The Lunch Lady of Saigon — Restaurant in Toronto

Normally, a bowl of pho is a single person affair but at The Lunch Lady their wagyu noodle soup ($36) warrants sharing unless it’s the only dish you’re eating. A large stone bowl of rice noodle, fresh herbs, and a slow poached egg arrives with thick slices of tender beef cheek, a couple hunks of ox tail, and a bone marrow protruding that we’re told to scrape into the dish and mix before eating. As if that’s not enough, a plate of thinly sliced raw wagyu accompanies that’s added tableside to make a carnivore’s heart sing.

Since so many items are added to the broth, it really needs to be hotter, ideally sizzling in the bowl is first presented. Maybe the restaurant is worried about liability issues with the tiny tables, not wanting to burn customers, but the soup is barely hot after everything’s put in.

At least the broth is tasty. The first spoon revealed a decent soup that morphs into something even better by the end as the rich oils from the bone marrow & wagyu and herbs permeate the broth. Make sure you have multiple bowls throughout the meal.

What a brilliant idea to separate the shrimp from its shell in the crispy prawns ($24) prior to deep frying. As both cook separately, the shrimp finishes quicker, and the shell becomes brittle enough to eat.

Served six to an order there’s plenty to go around and are fried to perfection so it’s crispy but still juicy. The enlarged surface area does make it a bit difficult to dip into the chili lime sauce, you’ll need to angle and squish to reach the bright condiment.

To counteract the shrimp’s heaviness, the beef carpaccio ($24) was a great companion dish. The plethora of basil, mint, perilla, crispy shallots, and crushed peanuts seemed overwhelming at first sight, but somehow the beef filet held up against the garnishes. Topped with a lime vinaigrette, it does make for a flavourful bite that cuts the greasiness of the oilier fried shrimp.

The Lunch Lady don’t skimp on crustacean in the crab fried rice ($36). A small palm full arrives on top as proof of the abundance and we’re told to mix it in before eating. To ensure the pungent XO sauce doesn’t overpower the crab, only a bit is added to the dish, while more is mixed into a soy sauce that can be used to taste.

Textures are abound in their fried rice as some grains are deep fried along with crunchy fish roe. As a person who doesn’t love having things stick to my teeth, these crispy bits were a tad annoying but the dish delicious enough that I wasn’t annoyed for long. Surprisingly, the fried rice was even better reheated the next day as the flavours meld together and the crispy bits soften.

Since the tables are small, getting the timing of serving right is so important. We visited on the third week of The Lunch Lady’s opening, and they still need to work on pacing. While a complaint during the first two weeks was the meal moved too slowly, the brigade (seriously there were almost twenty people in the kitchen) over corrected with dishes flying out at breakneck speed.

Luckily, our server provided time warnings with military precision. As the pho was presented, she noted the fried rice would arrive shortly, so we slid all the accompaniments into the bowl to clear the plates and make room for the second main.

If you’re there for a leisurely meal, it’s not the greatest. Personally, I’d recommend visiting as a table of three, you’ll get a larger table so you may not need to rush finishing dishes. Or perhaps wait before visiting The Lunch Lady as they get their timing better.

Visiting with three people will also allow you to try more as the portions are sizeable and I couldn’t even think of dessert. At least the cà phê martini ($18) worked as a dessert, an espresso martini made with aromatic Vietnamese coffee and very boozy thanks to vodka, Licor 43, and Bolivar...

September 3, 2025

I had looked forward to my second visit to Lunch Lady, hoping to repeat the great experience I had previously. Unfortunately, this evening, the kitchen execution severely let down the dining experience.

We arrived for our 9:00 PM reservation around 9:10 PM and were promptly seated. Our initial service was attentive, and our server was happy to accommodate our request to move to the patio, which was a nice gesture given the beautiful weather. We placed an order for two Wagyu Pho shortly thereafter.

However, things quickly slowed down dramatically. After a 15-minute wait, we inquired about our meal and were told it was on the way. By 9:55 PM, nearly 45 minutes after being seated, we were offered a complimentary bone marrow dish as an apology and were assured the kitchen was backed up. We appreciated this service recovery effort. The bone marrow was indeed delicious—naturally fatty and rich—though a bit heavy for my preference (6/10).

The pho finally arrived at 10:15 PM, an hour after we first arrived. This extreme delay was the major source of our disappointment, as we were told the order may have been lost or affected by the patio seat swap.

Regarding the pho itself, it was okay (6/10). The combination of Wagyu and the addition of the poached egg made the broth heavy and creamy, certainly enhancing the richness of the flavour. However, despite the premium ingredients, I’ve had better pho experiences in the neighborhood.

