Something smoky, brothy, and very mysterious is heating up in Downtown Vancouver.
A Noms Magazine community member (Dinevancity) spotted signs going up last week for a new spot called SUMU, wrapped across the windows of the long-empty Sala Thai unit on Burrard Street.
SUMU Canada has been teasing the restaurant through a “Founder Campaign,” and the clues are already getting local food lovers to play detective.
SalaThai ran on Burrard for 38 years before it closed in April 2024, and the unit has sat empty ever since.
Now the covered windows are doing most of the talking.
One panel reads “Before We Open, Leave Your Mark.” Another simply says “Flame, Grill & Broth,” with a strip of faux flames glowing along the bottom of the storefront.
There is even a black curtain printed with “Pull to Reveal the Secret,” and an “Official Reveal” panel dated June 16 showing mock Instagram posts that ask one big question: what cuisine do you think SUMU will serve?
The biggest hint so far is short and loaded.
“Flame grill + broth.”
That alone feels like enough to make Vancouver diners pause mid-scroll.
SUMU has also teased ingredients like Wagyu beef, seafood, mushrooms, squash, lettuce, and fish, both on Instagram and printed in a grid across the windows.
Based on the public clues, the concept seems to point toward an interactive Japanese-style dining experience with both fire and soup at the centre of the table.
The brand has not officially confirmed the full concept yet, so for now this is still a clue hunt.
The guessing has spilled into the comments, with locals throwing out Japanese BBQ, shabu-shabu, sukiyaki, hot pot, sushi, and kushiyaki.
And honestly, that might be the point.
Instead of simply dropping a menu, SUMU is letting Vancouver guess first.
More is expected on June 16, when SUMU is set to pull back the curtain through its campaign.
For now, SUMU has done what any good teaser should do.
It made us hungry and slightly nosy.
SUMU joins a run of upcoming Downtown Vancouver spots like Bisou Bakehouse Robson, Läderach at CF Pacific Centre, and Loreto.
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: 888 Burrard St #102, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1X9