Build your own ramen at this downtown Vancouver market
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I opted for the banana pudding matcha. Photo: Meira Gebel/Axios
Vancouver just finished a 10-block renovation and overhaul of its downtown Main Street. While I was checking it out the other week, I stumbled into two new businesses also worth a visit: Soft Tea and Minari Market.
Zoom in: The shared space, right off the corner of Main and West Eighth Street, features a capybara-themed bubble tea shop, an Asian snack and trinket store, and an expansive build-your-own ramen station.
- At Soft Tea, there's everything from classic milk teas, Dole whip pineapple soft serve, smoothies and unique sugary speciality drinks — like the "Breakfast Club," a jasmine green tea concoction with ube soft serve, boba and fruity pebbles.
- At Minari Market, you can spend a good chunk of time just browsing the shelves of imported goodies (think: shrimp chips, mochi and chocolates), stationary, toys, keychains, plushies, dish ware and merch.
Plus: There's an entire wall dedicated to assorted packs of instant noodles, a fridge with fresh toppings (like tofu, meats, cheese, eggs, veggies and sauces) and a spot to cook them all on the spot to slurp at the adjacent cafe.
The vibe: I went on a weekday around 8pm and it was popping off with teens, families and millennials like me. Service was fast and attentive, too!
If you go: Soft Tea and Minari Market (808 Main St., Vancouver) are open Sunday–Thursday, 11am–8pm; and Friday–Saturday, 11am–9pm.