Vancouver’s late-night dining scene is about to get a fun, stylish new addition.
On September 17, Nomo Nomo will officially open its doors on Commercial Drive, bringing the energy of Tokyo’s back-alley bars and the playfulness of yoshoku dining to the neighbourhood.
The project has been a long time coming.
Chef Benedict Lim, who teased the concept to us two years ago, has since run several pop-ups while refining the idea.
Some may recognize Chef Ben, who has been part of The Lunch Lady team since it opened in Vancouver.
Now, with the help of a stacked team of industry veterans the vision is ready to take shape in a permanent space.
Located in the former Pacific Poke unit, the 794sq.ft restaurant offers an intimate 26 seats.
The room is moody yet playful, filled with dark neutrals, walnut accents, and an eclectic gallery wall of Japanese-inspired art that changes over time.
You’ll find sake bottles lined above the bar, cozy corners for conversation, and the kind of dimly lit atmosphere that invites you and a friend to linger long past your first drink.
“Nomo Nomo takes the izakaya spirit but bends it,” says Benedict.
“It’s intentionally Japanese-ish, global in its influence, and always a little playful. The goal is simple, food that feels familiar but also reminds you of another memory.”
At the core, the menu is yoshoku: the Western-influenced comfort food that has long been part of Japanese dining culture.
Plates are small, seasonal, and designed for sharing, with riffs on classics that lean both nostalgic and inventive.
On the drinks side, the beverage program blends sake staples with Japanese-inspired cocktails that balance tradition and creativity.
Reservations are already open on OpenTable, and with only 26 seats, this is the kind of spot you’ll want to book early.
Nomo Nomo joins a growing wave of upcoming new food spots in Vancouver, like TOUK, Mortadella, and Miso Taco.
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: 1268 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC V5L 3X2