Pop-up Malaysian restaurant in Toronto makes huge splash after just a month in business
Toronto's newest pop-up for Malaysian food is the talk of the town, getting overwhelmed with business in its first weeks of operation.
Toronto is spoiled for choice when it comes to the cuisines of the world. If you can point to it on a globe, chances are, its food can be found within city limits, but that doesn't mean that all are available in the same supply.
You'll have an easier time finding Japanese food, for example, than Taiwanese; Italian vastly outnumbers Ivorian. Historically, Malaysian cuisine has fallen in the hard-to-find category.
The team behind Nanyang Kopitiam, North York's newest pop-up Malaysian cafe, is on a mission to change that, and, judging by the overwhelming business they've seen after opening in March, the city is here for it.
Tucked away inside OnOff Restaurant and Bar, Nanyang Kopitiam runs the show from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, serving up a concise selection of Malaysian specialties.
While the menu features noodle soups, a la carte breakfast items and drinks, it's the house specialty, Nasi Lemak with fried chicken, that's really got the city in a tizzy. Malaysia's national dish, it consists of coconut rice, fried peanuts, anchovies, cucumber and egg with a generous helping of fried chicken. What's not to like?
Opening on April 1, the pop-up's reception was so immediate that the team was so overwhelmed with business in its first four days of opening that they took to Instagram to announce they'd be taking a break to better address the demand.
"We're truly, deeply grateful for all the love and support you've shown us during our soft opening," the post reads.
"It honestly means more to us than words can express. Seeing so many of you come out to support us in these very first days has been incredibly touching."
Ever since the team's early break, though, they've been on a major roll; the pop-up star has only continued to rise in the weeks since opening. Could a permanent location be closer than we think? Try the Nasi Lemak and let me know.
Nanyang Kopitiam is located at 5463 Yonge St.
