🍦Popular Taiyaki Soft Serve Spot Opening On Saturday!

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Gooooodmorning there!

Welcome to the May 2nd edition of Noms Mag weekly rundown!

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

• 👀 2 Sweet Vancouver food spots soft opening on Saturday

• 🧐 Pizzeria gets lease terminated

• 👀 A lot of food events this weekend!

Let’s dive into this week’s rundown!

🌸 PSA CHERRY BLOSSOM FOOD FEST PASSPORTS/MISSIONS

Thank you to all the attendees who came out for our 2nd annual Vancouver Cherry Blossom Food Festival!

One of the reasons we’ve started these food festivals is to support the local food businesses. We’re happy to hear very positive initial feedback from the vendors.

Since vendors keep 100% of the sales from their festival item sales, YOU are supporting the food businesses!

FESTIVAL PASSPORTS - Please submit your passports here by May 10th for them to be counted.

FESTIVAL MISSIONS - Please post your mission completions by May 10th for them to be counted.

Winners will be posted on the Festival Website and contacted on May 16th.

We’re happy to bring back the annual Vancouver Ice Cream Festival this summer from June 20 - Aug 4 with over 30 confirmed vendors 😃 

🌟NEW & COMING SOON FOOD SPOTS

1.🍦 Little Pisces soft opens Richmond location on Saturday - the popular taiyaki and ice cream shop is finally opening in Richmond!

2.🍫 Quebec chocolate haven opens in Gastown - Chocolats Favoris launches May 3 with 12 chocolate dips and more!

3.🥢 Bold return for Chinatown's heritage eatery - Golden Smell Mee soft opens, serving iconic jerky and laksa.

4.🍩 JJ Bean revives donut legacy - Neate Donuts now open on West Hastings with classic and seasonal treats.

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

🪦CLOSED & CLOSING SOON FOOD SPOTS

1.😔 Potato Corner Closure - Filipino fry chain Potato Corner quietly shuts all BC locations.

2.🚪 Downtown pizzeria lease terminated - Tiko Pizza on Robson Street shuts down after less than 1 year.

2.🔄 Richmond hot pot restaurant sold via Facebook? - Round Pot spotted on Facebook Marketplace

3.😢 Vancouver's natural wine gem closing its doors - Bar Susu to close after three celebrated years in Mount Pleasant.

4.🛑 Vietnamese cafe closes up shop - Hem377 shuts doors on Commercial Drive due to high operational costs.

5.🚪 Richmond Chinese-Korean Fusion Spot Closes - Mama's Diner ends its run after a year of operation.

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

💰 DEALS THAT MATTER

1.🌭 Japadog celebrates 20th anniversary with free hot dogs - Enjoy a free hot dog giveaway this week.

2.🍦 Taiyaki shop 'Little Pisces' opens new Richmond location - Free $5 voucher for first 100 customers.

3.🧋 $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.

4.🥟 $10 Happy Hour Deal At Chaomami Express - Grab 3 delicious baos, rolls, or mini pho for $10; Available daily 2-6PM; soft opening special!

5.🎉 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. 🥳

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.🍌🥳 Mother’s Day dining delights - Vancouver eateries offer special menus to spoil your mom!

2.🎉 Bao Bei Celebrates 15 Years - Iconic spot brings back fan-favourite dishes and drinks for its anniversary.

3.🥂 Vancouver bars shine on NA's top cocktail list - 2 named in prestigious North America's 50 Best Bars for 2025.

🗓️ EVENTS TO KNOW ABOUT

1.🌸 [POP UP] Got Craft Spring Market (May 3 - 4) - curated marketplace with 100 makers and food trucks; @ Croatian Cultural Centre, East Vancouver; 10-5pm; TICKETED

2.🎉 [FESTIVAL] TJ Fest (May 3 - 4, 2025) - weekend of Taiwanese street food, performances, and family activities; @ 3426 Smith Avenue, Burnaby; 11:00 am to 5:00 pm; FREE

3.🛍️ [EVENT] Eastside Flea (May 3 & 4) - curated market with vintage goods, handmade items, artisan eats, flash tattoos, and more; @ 1739 Venables Street, Vancouver; 11am-5pm; TICKETED

4.🪐 [EVENT] May the Fourth Be With You: Family Day (May 4) - Sci-fi fun, costumes, art, and space science; @ H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, Vancouver; 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM; TICKETED

5.🌸 [EVENT] Nikkei Spring Bazaar (May 3 - 4) - enjoy Japanese flavors, crafts, and spring plants; @ Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre, Burnaby; 11:00 am – 4:00 pm; FREE

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

7.🎉 [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

8.🌏 [FESTIVAL] VanHKFair (May 11) - Canada’s largest Hong Konger culture celebration with booths, performances, and workshops; @ The Shipyards, North Vancouver; FREE or TICKETED ($3.50 for HKer Cultural Market)

9.🛍️ [POP UP] Vancouver Etsy Co Spring Pop-Up (May 17 + 18) - shop artisan goods, local treats & coffee; @ Pipe Shop, North Van; 11 AM - 5 PM; TICKETED

🗓️ Check out more events happening in Metro Vancouver here.

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

-Jason