Minh's Scarborough is a spot on Sheppard Avenue that serves pho, banh mi and other Vietnamese staples.

The restaurant is named after its owner, Minh Le, who spent twenty-six years as a banker before giving it up to become a chef.

Minh first began contemplating a career change in 2020, when the pandemic forced him and his family to retreat indoors.

While cooped up in their Collingwood home, Minh's daughter noticed that her father had developed a fondness for cooking and joked that he should open a restaurant.

Though Minh recalls laughing the suggestion off at first, he admits that part of him was curious to know whether he could actually pull it off.

Minh received his answer in the fall of 2021. After scouring Collingwood for a suitable location, Minh opened his first restaurant. Within weeks of opening, the restaurant became a neighbourhood favourite, attracting tourists and locals in equal numbers.

Emboldened by his success, Minh decided to expand his business, opening restaurants in Orillia, Owen Sound, Orangeville and Barrie.

The Scarborough location, which opened in May 2025, is the fifth restaurant in the franchise and the first to be located in the GTA.

All six restaurants share a similar aesthetic, with mint green walls, black and white furniture and dozens of mirrored surfaces.

They also share a commitment to creating unique and memorable meals. Although Minh's menu is slightly smaller than many of its competitors, each dish is prepared with meticulous attention to detail. Coconut juice ($6) is served in a fresh green coconut. Its light, refreshing flavour is a tasty counterpoint to many of the restaurant's spicier dishes. Vietnamese coffee ($6) is another delicious drink. Though the simple glass it's served in isn't as striking as the coconut cup, the drink's smooth, creamy flavour more than makes up for its understated appearance.Cha Gio Tom ($7.88), or item number A12, is one of the restaurant's most popular appetizers. Five fried shrimp rolls lie on a bed of fresh lettuce, with shredded carrots and chopped cucumbers on the side.

The platter also includes a bowl of avocado sauce, which can either be slathered on the shrimp or drizzled over the vegetables, depending on your personal preferences.Bun Bo Hue ($18.88), also known as "Spicy Soup", is item number B4. Immediately recognizable, thanks to its bright red broth, this dish consists of vermicelli noodles, beef meatballs and Vietnamese ham.Wonton soup with barbecue pork ($15.88), or item number W1, is a simple yet satisfying dish. Plump pork dumplings float in a fragrant broth, seasoned with onions, coriander and other aromatic herbs.Com Tam Suon Huac Ga Nuong Op-La ($16.88), also known as item number C2, is a rice dish with broken rice topped with fried egg and your choice of barbecue chicken or pork chops.Mi Xao Gion Tom ($17.88), or item number S1, is a noodle dish like no other.

Unlike the Bun Bo Hue, which features thick, chewy rice noodles, Mi Xao Gion Tom makes use of crispy egg noodles, whose crunchy texture provides an interesting contrast to the shrimp and vegetables that rest on top.
Minh's Scarborough is located at 4271 Sheppard Avenue East.