a really good experience.
I would come back here, and this is my regular Dim Sum place now.

Good place for dimsum and congee, cash only, little space for customers, self service in condiments… Anyway overall good

Wow! And to think we were the only people in the joint on a Saturday morning. Well, lucky us, because everything (and I mean everything) was awesome. Staff were friendly, food was fresh to order and delicious. All of the staples were there and I couldn’t ask for a better experience at this price and location.

Ha gow has slipped into that abyss where they used to be great and now just don’t care and hope u don’t notice.
Ha gow. Small tiny shrimp paste together with too thick noodle
Sticky rice under cooked tasted like glue rice
Bean curd roll. Very off. Too much bamboo shoots that gives u that poo taste.
Cantonese chow mein. Ok noodles crispy. But then 2 small cocktail shrimp. No scallops. 2 pieces of rubbery calamari, one piece of slice roast pork. Then a smattering of carrots onions and broccoli. (Where’s the bloody Chinese broccoli). Not good. No taste. And a quarter of mushroom ?
Won ton soup. Bland and noodles in it 3 won tons. Had to add soya and ginger at home to give it life.
What happened? And I didn’t review everything. Back to china town.
Get it together. Stop delivering and concentrate on ur food.

What a fantastic dim sum experience on the East Side of Toronto. This ain’t Chinatown but for it to be open on New Year’s Day, I certainly won’t complain.
I am not as well versed in Chinese food, generally because I often don’t seek it. Coming to Ha Gow has influenced me to make Chinese a more sought after cuisine type and I look forward to finding some great dim sum in Chicago and in New York.
As far as the restaurant, it’s kind of a divey spot and a little cramped. The waitress will bring you a menu and a card so you can write down which types of dim sum you plan on ordering. Specials can be found on either the placard above the counter where you pay or along the walls.
Tempted by the pan fried beef short ribs at a cheap price point of $ 4.95, I ordered a small order of that, followed by a sampler of dim sum which was well priced at $ 12.95 for four different varieties. Everything was absolutely delicious. The banana leaf-​wrapped rice and shrimp was a nice contrast to the salty and fatty pork and beef focused dim sum.
If you’re in the Danforth area, you will have plenty of options to seek (Greek, Yemeni, Italian, etc.) but this spot is great if you’re looking to eat a lot for a little.

Great place — CASH ONLY. We have loved coming here since we moved into the neighbourhood (or ordering take out /​delivery).
Try the usual… Our favourite steamed tofu skin rolls, peppered beef, Shiu Mai and Har Gow.
The owner or manager on site is super friendly.

Food was hot, fresh and delicious!
Tea cups smelt like bleach.
Coming back soon.

There’s been a lot of mixed reviews from Unilocalers for this place but mostly positive I would say. I can’t speak for those who claim that the food is «stale», «rotten»…etc. As for my experience, it was absolutely nothing short of amazing!
This is a tiny dim sum place with minimal seating. You can look over the cash counter and see the dim sum chefs working away tirelessly making those tiny and delicate little morsels of goodness. This is by far the freshest, most delicious dim sum I have ever tasted in this city. This is on par and even exceed some of the elite dim sum places I have been to in Hong Kong — I kid you not.
The selection is minimal, you have your basics with a few twists here and there but you won’t find fine dining level dim sum here. There’s no abalone, shark fin, bird’s nest (bird’s saliva stuff).etc. Whatever few items they have, they do a phenomenal job with it. The only glaring thing missing is the egg tart. :(
It’s a shame I live so far north of the city (where there’s an abundance of dim sum restaurants) otherwise, I would be here every other day (come to think of it… it might not be such a bad thing).
This place is definitely the gold standard for dim sum in my books from here on. So go ahead, order a dozen of these at least and feast!

Our monthly dim sum group visited here in August.
Ha Gow turned out to be a very good dim sum place. Small, diner-​ish atmosphere, very casual. It is clearly a neighbourhood favourite. We had:
— steamed pork sui mai (though it has shrimp, which was not stated on the menu) — good;
— steamed spinach shrimp and garlic dumplings (very good);
— deep fried taro with curry (the «birds nest» looking dumpling, the curry was flavourful without being biting spicy) — good;
— steamed pork buns — good;
— pan fried bean curd roll with veggies — very good, veggies were crispy and abundant.
The two disappointments were:
— pan fried green onion pancake — thick, greasy, tough, not like the yummy pancakes we’ve had at other dim sum restos.
— they didn’t have any mango pudding that day [[sad face]]
— the red bean sesame balls got a split decision — some liked them (crunchy shell with flavourful paste inside), one thought the crunchy outer shell was too tough.
We came away full but not stuffed at $ 11/​person. So conveniently located, it is well worth another visit.

Their quality changes from week to week. When stuff was made fresh for that week, it’s passable, but when we’re eating stuff prepared the week before, it tastes stale and even rotten. ie: Sweet-​n-​Sour anything. The Sweet-​n-​Sourness comes from the sauce, not sweet sauce with sour meat. If the meat is sour, send it back.
Steamed meat balls when fresh are decent… missing bamboo shoots, but okay, when they are made the week before, don’t order them. Poor handling and refrigeration and stuff tastes a bit vinegary… tall tale signs they were left out too long.
Eggplant isn’t a favourite of mine but they should be steamed yet firm and cooked. If they look like they’re shrivelled up in any way. It’s been reheated/​re-​steamed and shouldn’t be eaten as with many of their dishes.
Their lack of hygiene is suspicious and food quality is worse than Broadview China town. Some people rave about their food as if it were da bomb… well da bomb is how I’d describe this place as if a bomb went off. I felt like I was walking into a high school cafeteria after the busy lunch crowd passed. There were dirty tables everywhere we looked and the floor was no better.
Overall stuff looks like the ways they’re suppose to, but taste wise it varies from week to week. If you want to authentic Chinese, this isn’t it… it’s a pale imitation of Chinese food from a home cooked perspective. If there was pride in their food, the kitchen wouldn’t look so dirty. As for those people who think Chinese food/​hospitality is suppose to look that way. I am offended as that is the North American lazy take-​out restaurant mentality and in no way what actual full Chinese service looks like.

