Riverside hasn’t exactly been known as a culinary destination, but Kaboom Chicken is about to change that. The upcoming pop-up, which will be located at 722 Queen St. E., shall dish out KFC (a.k.a. Korean fried chicken) with sides like an Asian slaw or bibimbap salad. Galbi, baos and tacos are also to dot the menu. 

Kids are going nuts for the latest poké joint: Hoki Poké. Found at 946 Yonge St., this  space serves bowls and burritos and has been rammed since day one. Try the kimchi bowl with salmon or the dynamite burrito that comes packed with deep-fried shrimp.

Renowned chef Steve Gonzalez is set to open his new restaurant Baro at 485 King St. W. The highly anticipated spot is to serve all the South American fare one could ever dream of, touching on Chile, Colombia, Uruguay and beyond.

Unfamiliar with bobotie? In exciting news, Jack and Lil’s is set to open at 823 Dundas St. W. and will serve South African fare, including the national dish, bobotie. As of Dec. 4, they’ll offer brunch bites on Sundays (like South African seed bread, guava strained yogurt and the so-called Township Eggs) until the hours increase.

Dolly’s, a Filipino mojito bar, has just taken over the former Whippoorwill at 1285 Bloor St. W. Although those in the nabe are weepy about the departure, they’re in good hands. The Playa Cabana peeps are now behind the space, which serves late night eats like siopao (those would be Filipino steamed pork buns) and violet-hued ube macapuno coconut cake. 

Enjoyers of Japanese desserts are soon to have another spot to check out. Pablo is set to open in spring 2017 at 114 Dundas St. W. The Osaka-based chain can already be found all over Asia, dishing out an assortment of freshly baked cheese tarts, both large and mini, with an incredibly creamy centre. The new Uncle Tetsu? We think so.