⭐️ 12+ New & Closing: Largest Udon Chain Coming To Richmond

Gooooodmorning there!

Welcome to the Dec 19th edition of Noms Mag weekly rundown.

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

• 🇯🇵 world’s largest udon chain spotted opening in Richmond

• 🍪 massive cookie brand spotted in Richmond

• 🤖 first robot bbt shop shuts down

• 🥂 NYE dinner spots to book now

Let’s dive into this week’s rundown!

🌟NEW & COMING SOON FOOD SPOTS

1.🍜 World’s largest udon chain heads to Richmond - Marugame Udon is set to open at CF Richmond Centre.

2.🍩 Korean donut shop opens massive cafe on Fraser - Viral Goldie’s Donut & Bakery brings its cream-filled delights to Vancouver.

3.🥖 New bakery mystery unveiled - Baking Factory opens takeout-only across from Aberdeen Centre in Richmond.

4.🇲🇾 Richmond's Malaysian gem debuts in Burnaby - John 3:16 Malaysian Delights opens its fourth location with a tasty launch promo.

5.☕️ Hidden cafe gem opens on Robson - Guffo Cafe quietly unveils a new spacious location in downtown Vancouver.

6.🍵 Matcha pop-up anchors on Main Street - Mitchie Matcha to debut its first cafe this January.

7.🍪 Viral cookie brand to open in Richmond - Crumbl Cookies lands at Ironwood Plaza, bringing sweet treats closer.

8.⭐️ New Philly cheesesteak spot opening - Crave Cheesesteaks replaces 911 Pizza with authentic East Coast sandwiches.

9.🎉 Top Chef Winner Chanthy Yen opens TOUK on Alberni - First-ever contemporary Cambodian restaurant in Canada debuts.

10.☕️ Slo Coffee opens sanctuary in Downtown - New calming cafe with popular drinks and pastries on Granville Street.

11.🍣 Beloved Richmond poke spot returns with new friends - Pokey Okey opens a "mini food hall" in Richmond.

12.🇵🇭 4.7-Star Filipino spot opens in Burnaby - Chibugan ‘To launches a take-out only shop on Kingsway.

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

🪦CLOSED & CLOSING SOON FOOD SPOTS

1.🤖 Robot bubble tea shop closes after 1.5 years - Richmond's Tea Industries bids farewell.

2.🍜 Wo Fung Noodle House closing after 30 years - Richmond’s iconic spot shuts down.

3.🫖 Main Street High Tea spot closes unexpectedly - Tea Thyme Cafe shuts down after two years in business.

4.🇵🇭 Goldilocks Main Street closing after 18 years - The beloved Filipino bakery announces it will close in Spring.

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

💰 DEALS THAT MATTER

1.🧋 Boba BOGO at SunTea Gilmore - Buy 1 get 1 free regular boba milktea; available Dec 18 to Dec 21; visit #115 - 4112 Lougheed Hwy, Burnaby from 3pm to 9pm.

2.☕️ Dario Grand Opening Special - Free 1-Month Drink Pass for first 100 guests; $1.99 members-only pricing on Drink Pass menu; Dec 21, 12-6 PM at Dario, 2790 W Broadway, Vancouver; sign up to get $15 store credit.

3.🍜 10% Off at John 3:16 Malaysian Delights Burnaby Grand opening promo - enjoy 10% OFF your bill when you dine in from December 18 to January 31; open Monday to Saturday, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM & 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM at 5152 Kingsway, Burnaby

4.🧋 Buy 1 Get 1 Free at D² Tea Lab - Indulge in 3 select tea lattes on Uber Eats; available Dec 15-21; includes fan-favorites like Da Hong Pao and Peach Oolong!

5.🍜 12% Off Ramen Butcher Ramen & Gyoza Combo - Enjoy daily handcrafted ramen with original gyoza for 12% off; available Dec 3 to Dec 31; weekdays only and dine-in only at The Ramen Butcher, 223 E Georgia St, Vancouver.

6.🎉 BOGO Alert: Chipotle Drops Deals - Chipotle Canada offers two December BOGO entrée deals with festive surprises.

📰 QUICK FOOD NEWS

1.🥂 14 NYE Dinner spots - ring in the new year at these stellar Vancouver spots

2.🎄 12 Holiday treat alert - Tree-shaped croissants and Yule logs are now available across Vancouver bakeries.

3.💡 $10 Table Reservation Fee Funds Local Charities - Anh and Chi raises over $500,000 for community causes.

4.🍜 New ramen hotspots to slurp - Discover Vancouver's best ramen joints for 2026.

🗓️ EVENTS TO KNOW ABOUT

👉THIS WEEKEND

1.🛍️ [POP UP] Made in the 604 Holiday Night Markets (Dec 19, 22, 23) - festive night market with 75+ vendors and handmade goods; @ The Pipe Shop, North Vancouver; FREE

2.🍦 [POP UP] Matcha Cafe Maiko Holiday Pop-Up (Dec 20) - enjoy a collaboration Melon Pan Ice Cream Sandwich and Christmas Special; @ Matcha Cafe Maiko, Richmond, BC; 1-4pm;

3.🇻🇳 [MARKET] Vietnamese Xmas Market (Dec 20) - festive market with food vendors, open 10am to 8pm, cash only; @ Croatian Cultural Centre, Commercial Drive; FREE

4.🕯️ [EVENT] Winter Solstice Lantern Festival (Dec 21) - lantern processions and Labyrinth of Light walk; @ Yaletown and Granville Island; TICKETED

5.🎁 [FESTIVAL] Coquitlam Christmas Night Market (Dec 20) - festive shopping and dazzling light displays; @ Coquitlam, BC; TICKETED

6.☕️ [POP UP] Hiyori Coffee Tasting (Dec 17 - 24) - explore ten specialty coffees at a holiday pop-up; @ 269 East 6th Ave, Vancouver; 11am - 6pm (Dec 21: 12pm - 5pm); FREE

👉NEXT WEEK+

7.☕️ [POP UP] Coyotes Cafe Final Pop Up of the Year (Dec 24 - Jan 1) - Aussie pies, sausage rolls, special coffee, and sweet treats; @ Federal Store Vancouver; 9 AM to 2:30 PM; FREE

8.🍡 [EVENT] Nikkei Mochitsuki (Dec 29) - experience traditional Japanese mochi pounding, cultural performances, and treats; @ 6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby; 11 AM - 3 PM; FREE

9.🐻‍❄️ [EVENT] Vancouver Polar Bear Swim (Jan 1, 2026) - invigorating annual dip in English Bay with live music and food trucks; @ English Bay Beach, Vancouver; 11:30 AM - 4:00 PM; FREE

👉ONGOING

🎄 [EVENT] Gastown Holiday Celebration (Dec 7 - 21) - festive activities with carolers, elf hunts, and carriage rides; @ throughout Gastown, Vancouver; FREE

✨ [MARKET] Holiday Night Markets (Nov 28 - Dec 19) - twinkle lights and handcrafted gifts from local makers; @ 115 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver, BC; FREE

🎁 [MARKET] Shipyards Christmas Market (Nov 28 - Dec 24) - waterfront market with Santa visits and live performances; @ 115 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver, BC; FREE

🌟 [FESTIVAL] Vancouver Christmas Market (Nov 13 - Dec 24) - German-style village with food, gifts, and music; @ 1055 Canada Pl, Vancouver; TICKETED

🧙‍♂️ [EVENT] Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience (Nov 13 - Jan 11) - illuminated woodland trail with magical creatures; @ Vancouver; TICKETED

🗓️ Check out more events happening in Metro Vancouver here.

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

-Jason