🌸 Last Call for Cherry Blossom Bites

Gooooodmorning there!

Welcome to the April 25th edition of Noms Mag weekly rundown!

Can you believe the city hit 20 degrees yesterday?

It is the sign of good things. And although it is the last weekend for Cherry Blossoms Food Fest, we’re happy to share more about Ice Cream Fest’s return in June!

Well, in today’s weekly rundown:

• ⭐️ 2 HOT Vancouver food spots to open in Coquitlam

• 🧐 We tried the viral banana bread matcha latte

• 👀 A lot of food events this weekend!

Let’s dive into this week’s rundown!

🌸 LAST CHANCE FOR CHERRY BLOSSOM FOOD FEST

The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Food Festival wraps up this Sunday, April 27 - and this is your final weekend to sip, snack, and stamp your way through the sweetest pink-themed food crawl of the year.

If you’ve been eyeing Beaucoup’s dango croissant or Whisk Matcha’s miffy parfait on social, now’s the time to finally go for it!

Plus, every festival item you grab earns you Passport stamps and gets you closer to winning amazing prizes. It’s also the perfect time to complete any Festival Missions you’ve been meaning to do.

And just a reminder: 100% of sales from festival items go directly to the vendors, so your food crawl helps support the city’s incredible small food businesses.

Let’s end this on a high note!!

Grab a friend (or two), hit up your passport, and try something pink this weekend.

🌟NEW & COMING SOON FOOD SPOTS

1.☕️ Popular cafe and Italian eatery coming to Coquitlam - Nemesis Coffee & Gigi’s by Ask For Luigi are opening at TriCity Pavilion this spring.

2.🧋 Toronto’s M Cha Bar coming soon - Opening first Vancouver location on Renfrew with bubble tea and gelato!

3.🍵 Hidden Matcha cafe making a comeback - Matcha Corner is returning with a new spot on Kingsway!

4.🥐 New Parisian bakery cafe opens in Olympic Village - Mon Paris Pâtisserie launches on April 26th with new sandwiches and sweet treats.

5.🍣 Pokey Okey makes a comeback - New Vancouver location spotted on Kingsway offers expanded menu with poke, katsu, and gyudon.

6.🍦 80-year-old Ontario ice cream brand debuts in BC - Kawartha Dairy opens its first location in Britannia Village along the Sea to Sky Highway.

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

🪦CLOSED & CLOSING SOON FOOD SPOTS

1.☕️ Richmond’s Pomona Coffee to close storefront - Longtime favorite shuts down but plans to relocate soon.

2.🥡 Lucky J up for sale after one month - Richmond's budget Chinese eatery is already listed for $398,000.

3.🥟 Jingle Bao up for sale - The vibrant soup dumpling spot on Denman seeks new ownership.

4.🔍 Wabukuro closes to make way for a secret new concept - Downtown's bento spot is transforming into a mysterious restaurant.

5.🍰 Yandoux Patisserie bids farewell - The beloved Olympic Village spot closes to focus on Richmond.

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

💰 DEALS THAT MATTER

1.🧋 $5 1-Litre Super Cup returns At Chatime - Choose Tropical Green Tea or Slush; available April 14 – May 11, or while quantities last; valid in-store and mobile ordering.

2.🥟 $10 Happy Hour Deal At Chaomami Express - Grab 3 delicious baos, rolls, or mini pho for $10; Available daily 2-6PM; soft opening special!

3.👶 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.

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.

📰 SHORT FOOD NEWS

1.🍌 We tried the viral banana bread matcha latte - if you love bananas, then this drink is for you.

2.🍦 Kitsilano’s Tutto Belle launches Fried Chicken Gelato - This playful dessert mimics fried chicken with gelato flavors and strawberry “ketchup.”

3.🍹 Vancouver Bars Shine - Three local bars make North America's 50 Best Bars 2025 extended list!

4.🌶️ Spicy street food party coming to Chinatown - 3 local brands team up for Asian Heritage month with a special party and item release.

🗓️ EVENTS TO KNOW ABOUT

1.🎉 [EVENT] Lapu-Lapu Day Block Party (April 26) - free Filipino street festival featuring parade, food, and live music; @ Sunset on Fraser – John Oliver Secondary; 11AM - 8PM; FREE

2.🥯 [POP UP] Jellycat Bagels at Gourmet Warehouse (Apr 27) - adorable and delicious locally made bagels available until sold out; @ 1340 E Hastings Street Gourmet Warehouse; 10AM - sold out

3.☕️ [POP UP] Sohn-Maht Brunch at Modus (April 28 - 29 + May 3) - special brunch menu featuring Polish-Korean cuisine; @ Modus Coffee Broadway 9AM - 3PM

4.🍵 [POP UP] Matcha Pop-Up at Saan Saan Cafe (Apr 26 - 27) - featuring unique matcha drinks and bakery items for a limited time; @ 227 Main St, Vancouver

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.💌 [EVENT] MOD Kitchen Open House (Apr 26) - Celebrate the grand opening with food, drinks, and art; @ MOD Kitchen: 11151 Horseshoe Way #15, Richmond; 2-4PM; FREE

7.🌸 [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.

8.🎉 [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

9.🍄 [POP UP] UMAMI MUSHROOM – Pop-Up Dinner Series (Apr 29) - flavour-packed evening celebrating local mushrooms and bold creativity; @ 654 Nelson St, Vancouver, BC; 6–9 PM; TICKETED

🗓️ Check out more events happening in Metro Vancouver here.

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

-Jason