Yonge and College is emerging as Toronto's unofficial Thai hub

Phanom “Patrick” Suksaen has opened multiple Thai restaurants and recently launched Thai Mart at 496 Yonge St., creating a cluster of Thai food outlets and a grocer that stocks Thai ingredients.

Phanom “Patrick” Suksaen has opened more than a dozen Thai outlets across Toronto and recently opened Thai Mart at 496 Yonge St., contributing to a concentration of Thai eateries near Yonge and College. He moved to Toronto in 2008 from southern Thailand and trained as an engineer with a master's in information technology before working in local restaurants. Suksaen founded Jatujak in 2013 and Eat BKK in 2018 and later opened spots including Koh Lipe, Wang Lang, Savor and Kao Kang. Many of his downtown locations are compact and concept-driven, focusing on single dishes like boat noodles, papaya salad or oyster omelets, while Thai Mart combines a grocer, grab-and-go food and a small food hall. What we know: - Suksaen has opened multiple Thai restaurants in Toronto, with several clustered around Yonge and College. - Thai Mart opened at 496 Yonge St. in a former A&W space and includes a grocer plus sit-down and takeout stalls. - The mart stocks Thai ingredients and ready-to-eat items collected from various local Thai vendors and houses stalls such as Kati Gelato and Hi Hoi Tod. - Suksaen's wider restaurant group includes Jatujak, Eat BKK, Koh Lipe, Wang Lang, Savor, Kao Kang and a downtown outpost called 555 Boat Noodles focused on boat noodles. - Suksaen has said high downtown rents and competition make it unlikely the area will become an official "Thai Town," but he aims to create a small market where Thai businesses can connect. Summary: Suksaen's cluster of restaurants and the new Thai Mart have created a local hub for Thai food and ingredients near Yonge and College, bringing together independent vendors and restaurants. Undetermined at this time.