The ongoing Kendrick Lamar-Drake hip-hop beef is benefiting at least one institution. New Ho King, a Toronto Chinese restaurant that's been around since 1976, is enjoying newfound recognition after Lamar dropped a verse about the eatery in "Euphoria," his latest diss track aimed at Drake.
"I be at New Ho King eatin' fried rice with a dip sauce and a blammy, crodie," Lamar raps in the second part of "Euphoria" with a fake Toronto accent. He even drops some local slang in the following line, "Tell me you're cheesin', fam."
City News sent a reporter and a camera crew out to the restaurant in Toronto's Chinatown to interview the eatery's owner, Johnny Lu, about the newfound notoriety. He said that the restaurant's reviews on Google have spiked upward ever since the song was released. "Kendrick's a good guy, oh my God," Lu said to a reporter, as his phone continued to ping with new messages about the restaurant.
A customer interviewed by City News enthusiastically admitted he came to the restaurant after hearing the track. "I came all the way from Arkham just to see this fried rice," the unidentified customer said. "Kendrick Lamar, man, you got to pay respect to K-Dog. Ever since he dropped the diss track I was like I got to visit this place."
A quick check of New Ho King on Google reveals it has a four-star rating, and the newest reviews, all five-star, refer to Lamar. "One of the best restaurants in Canada! had to check it out if Kendrick said it was good did not disappoint friendly staff and great vibes highly recommend if you are near go visit!" reads one recent review.
Another reviewer wrote, "Kendrick sent me, can't wait to try the fried rice & dipping sauce when I go to Toronto."
Kendrick and Drake aren't the only ones serving beef. New Ho King has several beef dishes on the menu, including Spicy Crispy Shredded Beef, Beef Stir Frey with Oyster Sauce, and Beef Stir Fry Ginger Pineapple.
Lamar released "Euphoria" in response to Drake's diss track "Push Ups," in which the Toronto MC bragged that he's more popular than Lamar is in his hometown of Compton, Calif.
