People in Toronto falling in love with new Vietnamese takeout restaurant
Toronto is crazy for Vietnamese food, and we have every right to be, but one new restaurant is proving a particularly popular addition to the scene.
Asking me to pick my favourite global cuisine is like asking whether I'd rather see the Blue Jays, Raptors or Leafs win a world championship: why can't I just have it all?
Still, if forced to reveal my cards, Vietnamese would likely fall relatively high up on the list. Deft blends of rich umami and fresh, sharp flavours make every meal feel like an expertly balanced one, even when it came from a hidden gem hole-in-the-wall.
There's a quiet refinement to Vietnamese cuisine that makes it the perfect option for any occasion: a banh-mi on the go, a bowl of pho on a cold day — I'm all about it, and I'm not alone.
Vietnamese restaurants across the city continue to pop up like mushrooms, nearly always gaining enthusiastic fan bases within a matter of months. Just look at Riverside's Com Nuoc: not even being hidden in an alley behind a hair salon could prevent people from falling in love with it.
If you're anything like me, always on the hunt for the next best Vietnamese restaurant, I come bearing good news.
Officially opening its doors in mid-September of 2025, Broken Rice is just the latest in a fruitful community of local Vietnamese spots to win over the hearts of hungry Toronto residents.
Specializing in — you guessed it! — broken rice, the restaurant serves up bowls with proteins like grilled lemongrass chicken, butter beef and even lamb atop beds of rice with vibrant piles of vegetables and pickled onion.
If rice isn't your carb of choice, you can also opt to order from a selection of salad bowls or vermicelli dishes, paired with hefty rolls, charred skewers and even fresh fruit smoothies.
According to Broken Rice's website, the restaurant was born out of a desire to spread its founders' love for the foods they grew up with.
"In Vietnamese culture, cơm tấm—broken rice—was once seen as less desirable, but over time, it became a beloved staple. That idea stuck with us: that something imperfect can still be full of value and meaning," the website reads.
Traditional meals meet a genuine passion from the team behind the operation, and it yields truly tasty results.
As quick-service restaurants serving healthier options than the tried-and-true fast food staples continue to gain traction across the city's food scene, Broken Rice feels like a perfect fit in the bustling Church-Wellesley neighbourhood.
It sure beats the sad salad you packed yourself for lunch at the office, doesn't it?
If you're looking to get a taste of what Broken Rice is cooking up for yourself, there's a perfect opportunity to do so on the horizon.
On Saturday, Nov. 1, the restaurant is holding its grand opening celebration. On top of all the pomp and circumstance (by which I mean balloons) of your typical restaurant grand opening, they'll also be handing out 100 free bowls to the first 100 people in line.
The event runs from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., so you'll want to arrive early and, most importantly, hungry.
Broken Rice is located at 613 Yonge St.
