Nguyễn Thị Thanh, beloved founder of The Lunch Lady, has passed away
Nguyễn Thị Thanh, affectionately known to the world as The Lunch Lady, passed away on Monday shortly after arriving in Toronto, a city that was preparing to welcome her next chapter.
Her sudden death following a cardiac arrest at Pearson International Airport has left a deep void in the global culinary community. Despite efforts by emergency responders who worked tirelessly for over an hour to resuscitate her, they were unable to revive her.
Starting from a humble street stall in Saigon in 1995, she shared the soul of Vietnamese cuisine with the world, with each bowl of warm soup reflecting her roots, care, and gift for bringing people together across continents.
The tiny stall in Ho Chi Minh City where it all began became an international culinary destination after being featured on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations, where Bourdain described Ms. Thanh’s soups as “discovering new neighbourhoods every few mouthfuls.”
In 2020, The Lunch Lady opened its first formal restaurant in Vancouver, and with the support of Culinary Director Chef Benedict Lim, the location earned three consecutive Bib Gourmand recognitions in the Michelin Guide from 2022 to 2024. The Vancouver location will be closed on Wednesday to allow staff to mourn.
Plans had been underway for a new Toronto location at 93 Ossington Ave., taking over the former home of chef Paul Boehner’s long-running Boehmer restaurant.
The location was set to open on June 3, with Ms. Thanh expected to be based there for the month. Now, the opening has been postponed with a new date to be announced at a future time, and management will be contacting guests with existing reservations to make alternative arrangements.
The Toronto kitchen will eventually be led by Chef de Cuisine Allan Lu, who brings ample experience from restaurants such as Chotto Matte and Cactus Club. The new outpost is set to serve both classic dishes inspired by Ms. Thanh’s original cart and updated versions of Vietnamese street food staples.
“To the world, she was The Lunch Lady. But to me, she was my aunt, my mentor, and someone I loved like family,” said Michael Tran, Creative Director and co-owner of The Lunch Lady Canada.
“Today, we’re mourning more than the loss of our founder. We’re mourning her warmth, her generosity — the way she lit up a room without ever needing to speak. Her smile said everything. Her impact went far beyond food. She taught us to lead with care, to cook with soul, and to stay grounded in where we come from. We’ll carry her legacy forward with honour, with gratitude, and with the same heart she brought to every bowl.”
Vigils will be planned in honour of Ms. Thanh in both Vancouver and Toronto, with details regarding the date and locations to be announced soon.
In a statement shared on Instagram, the Lunch Lady Canada team wrote, “Cô Thanh wasn’t just the heart and soul of The Lunch Lady. She was a mother figure, a mentor, a quiet master of her craft. Her food told stories. Her presence made people feel seen. Her legacy lives in every bowl, every herb, every careful moment in the kitchen.”
The team added that they are “working closely with her family to bring her home to Vietnam, where she will be laid to rest. In the meantime, our team is taking time to grieve, to reflect, and to hold space for everything she meant to us.”
According to the team, the Toronto location’s new opening date will be shared when “the time feels right.”