Nomo Nomo is the newest kid on the block. A narrow, intimate snack-bar on Commercial Drive, where chairs bump, voices carry, and everyone seems to be in on something good. It’s one of the newest trendy bars in Vancouver, serving fusion tapas style Japanese food and some of the city’s most thoughtful cocktails. The space is dim and compact and it reminds me of a trendy Tokyo bar you’d hit up after work. For cocktails on Commercial Drive, this is the spot people will start talking about first. I finally had a chance to stop by and I am most upset I didn’t come by sooner. Check out my full review of Nomo Nomo below.
Nomo Nomo – Cocktail Menu
The cocktail list at Nomo Nomo is small but deliberate, a mix of Japanese spirits, seasonal flavours, and quiet precision. Each drink feels considered, layered, and designed to match the food rather than compete with it. For anyone looking for cocktails on Commercial Drive or an innovative Japanese cocktail bar in Vancouver, this is the one to watch. I tried 4 cocktails on my visit and loved every single one:
- Tonka ($18): Vanilla rooibos Suntory Toki, tonka cordial, apricot.
- Suika ($19): Solmano mezcal, junmai sake, horseradish aperitif, watermelon, Hokkaido milk clarified
- Ume ($18): Umeshu, shochu, lemon, honeydew, burlesque bitters, egg white, soda
- Ringo ($20): Calvados, umeshu, bitter liqueur, Fuji apple shrub
The Tonka was my first cocktail of the evening and it was so smooth and mellow. There is a whisper of the smokiness of the Suntory Toki but this was such an easy cocktail to drink. I also love the long ice cube. The Ume is super light and playful with lots of fizz. It’s one of the cocktails that don’t taste like alochol.
The Suika is clear like water but packs a huge punch. I always avoid milk clarified cocktails because they do a number on me but this one was nice! The mezcal was very forward.
The Ringo was my favourite of the night. It tastes exactly like apples but with the added benefit of being alcoholic. When you alternate between the nori and the drink you can really taste how the different notes of the drink work together.
Nomo Nomo – Food Menu
The food here is meant to be shared and nibbled on while enjoying the cocktails. On my visit we tried:
- Croquette ($18): J-potato salad, king salmon, ikura
- Scallop Crudo ($23): Hokkaido scallops, radish, ponzu, chili crisp
- Steak Tartare ($26): Carrara wagyu, yuzu kosho, tsukemono
- Tamago Sando ($18): egg salad, red crab, black truffle, milk bread
- Cookies & Ice Cream ($12): white chocolate cookie, matcha gelato, strawberry & red bean coulis
The Croquette features deep fried Japanese potato salad logs and topped wtih king salmon and ikura. The croquette is crisp on the outside, soft inside and very creamy. The king salmon was a tad fishy and for me this was the weakest dish of the night.
The Scallop Crudo features Hokkaido scallops sliced thin, dressed with ponzu and chili crisp. The pickled radish adds a bit of a bite. Clean, sharp, and balanced this was one of our favourite dishes of the night.
The Steak Tartare features Carrara wagyu cut fine, mixed with yuzu kosho and tsukemono. It’s well seasoned and rich. I love that they pair this with house made rice crisps. It is a very addictive combo!
The Tamago Sando features a creamy Japanese egg salad topped with red crab and black truffle on top of little squares milk bread. This was my favourite dish of the evening. The egg salad was so rich and creamy and the sweetness of the fresh crab pairs so well with the egg salad.
We really wanted to try the Iberico Tomahawk but unfortunately they didn’t have the tomahawk. They did however have an Iberico Shoulder with carmelized apple, apple kimchi and mustard tare. The pork was so tender and melt in your mouth. It went really well with the caramelized apples.
Ending our night on a sweet note the Cookies & Ice Cream was simple but delicious. Two warm white chocolate cookies sandwich rich matcha gelato for the perfect sweet treat.
Worth a Try?
Nomo Nomo isn’t built for long dinners, it’s a place to graze, drink, and linger for just a moment. The menu is small but smart, and the cocktails are priced fairly for how well they’re made. The room fills quickly, so go early or book ahead if you want a seat at the bar. It’s one of those trendy spots in Vancouver that actually deserves the attention. Good food, great drinks, and just enough chaos to make it feel alive.
Nomo Nomo
Address: 1268 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC V5L 3X2
Website: https://nomonomo.ca/
