Hot pot has taken over Metro Vancouver, with new malatang spots popping up monthly.
But now, your furry friend can get in on the fun too!
A unique new pet dining concept called Chew Chew has just soft opened in Steveston, and it might be the most adorable thing to hit Richmond this year.
Started by local entrepreneur and Fairchild TV host Suiki Zhang and Exit Canada owner Justin Tang, Chew Chew is being dubbed North America’s first self-serve pet hotpot and poke bowl bar.
On Instagram, they also call it the “World’s first raw dining experience for pets”.
Suiki shared with Noms Magazine that Chew Chew was inspired by her own pets, Bee the dog and Sugar the cat, and wanted to create a space where animals can enjoy a fully customized meal designed specifically for their tastes AND their noses.
Yes, noses.
“After seeing how popular restaurants like Big Way Hot Pot are for humans, we wanted to create a similar experience just for pets—fun, flavorful, and fully tailored to them,” shared Suiki.
Because before the humans even build the bowl, pets head to the Sniff Zone.
There, ingredients are laid out at ground level for pups to sniff.
If they’re into a certain ingredient, they can press a button to let their human know.
From there, it’s over to the self-serve bar where pet parents scoop up proteins and veggies to assemble a custom raw hotpot or poke bowl.
Everything is sold by weight at $3.99 per 100g, and a small dog combo with drink and dessert typically comes out to around $5 – $10.
The proteins range from pet staples like chicken and beef to nutrient-dense picks like chicken hearts, beef liver, and lamb spleen.
For pets with sensitivities, there are premium options like kangaroo and venison.
To round it out, there are fresh veggie and fruit mix-ins, plus pet-safe drinks and desserts.
“Best of all, everything is free from additives and artificial ingredients, so you know exactly what your pet is eating.”
They’re even planning to launch pastries and birthday cakes soon.
Aside from just the food, Chew Chew is actually a full-on experience designed entirely for dogs’ senses.
Suiki shared that she specifically chose the shop’s palette to be blue and yellow because those are the colours dogs can see best.
There’s even dog-friendly music playing inside to make the whole visit more relaxing and fun.
If hearing all this doesn’t make you smile, we don’t know what will!
But why Steveston?
Suiki says it was a no-brainer.
The cozy, walkable neighbourhood is full of dog owners and pet-loving families, making it the ideal launch pad for the concept.
To end off, Suiki shared that “Chew Chew is more than just a meal—it’s a moment made for them.”
Though still in soft launch, Chew Chew plans to host a full grand opening in August.
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: 115-3800 Chatham St, Richmond BC