Toronto Restaurant Named in Kendrick Lamar's Drake Diss Track Goes Viral

The fried rice chefs at New Ho King have their work cut out for them

Photo: LexnGer

BY Ben OkazawaPublished May 2, 2024

The aftermath of Kendrick Lamar's new diss track aimed at Drake has yielded surprising results for Toronto restaurant New Ho King. 

The longtime Chinatown staple is referenced in "euphoria" amidst Kendrick's Toronto slang-riddled bars: "I be at New Ho King eating fried rice with a dip sauce and a blammy, crodie / Tell me you're cheesin' fam, we can do this right now on the camera crodie."

In just two days since the song came out, New Ho King has been inundated with five-star online reviews featuring the "euphoria" lyrics and promises to visit as a result of Kendrick's influence.

"Never been to this particular establishment but I hear very good things about those fried rice [with] the dip sauce! Will definitely stop by during my next visit to Toronto," one reviewer wrote.

Another commented, "My L.A. crodie sent me here, told me the fried rice is superb. I tipped him $50 for his troubles. My stomach is happy, and I like the way that the owner dresses, talks and handles the customers."

The restaurant's owner Johnny Lu even told City News that he's trying to memorize the lyrics so he can rap along with the song and is certain the chefs will be especially busy making fried rice. 

"He said [we have] good food ... I see that Kendrick's a good guy," Lu said. 

If this beef becomes anything like the Biggie and Tupac-led East Coast vs. West Coast battles of the 1990s, Kendrick can take solace in knowing that he has at least one fan from Toronto in Johnny Lu.

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