Di An is a stylish Vietnamese restaurant nestled away in an unassuming Toronto shopping centre.

Opened in November of 2024, Di An is one of two restaurants to bear the name. The second, located in Markham, opened its doors in the winter of 2025.

Both restaurants boast an impressive menu, consisting of flavourful soups, crispy spring rolls and enormous bowls of pho.

Each meal begins with a complimentary pot of tea. Not only does this comforting drink pair well with the rich flavours of the main course, it also complements the restaurant's aesthetics.Though the building looks fairly normal from the outside, the inside is filled from floor to ceiling with hanging baskets and artificial flowers. As a result, it's easy to forget that you're in a restaurant and not a greenhouse.

Of course, if you'd rather soak up the atmosphere while sipping on something cold, there are plenty of options to choose from.Vietnamese iced coffee ($6) has a strong, earthy flavour that will wake you up before your food even gets to the table.By contrast, the lychee mint soda ($6.50) possesses an almost candy-like sweetness, enhanced with chunks of juicy lychee fruit.The avocado smoothie ($6.95) strikes a balance between the two extremes. While not as sweet as the lychee mint soda, its mild, creamy flavour is a far cry from the bitterness of the iced coffee.Combo cha gio and goi cuon ($15.95), or item number A03, is a platter that combines two of Di An's most popular appetizers.

In one basket, you'll find four deep-fried spring rolls, filled with pork, eggs, carrots, wood ear mushrooms and glass noodles. In the other, you find four fresh rolls, made with pork, shrimp, cucumbers, lettuce and vermicelli.

Ramekins of fish sauce and peanut sauce can be found on the side, along with a small salad.

Pho dac biet tuy bo nuong ($20.95), also known as bone marrow pho, is item number H01. As its name suggests, this dish features roasted marrow bones, which give it a unique texture and distinctive flavour.

The dish also features many other types of meat, including sliced ribeye, beef balls, brisket, tendon and tripe.Item number S04, or bun rieu cua with soft shell crab ($20.95), is a luxurious soup made with crab broth, pork bone and rice noodles.

A large, battered crab rests on the side. It can either be added to the soup or eaten on its own, depending on the diner's preferences.Com ga hoi an ($18.75), also known as item number C05, is a deceptively simple dish, consisting of shredded chicken, turmeric-infused rice and fresh herbs.

Despite its unassuming appearance, this dish turned out to be my favourite item on the menu. The chicken was tender and well-seasoned, while the rice and herbs were light and flavourful.

Di An also offers a wide selection of desserts, inspired by traditional Vietnamese sweets.Mochi with green rice flakes ($13.95), also known as banh com mochi, is a bright green cake made from glutinous rice and sweet bean paste. It has a pleasantly chewy texture, similar to that of a marshmallow.Salted egg sponge cake ($13.95), or bong lan trung muoi, is a popular Vietnamese dessert, topped with salted egg yolks and pork floss.

Though I was initially wary of trying this dish, its unique blend of salty and sweet flavours managed to win me over. I also enjoyed the starchy texture of the pork floss, which provided an interesting contrast to the pillowy soft sponge cake.Di An is located at 2361 Brimley Rd., Unit 5.