Location
Our homely bakery is located at 656 Bloor Street W, in the heart of Koreatown on Bloor between Christie and Bathurst (get directions).
Contact Us
Please contact us for Ordering, Directions and General Inquiries:
(416) 538-1208 or E-Mail us hodokwaja92@gmail.com
Hours of Operation
We are OPEN: Monday to Saturday 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
CLOSED EVERY SUNDAY
Baking Times (Subject to Change*):
Walnut Cakes:
Morning 11:30AM – 1:30PM
Afternoon 3:30PM – 5:00PM (Friday & Saturday)
Korean Pancakes:
Morning 11:30AM – 1:00PM
Afternoon 3:00PM – 4:00PM
Evening 5:30PM – 7:30PM
*Baking Times for both Walnut Cakes and Korean Pancakes are subject to change due to weather conditions and stock.
History
The official date of opening of Hodo Kwaja was October 29, 1992. 2024, marked the 34th anniversary. The founder Jong Sik Lee with his wife’s help started the bakery with hopes of selling quality baked goods with a part of their culture.
Hodo Kwaja was the first and successful walnut cake bakery in Canada with the help of Mr. Lee’s idea of an open concept, by placing the machine in the front of the store instead of the back like previous similar businesses have tried. After trial and error they were able to make a recipe for their now famous Red Bean and Mashed Potato fillings. Over the years both Mr. Lee and Mrs. Kim created, customized and added new products to their at first simple menu and has greatly contributed to their 20 years of success.
Prior to opening one of the first successful Walnut Cake bakery in Canada, Walnut Cakes were imported from Los Angeles to Korean supermarkets across the G.T.A. Hodo Kwaja currently ships to Korean supermarkets in Calgary, Edmonton and London, Ontario.
Old Store Front, 2007 New Store Front, 2012
Management
Jong Sik Lee is the founder and owner of Hodo Kwaja and has an 11 year background experience in customer service from working at the five star hotel Sejong Hotel in Seoul, South Korea as a Front Desk Manager and other various positions in the hotel. In the hotel there was a French bakery and the inspiration to create quality and delicious baked goods started. With his years of experience in customer service he was able to train and teach his employees how to serve and treat customers at a five star level, which was another important part of his success.
To the owners of Hodo Kwaja,
As a small business owner myself, I thought it important to share with you an experience I had at your bakery today.
I’ve travelled extensively through out Asia but have not had the good fortune to visit Korea. Today, after visiting a friend that lives in Korea Town I found myself walking past your shop and found your bakery enticing. The woman working behind the counter was warm and welcoming. Her level of customer service was exceptional! She quickly understood that this was my first visit and without inquiry described all of your products with welcoming suggestions. She took the initiative to be informative without being pushy. I was so pleased with her service I ordered one of everything and promised to be back! Thank you for training your staff to be warm and polite. Its such a rarity to find in Toronto!!
Thanks again,
Sarah
Thank you very much Sarah for your kind words! We appreciate you taking your time to visit our bakery and we are very pleased to hear about your great experience! Thank you again and hope to see you again soon!
Sincerely,
The Owners and Staff at Hodo Kwaja