😭 Longtime Donut Brand Announces Closure

Hey there,

Welcome to the Jan 31st edition of Noms Mag weekly run-down!

3 BAD news.

1. This US tariffs thing that seems to be happening Feb 1st will be really BAD for BC. Like $69 Billion bad.

2. The state of the local food scene is getting worse & worse…number of closures is piling up.

3. Snow may actually be coming to Vancouver soon…

God darn it!

Anyways, let’s dive into this week’s rundown!

🌟NEW & COMING SOON FOOD SPOTS

1.🥖 Flour Dance Bakery opens in Richmond - Specializes in unique loaves like Red Bean Pork Floss and Basque Cheesecake.

2.🍡 Burnaby’s first cream mochi shop opening soon - Hafu to debut inside Crystal Mall, featuring mochi desserts.

3.🍜 Popular HK café stall expands - One Café opens second location in Empire Centre Food Court in Richmond.

4.🧋 Chahalo to debut in Richmond - China bubble tea brand opening its first BC location this March.

5.🍦 Latino and Asian-inspired ice cream shop to open - Crema Ice Cream is launching in Burnaby Heights this spring!

6.☕️ iCafe returns to City Square - The Hong Kong-style café has reopened as a food stall serving classic dishes.

7.🔥 New Chinese BBQ spot soft opens with killer deal - Yummy BBQ offers $9.95 BBQ on rice meals in Richmond!

8.🍗 Popeyes opens new West Broadway location - Fast-food chain replaces Moderne Burger with its famous fried chicken offerings.

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

😭 CLOSED & CLOSING SOON FOOD SPOTS

1.🍩 End of an era for Cartems - Vancouver's longtime donut shop will close February 14 after 14 sweet years.

2.🛑 Claypot rice staple closes after 15 years - James Snacks in Richmond’s Empire Centre has officially shut down.

3.🚫 Ngon Cafe closes after just 3 months - Burnaby's Vietnamese banh mi spot quietly shuts down.

4.🚪 Korean-Japanese restaurant closes quietly - Shoku on West Broadway shuts down amid ongoing industry struggles.

5.🖤 Last call for Punk Rock Pastries - Burnaby's daring bakery to close its doors likely this summer.

6.☕️ Cottage Deli closes after 25 years - This beloved Gastown cafe has served its last meal.

7.🈳 Me + Crepe closes Richmond location - Chain's last BC spot served its final Chinese breakfast on January 19th.

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

💰 DEALS THAT MATTER

1.🍜 Buy one udon, get one free Marugame Canada - Buy one udon, get one free (noodles only; no soup); available until February 7th from 11 AM - 5 PM

2.🍚 Limited Time BBQ on Rice Deal - Enjoy any BBQ on rice for $9.95; available until mid-February; dine-in only at new Yummy BBQ Restaurant.

3.🍵 Free Drink at John 316 Malaysian Delights - Enjoy a free iced lemon tea or iced teh tarik w/ main entree purchase; available until February 28; at Aberdeen Food Court location

4.🍜 50% Off Noodles at Happy Tree BBQ - Enjoy half price on certain noodle dishes from 11:30 AM - 4 PM and after 9 PM; valid until March 15; @ Richmond location

5.🇰🇷 Start 2025 Deliciously at Sura Korean Cuisine - enjoy 20% off dine-in and 25% off takeout; valid until Feb 27; available Monday to Thursday, excludes delivery and lunch set menu.

6.🎬 $5 Movie Tickets & Popcorn at Cineplex - Enjoy $5 general admission on Tuesdays plus a small popcorn for only $5; valid January 14 - February 11; Scene+ members receive an extra 10% off!

7.🎉 10 Years Anniversary Ramen Butcher - free ramen for first 10 customers and $10 for all; available Feb 6; double loyalty points and coupon for next visit on Feb 6 & 7; opens at 11:30 AM.

📰 QUICK FOOD NEWS

1.🍽️ 14 Dine Out restaurants to check out in 2025 - Gone are the days of it being a super affordable way to check new spots, but still tons of spots worth checking out!

2.🍴 Bite of Burnaby Festival Returns - Burnaby Restaurants can apply to participate in this month-long culinary celebration!

3.🍙 Onigiri Ya expands with dine-in - New location at Maruhachi Gaiden now offers made-to-order onigiri.

4.🍽️ Hollywood Star Dines at Local Waffle Spot - Angelina Jolie visited Nero Belgian Waffle Bar and indulged in their signature waffles.

🗓️ EVENTS TO KNOW ABOUT

1.☕️ [FESTIVAL] Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival (Jan 18 - Feb 14) - self-guided festival featuring creative hot chocolate from local vendors; @ Metro Vancouver

2.❄️🍽️ [FESTIVAL] Dine Out Vancouver (Jan 22 - Feb 9) - 350+ participating restaurants offering fixed-price three-course menus; @ various locations across Vancouver

3.🐉 [FESTIVAL] Lunar New Year 2025 – Year of the Snake (Feb 2) - family-friendly cultural celebrations with performances, food, and activities; @ Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, 578 Carrall Street, Vancouver; 11:30 AM - 5:30 PM; TICKETED

4.🎉 [EVENT] Annual Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival Parade (Feb 2) - vibrant parade with lion dances and cultural performances; @ Chinatown, Vancouver; 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM; FREE

5.🧘‍♀️ [EVENT] The Wellness Show (Feb 1 - 2) - Western Canada’s largest holistic wellness event with 200 exhibitors; @ Vancouver Convention Centre; 10am - 6pm (Feb 1), 10am - 5pm (Feb 2); TICKETED

6.🎬 [EVENT] Movie Night in the Cat Forest (Feb 1 - 28) - enjoy films with adoptable rescue cats in a cozy setting; @ Catoro Cafe; evenings; TICKETED

🗓️ Check out more events happening in Metro Vancouver here.

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

-Jason