In early August, R&B artist Kehlani — who was in town for a Carnival performance at Cabana Pool Bar, one of the best patios in Toronto — stopped by Pho Ngoc Yen, an award-winning and family-owned Vietnamese restaurant at Adelaide and Peter Street. They were so blown away by the meal that they recorded a TikTok and shared it with their seven million followers, calling it some of the best Vietnamese food they've had in their life. They pan the camera to show the impressive spread of soups, meats and other share plates, and films their companions eagerly gobbling up spoonful after spoonful.
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Since the singer posted the video, business has been booming for the Vietnamese eatery. Pho Ngoc Yen happens to be close to the foodism headquarters — so, the next day I came in for a meal to see if it's really worth the hype. Celebrity recommendations can be a bit hit-or-miss, so I had a healthy bit of skepticism ahead of my meal.
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Pho Ngoc Yen: What's the vibe?
When I arrive, I'm floored by how gorgeous this restaurant is. From the front walkway, teeming with calamansi trees (complete with fruits dangling off the branches), to the sprawling interior with faux vegetation, mannequins, plush red banners and booths, and murals, it's a feast for the eyes well before my plates get to the table. After browsing the menu — which is deliciously long and teeming with everything from pork and fried shrimp rolls and broken rice, to an iced tamarind-peanut juice and Vietnamese coffee — I scribble my selections on a slip of paper, which is promptly whisked away by a server.
Pho Ngoc Yen: What's on the menu?
In the video, Kehlani proclaims "My back is big, my heart is full,” and I can see why. We order a vegetarian take on bun hue; the steaming bowl is large enough to share, with thick-cut veggies, huge chunks of tofu and fresh herbs piled on top of tender vermicelli soaking in spicy lemongrass soup. It's an instant hit — I splatter my shirt with broth as I eagerly slurp noodles into my mouth, but this meal is too delicious for me to care.
We also opt for the vermicelli with BBQ mock meat, which comes with pickled veggies, chopped spring onions, peanuts and salad. The protein is a mix of faux meats, and they're all tender and succulent — and, once again, served in an enormous portion. I highly recommend mixing it all together before digging in.
While I stuck to the vegetarian menu, Pho Ngoc Yen's menu spans traditional beef pho, seafood and pork egg noodles, BBQ protein over noodles, fermented crab papaya salad and even pork and snail pancakes. You're spoiled for choice.
After trying their plates, I can say with confidence that Pho Ngoc Yen is serving some of the best Vietnamese food I've had in Toronto, hands-down, and all at reasonable prices in huge portions. Kehlani, thanks for the recommendation.
Dinner and drinks for two; $60 before tax and tip
