Meet the Family Behind Soepa, Parkdale's Charming Food Discovery Shop Where Every Product Tells a Story

In an era of big-box grocery stores and endless supermarket aisles, one family in Toronto’s Parkdale neighbourhood is proving that shopping for food can still be a personal experience.

Step inside Soepa, and you’ll quickly realize it’s unlike anywhere else in the city. Yes, you’ll find exceptional espresso, fresh-pressed juices, artisan cheeses, Ontario craft beverages and imported pantry staples, but you’ll also discover yak cheese from the Himalayas, traditional Tibetan ingredients, family-made hot sauces and shelves filled with products chosen not because they’re trendy, but because they each have a story to tell.

Opened in 2022, Soepa (Tibetan for “fresh”) is the passion project of Chef Karma, his wife, Jenna Iacutone, and their daughter, Suki. The family also owns nearby Garleek Kitchen, the beloved Tibetan restaurant just down the street.

Soepa on Queen West in Parkdale, is the passion project of **Chef Karma**, his wife **Jenna Iacutone**, and their daughter. The family also owns nearby **Garleek Kitchen**, the beloved Tibetan restaurant just down the street.

Rather than opening another café or specialty grocery store, they envisioned something different.

“We wanted to create the neighbourhood food shop we always wished existed,” says Jenna. “A place where people could enjoy exceptional coffee, fresh-pressed juice, discover thoughtfully curated products, support local producers and explore foods from different cultures in a welcoming environment.”

Well, that vision has evolved into something much more than a place to shop. It’s become a neighbourhood gathering place where regulars stop in for their morning espresso, browse the shelves, ask questions about unfamiliar ingredients and often leave with something they’ve never tried before.

A Family Story Rooted in Tibet

Chef Karma behind the counter at Soepa, Parkdale.

Much of what makes Soepa unique comes from Chef Karma’s remarkable journey.

Born in Tibet, he spent part of his childhood living in a Tibetan monastery and travelling throughout the Himalayan region. Those early experiences shaped his appreciation for traditional foods and inspired the family to introduce Toronto to ingredients and flavours rarely found in traditional grocery stores.

Today, Soepa works with trusted family-owned importers to source authentic products from Tibet and Nepal while also supporting smaller producers in Italy and Spain.

“Our goal isn’t to stock everything,” Jenna explains. “It’s to curate products we truly believe in.”

The result is a carefully edited collection where quality always comes before quantity.

Discovering Something New

For many first-time visitors, one of the biggest surprises is the yak cheese.

It’s one of Soepa’s signature products and often sparks conversations between staff and curious customers eager to learn about Himalayan cuisine.

The shelves also feature Nepalese snacks, Tibetan specialty foods and a growing collection of products created by Chef Karma himself at Garleek Kitchen.

Alongside these Himalayan specialties, the family also curates pantry staples from Italy and Spain, believing they represent some of the world’s finest everyday ingredients.

“Whenever possible, we choose products from smaller producers and family-run businesses, allowing customers to discover foods with real stories behind them,” says Jenna.

Among the family’s proudest creations are handcrafted Sepen hot sauces, fermented daikon radish (muli) and roasted tsampa, the traditional roasted barley flour that has been a staple of Tibetan cuisine for generations.

These house-made products give home cooks the opportunity to experience authentic Himalayan flavours that are rarely available elsewhere in Toronto.

Celebrating Ontario Producers Alongside Global Flavours

While Soepa proudly celebrates Himalayan food traditions, supporting Ontario producers is equally important to the family.

The welcoming shop also carries locally made cheeses, artisan pantry staples, Ontario craft beer, wine and ready-to-drink beverages alongside carefully selected imports from Europe.

Fresh-pressed juices—recently brought back to Soepa after customers asked for their return—are made using produce sourced through the Ontario Food Terminal, with Ontario-grown vegetables taking priority whenever they’re in season.

Welcoming Espresso Bar

Serving premium Rufino Espresso beans, Soepa’s espresso bar has become a cornerstone of the business.

Whether neighbours are stopping in for a quick morning coffee, meeting a friend or lingering while exploring the shelves, the café has become part of the rhythm of daily life in Parkdale.

A True Neighbourhood Gathering Place

Community has always been central to Soepa’s mission.

The family regularly collaborates with neighbouring businesses and participates in local events, including Parkdale’s popular Night Market, where they recently introduced visitors to chatpate, a beloved Nepalese street food made with crushed instant noodles, fresh vegetables, herbs and aromatic spices.

For Jenna, Chef Karma and Suki, those moments capture exactly what Soepa was meant to be: a place where food starts conversations, introduces people to different cultures and brings neighbours together.

The next time you’re strolling along Queen Street West in Parkdale, make a stop at Soepa. You may come in for an espresso or a few pantry staples, but chances are you’ll leave having discovered something new — a unique Himalayan ingredient, a local Ontario favourite or simply the story behind a product you had never seen before.