Asian-Inspired Brunch in Scarborough: What to Try at Karkumi Cafe

Some people find us because they are looking for brunch in Scarborough. Some people find us because they saw a latte or a benedict photo and wanted to know where it came from.

Either way, welcome. Karkumi Cafe is on Gordon Baker Rd, and our menu is a mix of brunch plates, café drinks, pasta, pizza, desserts, and a few things that are a little different from the usual breakfast plate.

We are not trying to make brunch complicated. We just like familiar food with a bit more flavour.

What we mean by Asian-inspired brunch

For us, Asian-inspired brunch means a brunch menu that still feels easy to order, but has a few touches that make it feel more like us.

You can still get poached eggs, toast, coffee, pasta, and something sweet. But you will also see smoked duck, beef short rib, BBQ eel pizza, matcha, hojicha, black sesame, purple yam, fruit teas, and other flavours that show up naturally on our menu.

It is still brunch. Just not the exact same brunch you see everywhere.

Start with a benedict

If it is your first visit, we usually suggest starting with one of the benedicts.

The Smoked Duck Breast Benedict is a good first choice if you want something a little different. It has smoked duck breast, poached eggs, and hollandaise on a toasted English muffin.

The Beef Short Rib Benedict is richer and more filling. It is the one to order when you come in hungry and want a plate that feels like a real meal.

The Smoked Salmon Benedict is a little lighter. It is still brunchy, still creamy, but not as heavy.

They are all good choices. There is no wrong one. The only mistake is staring at the menu for too long and making everyone at the table hungry.

If you want something crispy

Order the Chicken Croffles.

It is the kind of dish that feels like brunch even if you are not usually a brunch person. You get crispy chicken, croffles, and that sweet-savoury thing that makes people stop talking for a second after the first bite.

It is not a light breakfast. That is fine. Some mornings are not light breakfast mornings.

If you are sharing

The BBQ Eel Pizza is a good table dish.

It is easier to share than a benedict, and it works well when one person wants brunch, another person wants lunch, and nobody wants to argue about it.

We also have pasta options like Creamy Mushroom Linguine with Black Truffle Sauce, Spicy Shrimp Linguine, and Crispy Chicken Pasta with Basil Pesto. If you are with a group, one pizza and one pasta in the middle of the table is usually a good idea.

Do not skip the drinks

A lot of guests come for food and then end up talking about the drinks.

The Crème Brûlée Latte is sweet, creamy, and fun to drink. The Tiramisu Latte is softer and more dessert-like. Matcha Latte, Hojicha Latte, Black Sesame Latte, Purple Yam Latte, fruit teas, sodas, and slushes are also on the menu.

If you are not sure what to get, ask us what is good hot or iced that day.

When to visit

Weekdays are usually easier if you want a quieter table. Weekends feel more like brunch-brunch. You know, people catching up, drinks on the table, food coming out, everyone taking a photo before eating.

We open at 8:30 AM every day. Monday to Friday we close at 4:00 PM. Saturday and Sunday we close at 6:00 PM. The kitchen closes 30 minutes before closing.

For weekends or larger groups, please call ahead. It helps us give you a better answer before you drive over.

Come hungry, but not confused

Our menu has a lot on it, but the first visit can be simple.

If you want our suggestion:

• Start with a Smoked Duck Breast Benedict or Beef Short Rib Benedict.
• Add a Crème Brûlée Latte or Tiramisu Latte.
• Share a BBQ Eel Pizza if there are two or more of you.
• Get dessert if that is the kind of day you are having.

No pressure. Just brunch.