Toronto, Ontario — Canada is often called, “The Great White North, ” but in Toronto there are over 130 different languages spoken. As Canada celebrates its 150th birthday, no one is talking about building walls, instead they are talking about diversity and no where is that diversity greater than in its food culture. With three Chinatowns, two Little Italys, a Greek town and Polish, Indian, Caribbean and Korean enclaves it’s not hard to find a good meal in this town.

The lines are always long, but well worth the wait at the popular Banh Mi Boys in the Queen Street West neighborhood. Worth trying is the kalbi beef banh mi, a fusion of Korean style marinated short ribs, carrots, radish, cilantro on a Vietnamese banh mi sandwich. If you have room, try it with a side of kimchi fries.

http://www.banhmiboys.com/

Another restaurant with long lines, but worth the wait is Rasta Pasta, located in the Kensington Market neighborhood. A fusion of Italian and Jamaican flavors, according to a sign in the popular take out, “Jamaican and Italian cultures are similar in their love of food and desire to share it with others.

Waking up in the morning, I can have the awful breakfast buffet at my hotel or I can go out and search for some Montreal style bagels. I always choose the bagels. Unlike New York style bagels, Montreal bagels are thinner, soaked in honey water and then baked in a wood fired oven. Two of the best in Toronto are Nu Bugel in the Kensington Market Neighborhood and St. Urbain Bagel at St. Lawrence Market.

http://nubugel.com/

No trip to Toronto is complete without visiting St. Lawrence Market. The 200 year old market is considered one of the best food markets in the world. A must try is the famous peameal bacon sandwich.