Vietnam’s beloved ‘Lunch Lady’ dies after arriving in Toronto to open new restaurant
Published May 21, 2025 at 10:20 am
Upon arriving in Toronto to open a new restaurant inspired by her genius, Vietnam’s famous “Lunch Lady” has tragically passed away.
Mrs. Nguyễn Thị Thanh was also known as Cô Thanh, but was renowned around the world as the “Lunch Lady” for the noodle soups she served in Saigon starting all the way back in 1995. She was praised by Anthony Bourdain and other food experts, and eventually her food inspired a restaurant called Lunch Lady in Vancouver.
A new Toronto location of Lunch Lady was set to open on Ossington early next month, but upon arrival in the city Cô Thanh sadly passed away. The Lunch Lady Toronto page posted this heartfelt message to their social media.
With broken hearts, we share that Cô Thanh, the original Lunch Lady of Saigon, has suddenly passed away upon arriving in Toronto on May 19th.
She was on her way to celebrate the grand opening of The Lunch Lady Toronto, to be part of this next chapter and share the story she began decades ago in a small alley in Vietnam. She experienced cardiac arrest and although medical personnel worked tirelessly for over an hour to resuscitate her they were unable to revive her. She passed peacefully, with loved ones by her side.
We were ready to welcome her. To honour her. To celebrate this moment together. And now, we are mourning an immeasurable loss.
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.
We 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.
As such, the opening of The Lunch Lady Toronto, originally scheduled for June 3rd will be respectfully postponed. A new date will be shared when the time feels right.
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The social media post has nearly 4,000 likes and almost 300 comments from many food lovers offering their condolences following the tragic passing.