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Vancouver ramen shop quietly closes, Tokyo-based tea shop moving in

Self-described as 'the Starbucks of Japan' the new shop is moving from Kerrisdale

Zubu has closed its Food Hall.

Opened by the Vancouver-based chain in 2020 along with two other locations, the Food Hall was a sort of "test kitchen" for Zubu, specializing in ramen. Located in the Mount Pleasant industrial area at 159 West 4th Ave, it offered up a slightly different menu from the other Zubu locations.

However, the location closed recently. While it's still listed on the company's website and Instagram, signs at the location have come down and there's a notice saying the spot is closed for renovations as a new brand moves in.

Nana's Green Tea announced it's moving from Kerrisdale to Food Hall by Zubu's location. In fact, it just closed its location at 2135 W 41st Ave, directly next to one of Zubu's other locations (2129 W 41st Ave).

The tea shop closed the Kerrisdale spot on Sept. 29. It plans to open the spot at 159 W 4th Ave in mid-October according to a sign on the storefront. Signs are already up for the new shop.

Nana's Green Tea is an international brand based in Tokyo, Japan. Only one location is open in Canada (well, it's temporarily closed while it moves), but there are other shops open in the US (including Seattle, New York and Waikiki), Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

"Established 12 years ago in Tokyo, Nana’s Green Tea is a pioneer of Japanese cafe utilizing Matcha green powdered tea. Nana’s Green Tea became regarded as the Starbucks of Japan and achieved the evaluation of No.1 brand among Japanese cafes," reads the tea company's Canadian site.

In Japan there are around 70 locations.


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