Gyopo, a Korean restaurant and brewery, is getting ready to open in Toronto at 1456 Dundas Street West.
The new concept is aiming to welcome customers by mid-April 2026, according to Toronto Life. Owners Juwon Lee and Hansang Lee, the brothers behind Gonzo Izakaya and Hansang, are partnering with business associate Hyunchan Jo and makgeolli maker Dohyeon Kim for the project. The team previously opened Kensei Bar, a Japanese-inspired listening bar at Dundas and Ossington. Customers can expect modern Korean cuisine alongside house-made makgeolli brewed on site.
Unlike traditional breweries, Gyopo will focus exclusively on makgeolli, a milky, lightly sparkling fermented rice wine. The beverage program will feature several flavour profiles, including jasmine, smoked, IPA style, basil, yuzu, and seasonal variations. The team tells What Now Toronto that Gyopo will be the first restaurant in Toronto to serve draft makgeolli. Production will take place in-house, with rice as the primary ingredient.
The food menu will lean slightly spicy and center on shareable small plates. Grilled Korean barbecue will play a key role, with dishes such as charcoal-grilled LA galbi, Dakgalbi, and Maek jeok pork. Additional offerings will include items like Korean oysters topped with Tabasco ponzu and horseradish aïoli. The goal is to balance authenticity with more modern interpretations of Korean cuisine.
Juwon Lee and Hansang Lee have built a following in Toronto through concepts that combine food and beverage-driven experiences. Their earlier projects introduced Japanese-inspired small plates and listening bar culture to the Dundas West area. With Gyopo, the group is shifting its focus to Korean culinary traditions and fermentation techniques.
The name Gyopo refers to ethnic Koreans living abroad, reflecting the owners’ identity and perspective as restaurateurs operating in Canada. Located along a busy stretch of Dundas Street West known for independent restaurants and nightlife, the space places Gyopo in the center of an active dining corridor. This will be an excellent landing space for the concept as it introduces draft makgeolli and a dedicated Korean rice wine brewery to the neighbourhood.
