🍜 New Ninja Themed Ramen Shop Opens In Vancouver

Gooooodmorning there!

Welcome to the July 4th edition of Noms Mag weekly rundown!

FINALLY Mr. Sun made an appearance, and the city was bumping!

Especially the ice cream spots as the weather hit 29 degrees. But it looks like things will be sticking near the low 20’s for next week.

But that doesn’t mean ice cream shouldn’t be on your mind :)

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

• 🍜 New ninja ramen shop from Horin

• 🇻🇳 More Viet spots in the city!

• 🍣 A Burnaby sushi staple looks for retirement

• 👀 A packed week of events

Let’s dive into this week’s rundown!

🍦ICE CREAM FEST IS ONGOING

The Vancouver Ice Cream Festival is still ON until Aug 4. But now that we’re nearing the half-way mark of the festival, some vendors are keeping things fresh by swapping their items.

That means it is time to say goodbye to some limited festival items soon. If you haven’t had a chance to try these items yet, you’ve got a bit of time left before they are gone!

1. Broye Cafe’s Labubu Fantasy (last day July 11)

2. La Saison’s Sushi Semifreddo (last day July 11)

3. Boketto’s Strawberry Matcha Shortcake Dream Sundae (last day July 9)

4. Beaucoup Bakery’s Mango Coconut Ice Cream Sando (last day July 11)

5. Chocolats Favoris’ Nanaimo Bar Kooky Ice Cream Sandwich (last day July 11)

6. Drunken Chocolatier’s Tomato Matcha Ice Cream Bar (last day July 11)

7. Soft Peaks’ Pineapple Cake (last day July 11)

8. Glenburn’s East-West Banana Split (last day July 13)

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?!

Plus, thanks to the folks at Tourism Burnaby and Tourism Richmond, we’ve partnered up with them to further feature and support our Burnaby and Richmond vendors.

🌟NEW & COMING SOON FOOD SPOTS

1.🍜 Ninja Shiba Ramen lands in Downtown Vancouver - Horin's playful ramen spot, Nin Nin, now open on Abbott Street.

2.🇭🇰 Popular HK Cafe Stall Expanding in Richmond - Chadon to open second location at Yaohan Centre next week.

2.🇻🇳 Award-winning Vietnamese eatery expands to UBC - Crab Hot Lau brings its iconic dishes to campus.

2.🍮 Family-run Chinese dessert house opens on Kingsway - 66 Dessert House brings classic Chinese sweets to Vancouver evenings.

2.🚗 Burnaby’s Vintage Mercedes-Benz Café Cruises Into Town - Benzo Café opens with car-themed decor and a unique espresso experience.

2.🍵 Matcha cafe returns - Viral Matcha Corner pop-up now inside new Chinese dessert shop on Kingsway.

2.🐔 Vietnamese chicken delight hits Vancouver - Lá Chuối specializes in regional chicken dishes on Kingsway.

2.🍱 New Japanese café soft opens in Kitsilano - Bento Cafe offers authentic Japanese teishoku meals in a modern, cozy setting.

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

🪦CLOSED & CLOSING SOON FOOD SPOTS

1.😢 Sushi Bar Kilala up for grabs after 20+ years - Longtime Burnaby sushi spot listed for sale as owners retire.

2.☕️ Kahve Café bids farewell - Kitsilano's minimalist coffee spot closes after nearly a decade, replaced by Bento Cafe.

3.🇲🇽 Gastown’s La Casita for sale after 20+ years - Beloved Mexican spot may say a sad goodbye soon.

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

📰 QUICK FOOD + LOCAL NEWS BITES

1.💔 Vancouver mourns loss of beloved culinary icon - Mamalee founder Betty Lee passes away at 71.

2.🛑 Popular Burnaby AYCE Hot Pot temporarily closed - Due to unsanitary conditions, Fraser Health closed CHOCHO on Kingsway.

3.🏨 Shangri-La Hotel to rebrand under new name - Vancouver's iconic hotel set to become Park Hyatt, marking a new era.

💰 DEALS THAT MATTER

1.🚲 Broadway Buzz Mobi Bike x Translink Deals - campaign aimed to bring business back to the Broadway Corridor by incentivizing Mobi members. Deal include:

• Menya RAIZO – 50% off a bowl of ramen

• Henry's Camera – 50% Off In-Store Photo Printing

• Aidan’s Cafe – 10% off

• Kamei on Broadway – Discount 10% OFF the bill

Keep in mind that the Mobi by Rogers promo code BIKETOBROADWAY should be presented to redeem these offers as part of the Broadway Buzz campaign, running from June 1st, 2025, to August 31st, 2025.

2.🍲 Kids Eat Free at ChochoHotpot - Children 12 and under enjoy a free hotpot meal; available until July 20; valid at Burnaby and Richmond locations, reservation recommended.

3.🍦 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

4.🔥 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!

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

2.🚀 [EVENT] Summer Market at Metropolis (July 3 - 6) - space-themed market with 15+ food vendors, entertainment, and activities; @ Metropolis at Metrotown’s Outdoor South Plaza; July 3-5: 2pm-10pm, July 6: 2pm-8pm; FREE

3.🎉 [FESTIVAL] Taiwanese Canadian Cultural Festival (July 4 - 6, 2025) - vibrant celebration of Taiwanese music, arts, and culture; @ Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza; FREE

4.📚 [FESTIVAL] Vancouver Art Book Fair (July 4-6) - celebration of artists’ publishing with 100+ global publishers; @ Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre; FREE

5.🎵 [EVENT] Vancouver Symphony Orchestra's Symphony at Sunset (Jul 5) - enjoy a spectacular free beachside concert with film soundtracks; @ Sunset Beach Park; 8 pm - 9:30 pm; FREE

6.🎶 [FESTIVAL] Khatsahlano Street Party (July 5,) - Vancouver's largest free music and arts festival featuring local and up-and-coming artists; @ West 4th Avenue; FREE

7.🦀 [FESTIVAL] False Creek Crab Fest 2025 (Jul 6) - Enjoy BC Dungeness crab boil, drinks, music, and games; @ False Creek Fishermen's Wharf, Vancouver; 12 - 4pm; TICKETED

👉NEXT WEEK+

8.🌎 [FESTIVAL] Carnaval del Sol (July 11-13) - largest Latin American festival in Pacific Northwest with music, dance, soccer, and cuisine; @ Jonathan Rogers Park, Vancouver; TICKETED

9.🏮 [FESTIVAL] BMO Vancouver Chinatown Festival (July 12 - 13) - celebrate community and culture with performances and activities; @ Keefer and Columbia Street, Vancouver; 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm; FREE

10.🌎 [FESTIVAL] Festivibe (July 13) - multicultural fest with global eats, live shows, market vendors & Kids Zone; @ Shipbuilder's Square, North Vancouver; 12 - 10 PM; FREE

11.✈️ [EVENT] Boundary Bay Airshow (July 19) - exhilarating aerobatic performances by renowned pilots; @ Boundary Bay Airport – 7800 Alpha Way, Delta BC; 11 am gates open, 12 pm start; FREE

12.🎆 [FESTIVAL] Honda Celebration of Light (July 19, 23, 26) - spectacular fireworks festival with top pyrotechnic teams; @ Vancouver, Canada; TICKETED

👉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

🎭 [EVENT] Theatre Under the Stars (June 27 - Aug 16) - features musicals Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Legally Blonde; @ Malkin Bowl Stanley Park; 8pm; TICKETED

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

🗓️ Check out more events happening in Metro Vancouver here.

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

-Jason