After more than two years of serving steaming bowls of Okinawa soba from their tiny yatai cart, Tatchan Noodle has officially opened its first storefront.
On September 9, the shop quietly opened in Strathcona, tucked under the bridge along East Hastings and just steps from the train tracks.
It is not the easiest place to find, but once you do, you’ll walk into a cozy space that feels every bit as charming as their cart setup.
Inside, there’s seating for about 15 people, giving fans a chance to enjoy Okinawa noodles and culture.
We still remember our first encounter with Tatchan Noodle back in February 2023, standing in the cold with shaky hands at their cart as hot broth warmed us up.
Tatchan Noodle is owned by Tatsuya (many of his friends refer to him as Tat Chan) who first came to Vancouver in 2006 to teach Japanese and for religious work. But when the pandemic hit, everything halted.
As the world ground to a halt, he began feeling homesick. He grew up savoring Okinawa Soba, but discovered that no one in the city was serving it up.
That’s when inspiration struck: why not bring a taste and pride of his hometown of Okinawa to Vancouver and share it with locals?
Despite having zero background in ramen shops or restaurants, he dove headfirst into the mix and taught himself how to whip up the perfect broth and noodles that he remembered having in Okinawa.
Okinawa soba is a variety of Japanese noodle soup originating from Okinawa prefecture.
Although soba traditionally uses buckwheat noodles, buckwheat is actually rarely used in Okinawa.
Instead, the noodles are made from wheat flour and range from round and long varieties to thicker and wider types.
The new store is a way for them to introduce Okinawa soba to more people.
The memory of our first visit came rushing back when we visited the new shop.
We went for the Tatchan Combo once again, a bowl loaded with pork belly and soft rib, and it hit the spot like always.
A few drops of their signature Okinawa chili oil added the perfect kick.
Alongside the three soba options, the storefront offers rice bowls, onigiri, and even a few side dishes and drinks.
A display case shows off ready-made items like soba packs and sushi rolls, while a special collaboration with Rika Plant Kitchen has introduced an Okinawan brown sugar tiramisu vegan cake.
Despite being a hidden gem, the place was packed during our late Thursday lunch visit, proving just how much love the shop has already earned.
For those who still want to chase the original cart experience, the yatai will continue to make appearances at events and pop-up locations around the city.
With its new Strathcona home, Tatchan Noodle now joins other exciting recent openings in Vancouver like Sud Cafe, Hu Tieu Mom, and Crab Hot Lau Granville.
Have you tried Tatchan’s soba yet, or are you waiting to check out their new shop first?
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: 383 Raymur Ave, Vancouver, BC V6A 0H1