There’s a new Vietnamese restaurant bringing the flavours of Hanoi to Burnaby Heights, and it’s NOT just another pho spot.
CHÉN is set to open its doors by June 2025, taking over the longtime home of Sushi UOmo, a neighbourhood staple that’s been around for over a decade.
But this new spot is promising more than a menu, it’s promising a memory.
Owner Minh Luu shared with Noms Magazine that the idea behind CHÉN was born from a craving far deeper than food.
Originally from Hanoi, Minh arrived in Vancouver as an international student more than 10 years ago.
After studying, graduating, and building her life here, she realized there was something she wanted to give back to the city: the warmth of traditional Northern Vietnamese cooking, served with nostalgia and care.
“I wanted to bring the warmth of traditional family meals, the street flavors of Hanoi, and a sense of nostalgia for anyone who’s ever missed home. At Chén, we don’t just cook food — we cook memories,” Minh shared.
And yes—there’s phở.
But it’s a Hanoi-style chicken noodle soup with golden-skinned chicken, clear broth, lime leaf shreds, and crispy quẩy (fried dough) sourced straight from the Old Quarter.
The real excitement lies in what else is on the menu, some of which you don’t quite see at other Vietnamese restaurants:
- Full-topping Bún đậu mắm tôm, complete with pungent Northern-style shrimp paste, fresh chili, and sizzling scallion oil
- Bún bung, a turmeric-infused tomato noodle soup you probably haven’t tried before
- Platters with blood sausage & Vietnamese cheese meat
Minh says the goal is to serve food that “captures the essence of Northern Vietnamese cuisine” and brings people comfort, whether they’re homesick or just hungry.
CHÉN isn’t just thoughtful about what’s on the menu though.
It’s also deeply intentional about how it’s served.
Every bowl and plate in the restaurant is carefully selected from Bát Tràng, a centuries-old pottery village along the Red River.
Inside the 1,500 sq.ft space, you’ll find a large mural of hoa giấy (paper flowers), the sound of motorbikes captured in illustration, and décor like bamboo lanterns, Đông Hồ folk art, and vintage wooden cabinets known as chạn.
“It’s a collection of memories,” Minh said.
Keep an eye out for their soft opening in June.
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Address: 4280 Hastings St, Burnaby, BC