Whether you scored tickets to BTS’s two sold-out shows or not, you can still join the ARMY spirit across Toronto. Three of the city’s top Korean-chef-led restaurants are rolling out BTS-inspired dishes, cocktails, and playlists for this weekend only.

Lyla, No Vacancy and 156 ONE FIVE SIX are cooking up BTS-inspired dishes and mixing cocktails and playlists from Aug. 21-23, the same weekend the global K-pop superstars are performing at Toronto’s Rogers Stadium on Aug. 22 and 23.

The restaurant activations are part of the wider excitement surrounding BTS’s Toronto stop, as the group’s massive ARMY fanbase descends on the city for the weekend. 

Restaurants are tapping into that fandom with menu names, Korean flavours and references recognizable to longtime BTS listeners.

Lyla

Queen West restaurant Lyla is giving several dishes and drinks a BTS treatment for the weekend.

Executive chef Daniel Kim, whose résumé includes Michelin-starred and Michelin Guide-recognized restaurants, is pairing the restaurant’s Mediterranean approach with Asian and Korean influences.

Borahae

Price: $25

The drink was inspired by the BTS-associated expression “I purple you,” and combines Valley of Mother of God gin, Lillet Blanc, Choya, soju, lychee, yuzu, and butterfly pea.

Yukhoe

Price: $25

Enjoy Lyla’s steak tartare, made with anchovy oil, pear gel, sous-vide egg yolk, and a twist — with a gochujang-Gouda crisp.

SWIM Platter

Price: $95

Lyla has renamed its Grand Plateau dish in a playful reference to BTS’s “SWIM.” The shareable dish includes caviar bites, oysters, cocktail shrimp, chef’s ceviche, bluefin tuna crudo and accompaniments.

156 ONE FIVE SIX

From sake to spritz drinks and kimchi, Queen West’s 156 ONE FIVE SIX has a variety of cocktails and food inspired by BTS.

Chef and partner Myeongseok “MJ” Jeong is tying his personal identity, shaped by his upbringing in Yeosu, South Korea, into his dishes. 

His original restaurant, 156 Cumberland, appeared in the Michelin Guide’s Toronto selection for three consecutive years before reopening on Queen West as 156 ONE FIVE SIX.

For BTS weekend, guests can try:

Hooligan Highball

Price: $21

This cocktail takes a BTS twist on the restaurant’s Shiso Highball, made with Toki whisky, Momotoro peach sake, shiso oleo and soda.

ARIRANG Afterglow

Price: $21

The restaurant is celebrating BTS’ arrival by enhancing its Asian Pear Spritz, combining pear eau-de-vie, Korean pear, pear oleo, lime, lychee boba and Prosecco.

BTS Naengmyeon

Price: $20

The chef took inspiration from naengmyeon, Korea’s iconic chilled noodle dish, and has paired it alongside kalbi.

Kalbi-Marinated Australian Wagyu Skirt Steak Ssam Platter, 6 oz

Price: $60

This BTS-inspired dish consists of a marinated Australian wagyu skirt steak served with ssamjang, chimichurri, house pickles, white kimchi, salad and lettuce wraps.

Sujebi Pasta

Price: $38

This pasta dish references Korean comfort food, with 156’s contemporary sujebi pairing hand-torn-style pasta with U10 scallops, perilla butter, guanciale crumbles and zucchini purée.

No Vacancy

The Korean-Italian kitchen, led by Chef Brian Kang, who has experience at Michelin-recognized restaurants, is bringing Korean flavours together with Italian ingredients and techniques this weekend.

BTS weekend features include:

Dynamite Bulgogi Arancini

Price: $23

No Vacancy’s famous Bulgogi Arancini has been renamed for BTS’ “Dynamite” hit, and the dish features crispy rice filled with marinated beef and Parmigiano Reggiano, served with kimchi aioli.

FIRE Gochujang Poutine

Price: $19

A BTS-inspired spin on the bar favourite, featuring fries, gochujang gravy, scamorza and scallion.

No Vacancy’s existing Korean-inspired cocktails will also be available, including Buonasera Seoul and Bae.

These cocktails and dishes are not affiliated with or endorsed by BTS, but the ARMY spirit will still be live. Check out the BTS-inspired cuisine before BTS leaves Toronto.