Community Guide

Photoism

If you want a cleaner, more sleek aesthetic or if you're a K-pop fan, this is a must-visit. Photoism is famous for its limited-edition "Artist Frame" collaborations, allowing you to pose as if you're taking pictures right next to famous K-pop idol group members. I still can't forget the look on my friend's face as they shyly made a finger heart next to the frame of their favorite idol!

Hanji Gifts

First up is Hanji Gifts, located on Queen Street West. When you open the door and walk in, the warm, subtle, earthy scent of hanji (traditional Korean paper) made from natural mulberry trees welcomes you like a warm hug. Owners Hyun-suk Choi and Catherine, who met in Korea and got married, opened the shop in 2011 to share Korean tradition and design with Canada. There is so much to see, from charming stickers and imported Korean Da-kku supplies filling the space to their original Toronto-themed pop-up cards. I always find myself leaving with a smile and a beautifully wrapped gift in hand!

Celine Song

Celine Song (Song Ha-young), who immigrated to Markham, Ontario at the age of 12, studied psychology at Queen's University, and is now an internationally acclaimed director and playwright, offered a tender greeting to that ghost through her debut film, Past Lives.

Jenny Heijun Wills

In particular, the life and work of author Jenny Heijun Wills—who was born in Korea and adopted into a white Canadian family—articulates the nuances of cultural disconnection and alienation with striking clarity and poetic precision.

Toma Tono

The very first place that became my go-to is Toma Tono. It is a lifesaver for those who want to enjoy the pleasure of cooking without the hassle of prepping ingredients. Simply toss the freshly portioned ingredients into a pot, bring it to a boil, and a gourmet dish is ready in no time. The sweet and spicy aroma of the seasoning filling the kitchen will make your mouth water instantly.

Monyeo Banchan

Monyeo Banchan, which offers side dishes filled with the warm affection of a mother-daughter duo

Situated in the heart of the Yonge & Finch Koreatown, Royal Care Clinic is highly popular for its acupuncture and cupping treatments, which relieve stiff necks and shoulders knotted up from long hours of computer work or excessive stress. Relaxing your body under the gentle glow of an infrared lamp is the perfect way to wash away the exhaustion of a busy daily routine.

Minhwa Canada

If you want to deeply experience the humorous and colorful charm of traditional Korean art, we highly recommend Minhwa Canada. Led by artist and instructor Min Soo Kim, this class introduces Toronto to Minhwa (Korean folk paintings) that capture the lives and wishes of everyday people during the Joseon Dynasty. Upon entering the studio, the distinctively deep, subtle scent of ink and the warm texture of hanji (Korean mulberry paper) will calmly settle your mind.

Haphoto Studio

If you're looking for a more sophisticated and trendy style for pre-wedding, engagement, or profile photography, this place is worth keeping an eye on. Known for its clean sets and masterful use of lighting to create detailed compositions, it is highly popular among couples preparing for wedding-related shoots.

Monography

If you're looking for a more premium, hip, photoshoot-like vibe, I highly recommend Monography. The North York location, in particular, features a Y2K-inspired "overhead" (high-angle) booth that has recently gone completely viral on TikTok and Instagram! Looking up at the camera mounted on the ceiling gives you a unique angle and highly trendy results.

Jami & Jam Jam Studio

Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, 'Jami' (meaning "fun" in Korean) and 'Jam Jam Studio' are spaces that literally add a little fun to our lives. When you open the door to the shop, a comfortable and cozy atmosphere immediately wraps around you, melting away the tension of daily life. Under the warm lighting, mirrors and lamps made using Korean glass art (KGAD) techniques sparkle brightly, offering visual delight. This is both a tasteful select shop where you can touch and feel the soft textures of stylish accessories and lifestyle items from independent brands like Belleri, Kode Jewelry, and Little Rush, and a creative workshop space where you can make your own artworks.

Clara Kim

Clara Kim was not an artist who set out on the path of visual arts from the very beginning; rather, she arrived at painting after immersing herself deeply in the sensory realm of music.

Mary H. K. Choi

Do you remember the long, cold winters of Etobicoke, west of Toronto?

Dodam Dodam

When I first saw Dodam Dodam's table settings, I completely fell in love with their luxurious traditional beauty. Serving the Toronto community since 2019, this shop offers rentals for Dol-sang, Baek-il-sang, Hanbok, and Doljabi props, as well as on-site setup services.

Sarah Suk

Compared to her fresh previous work, Made in Korea, which utilized K-beauty as its subject matter, this new release explores a much deeper and heavier inner abyss.

A true staple of Koreatown! Entering Mr. Pen, you are overcome with a strong wave of nostalgia, as if you've stepped into a neighborhood stationery store in Seoul from your childhood. Cute plushies stacked to the ceiling, quirky and colorful notebooks, and an endless array of pen displays! Just listening to the clicking sounds of customers testing out gel pens on the sample pads in the store is healing in itself.

Blanchou

This is a brick-and-mortar boutique located in Toronto's popular Bayview Village Shopping Centre. Curated by owner Grace, a designer-turned-mom, the space features safe, KC-certified (Korea Certification) clothing from Korea alongside global eco-friendly brands. The moment you step into the store, the warm atmosphere and subtle fragrance put your mind at ease. When you touch their garment-washed cotton pieces, you can instantly feel the softness that will grace your child's skin.

Located on Wilson Ave in North York, JSD Clinic is a prestigious establishment that has carried on the deep lineage and authentic wisdom of traditional Korean medicine for an impressive five generations. By precisely combining modern physiotherapy and rehabilitation with traditional Hanbang treatments, they offer holistic, integrated care that draws a constant stream of patients suffering from musculoskeletal pain.

M. J. Kang

In 1993, the Canadian theatre scene in Toronto took notice of the emergence of a young woman of Korean descent.

THE FLORIUM

Located in the heart of North York, THE FLORIUM is a beautiful space filled with the fragrance of seasonal blooms. Run by an AIFD-certified professional floral designer, this shop offers flower delivery services as well as hands-on floral workshops. Experience the magical touch of spatial design where each and every flower is carefully arranged so it has room to breathe.

Frances Lee

That is tattoo artist and author Frances Lee.

Foodream Toronto

Foodream Toronto, which provides beautiful subscription lunch boxes and catering perfect for a High Park picnic or an office lunch.

Vanillable

This is Vanillable, an aesthetic prop rental shop that meticulously prepares everything with a mother's heart! What I love most about this place is its flexibility. While their full, elaborate table rentals are fantastic, it is incredibly practical if you are preparing a DIY Dol-sang at home and only need to rent specific single items, like a Doljabi set.

ONYOU

If you love a modern and clean aesthetic, I highly recommend 'ONYOU'. By harmoniously blending Canada's unique relaxed vibe with the traditional beauty of Korea, they create warm table settings that make you feel like you've stepped into a sophisticated studio in Seoul. Their timeless setups are truly charming.