Canada's first build-your-own pho restaurant opens in downtown Toronto
Renso Pho-Potle launches in late August at Queen West, letting diners customize every element of their bowl — broth, protein, rice, and toppings.
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Toronto is about to get its first build-your-own pho restaurant — and it's a first for all of Canada. Renso Pho-Potle is opening in late August at 506 Queen Street West, bringing a fast-service model to Vietnamese noodle culture.
The concept works like the Chipotle of pho: diners choose between traditional broth-based pho or "dry" (brothless) pho, then customize every element — the broth, protein, rice, and toppings — for their ideal bowl. The menu also features fresh rice paper rolls and shrimp fritters.
Renso Foods, a female-founded exporter of Vietnamese foods across 49 countries that's been in business for nearly 30 years, is helming the operation. "We saw an opportunity to bring something new to Canada, taking a dish people already love and making it more accessible, customizable and fast," says founder Linda Vu.
Chef Bich Nguyen, who developed the menu, said the team worked to honour traditional pho flavours while adapting them for modern life. "It's about balancing the integrity of the ingredients while making the experience simple and engaging for guests," she said.