LAN Restaurant
755 QUEEN STREET EAST M4M1H3 Toronto, ON, Canada

What an amazing EAST END COMMUNITY I live in. And the truth is I always knew that. I am so OVERWHELMED by the KINDNESS people have reached out to offer two Ubereats Drivers that I have referenced in my previous stories. In my life, I NEVER stop believing that there are more GOOD people than bad in the world. And the good news is: I AM RIGHT. From my personal stories that I take courage to share with you, YOU MUST NOT LOSE FAITH IN HUMANITY. Thank you for all the wonderful p...eople who have reached out to offer FREE BIKES and money contribution to the two UBEREATS drivers. When they come to pick up orders from our restaurant the next time (hopefully tomorrow), I will ask them and I will keep you all posted if they need the regular bikes. And about the money contribution that you offer to help, please allow me NOT TO ACCEPT ANY. From the stories I share with you, I never have any intention to ask for donation. My purpose is simply to remind you to always be a little kinder than necessary, and to be grateful for the little things you have in your life because there are many people less fortunate than you. Social media is a very scary place, and money is such a sensitive subject. So I just don’t want to be misunderstood or viewed with suspicion for this sensitive topic. But you do NOT need to worry. Because I will continue to do my part, to help them out within my ability. If they come to me, I will make sure they have delicious food to eat (sometimes it could be fresh heathy fruits). My husband and I will do our best, to contribute some $$$ (within our ability) to help them. In the end, whenever there is a human in need, there is an opportunity for my husband and I to help, and to make a difference. And to the people who don’t trust me at all, as the sun makes ice melt, I truly hope LOVE and KINDNESS make misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to EVAPORATE. No matter what you think of me, I will always do my best to keep sharing the best parts of my heart with those around me. Take care, stay safe, be happy, and thank you, everyone!!!

This is a picture of my youngest kid studying and wearing mask at Lan Restaurant (everyday and always). This deadly CORONAVIRUS knows no age limits. Sudden deaths in young people have become more common in this third wave of the pandemic. Please wear your mask and wear it the right way . Please help protect young children, and everyone ! And PLEASE Don’t Gather. PLEASE Don’t Be Selfish.

Dear Lisa and Joe! My newest employee (my son) was working with me when your husband came to pick up the order. My son was extremely happy when he received your gift. Dear Lisa and Joe!!! Is the world good or bad? Are people kind or evil? There were many times I was misunderstood and viewed with suspicion (when I decide to share my stories on social media). But there were also many times people have reached out to me and offered their help and generosity (without even kno...wing me in person) , just like you and your husband. If you look at the branches of a tree in a storm, it looks like the wind will knock it down. But if you look at the trunk, you see it’s stability . I guess, in life, sometimes you just need to look harder to see the beauty . As for me, you and your husband , are one of the reasons why I choose to LOVE LIFE, and LOVE PEOPLE, despite all the challenges I face. On behalf of my children, thank you from the bottom of our hearts, Lisa and Joe !!!

