Chinatown’s latest comeback story has officially begun.
Back in March, we shared that a major Chinatown legacy was returning to its roots with Golden Smell Mee (aka “Golden”), combining the jerky and laksa sides of the Bee Kim Heng family under one roof.
And if the name Bee Kim Heng rings a bell, this one’s going to hit you right in the nostalgic taste buds.
Back in 1986, Bee Kim Heng (which translates to Beautiful Golden Smell) was founded in Chinatown by a grandfather and his seven kids.
The original spot was in Golden Gate Centre and quickly became a jerky-slinging, noodle-boiling staple of the community.
Eventually, the business split into two branches – Bee Kim Heng (BKH) Jerky and Kim Heng Noodle – each run by different family members but both carrying that OG family flavour.
The jerky side set up shop at Fraser Street, while the noodles held it down at Keefer and Gore.
Now, 38 years later, the next-gen of the family getting the band back together.
Scott, the grandson of the original founder, was originally aiming for an early April launch.
After a slight delay, it looks like the long-awaited spot has quietly soft opened earlier this week, following some friends-and-family trial runs.
Despite the giant “Coming Soon” sign still hanging outside, we were warmly welcomed to dine in.
Inside, the vibe feels like a love letter to Chinatown’s past and present.
Natural wood panels, deep green accents, and plenty of seating give the space a clean but cozy feel.
Right at the front counter, there’s a nostalgic touch: an old photo of the original Bee Kim Heng storefront proudly on display – a reminder of where it all started.
As for the menu, it’s a tight but tempting lineup that pays homage to the family’s Singaporean-Malaysian roots.
You’ll find freshly grilled jerky by weight, noodle soups like Laksa and Bak Chor Mee, dry noodle bowls (Kon Lo Mee), curry rice plates, and small side dishes like Hainanese chicken and grilled sambal squid.
There’s also the option to customize your noodles – thin, thick, or rice noodles – and add toppings like fried egg or extra jerky.
We ordered the Kon Lo Mee with thin noodles and added a fried egg on top.
At the moment, there’s no confirmed date for a grand opening – staff told us they’re still ironing out the final details.
But for now, if you happen to walk by and spot that “Coming Soon” banner, just know the doors are actually open.
And according to their Instagram page, they’re doing a Buy 1 Get 1 FREE Kon Lo Mee promo until April 30th!
Will you be checking out Golden Smell Me and its famous jerky back where it all began?
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Address: 142 E Pender St, Vancouver, BC