PAT Central

When I first moved here, PAT Central reminded me so much of home. A real no-nonsense grocery store. The girl I loved and I would come here all the time. I think grocery shopping is one of the most romantic things you can do together. “Should we get something special, honey?” “Why don’t we make that fish you always like?” “Tell me the story behind that again.” “You always tell it better.” There are a lot of staples here that can feed a home: fresh fruits and vegetables, some prepackaged food if you’re in a rush, homemade jars of kimchi. There are aisles of noodles, rice, snacks, and treats. At the front of the shop, you can ask a dedicated employee to serve you a freshly-baked pastry filled with red bean paste, made in the semblance of a fish. As a new couple in Toronto on a budget, PAT is a safe haven. There’s more than enough here for weekly visits to keep a love going—but I’ve looked all-across the store, and I could never find something to fix a broken one. Walking through grocery store aisles, the gaze from onlookers can feel like a spotlight. A hand lets go of another’s a second too early, a look no longer held quite dearly enough. I know: I was selfish. And when I stroll through here I think about her, and I hope that she is happy, full of love, and getting everything she wants in life. And I am still selfish, but I practice letting go once again. (2/52) @0117stefan

When i lived downtown, this was my go-to place to shop for ramen or hot pot ingredients. There's also a great selection of drinks and snacks, a whole couple shelves JUST for soy sauce, and some nice Korean side dishes in the to-go fridge section! Also, one of the few places in the city that does fresh taiyaki! If you're visiting Koreatown, be sure to check it out.

A great selection of products at this Korean supermarket by Christie Station. Fresh meat department, cold side dishes aisle, fresh produce, and organized aisles with price signs. Also, there is an in-store Taiyaki place located near the entrance (cash only) if you want a quick snack to go! Otherwise, for quick bites, there's Onigiri, Sushi and Kimbap in the cold aisle of the store at the east end. They have the main entrance with a slightly less obvious exit door which most customers do not go through. The cashiers are very friendly and the staff are very helpful if you need recommendations or find specific items. They have an assortment of Korean but also Japanese products as well. There are lots of side dishes, kimchi and ready-to-eat food to fill your cravings! A great option to stop by to grab some prepared marinated meat or frozen products. Also, they do have some kitchenware like stone bowls, utensils, and pots. Shelves are constantly well stocked up!

PAT Central Korean Grocery Store is a fantastic and convenient addition to K-Town for anyone looking for quality Korean and Asian grocery items. The store offers a wide selection of fresh Korean fruits, vegetables, and meats, with a particularly well-regarded meat section. While some of the meat products can be on the more expensive side, the quality and cuts are noticeably better than what you may find elsewhere. They also carry an excellent variety of traditional Korean side dishes and prepared foods, including different styles of kimchi ranging from white kimchi to classic spicy kimchi. Their ready-made meals and meal starters, such as pork katsu, chicken katsu, and bibimbap options, make it easy for customers to enjoy authentic Korean flavours at home without extensive preparation. In addition, the store is very well stocked with Korean sauces, pantry staples, and household essentials. The staff are consistently friendly, efficient, and helpful, which makes the shopping experience pleasant and welcoming. The only drawbacks are related to the store layout. The aisles are quite narrow, making it difficult for wheelchair accessibility, and there are no shopping carts available—only handheld baskets. The exit door is also somewhat unclear and not very intuitive for first-time shoppers, as it is located off to the side and not heavily marked. That said, PAT is not intended to be a massive supermarket. It is a well-sized neighbourhood grocery store that specializes in Korean and Asian products and does an excellent job serving customers looking for authentic ingredients and everyday essentials. Shoppers looking primarily for Western or European-style groceries may be better suited to larger chain stores such as or Price Chopper. Overall, PAT Central is a reliable and worthwhile stop for quality Korean groceries and prepared foods in the heart of K-Town.

Best Korean Grocery Market!! You can buy everything you need, especially related to Korea!!! All the ramen, drinks, foods, vegetables, groceries, even kbeauty products, everything!!! I always stop by there whenever I passed that area.