My Second Story: Last night (Friday) at 9:10 pm at LAN Restaurant, somebody kept knocking on our front door when we were already closed. I came out to open the door, it was the Ubereats driver I talk to almost everyday (He graduated from Centennial College last year but still could not find a job in his professional field, so Ubereats has become his full time job since then. He picks up Ubereats orders at our restaurant almost everyday. But last week his E-bike was stolen, so... now he is doing Ubereats job by WALKING (until he makes enough money to buy a new E-bike). He asked : LAN, I know you are closed now. I am so sorry to bother you this late, but please help me if you could. I forget that I do not have enough loonies and toonies for bus tickets and for doing laundry tomorrow morning. So I give you the $10 bill, and is it possible for you to get me loonies, toonies, and 25 cents coins. I am so sorry to bother you, LAN. I said: Of course, I can certainly help you with that. Just wait here, and give me 2 minutes to get you the coins. I came out 2 minutes later to give him all the loonies, toonies, and 25 cents coins he needed. He gave me the $10 bill, but I did NOT take his money. I said : Don’t worry about this. Just keep your $10 bill. I am NOT taking it He said: NO WAY, LAN. Why? You cannot do this. You have to take this. You work so hard too, you must take this, because I am not taking your money. Then he put the $10 bill in my hand. I fought with him, and I gave him back his money. I said: Don’t worry, I made more than $10 tonight. I really want to give you some food for dinner, unfortunately our kitchen is already closed. So take the $10 bill and buy yourself a delicious dinner from any local place. That’d make me happy. He said: Why doing this, LAN? Tell me what you want or what can I buy for you next time? I said: Don’t worry about this. I don’t need anything because I have everything I need. Just take care of yourself, work hard, stay safe and stay happy. That’d make me happy. He said: OMG, LAN. You are so sweet. Thank you so so much, LAN. Pls take care, and I’ll see you tomorrow . And this is how we ended our conversations last night. Well, my husband and I- we make good money with our businesses. But my parents have always taught me: Success is NOT about how much money I make, it’s about the DIFFERENCE I MAKE in people’s lives. And that’s why I choose to LOVE LIFE, I choose to LOVE PEOPLE, despite all the challenges I face. Yes, Social media is a very scary place. While bullying is not a new concept, social media and technology have brought bullying to a new level. But I don’t have to be afraid because I always stay true to myself. I don’t have to be afraid because I believe I am doing and sharing the right thing with you. Thank you for reading my stories! Take care, stay safe and have a good night, everyone! -LAN-

When it comes to CORONAVIRUS, Don’t Worry Is an Act of SELFISHNESS. Sudden deaths in young people have become more common in this third wave of the pandemic. This deadly virus knows no age limits. This is why my husband, my kids and I stay home as much as we can, we wear masks when we go to work at LAN Restaurant (at the front, IN THE KITCHEN-always), and we wear them PROPERLY (my employees, my husband and I, even my 5-year-old kid) (NOT wearing the masks on our chins) to keep our family, our customers, delivery drivers SAFE. We Take The Coronavirus Pandemic Seriously, ALWAYS. Please remember: You have to wear the right mask and wear it the right way because masks work but they have to be worn correctly for them to have the effect we need them to. And PLEASE Don’t Gather. PLEASE Don’t Be Selfish.

Erica sent me a private message: My son and his boss go eat at your restaurant very often. Your kindness never goes unnoticed. I do my best always to stay kind and uplifting like you. You are a light in such times especially in our area. Stay well, stay safe, be successful and beautiful throughout . Thank you for these beautiful words, Erica! Thank you, from the bottom of my heart! -LAN-

My First Story: Friday Night, Lan Restaurant at 8:30pm, Uncle George came to pick up an order for his ex-wife (she is dealing with her cancer treatment right now), and I call him Uncle because I truly consider him as my extended family (NOT just my customer). George said : LAN, this time you must take the money, otherwise I would feel so bad. Don’t do this to me again. I answered: Don’t worry Uncle George, you will have plenty of time to pay me back, when your ex-wife... fully recovers. And I’m so looking forward to that day, Uncle George! In the meantime, pls take care of yourself, pls take care of Susan (his ex-wife), and pls take care of the baby. George responded: Oh dear Lan. Now we are going under a complete lockdown again, so when we will be able to talk to you again , LAN? I said: No worries, Uncle George, Deep in my heart, we are talking almost everyday George said: Dear LAN, God bless you and your family . Please take care and hang in there, please don’t give up okie I answered: I will , I will still be here until Susan fully recovers. Please tell Susan that we all have our battles to fight ! So stay strong ! This is how we ended our conversations ! And this is why I choose to love life, I choose to love people, despite the challenges I face. Take care and Have a good night, everyone

There's been a lot of rumours lately, about us and our business. People will believe what they want to believe and I don’t have any need to explain myself to those who misunderstand me. To all the people who BELIEVED IN ME, THANK YOU. You are amazing people who remind me why it’s all worth it at LAN RESTAURANT.

