New restaurant opening in Toronto this fall is a luxurious ode to Korean comfort food
A new Korean restaurant is opening in Toronto this fall, putting comfort food and swanky experiences all under one roof.
Sure, Toronto is already home to what seems like an infinite number of Korean restaurants, but being something of a set of Korean cuisine connoisseurs ourselves, we always get a little thrill when we know there’s a new one on the horizon we’ll soon get to try.
This fall, the newest to enter the scene will be NOPO Korean Bistro, a brand-new venture from seasoned Toronto chef Gabriel Jeon.
For his part, Jeon has a storied history spanning 15 years on the Canadian culinary scene, including a stint as a sous chef at an Italian restaurant, but a decade of his experience has been dedicated to perfecting the art of Korean cuisine.
This fall, he’s finally getting the chance to put all he’s learned in the spotlight with his very own restaurant.
Jeon will be joined by a crew of five talented chefs, all well-versed in both Western and Korean cuisines and together, they’ll be churning out a one-of-a-kind menu that’s steeped in traditional Korean flavours, prepared with modern twists.
“Our idea was to create a space where Korean cuisine meets Western influences, offering a fresh yet familiar dining experience,” Jeon tells Dished Toronto.
Even the restaurant’s name pays homage to familiar Korean dining traditions, he explains.
NOPO is derived from a Korean word that refers to longstanding neighbourhood taverns — what the old corner pub is to an English town — and the cuisine on offer is, similarly, inspired by classic anju, or bar foods.
The menu is set to feature a variety of Korean-inspired small plates and bar foods, all of which have been reimagined using contemporary and Western cooking techniques. You may think you’ve seen the ceiling for Korean cuisine in Toronto, but NOPO promises to offer something entirely new.
On the inside, the restaurant will similarly embody the NoPo tradition, with warm interiors that are comfortable and conducive to conversation while still offering a sleek, luxurious experience.
“The vibe will reflect the warmth of traditional Korean taverns but with a modern edge,” Jeon tells Dished Toronto: “inviting, energetic, and designed to bring people together.”
If that’s the case, I think we could all use a little more NOPO in our lives — but we’ll have to be prepared to wait for it.
The exact opening date for NOPO has yet to be announced, as the team is hard at work with renovations, getting every detail perfect, but they’re aiming to open their doors in October of 2025.
We hate to rush along what little summer we have left but let us be the first to say that October can’t come soon enough.
NOPO Korean Bistro
Address:5523 Yonge St., North York
Opening:Â Fall 2025
Still hungry? Discover Dished Toronto on TikTok