Vancouverโs West End is about to get a taste of Yunnan, China, with the arrival of Yunqueen Rice Noodles.
After nearly a year of waiting, the shop has confirmed with Noms Magazine that it will open its doors this September inside the Robson Landmark Building.
The restaurant is the first North American outpost of Qicai Yunnan (ไธๅฝฉไบๅ), a well-known Yunnan brand established in 1982 that has been serving its signature rice noodles for over 40 years.
Manager Crystal Ren told Noms Magazine that the idea came from nostalgia.
โIt started with missing home. Growing up in Yunnan, we grew up surrounded by the rich, steaming broths and comforting flavors made by our grandmother. After moving to Vancouver, we found ourselves missing that warmth as nothing in the local food space offered the same depth of flavour and heart.โ
At the center of the menu is Guo-Qiao, or โCrossing the Bridgeโ rice noodles, one of Yunnanโs most iconic dishes.
The broth, described by the team as a โsoul-simmered creation,โ is cooked for more than six hours with real chicken and pork bones before being poured into a 200 ยฐC stone bowl.
Silky noodles, thin slices of meat, and fresh vegetables are added tableside, creating a bowl that stays hot until the last sip.
The kitchen is helmed by Head Chef Huang Jingkun, one of Yunnanโs 5-star Platinum Chefs and named among Beijingโs Top Ten Chefs.
With over 30 years of experience, he brings the time-honored traditions of Yunnan to Vancouver, while incorporating fresh Pacific Northwest ingredients for a local twist.
In addition to the golden broth noodles, guests will find beef rice noodles, Old Dian-style braised noodles, and the option to customize bowls with a variety of sauces and toppings.
The space has seating for 34 guests and combines modern minimalism with touches of Yunnan heritage.
Lantern-style pendant lights glow above warm wood finishes and bold red accents, creating a dining room that feels both contemporary and rooted in tradition.
โWhether itโs your first sip of our golden broth or the long-awaited taste of home, we want everyone to leave with both their appetite and heart satisfied,โ says Ren.
For first timers, the restaurant promises a mix of discovery and comfort.
โFor those from Yunnan, we hope they leave with a comforting taste of home. For others, we hope itโs the thrill of discovering a centuries-old dish for the first time.โ
Yunqueen Rice Noodles will be joining the list of other upcoming Vancouver food spots like TOUK, theVenti, and Doe Coffee Strathcona.
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: 1460 Robson St, Vancouver, BC