Sonya Hu
Google
Absolutely amazing!!! This delightful Chinese congee and rice roll place may not look like much from the outside, but they are serving up some of the most delicious (and affordable) Chinese breakfast in Toronto! I swear I would come here literally every single day if I lived in the city -- the food is wonderful, and the staff makes the place feel like home. I stumbled into Yin Ji Chang Fen after wandering around Kensington Market, and I had no idea that I was in for my favorite meal in the city. I was warmly welcomed into the rather utilitarian, simply decorated space by several Chinese aunties, who ushered me to a table and offered me hot tea. I thumbed through the menu for a moment, but it's generally quite straightforward -- rice rolls (chang fen) and congee, both of which were my favorite childhood comfort foods. I got their fish congee with preserved duck egg, as well as a shrimp rice roll; every single item was perfect. The congee was super warm and comforting, as though it were medicine for my soul, and it was packed with plenty of fish and a generous helping of preserved egg. The fish was super tender and flakey, and the preserved egg helped to amp up the flavor. The chang fen was also outstanding -- I've had a hard time finding the perfect chang fen on the East Coast, but this one honestly came really close. The noodles were paper-thin and tender, but with a slight chew, and they were filled with a generous portion of shrimp and topped with the signature slightly sweet, salty, and umami sauce.
It was also extremely affordable and a ton of food -- I was absolutely stuffed, and you could easily split the congee and chang fen between two people for a lighter breakfast and/or enjoy the dishes for two meals. I can't wait to come back here soon!