Vancouver is about to break some ground when it comes to global culinary representation in Canada.
That's because Top Chef Canada season 11 winner Chanthy Yen is striking out on his own as co-owner and executive chef of contemporary Cambodian restaurant Touk.
Touk, which means "boat" in Khmer (the language of Cambodia), is moving in at 1152 Alberni St.
The Downtown Vancouver address was previously the home of Michelin Guide-endorsed Archer, which closed in May after at two-and-a-half-year run.
Yen's new concept will seat 50 guests in the dining room and five at the bar; the 2,295-square-foot space also has a second-floor area that will serve as a standing bar, called Loolaa, which can take 20 guests.
Among the design features of Touk will be "warm earthy tones and an original triptych by celebrated Cambodian artist FONKi, symbolizing Yen’s cherished food memories and the vibrant culture that inspires his cooking," according to a media release from Touk.
Yen started Touk in 2020 as a small pop-up during the pandemic in Montreal. For the Vancouver restaurant, he's teamed up with local restaurateurs Dave Loeuy, owner of Michelin Bib Gourmand–awarded Song, and Terrence Feng, from Song and its predecessor and sibling, Kin Kao.
Touk's food menu weaves together Cambodian and French influences, drawing on locally sourced ingredients executed with refined techniques. Guests can expect a mix of à la carte as well as prix fixe offerings.
On the beverage side, Touk's cocktail program is being developed by award-winning bartender Tara Davies (Chupito), complemented by a wine list that features mostly natural wines curated by Jayton Paul (Chez Céline) and Virginie Semery (St. Lawrence).
Yen was appointed executive chef at Kitchen Table Group's Giovane Bacaro restaurant in December 2023, and subsequently grew his role with KTG, overseeing more than 15 acclaimed restaurants as its Culinary Director. Previously, he was the executive chef at Yaletown's plant-based Nightshade, and also served as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's personal chef.
But Top Chef Canada gave Yen an incredible opportunity; he was the series' first Cambodian competitor and is also a member of the queer community.
"Cambodian food has not always been represented well," Yen told V.I.A. in 2024.
The show granted Yen an unprecedented platform to showcase the food of his homeland, which is often melded with cuisines like Vietnamese or Thai to seem more approachable to Canadian diners. Yen created and served his take on several Cambodian dishes throughout the season.
“I’ve always dreamed of a space where I could celebrate Cambodian cuisine in a way that feels authentic to me,” said Yen in the media release. “Touk is about honouring my roots while pushing the boundaries of what Cambodian food can be in today’s culinary landscape.”
Touk is aiming to be open in November 2025. Follow @toukyvr on Instagram.
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