Toronto's long-awaited build-your-own-pho restaurant is finally opening

Toronto, your pho is about to get a little more personal. 

Renso Pho-Potle is about to give the city its first restaurant where customers create their very own customizable pho bowls, and it's finally opening its doors in a few weeks.

This pho-meets-customization concept first started making waves back in June, with an expected opening at the end of August, but I can only assume the broth needed a little more time to simmer. Now, after a slight delay, Renso Pho-Potle is ready to serve.

The concept is quite simple: you build the pho! This new approach invites you to craft your own bowl, making each visit a personal adventure and ensuring you will never have the same bowl twice!

Diners choose their broth, protein, seasonings, and garnishes, creating a unique dining experience. Your bowl can be completely different from the person sitting next to you, and completely different from any bowl you may have made before. 

Renso Pho-Potle takes its cues from Vietnam's vibrant street food scene. Bustling vendors offer their own take on beloved dishes, and meals become part of the surrounding sights, sounds, and social atmosphere. No two vendors' carts are the same, just like how you and the person you sit next to will never have the same bowl. 

"Vietnamese street food is exciting because every bite is layered with flavour, history and tradition," says Linda Vu, founder of Renso Pho-Potle. "From fragrant broths and fresh herbs to regional ingredients and family recipes, every bite tells a story." 

Mirroring Vietnam, food is meant to be explored, eaten amid the buzz of the street and shared with the people around you. 

If you get tired of trying to find the many different ways to customize your bowl, their menu offers other Vietnamese options, from spring rolls to Bò Sốt Vang (tender slow-cooked beef) and dry pho!

Renso Pho-Potle will open at 506 Queen St. W. on Oct. 24.