Downtown Vancouver is about to get a new grab-and-go comfort-food stop just in time for holiday traffic. Minari Market, a compact ramen-and-goods shop, is set to open on Memorial Day (Monday), bringing a self-serve instant-ramen bar and a tight lineup of Asian snacks, stationery and house-made bites to Main Street. The market is built for speed: quick lunches, late-night cravings and whoever happens to be strolling by. It will take over the Softea storefront on Main Street.
The star of the operation is a self-serve instant-ramen setup where customers pick their noodle packets, cook them on-site and stack on toppings. Co-owner Leah Pluard said the concept grew out of late-night cravings she shared with her brother, according to KOIN.
The market is listed at 808 Main St in downtown Vancouver and will share space with Softea, per the city's visitor site. Visit Vancouver carries the business profile and a contact number for the new shop.
Menu and merch
Inside, shelves will be stocked with canned beverages, Asian breads, mochi, snacks, candy, stationery, stickers and dishware alongside grab-and-go foods. The team will also roll out house-made onigiri, with listed flavors including tuna mayo, shrimp tempura and chicken karaage, plus vegan and spicy instant-ramen options. There are plans to add kimbap to the mix later, according to KOIN.
Local ties
Minari is a family project. Leah is opening the market with her father, Kenn Pluard, who helped start Softea and previously ran Kenji's Ramen, local reporting shows. The idea has been circulating in the neighborhood since last year, as the team renovated the Main Street space and dropped hints on social media, according to WhatNow.
The city has already folded the new shop into its downtown outreach plans. The Main Street Promise schedule lists a Coffee Corner event at Softea & Minari Market on May 29, according to the City of Vancouver. Minari is slated to open on Memorial Day and is expected to refine its hours and menu items after the first week.
