'No notes': Kehlani gives Toronto restaurant a major shout-out
A Toronto restaurant is reaching new heights after getting a huge shout-out from R&B star Kehlani following a performance in the city.
All it took was one taste of pho from an Ontario institution for singer/songwriter Kehlani to start saying “I Like Dat,” going as far as posting about it on TikTok.
What restaurant could have elicited such an enthusiastic reaction from the superstar? None other than the third and most recent location of Mississauga-founded Vietnamese food staple, Pho Ngoc Yen.
The chain, which boasts locations in Mississauga, Etobicoke, and, most recently, in downtown Toronto on Adelaide, the latter of which was the location that Kehlani visited following a performance at Cabana Pool Bar in celebration of Caribana.
To say that the singer enjoyed their meal would be a major understatement.
@kehlani i’m finna start Life wit a Back Back Taurus series. TORONTO ILL BE DREAMING OF U PHO NGOC YEN! on Adelaide W lol @Towfu @Jamie-Lee B. ♬ original sound – Kehlani
“This might be the best Vietnamese food I’ve ever had in my life,” the singer says in the video, as they pan over a bountiful table piled high with pho bowls “bigger than your head,” Green Mussels, and a slew of other favourites.
Later in the video, one of the singer’s friends shows the meat in his Short Rib Pho falling clean off the bone.
“My back is big, my heart is full,” Kehlani concludes. “No notes.”
In response, the restaurant didn’t shy away from posting about the exciting visit on its social media, reposting the video to its Instagram twice, thanking Kehlani in the caption for stopping by.
“So glad you enjoyed our cuisine,” the restaurant writes.
Kehlani and their friends aren’t alone in their love for Pho Ngoc Yen. The Mississauga-based chain has received plenty of accolades over the years, including an unwavering spot on Yelp’s list of the top 100 restaurants in Ontario every year since 2018, and Canadian Choice Awards in 2024 and 2025.
Moreover, though, the people in the comments of both Kehlani’s original video and Pho Ngoc Yen’s repost seem to enthusiastically support the singer’s choice in post-show sustenance.
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“Can RECOMMEND with MY ENTORE SOUL THIS PLAVE [sic] IS THE PLACE TO GO!!!!!!” one enthusiastic fan comments.
“Yo, keep this joint on the DL. Don’t want ppl blowing up my favourite spot,” writes another.
Sorry, commenter, we’re going to do it anyway: we’re in complete agreement with Kehlani’s estimation that Pho Ngoc Yen serves some of the best Vietnamese food in Ontario, but don’t blame us when the restaurant blows up. Kehlani said it first.
You can see for yourself by visiting any of Pho Ngoc Yen’s locations in Mississauga, Etobicoke, or downtown Toronto.
Pho Ngoc Yen
Address:Â 350 Adelaide St. W.
Phone:Â 437-836-2764
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