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Lunch Lady Toronto: A Bold New Chapter in Vietnamese Culinary Storytelling Opens on Ossington
By: Cristina Carpio, Editor-in-Chief
Toronto’s Ossington strip just got a whole lot more soulful. After months of buzz, the highly anticipated Toronto outpost of Lunch Lady officially opened its doors on June 26, 2025, bringing Michelin-recognized Vietnamese cuisine and an unforgettable dining experience to one of the city’s hottest culinary corridors.
The Saigon-born restaurant, made internationally famous after being spotlighted by the late Anthony Bourdain on No Reservations, first opened its doors in Vancouver, where it quickly earned three consecutive Michelin Bib Gourmand awards. Now, with the opening of its second Canadian location, Lunch Lady is ready to share its rich legacy and bold new vision with Toronto.
At the heart of it all was Nguyen Thi Thanh, the original Lunch Lady, whose humble Saigon street food stall captivated Anthony Bourdain and inspired generations of diners around the world. Tragically, she passed away shortly after arriving at Pearson International Airport in Toronto, where she had come to help prepare for the opening of the restaurant’s newest location.
As the heart and soul of Lunch Lady, Ms. Thanh’s legacy reaches far beyond her legendary street food stall in Saigon. Her passion for authentic Vietnamese cuisine, her warmth, and her unwavering dedication to feeding and connecting communities through food have touched lives across continents.
A Culinary Dream Team
The Toronto kitchen is led by this powerhouse team:
● Michael Tran, Creative Director and Co-Owner
● Chef Benedict Lim, Culinary & Operations Director and Co-Owner
● Chef Allan Lu, Chef de Cuisine and proud first-generation Vietnamese Canadian
● Daniel Jung, General Manager, overseeing front-of-house excellence
Together, they bring a shared vision: to honour the soul of Vietnamese food while reinterpreting it with modern culinary sensibility. The team embraces what they call an 80/20 philosophy, 80% tradition, 20% innovation, ensuring that every dish feels both deeply nostalgic and boldly new.
Menu Highlights
The Toronto menu features a rotating cast of noodle soups inspired by Mrs. Thanh’s iconic street cart, alongside fan favourites like Steak Lúc Lắc—caramelised ribeye with charred scallion butter—and interactive dishes that invite diners to explore the full spectrum of Vietnamese flavours.
Standouts include:
● Nui Xào Bò – Short Rib Rigatoni: a Toronto exclusive marrying spicy tomato demi-glace, rigatoni, slow-poached egg, and tender short rib—comfort food with cultural depth.
● Bò Né and Bánh Mì Ốp La: colonial-era classics reimagined with elegance.
● XO Garlic Noodles: a bold diaspora-inspired dish blending East and West.
Sip the Streets of Saigon
The cocktail program is just as inspired. Think tamarind, pandan, lychee, and tropical fruits infused with phở spices, all woven into drinks that reflect Vietnam’s vibrant street culture.
Standout cocktails include:
● Pandan Coffee: Vietnamese iced coffee topped with pandan coconut cream
● Cà Phê Sữa Đá with Peanut Butter: a daring spin on the classic
● Vietnamese Horchata Chè: a dessert-drink hybrid with sticky rice and coconut milk
For beer lovers, exclusive collaborations with Rainhard and Steadfast breweries bring Jasmine Rice Lager and Dragon Fruit Pale Ale to the taps, while Ontario wines round out a proudly local beverage list.
Design as Storytelling: A Street Market Reimagined
Partnering with award-winning firm SOLID Design Creative, the team has transformed the 140-seat space into an immersive love letter to Vietnamese street life. Think custom iron gates, hand-painted signs, stamped concrete floors, and a suspended canopy that evokes the charm of a cyclo taxi. Each space tells a story:
● Nhậu Bar (13 seats) captures the late-night energy of Saigon
● Chef’s Counter (6 seats) offers an intimate culinary performance
● Rickshaw Lounge and Saigon Supper Room provide private, design-forward gathering spaces
The overall effect is transportive, an atmospheric blend of back-alley romance and modern elegance.
While Mrs. Thanh may no longer be with us, her presence is deeply felt throughout Lunch Lady Toronto. Her legacy, built on humility, generosity, and the joy of feeding others, infuses the space with an unmistakable warmth.
As Co-Founders Michael Tran and Chef Ben Lim shared during the heartfelt speeches during the event, this new location is more than a restaurant; it’s a tribute, a cultural bridge, and a continuation of a story that began on a street corner in Saigon with the Lunch Lady herself.
