🌟 Discover 70+ Must-Try Vancouver Eats Under $20!

Gooooodmorning there!

Welcome to the May 23rd edition of Noms Mag weekly rundown!

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

• 🥟 30 yr old dim sum brand expanding

• 🪦 17 yr old Chinese restaurant closes

• 💸 Cheap eats database releases

• 👀 A lot of food deals incoming

Let’s dive into this week’s rundown!

🌟NEW & COMING SOON FOOD SPOTS

1.🥟 OG Chinatown dim sum brand expands - Kam Wai opening Hastings Sunrise shop this August

2.☕️ Cotti Coffee to open first BC outpost in Richmond - the Chinese coffee chain is the 4th largest in the world with over 10,000 stores.

3.🍲 New AYCE hot pot & grill spot opens - Hot Spot Buffet replaces Sumo Grill on Kingsway

4.🍨 Rollz Rolled Ice Cream to land on Main - Toronto dessert chain to open first Vancouver outpost

5.🍲 Self-serve hot pot replaces Meet Fresh - U Town Hot Pot to join Richmond’s Union Square.

6.🍣 Sushi taco fave opens first storefront - Taco Nori launches Downtown lunch spot in Bentall Centre.

7.🧋 Meet Fresh returns to Richmond - Taiwanese dessert chain prepping new Union Square location

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

🪦CLOSED & CLOSING SOON FOOD SPOTS

1.🥟 Richmond's longtime Chinese restaurant closes - Suhang closes after 17 years as owners retire

2.🍜 Affordable SOJU shuts down - the Burnaby Korean-Chinese restaurant to become a Malaysian restaurant

3.🍕 Pizzeria Farina announces closure after 13 years - Beloved Main Street pizza spot closing May 31st.

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

💰 DEALS THAT MATTER

1.🧋 MACU Tea Kerrisdale Grand Opening BOGO Promo - Special Buy one get one free deal; different BOGO deal from May 23 - 25; Kerrisdale location only

2.🍦 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

3.🍜 Gojiro Week - Enjoy $13 basic ramen; available May 25 - 31; add $1 for spicy; dine-in only at Ramen Gojiro

4.🍲 Summer Hotpot Combo at Haidilao - Refreshing hotpot with broth, noodles, sides, and refillable drinks for $16.95; available Mon-Fri, 11AM-4PM at Brentwood only

5.🔥 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!

6.🔥 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!

7.🍽️ 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.

💸 METRO VANCOUVER CHEAP EATS DATABASE

Let’s be honest: you’re not looking to spend $25 on a casual weekday for lunch.

You just want something simple and cost-effective, right?

And based on a poll to the Noms Mag Community, this FREE cheap eats database is one that will help you uncover new spots that won’t hurt your wallet on those weekday lunches.

Find over 70 spots around Metro Vancouver offering items under $20!

📰 QUICK FOOD NEWS

1.🕯️ The Lunch Lady icon passes away - Cô Thanh dies days before Toronto grand opening.

2.🍵 World’s first afternoon tea omakase 'Ochakase' debuts in Vancouver - Okeya Kyujiro launches 14-course tea omakase.

🗓️ EVENTS TO KNOW ABOUT

1.🦐 [FESTIVAL] Spot Prawn Festival (May 25) - family-friendly festival with live cooking demos and brunch; @ False Creek Fishermen’s Wharf, Vancouver; 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM; FREE or TICKETED options.

2.🐾 [EVENT] Wellness Walk w/ Sunday Move Club & More (May 25) - 5k walk supporting families affected by the Lapu Lapu tragedy with proceeds from donations; @ Interlude Coffee, Burnaby; 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM; DONATION-BASED

3.🎉 [FESTIVAL] Hyack International Parade & Festival (May 24) - province's largest family-oriented parade and vibrant festival; @ 6th Street / Tipperary Park, New Westminster; 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM; FREE

4.🎵 [EVENT] BMO Day of Music Presented by VSO (May 24) - free musical performances across Vancouver; @ various venues; 10 AM to 10 PM; FREE

5.☕ [EVENT] A New Wave: Launch Party (May 25) - desi funk rave with Indian-inspired espresso and bites; @ 343 Railway St Unit 104 Vancouver; 10:30 AM - 3:00 PM PDT; TICKETED

6.🌙 [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

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.🪩 [EVENT] AM Groove V3 Live (May 30) - pre-work dance party at coffee bar; @ FUNK. Coffee Bar, Vancouver; 7-9 AM; FREE

9.🚣‍♀️ [EVENT] VESSI 500 Championship (May 31) - Canada's 2nd largest regatta, plus markets and food; @ Milton Wong Plaza, Olympic Village; 9 AM to 5 PM; FREE

10.🌿 [FESTIVAL] Celtic Picnic June 2025 (June 7 - 8) - largest open-air Celtic celebration with live music and cultural showcases; @ 80 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver, BC; 4 PM on June 7 to 10 PM on June 8; TICKETED

🗓️ Check out more events happening in Metro Vancouver here.

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

-Jason