A Japanese ramen restaurant is coming to Richmond, replacing a once-popular bar and restaurant.
Kokoro Tokyo Mazesoba is opening at Ironwood Plaza at 11660 Steveston Hwy. and replacing the location's former tenant Brown's Social House.
Mazesoba, directly translated as mixed noodles, is a bowl of noodles with no broth and with various toppings.
Its menu includes carbonara, mentaiko cream, salmon and vegan mazesoba dishes as well as rice bowls, soup ramen and appetizers like chicken karaage, gyoza and bao buns.
Kokoro is also known for its Hokkaido ice cream and refresher drinks.
Florey He, marketing manager of Kokoro Tokyo Mazezoba, said Richmond was their next choice of city because of its diverse community with a potential demand for what their chain offers.
He said they've been looking at opening in Richmond since three years ago.
"It is a very competitive food city so we just never had a suitable location until we took over Browns at Ironwood," she said.
"We think Ironwood is a good community, making it an ideal spot to serve delicious ramen."
The Japanese chain, which has locations around the globe, was founded in Tokyo in 2013 and has since expanded across Asia and into Canada.
There are currently eight locations for the restaurant franchise in the Lower Mainland with its newest locations in Vancouver's River District and Kitsilano.
The Richmond News has been told construction for the new Ironwood location is expected to finish in mid-February with an anticipated March soft opening.
