DD Mau Chinatown is Celebrating Seven Years This Weekend

DD Mau Chinatown is turning seven, and this weekend they’re marking the milestone with an anniversary party.

It’s been a journey. Siblings Kim and Kon Tran first launched DD Mau as a tiny bánh mì shop in Yaletown, which quickly gained traction for its bold flavours and casual energy. That success led to the opening of a second, more ambitious location in Chinatown, tucked under Fortune Sound Club at 145 East Pender Street.

While the Yaletown outpost eventually closed, the Chinatown location has grown into a local staple, known for its welcoming 54-seat dining room filled with bright colours, eye-catching tile, and walls of framed family memories. The vibe reflects exactly what it serves: dishes rooted in their parents’ Southern Vietnamese cooking (they are from the capital city, Tra Vinh), reworked through a fun, contemporary eye.

When the Chinatown expansion was announced in 2016, it felt like a major leap. The original Yaletown spot was low-key and fast service; whereas Chinatown offered a full bar, a bigger kitchen, and a deeper dive into comfort food. Although the build stretched out longer than planned – nearly two years — the end result was worth the wait. DD Mau infused serious energy to East Pender, from their signature Damn Good Chicken and Rice (a regular comfort food dinner with our family) to their imaginative cocktails, a killer happy hour, packed DJ nights, and a kitchen that balances both tradition and playfulness.

That same spirit will be on full display this Sunday, April 20th, at the “All-Star Snack Party”, a one-day celebration bringing back some of DD Mau’s most-loved dishes: Charlie’s Fried Chicken Sliders, Shrimp Skewers, Phở Gà Trộn, and their iconic Corn Ribs. Meanwhile, the bar team will be shaking up cocktails like Grandma’s Tea (Johnny Walker Black & oolong) and Hanoi Hannah (hibiscus gin, lemongrass, lime) (the later can be made spirit-free). Expect loud music, good drinks, and the kind of energy that’s kept DD Mau in the game for a solid seven years.

Limited tickets are now on sale for $59 each, including one complimentary cocktail, all four of the all-star snacks, as well as tax and gratuity. There will be staggered seatings starting at 5:30pm, 6pm, 7:30pm, and 8pm. TICKETS HERE. In the meantime, take a walk down memory lane via the gallery below…