Disclosure: This article is sponsored by Sésame Restaurants.
Sésame is one of those places you love coming back to year after year. I’ve been a regular since their very first location opened in Old Montreal back in 2011, and I still return with just as much pleasure—especially when new dishes and cocktails make their way onto the menu.
Recently, I was invited to try out the latest additions to the Sésame menu. I also took the opportunity to revisit a few of their signature dishes.
A Local Favorite for Every Occasion
For those who aren’t yet familiar with Sésame, it’s a Quebec-based restaurant chain offering Asian-inspired cuisine that’s accessible, flavourful, and refreshingly unpretentious.
The restaurant also focuses on sourcing locally whenever possible — from the chicken in its famous General Tao dish, which comes from local producers, to its Canadian Atlantic salmon.
The food is great, served in a relaxed atmosphere that makes you want to linger.
With nine locations across Montreal, Boucherville, Gatineau, Laval and Vaudreuil, Sésame has become a go-to spot for weekday lunches, dinners with friends, or a quick bite before a show.
Each location has its own personality, but they all share that same warm, welcoming vibe. Some, like the Saint-Bruno location, even offer a karaoke room to keep the night going!
What’s New on the Menu
Two new dishes were recently added to the menu: crispy orange beef and chow mein, which can be customized with chicken, shrimp, tofu, or beef.
Seated comfortably on the terrace of the Old Montreal location with my partner, we kicked off the meal with two of our favourites: the refreshing papaya salad and the delicious fried wontons.
As true professionals, we went ahead and ordered both of the new main dishes.
I had a real soft spot for the crispy orange beef: strips of beef stir-fried with fresh vegetables and coated in a sweet and tangy citrus sauce, brightened with a touch of sake. A modern and comforting take on a classic Asian favourite.
The chow mein, made with stir-fried wheat noodles and crisp vegetables in a house-made ginger and garlic sauce, was also a big hit. Simple, satisfying, and seriously delicious — the kind of dish you could eat again and again.
Another new addition, available at lunchtime, is the Bento Sakana Box, which includes a maple and gochujang salmon tartare, shrimp chips, papaya salad, and tempura shrimp. A great way to sample several dishes from the menu in a single meal.
Even More New Cocktails
When it comes to drinks, six new cocktails and mocktails have been added to the menu. The Hibiscus Litchi Royal — a sparkling, floral, and fruity cocktail — completely won me over.
My partner, for his part, went with a house gin and tonic, perfectly balanced and refreshing.
Other new additions include the Okinawa Espresso Martini, a passion fruit mojito, a spicy Margarita Fizz, the Hana Bloom mocktail made with hibiscus, and the Kalamansi Sunset, a floral, slightly tart slush.
These new creations — like the dishes themselves — are the work of Chef Martin Patenaude, who joined the Sésame team in 2022.
While he may work more behind the scenes than in the spotlight, Martin brings with him a wealth of experience in Quebec’s culinary scene. Raised in a family of market gardeners, he grew up surrounded by fresh, seasonal ingredients. After a brief foray into psychology studies, he found his way back to his true calling: the kitchen.
He spent over 12 years as corporate chef for President’s Choice, before continuing his career as a private chef and later specializing in food research and development. Today, he oversees the entire menu at Sésame — from dishes to cocktails.
For him, everything starts with the customer experience: nothing is left to chance. Each new item goes through a rigorous development process, from ideation and test kitchen trials to recipe standardization and staff training across locations.
And what are the favorite dishes of the chef and Sésame’s founder?
In a short email interview, I asked Chef Martin Patenaude and Sésame founder Vallier which dishes or drinks they never tire of.
While the founder can never resist the spicy salmon mini-poké and the classic General Tao, Chef Martin always has a soft spot for the spicy papaya salad, the maple and gochujang salmon tartare, or a well-chilled Kalamansi Sunset.
Definitely a few things to add to our order next time!
More News: Sésame at Home
You can now bring the Sésame experience home with their line of sauces available in grocery stores: General Tao, peanut, and Pad Thai — now offered in over 500 locations, including IGA. A perfect way to recreate your favourite dishes in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Whether it’s for a quick lunch, a festive dinner, or simply to explore their latest creations, Sésame remains a sure bet — and always worth a revisit. Check out their locations and full menu.
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Marie-Noël Ouimet is a writer and content creator specializing in gastronomy, wine, and travel. She is the founder of the digital magazine Urbaine City, where for over 10 years she has been highlighting the pleasures of the table and the destinations that bring them to life. She also holds the WSET Level 3 certification in wines and spirits.