Toronto’s Chinatown is buzzing with a new beat, and it’s not just from the city’s energetic nightlife. New Ho King, a Chinese restaurant that has been a staple in the area since 1975, is now at the forefront of a hip-hop battle that has spilled into the culinary world. In his latest diss track ‘Euphoria,’ Kendrick Lamar gave a local eatery an unexpected shout-out, and the business is feeling the rhythm of success.
The song, which has fired up Kendrick Lamar’s rivalry with Toronto’s own Drake, features the line, “I be at New Ho King eatin’ fried rice with a dip sauce and a blammy, crodie,” which has done more than stir the pot in the music industry. Since the release of ‘Euphoria,’ New Ho King has seen a significant surge in business, with fans flocking to the restaurant to taste the now-famous fried rice dish mentioned by Lamar.
The Impact of a Kendrick Lamar Endorsement
Johnny Lu, the owner of New Ho King, located at 410 Spadina Avenue, woke up to a whirlwind of attention. As he told CityNews, “This morning, a lot of people texted me saying that’s your restaurant? I say, ‘Yes.’ They say, ‘Look at the song,’” Lu relayed the excitement that has been good for business, with a plethora of five-star reviews pouring in from fans of the Compton legend.
The restaurant, well-known as an after-hours grub spot, has become the talk of the town. Patrons keep coming from as far as Markham to pay homage to K. Dot’s lyrical reference. One fan told CityNews, “I came all the way from Markham just to see this fried rice,” highlighting the power of celebrity endorsements in today’s culture.
However, the mention is not without its layers. Lamar’s words might be a playful jab at local Toronto slang or even a reference to an incident involving Drake back in 2009. Regardless of the intention, the outcome has been a bustling business for New Ho King and proof of the influence of hip-hop on public behavior.
