One of Toronto’s rising Vietnamese food spots is tucked away in the most unexpected place — inside a container in a back alley near Queen Street East.
The spot, called Cơm Nước, just opened in early July but has quickly gained attention thanks to its bold, street-style Vietnamese menu and wallet-friendly prices.
The owner is Thanh Thái, a Vietnamese-Canadian chef who has worked in Toronto’s food scene for over 20 years — starting as a helper in his family’s restaurant at the age of 12. The idea for the eatery was inspired by his regular trips to Vietnam with his fiancée.
Though he previously owned a pizza shop and a hot pot spot, and is currently a partner chef at a well-known ramen restaurant, this is the first time Thanh has launched a business focused entirely on Vietnamese cuisine. He originally planned to find a traditional storefront but fell in love with the idea of the container after seeing it listed in a Facebook group for food industry professionals.
The compact space fits just three people working at once, but it runs smoothly. The restaurant serves dine-in customers and also offers delivery via Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Ritual.
Highlights on the menu include grilled pork with rice, grilled pork with vermicelli, lemongrass tofu, grilled pork sausage (nem nướng), chicken salad, and fresh spring rolls with shrimp or vegetarian filling, all priced at $12 or less.
The name “Cơm Nước”, Thanh explains, simply means “eating rice” in Vietnamese — a reflection of the casual, no-fuss approach he wanted to convey:
“No frills, not expensive — just a place to have a really good meal.” What began as a risky decision to open a shop in an alley has turned into a choice Thanh says he’s now completely happy with.
