Hidden within an unassuming Scarborough shopping centre, Di An has emerged as one of Toronto's most delightful culinary surprises, transforming a modest storefront into a lush Vietnamese dining oasis that transports guests thousands of miles away.
Opened in November 2024, Di An has already expanded to a second location in Markham, testament to the restaurant's instant popularity among Toronto's discerning food lovers seeking authentic Vietnamese flavours.
Step inside and you might forget you're in a strip mall entirely. The dining room is filled from floor to ceiling with hanging baskets and cascading artificial flowers, creating an atmosphere more reminiscent of a tropical greenhouse than a suburban restaurant. It's the kind of design choice that makes dining here feel like an escape.
Every meal begins with a complimentary pot of aromatic tea, setting the tone for the warmth and hospitality that defines the Di An experience. The tea pairs perfectly with the restaurant's impressive menu of flavourful soups, crispy spring rolls, and enormous bowls of steaming pho.
The bone marrow pho stands as a signature dish, featuring roasted marrow bones that lend a unique richness to the traditional broth, accompanied by sliced ribeye, beef balls, brisket, tendon, and tripe. The bun rieu cua with soft shell crab offers a luxurious take on the classic crab noodle soup, featuring a perfectly battered whole crab alongside the tangy tomato-based broth.
Perhaps most surprising is the deceptively simple com ga hoi an — shredded chicken with turmeric-infused rice and fresh herbs. Despite its humble appearance, this dish has won devoted fans with its tender, well-seasoned chicken and perfectly fragrant rice.
Di An also shines with its traditional Vietnamese desserts, including the chewy banh com mochi with green rice flakes and the beloved salted egg sponge cake with pork floss — an unexpected combination of sweet and savory that wins over even skeptical diners.
For Torontonians willing to venture beyond the downtown core, Di An proves that some of the city's best culinary treasures are hiding in plain sight.