Like all other Chinese restaurants, i won’t count on the service and environment.
But their food quality Is far below average. Ordered 4dishes. I mean even a kitchen beginner can do this.
The outer of green dumpling is too sticky. They steamed it for too long.
For The sticky chicken (?), just a mix of sticky rice and chicken.
The eggplant, I didn’t even finish.
The bean curd. all I feel is starch.

This is the best dim sum place in east York. Even the Chinatown east at Gerard and Broadview does not have as good dim sum.
The dim sum is divided in small, medium and large dishes which are 2.50, 2.90 and 3.50 per portion. There’s a combo for $ 9.75 which seems like a pretty good deal and I ordered it with the deep fried meatballs small dim sum.
It was very good, but the only reason I am not giving it 5* is that it is done in a very traditional way, which means A LOT of oil and grease.
I prefer the newer types of dim sum, cooked with minimal oil and grease and thus healthier.

I love dim sum. This is one of my favourite dim sum place as its in a convenient location (just a few steps from Donlands station) and pricing is reasonable. A plate of dim sum starts from $ 2.90. Depending what you order.
Its fresh, fast and affordable pricing with good portions.
They also have dishes served apart from dim sum like long green bean str fry with black beans served with rice which is my favourite.
They have a self serve style which you order and pay at the counter and they will bring you the food. Chinese tea and water is situated at a corner for self replenishment. Its a quick, fuss-​free self serve style of dim sum. Bonus is, they do delivery too.

The number one dim sum and mom-​and-​pop shop in Toronto — hands down. The dim sum comes out steamy hot and the dishes are deliciously flavourful!
We ordered the ha how, siu mai, garlic squid, spinach dumpling, and a bunch of other dishes too. For 2 people, I suggest ordering at least 6 or 7 dishes (each are around $ 3 – 4). Our total came to $ 35 with tax and tip. This restaurant is a definitely among my top 10 places to eat in Toronto. I am in a dim sum nirvana just reminiscing about our dinner here. Only locals know about this place so it’s almost never packed.
Pro tip: You need to order at the counter. So pick up an order slip, choose wisely on your fav dishes, and hand it back to the person behind the counter.
Prop tip 2: You’ll need to «self-​serve». So grab your plates, chopsticks, tea, etc. They only bring you the food. The food makes up for this so I don’t care.
Prop tip 3: There’s tables that seat up to 4, so don’t come with a crowd of 10 or more.
Transit directions: Take the TTC to Donlands Station, walk towards Danforth (turn right when you exit the station entrance) and then when you’re on Danforth, look straight across. It’s a bit hidden, but well worth the find.
When we were here, there was a white dude working with the Chinese mom, dad, and uncle. We had speculated that he was adopted but didn’t ask. Anyways, they were all super nice.
Pro tip 4: They deliver locally and have lunch specials.
I wish I lived nearby because I’d be here at least once a week. It’s my dim sum secret place, more of an «super elite spot» in my books. In comparison, the food here is far superior than compared to any dim sum restaurant near Dundas and Spadina. I think it’s their family recipes that are used and the fact that the owners really care about the art of dim sum making. A must eat!

My friend and I decided to give this place a try for lunch since it was nearby. An impromptu lunch with our two infants and two strollers — Aaaah. that is the life. Surprisingly, there was enough space in this resto for two strollers and the owner/​staff did not appear annoyed that we took over half of the restaurant for two customers.
For drinks, they have a self serve water/​tea station which is great. No waiting. Just do it yourself.
We ordered a couple of the standard dim sum dishes: Har Gow (steamed shrimp dumplings, Siew Mai (steamed pork dumplings), steamed beef tripe, and curry octopus. Although this place is by no means the best dim sum that we have ever had in our life, it was tasty and good. The price was also reasonable (approx. $ 10 per person).
As others have said, service is fast and friendly and it is a small family run resto. We would definitely go back.

Outside: giant eyecatching sign that screams HA GOW, as in those lovable shrimp dumplings.
Inside however: total no-​frills dingy and basic casual Chinese diner like you’d might find in any small town or neighbourhood strip. The folks here are kind, but minimal service though – pick your own condiments and fill your own tea at the front counter, boy. When it is not busy, there is a habit of leaving tables uncleaned for a long while, which may leave a grimy impression for anyone just walking in (ding a point). It’s not quality dining, but hey, they do take-​out.
Sweet pickings off the a-​la-​carte order sheet, all the dim sum items are cheap cheap and quickly prepared-​$ 3 per item, and a tad more if you order noodles or soups. A place that calls itself Ha Gow better make some decent ha gow, and indeed they do make pretty delicious ones. Same goes for their siu mai and many other dumplings and rice dishes, which gets you going enough. Heck, I would go for nothing but their ha gow/​siu mai and the like. Not a fan of their steam bean curd rolls, though.
It’s possible to eat for around $ 10−15/person at this humble Danforth joint, and is a decent choice if you want something cheap and be on the way elsewhere in the area. But eh, they also do local delivery.
{TTC: around the corner from Donlands subway station, boy.}