A much-anticipated Korean BBQ spot on Alexandra Road never made it to the finish line, and now a familiar name is stepping in to take its place.
Happy Lamb Hot Pot, one of the most recognized hot pot chains in Metro Vancouver, has been spotted setting up at 8251 Alexandra Road in Richmond.
The space was originally slated for Bellwether, a Seattle-based all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ restaurant that we first reported on back in 2024.
Based on the new signage now up at the location, it appears Bellwether has pulled out of the project entirely.
What is interesting is that this will not be a typical Happy Lamb location.
The “Coming Soon” sign on the building reads “Hot Pot & Grill,” suggesting this outpost will offer grilled items alongside the usual hot pot setup.
That would make it the only Happy Lamb in Metro Vancouver to feature a grill menu, which is a notable departure from the chain’s standard format.
Richmond locals will also notice that Happy Lamb already has a location at Lansdowne Centre, just a short drive away.
Opening a second location so close together is an unusual move, but it is not unheard of in Richmond’s competitive food scene.
If Big Way Hot Pot can operate multiple locations within a tight radius, there is no reason Happy Lamb cannot do the same.
It is also worth noting that the Lansdowne Centre redevelopment is still roughly a decade away from full completion, so the existing Happy Lamb location was likely not going anywhere anytime soon.
Whether the Alexandra Road spot is a bet on that corridor’s foot traffic or a play to test out the new grill concept remains to be seen.
As for Bellwether, its absence from the space suggests the project may have stalled due to costs or timeline issues.
There is no confirmed opening date for the new Happy Lamb location yet, and no additional details about the grill menu have been released.
We will keep you posted as more information comes out.
For more new and upcoming food spots in Metro Vancouver, take a peek at our tracker here, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.
Address: 8251 Alexandra Rd, Richmond, BC