Overall, I left disappointed. While the server was accommodating and the complimentary dish was appreciated, the nearly one-hour wait for a main course is unacceptable. I hope that Lunch Lady is simply experiencing growing pains or working out the logistics in the kitchen, and that these operational kinks can be ironed out quickly to match the restaurant’s potential.

July 8, 2025

My First Taste of The Lunch Lady! Stepping into The Lunch Lady, you're immediately greeted by its super cool design, which totally nails that vibrant Vietnamese street style. I loved the open kitchen views too – it's fun to catch a glimpse of all the culinary action happening behind the scenes! Service with a Smile (and a Little Learning Curve!) The staff here are truly friendly and so eager to please, which really makes a difference. You can tell they're doing their best to make sure you have a good time! While there was a tiny bit of confusion with getting different info from different folks, I'm sure that's just part of being a new spot, and their genuine effort totally shines through.

Food Adventures: Some Hits, Some Misses (But Mostly Yummy!) I gave the pho ga a try, and it was good, though I've had a slightly more flavorful version just around the corner. The presentation was lovely, but I did have to gently remind them for the essential side dish (you know, the basil, bean sprouts, lime, and sauces!) to really dig into my soup. On the bright side, the shrimp fritters were absolutely fantastic! Even for someone like me who's not usually a fan of edible shells, these were a delightful surprise.

Given that it's a new spot, it's understandable that a few things are still getting ironed out. For instance, the restrooms were missing soap and napkins, but I'm sure that's just a temporary oversight that'll be fixed soon. All in all, despite a few tiny things, I think The Lunch Lady has a ton of promise! I'm already super excited to go back and try out more of their menu, especially the steak, brunch, and bahn mi. And honestly, their cocktail menu looks incredible – I can't wait to explore those! It's clear that with a little more time to settle in, The Lunch Lady is going to be a shining star on the Toronto...

After hearing the buzz around Lunch Lady Toronto, we were lucky enough to score a reservation just two weeks after their opening no easy feat, given how quickly this spot has gained traction. Inspired by the legendary "Lunch Lady" of Saigon street food fame, this new Ossington Avenue restaurant brings a refined, upscale twist to Vietnamese cuisine while honoring its roots in both flavor and ambiance.

From the moment we walked in, the space felt beautifully reminiscent of Vietnam modern but filled with character. We were seated in the back of the restaurant with a direct view of the open kitchen, which added a lively and engaging atmosphere. Watching the chefs at work brought a layer of intimacy to the dining experience that we really appreciated.

Service was stellar. Dakota, our server, was friendly, knowledgeable, and guided us through the menu with ease. Every dish was presented with care and a thoughtful explanation, and service overall was well-paced and attentive without being overbearing.

Drinks We kicked things off with a round of drinks:

Mango Margarita – Bright, refreshing, and easily our favorite of the bunch. Egg Coffee, Pandan Coffee, and Cafe Martini – All well-made, with the pandan coffee offering a unique twist that stood out. Starters The starters really showcased the restaurant’s creative edge:

Beef Carpaccio – Light, flavorful, and beautifully plated. Octopus Skewers – Tender and smoky with a bold char. Crispy Prawns – A perfect crunch with balanced seasoning. Duck Salad – Bright, herbaceous, and layered with flavor. Steak Luc Lac – Rich and savory, a definite highlight. Tamarind Clams – Tangy and aromatic; great for sharing. Each appetizer felt well thought out and offered a modern interpretation without losing the heart of Vietnamese flavors.

Main Course For the main, we tried their much-hyped Wagyu Pho, made with a “24-hour broth.” While the high-end meats like wagyu, brisket, and bone marrow were impressive in quality, the broth fell flat. It lacked the depth and richness expected from such a long cook time and didn’t live up to the $36 price tag. For a dish that’s typically known for being soul-soothing and complex, this version felt underwhelming—especially in comparison to more traditional pho spots around the city.

Unfortunately, they were sold out of their Ca Phe Tiramisu, which we were excited to try.

Final Thoughts Lunch Lady Toronto delivers on its promise of elevating Vietnamese cuisine with creative starters, quality ingredients, and a sleek setting. While the mains especially the pho may not justify the premium price tag for everyone, the experience as a whole is enjoyable. It’s more of a contemporary Vietnamese dining experience than a traditional one, which some may find exciting and others may find lacking in authenticity.

If you’re a fan of Vietnamese food and want to see it through a more modern lens (and are okay with the Ossington price point), this is a solid spot especially for drinks and shared plates. It’s not revolutionary in terms of flavor, but it’s definitely a welcome addition to the...