Longtime HK Noodle Brand Opens Their Own Hot Pot Restaurant

Gooooodmorning there!

Welcome to the May 16th edition of Noms Mag weekly rundown!

Here’s what’s in today’s weekly rundown:

• 🤖 2 cashierless stores open

• 🪦 longtime pizzeria to shutter after 13 years

• 👀 A lot of food events this month!

Let’s dive into this week’s rundown!

🌸 FEST PASSPORT & MISSIONS WINNERS REVEALED

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Festival activities! And an extra big thanks for your patience as we reviewed 200+ mission completions and over 400 submitted passports!

We’ve officially drawn the prize winners at random. Please check the list below to see if your name is there!

🌟NEW & COMING SOON FOOD SPOTS

1.🫕 Deer One debuts in Richmond - New self-serve hotpot spot by OG HK noodle brand (Deer Garden) opens with unique ingredients.

2.🥣 New Chinese dessert spot in Richmond - Myth Dessert soft opens with customizable dessert soups under $10.

3.🥛 Ontario's 30-year-old tofu pudding shop lands in Vancouver - Yuan Soy Food opens May 16th in East Van with traditional soy treats.

4.🛍️ UBC debuts Canada's first 24/7 autonomous store on campus - Check out Gage Market's Amazon-powered Just Walk Out concept.

5.🛍️ Cashierless convenience in Vancouver - Aisle 24 Market opens its first 24/7 location on Robson.

6.☕️ Perfecto Cafe debuts on North Shore - Popular bakery cafe opens its chic third location in Lonsdale Quay.

7.🍔 Chinese burger spot Mo-Ment set to open - Mo-Ment brings crispy Chinese burgers to Granville Street soon.

8.🍩 Downtown Korean bakery opens new Yaletown spot - Unni Pastries now offers their signature cream donuts on Hamilton Street.

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

🪦CLOSED & CLOSING SOON FOOD SPOTS

1.🍕 Pizzeria Farina announces closure after 13 years - Beloved Main Street pizza spot closing May 31st.

2.🥯 Vancouver's Asian inspired bagel brand Bagel Day closing soon - Last day on May 31 with a goodbye party on May 17.

3.🔔 West End Korean Fried Chicken Spot For Sale - Kyochon’s Robson location listed less than a year after opening.

4.🌮 End of an Era: La Taqueria closes its original spot - Iconic Vancouver taqueria shuts this May, farewell fiesta planned.

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

💰 DEALS THAT MATTER

1.🍜 Celebrate Kinton Ramen's 13 Anniversary - Signature bowls from $9.99 on May 18; dine-in only at all Metro Vancouver locations.

2.🎉 Matcha Cafe Maiko Anniversary Promo - Buy one, get one 50% off (lesser value); valid May 17-18; purchase with over $10 get 1 free lucky draw purchase, and try the weekend-exclusive Banana Custard Matcha Latte!

3.🍝 Wasuta Pasta’s 4th Anniversary Bash - $4 off all pastas, crab cream croquette, and mocktails; valid May 16-18; first 4 daily tables get free pasta coupon, next 10 get 20% off coupon.

4.🍲 Summer Hotpot Combo at Haidilao - Refreshing hotpot with broth, noodles, sides, and refillable drinks for $16.95; available Mon-Fri, 11AM-4PM at Brentwood only

5.🔥 Kokoro Happy Hour Offers Free Treats - Members enjoy free snacks during Happy Hour; times vary by location; specials include Karaage, Gyoza, Ice Cream, Takoyaki, and drinks!

6.🔥 Kohaku Happy Hour Freebies - Free treats during Members Only Happy Hour at Kohaku Tendon; available Downtown and Metrotown: Mon-Fri, 2-6PM, Brentwood: Mon-Fri, 2-9:30PM; daily specials include Karaage, Ice Cream, Takoyaki, and drinks!

7.🍽️ 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] Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden Tea Festival (May 17) - explore diverse tea traditions with workshops and tastings; @ Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, Vancouver; 10am-5pm; TICKETED.

2.🥯 [EVENT] Siegel's Bagels Anniversary Party (May 16) - celebrating 35 years of fresh Montreal-style bagels; FREE ½ dozen bagels + cream cheese for the first 100 guests; @ Siegel's Bagels Cornwall location; 9AM -1 PM; FREE

3.🌙 [EVENT] Shipyards Night Market (May 16 - Sept 12) - culinary delights, artisan vendors, live music and beer garden; @ Shipbuilder's Square, North Vancouver; Every Friday 3pm - 10pm; FREE

4.🎢 [EVENT] Playland 2025 Opening Weekend (May 17 - Aug 15, 2025) - BC's famous amusement park with rides and attractions; @ Playland, Vancouver; 11:00 AM; TICKETED

5.🎉 [FESTIVAL] Richmond Night Market (Apr 25 - Oct 13) - over 600 food options, shopping, and entertainment, plus a zipline; @ 8351 River Road, Richmond; 7pm - 12am Fri/Sat, 7pm - 11pm Sun; TICKETED

6.☕ [POP UP] Hiyori Coffee Special Weekend (May 17 - 19) - Enjoy AeroPress coffee with Japanese sweets at a unique pop-up; @ 269 East 6th Ave, Vancouver; 10am - 3pm

7.🛍️ [POP UP] Vancouver Etsy Co Spring Pop-Up (May 17 + 18) - shop artisan goods, local treats & coffee; @ Pipe Shop, North Van; 11 AM - 5 PM; TICKETED

8.🪩 [EVENT] AM Groove V3 Live (May 30) - pre-work dance party at coffee bar; @ FUNK. Coffee Bar, Vancouver; 7-9 AM; FREE

9.🚣‍♀️ [EVENT] VESSI 500 Championship (May 31) - Canada's 2nd largest regatta, plus markets and food; @ Milton Wong Plaza, Olympic Village; 9 AM to 5 PM; FREE

10.🌿 [FESTIVAL] Celtic Picnic June 2025 (June 7 - 8) - largest open-air Celtic celebration with live music and cultural showcases; @ 80 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver, BC; 4 PM on June 7 to 10 PM on June 8; TICKETED

🗓️ Check out more events happening in Metro Vancouver here.

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

-Jason