OMG! Most of takeout orders are PICKED UP by our wonderful customers tonight! Not just that, People start using EATMEALFIRST for delivery (because it takes the LOWEST COMMISSION FEES for our restaurant). OMG, my hard work- it pays off! Customers start listening and responding to what is BEST for our restaurant! It means you really want us to hang in longer! And I promise you that I’ll hang in there (especially after all the LOVE and KINDNESS I have received from my wonderful customers- my wonderful community ). Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!

You don’t know me, so what I have to say might not be important to you right now. But if you take just one moment and, read my words, I’d like to share with you my story at LAN Restaurant. Last 4 weeks, I helped an Ubereats driver when she was in trouble. Since then, we became friends (I already shared this part with you in my previous post). Yesterday night, she visited me again at my restaurant around 8:30pm (15 minutes before our closing time). She asked: LAN, how are yo...u doing tonight? I guess it’s almost time for you to go home , right? I hope you have a busy day. For me, I only made $18 tonight (including customers’ tips). I have to pay $7 for bus tickets, it means I made only $11 tonight. Very little but I appreciate it very much, especially thinking back about the most difficult time when I got divorced and didn’t even have a penny in my pocket. So I know that you are exhausted right now, but you have beautiful kids and a very happy family, and that’s all that matters in life, so hang in there Lan. After that, we were talking a bit about our current challenges. And before we ended our conversations, I told my husband to make her crispy wontons and curry chicken for her dinner . She looked so shocked, and extremely happy at the same time. She said : Omg LAN, I came here to give you some encouragements, not asking for this LAN. But thank you so so so much . Nobody has ever done anything like this for me. She almost cried. I almost cried. I am struggling, I am surviving every day at LAN too. But during my struggle, I am still able to help people, and I still find my happiness in helping others. Nearest and dearest to my heart, kindness makes me happy. Yes, Making money is a happiness; but do you also know that making other people happy is a SUPER HAPPINESS? Things can happen in life where I’ll suddenly find myself at the downside of hope (especially during the pandemic). However, when I focus on a bigger picture and larger purpose of my life, I will find inspiration to believe again. No matter what happens, I can always find HOPE in people, in my communities. I have read somewhere, it said : When you open your heart to feeling, rather than responding with why or why me? you have a great opportunity to transform your circumstances into your destiny. The truth is, life doesn’t always give me what I think I want; life gives me what’s perfect. But perfection only becomes my experience depending on how I choose to respond to what happens. In the end, this is what I choose: I choose to LOVE LIFE, I choose to LOVE PEOPLE, despite the challenges I face. I wish you nothing but the best, and I believe in my heart that you can have a happy, and healthy life full of LOVE. Take care and stay safe, everyone! -LAN-

SMILE. It is my BEST ANSWER for those who wish to destroy me !!!

It has been more than a year. Over half a million dead. And people are still acting so selfish. So the people who are doing the right thing (like us) have to do the right thing even LONGER . But how much longer and when will we return to normal? Because I AM MORE THAN JUST TIRED ... You see me smile but the truth is I AM BURNING OUT at LAN Restaurant.

