Six-seat noodle bar opening in North York this July

Eddie Yeung shuttered his Queen West noodle bar, Wonton Hut, in August 2025, but he always knew the story wasn't over. He just needed to recalibrate.

"Since then, I've been actively searching for the right spot and figuring out how to introduce traditional Hong Kong wontons to a much bigger audience. I knew I wanted a new concept that stripped away the noise of a regular restaurant so I could focus 100 per cent on the food," Yeung tells blogTO.

That concept is Fat Zhu Noodle Lab — a "micro-concept" opening this July in North York with only six stools and three tables. With a name that translates to "Fat Cow" in Chinese, the offerings will be decidedly lean.

The menu matrix consists of just three categories with two options under each: signature wontons or slow-braised brisket for the protein; thin egg noodles or rice noodles; and for broth, the classic wonton broth or a unique, spicy original inspired by Typhoon Shelter Crab, a famous Hong Kong dish.

"Right now, the food industry is slow, and many restaurants panic by adding too many items. This just confuses customers and creates kitchen waste," Yeung explains. "We are doing the exact opposite with an ultra-small, hyper-focused menu."

Yeung sees the ultra-small concept as ideally designed for weathering industry challenges while mirroring a traditional Hong Kong experience. "In a slow economy, a small space means zero food waste, fast turnover, and perfect quality control," he says. "Because space is limited, customers should expect a traditional Hong Kong-style table-sharing experience. It brings that high-energy, authentic street-food vibe to Toronto. You sit down, get a view of the open kitchen, and enjoy a fast, uncompromised meal."

"We aren't trying to please everyone. But if you crave a world-class wonton or perfect brisket, we built this place so you know exactly where to go," Yeung says.

Fat Zhu Noodle Lab will be located at 1 Byng Ave. and is slated to open this July.