🍦 Vancouver Ice Cream Fest Items RELEASED

Gooooodmorning there!

Welcome to the June 13th edition of Noms Mag weekly rundown!

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

• 🍦 All 60+ ice cream fest items released

• ☕️ New Korean cafe opens

• 🪦 Ba Le closing down OG spot

• 💸 $10 hamburger curry

• 👀 A lot of food events incoming

Let’s dive into this week’s rundown!

🍦ICE CREAM FEST ITEMS RELEASED

The Vancouver Ice Cream Festival is returning June 20 - Aug 4!

Beat the summer heat with over 60+ unique and limited-time ice cream and frozen desserts that are crafted by some of the top food spots in the city.

Some items we’re eyeing!

1. Whisk Matcha x Level V Bakery’s Matcha Matsuri Set

2. Nana’s Green Tea’s Yuzu X Black Tea Parfait

3. Mister’s Ube Ice Cream Donut

4. Broye Cafe’s Labubu Fantasy

5. Daan Go’s Durian Ice Cream Sandwich

This year, we’re also partnering up with Translink and Evo Car Share. That means you’ll be rewarded for taking the bus/skytrain or Evo to the festival!

Doesn’t that sound sweeeet?!

🌟NEW & COMING SOON FOOD SPOTS

1.☕️ New Korean cafe 'Moodbe' opens in Mount Pleasant - Serving Goldie's Donuts and specialty drinks.

2.🐟 Iconic fish & chips return with a twist - Noople to include Sea House's classics, now with noodles and dumplings.

3.🥐 Dope Bakehouse Goes Solo in North Van - Nemesis Coffee's bakery opens first standalone spot this summer with creative pastries.

4.🍝 Lucia set to open in Mount Pleasant - Modern Italian eatery with a West Coast twist opens June 13.

5.🍽️ Vancouver’s first Uzbek eatery debuts - Tashkent opens in International Village Mall offering authentic Uzbek cuisine.

6.🌶 New Northeastern Thai restaurant by Maenam team opening June 13 - Sainam debuts fiery Isaan dishes in Vancouver's West End.

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

🪦CLOSED & CLOSING SOON FOOD SPOTS

1.🔔 Iconic Banh Mi shop closure after 37 years - Ba Le Deli & Bakery's original location shuts due to redevelopment.

2.🔥 Burnaby hot pot spot listed for sale - Roadside Spicy Pot, known for Chengdu vibes, seeks buyer.

3.🔄 Burnaby eatery changes hands again - Sushi Bay shutters as Passion1818 Sushi Kaya takes over with sushi and izakaya.

4.🥡 Longtime Sichuan spot closing after 20 years - S&W Pepper House at Crystal Mall closing June 20th.

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

💰 DEALS THAT MATTER

1.🍛 Mr. Japanese Curry’s 5th Anniversary Specials - $10 Stewed Hamburger Curry or $7 Yuzu Amazake Soda; available June 9-14; near Broadway-City Hall in Vancouver.

2.🍵 Whisk Matcha Cafe & Level V Bakery 5th Anniversary Promo - 25% OFF drinks and food during first hour of opening 9AM - 10AM; spin the wheel, freebies, photo contests; June 14 - 15

3.🧋Sweet7 Richmond BOGO deal - Buy one, get one free on popular drinks; exclusive to Richmond location on UberEats until June 26.

5.🍦 McDonald’s Summer Deals - $1 small fountain drink, iced coffee or vanilla cone returns; $2 small fruit splash beverage or sundae; in app offer only

6.🍲 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

7.🔥 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!

8.🔥 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!

🗓️ EVENTS TO KNOW ABOUT

👉THIS WEEKEND

1.🌸 [FESTIVAL] Japan Market Summer Festival (Jun 14-15) - celebration with performances, cultural demos, and Japanese food; @ Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza; TICKETED

2.🍜 [POP UP] Ramen Butcher x Menya Shiki Ramen Collab (Jun 14) - limited 300 bowls of Tokyo's best creamy foam-style ramen; @ The Ramen Butcher Vancouver; TICKETED

3.🎉 [EVENT] The Alley Oop Street Party (Jun 14) - fundraiser with unlimited eats and live music; @ Alley Oop, between Granville & Seymour; TICKETED

4.🎧 [EVENT] Gastown Streetside Sessions (June 15, July 27, August 31) - Coffee, DJs, and morning vibes; @ Water Street, Gastown; FREE

5.🎮 [EVENT] Vancouver Retro Gaming Expo (June 14) - celebration of retro gaming with performers, panels, and tournaments; @ Anvil Centre New Westminster; TICKETED

6.🎉 [FESTIVAL] Pinoy Festival 2025 (June 14) - largest local Filipino Heritage Month celebration in BC; @ Swangard Stadium Burnaby; 9am to 10pm; FREE

👉NEXT WEEK+

5.🎉 [EVENT] Welk's 20th Anniversary Block Party (June 21) - Celebrate with sales, music, and freebies; @ Welk's General Store; all-day event; FREE.

6.🍦 Vancouver Ice Cream Festival 2025 (June 20 - Aug 4) - 30+ popular ice cream and dessert spots offering unique limited time items; around Metro Vancouver

7.🎉 [EVENT] Mount Pleasant Block Party (June 22) - free family event with live music, vendors, and Cream Pony donuts; @ E 6th & Main, Vancouver; 12-5PM

8.🎬 [EVENT] Summer Movie Nights (Thursdays, July 3 - August 14) - Free iconic outdoor movie series; @ šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza); starts at 5 PM; FREE

👉ONGOING

🌙 [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

🎉 [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

🗓️ Check out more events happening in Metro Vancouver here.

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

-Jason