I’m all about supporting local small business. We try to do so almost 3-4 times a week. However, lately, I notice a few local places where employees DON’T WEAR THEIR MASKS , or , NOT WEARING THEM PROPERLY. With the fact that many of us (including ourselves at LAN Restaurant) have been going above and beyond to be extremely responsible and to keep our family, and people safe. It’s scary and extremely disappointed to see places WITHOUT MASKS. If the numbers keep going up like t...hat, I don’t think the province is going to have any choice but to keep shutting businesses down. So, PLEASE WEAR YOUR MASKS, PLEASE DON’T RUIN IT FOR EVERYONE ELSE. Everyone hates the situation we are in right now, and even for us, we don’t even know how we are going to survive in a long run , but we gotta do our best to follow COVID-19 Guidelines. We will come through this TOGETHER- and TOGETHER IS THE ONLY WAY WE CAN BEAT COVID-19! So please wear your mask, and thank you !!! -LAN- See more

Good News! A new employee has joined our wonderful team at LAN Restaurant. Our benefits are as follows: - Meals: McDonald’s (breakfasts), Delicious Vietnamese Meals at LAN Restaurant (Lunches), Milk, Smoothies, Ice cream, Macaroons, Donuts, Fruits for Snacking, Takeout Dinner (once a day) - Comic books, Dragon Ball Z Trading Cards , LEGOs, Watching Vietnamese Channels, Gym Exercises for entertainment activities. - Dancing, Playing, Drawing, Writing, Learning French , Doing M...ath, Singing, during our slow hour at LAN Restaurant. - Cottage time on the weekend Two more will be joining our team at Lan Restaurant when they get older. Thank you for your wonderful support, so we could afford to pay our EMPLOYEES at LAN Restaurant. Our three EMPLOYEES work so hard at LAN Restaurant, and they deserve the BEST. THEY ARE MY LIFE, and I’ll always do MY BEST for THEM !!!

PLEASE ORDERING FROM OUR RESTAURANT DIRECTLY (647-748-7388) (and PICKING UP) IF YOU WANT OUR RESTAURANT TO RECOUP SOME COSTS. PLEASE ORDERING FROM OUR RESTAURANT DIRECTLY (647-748-7388) (and PICKING UP) PICK UP IF YOU DON’T WANT US TO LEAVE THIS NEIGHBORHOOD! Thank you, and Enjoy the beautiful weather , everyone !!!

Last 3 weeks, I helped an Ubereats driver when she was in trouble, and since then, we became friends. She came to visit me tonight at LAN Restaurant at 6pm. She said : LAN, It’s a quite night for me today. I only received 2 Ubereats orders tonight. So I just want to drop by your restaurant just to tell you that you look very beautiful, and I can tell that you have a very beautiful heart. I know it’s very tough for you during the pandemic, but stay strong , and don’t give up. Hang in there , Lan, and May God bless you and your family. P/s: What have I learned tonight??? Well, I have learned that sometimes, A Simple Compliment Can Make a Big Difference. In the end, please remember: We rise by lifting othersRobert Ingersoll. Good night, everyone!

Although the commission fees of third party delivery have long been troublesome for restaurants, the COVID-19 crisis has made restaurants’ financial situations more TENUOUS THAN EVER. My husband and I have been working way TOO HARD (just to survive at LAN restaurant), and I believe that many restaurants across Ontario have also struggled to stay afloat during the pandemic. And now, Canada’s Ontario issues stay-at-home order as COVID surges. It means we now NEED YOUR SUPPORT M...ORE THAN EVER. If you want to support small local businesses (like us) through this crisis; please keep in mind HOW EVEN THE SMALLEST CHANGE, like ORDERING FROM OUR RESTAURANT DIRECTLY (647-748-7388) (and PICKING UP) CAN HELP US SO IMMENSELY. PLEASE PICK UP IF IT’S POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO DO SO! When I thought I couldn't go on any longer at LAN Restaurant, you gave me the STRENGTH and HOPE I needed to keep moving forward at LAN Restaurant. Thank you for supporting us, and other local businesses, during our most difficult time. I will always remember your kindness and support! Please take care and stay safe ! -LAN-

All of our hard work, all of our sacrifices, all of our sleepless nights, struggles, it all pays off. Today, I wear my best Feng Shui Color for my personal energy, because I am celebrating my 11th wedding anniversary !!! Other things, may change us, but my husband and I- we always start and end with our family . I'm one of the luckiest people on earth.