Vietnamese 'Lunch Lady', praised by Anthony Bourdain, dies at Canadian airport

By Phan Anh May 21, 2025 | 12:22 am PT

Nguyen Thi Thanh, a Vietnamese chef, at her Lunch Lady restaurant in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Instagram/thelunchlady

Nguyen Thi Thanh, affectionately known as Vietnam’s “Lunch Lady,” died of cardiac arrest at 58 shortly after arriving at Toronto Pearson International Airport on May 19, the Toronto Star reported.

Thanh, renowned for her iconic street food restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City's Binh Thanh District, gained global recognition after American celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain featured her on his travel and food show "No Reservations" in 2009.

Bourdain, charmed by her culinary expertise, had affectionately bestowed upon her the nickname "Lunch Lady," turning Thanh into an international sensation.

Her death was announced via Instagram on May 20 by the Lunch Lady restaurant owners in Vancouver, who were preparing to welcome her for the launch of a new location in Toronto, originally scheduled for June 3.

"We were ready to welcome her. To honor her. To celebrate this moment together. And now, we are mourning an immeasurable loss," the post read.

Thanh was visiting Canada to assist with preparations for the new Toronto restaurant, her second international venture following the successful opening in Vancouver in 2020. The Toronto restaurant's opening has been postponed as staff and Thanh's family collaborate to return her to her homeland.

The Lunch Lady restaurant earned a devoted following for its daily rotating broth menu, reflecting cherished recipes handed down through generations of Thanh’s family.