🥟 Canada's First Din Tai Fung is Finally Opening

Gooooodmorning there!

Welcome to the April 11th edition of Noms Mag weekly rundown!

Good news - it looks like we’re in the clear and rain is NOT forecasted for the next 7 days. But ofcourse, that could change at any moment here…

Well, in today’s weekly rundown:

• 🥟 Din Tai Fung finally opening?!

• ✂️ Free kids meal if they win rock paper scissors?

• ☝️ Lots of events happening!

Let’s dive into this week’s rundown!

🌸 CHERRY BLOSSOM FOOD FEST KEEPS BLOOMING!

Did you get your hands on one of the Cherry Blossom Food Fest items yet?!

From March 14 - April 27, the 2nd annual self-guided Vancouver Cherry Blossom Food Festival is on with over 50+ adorable, cute, and delicious cherry blossom inspired treats!

And ofcourse, the Festival Passport and Festival Missions are back. Collect stamps with each festival purchase and complete missions to gain entries to win amazing prizes!

By attending the festival, you are supporting local food businesses! 100% of all festival item sales goes directly back to the vendor!

🌟NEW & COMING SOON FOOD SPOTS

1.🥟 Canada’s First Din Tai Fung Opening Soon - The iconic Taiwanese dumpling spot opens in Downtown Vancouver April 24.

2.🌊 Small Victory opens stunning oceanside café - Enjoy coffee and pastries with waterfront views at Marina Crescent!

3.🥗 New Korean brunch cafe opens - The Green offers delicious, healthy twists on classics in East Vancouver.

4.🍞 Sio Bread soft opens in Vancouver - New café offers unique salt bread and poke bowls in Chinatown.

5.☕️ Popular tea brand returns with pop-up - Paragon Tea Room opens at Pacific Centre, offering signature drinks and bubble waffle.

6.🫖 [UPDATED] Popular Chinese jasmine tea brand debuts in Richmond - Molly Tea to open first BC location at Union Square.

7.🌮 Taco Bell finally arrives in Vancouver - The first downtown location opens on Granville Street!

👉 Check out 10 more new restaurants that have opened here.

🪦CLOSED & CLOSING SOON FOOD SPOTS

1.🍽️ Missing Chopsticks to close its doors - Highly rated French-Asian eatery in Richmond announces final service.

2.🧀 Downtown's wine, meat & cheese bar closes - Salt Tasting Room has quietly shut its doors in Chinatown.

3.🍜 Ramen One bids farewell - The Ichiran-inspired ramen spot on West Broadway announces upcoming closure.

4.🍜 Pho restaurant closes 1 of 3 Richmond locations - Pho 37's original spot at Union Square has shut down.

5.🚫 Downtown gourmet grocery spot closes - Meinhardt Pacific Centre permanently shuts its doors after 10 years.

👉 Or check out 10 more restaurants that have closed recently here.

📖 THIS WEEK’S VIBES

💰 DEALS THAT MATTER

1.👶 Free Children's Meal Challenge at Tai Er - Kids under 12 yrs old who win 2 rock paper scissor games over a Taier server wins a free children's meal! Available until May 8; participate in-store to win toys or juice.

2.🍗 T&T Supermarket New Whole Chicken Flavours - 2 new flavours released: Roasted Garlic & Spicy Mala for $12 only. Tried the former and was surprised by how good it was for the price.

3.🍜 BOGO Pho Specials at Mui Ngo Gai - Buy One, Get One Free Duck & Bamboo Noodle Soup (Apr. 12 - 13); located at 2052 Kingsway; dine-in only 10 AM -4PM

4.🎉 April & May Birthday Discount Deal at Mui Ngo Gai - Your age = your discount % off; Valid for April, or May birthdays; reservations required 3 days in advance; special birthday menu applies. 🥳

5.🔥 Lunch Combo for Two at Gokudo Shabu Shabu - Enjoy a pot each with meats, veggies, and dessert for $39.99; available Monday to Friday, 11:30 AM - 4 PM; dine-in only; available at Burnaby & Richmond locations (cred. gudfoodnolai)

6.🍽️ 50% OFF Swe-dish Thursdays at IKEA returns - Enjoy 50% off main dishes! Valid from February 20 to June 5, 2025; dine-in only, valid after 11 AM; must present IKEA Family Card.

🗓️ EVENTS TO KNOW ABOUT

1.🌸 [FESTIVAL] Vancouver Cherry Blossom Food Festival 2025 (March 14 - April 27] - self-guided food festival featuring cherry blossom-inspired items from 20+ top cafes and bakeries; throughout Metro Vancouver

2.🍺 [FESTIVAL] Brewhalla Beer and Music Festival (Apr 11) - craft beverages, music, food, and games; @ The Shipyards, North Vancouver; 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM; TICKETED

3.🌸 [FESTIVAL] Sakura Days Japan Fair (Apr 12 - 13) - celebrate Japanese culture with food, performances, and games; @ VanDusen Botanical Garden; TICKETED

4.☕ [EVENT] Walk-in Coffee Tasting & 'Brewtorial' (Apr 3 - Jul 3) - explore a range of coffee flavors in a welcoming setting; @ 491 Sperling Ave, Burnaby; 11 - 11:15 AM; TICKETED

5.🐣 [FAMILY] Baby Animal Easter Days (April 12 - 20) - enjoy adorable baby animals and Easter egg hunts at the farm; @ Maan Farms, 790 McKenzie Rd, Abbotsford; 10 AM - 5 PM; TICKETED (varies by type)

6.🌷 [MARKET] Vancouver Pop-Ups: Spring Market (Apr 13) - vibrant market with 40+ local vendors selling unique crafts; @ Heritage Hall, 3102 Main St, Vancouver; 11 AM - 4 PM; FREE

7.🐶 [EVENT] Bark & Yap High Tea (Apr 19) - delightful high tea event for dogs and owners; @ milk + honey Richmond; 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM; TICKETED

8.🍏 [EVENT] Pottery Night x The Cider House (Apr 23) - create your own pottery while enjoying cider; @ The Cider House Vancouver; 7:30 PM - 10 PM; TICKETED

9.🌸 [POP UP] The Spring Has Sprung Market (April 26 - 27) - Support local small businesses with 50+ vendors; @ Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street; 11AM to 5PM; FREE ADMISSION.

🗓️ Check out more events happening in Metro Vancouver here.

That's all for now! Stay toasty and have a delicious weekend :)

-Jason