There's good news in store for ramen fans. Meanwhile, a new sushi spot appears poised to take sushi in a timely new direction.

More Marutama

While ramen shops have been popping up all over the place, there's going to be a little game of musical chairs going on in April.

The popular Marutama Ra-men, which regularly draws lineups at its location at 780 Bidwell Street just off Robson, will be opening a second location 270 Robson Street near the Vancouver Public Library central branch.

That spot is in fact the location of Jinya Ramen, which is moving to a larger space at 541 Robson Street at the Telus building. The new Jinya will open mid-April.

According to Marutama general manager Tatsushi Koizumi, this second location is aiming for an April opening. The menu will be the same as the Bidwell location, with the addition of gyoza.

The new Robson locations of Marutama and Jinya will join a growing cluster of ramen joints in the area, including Yah Yah Ya and Ramen Gojiro.

Later on this spring, Jinya is also opening a new location in Burnaby as well.

Marutama has garnered a devoted following for its signature toripaitan, a creamy chicken broth.

Bowls are served with Hakata-style housemade noodles, cha shu, and ajitama (soft-boiled ramen egg), as well as variations accompanied by aosa (sea lettuce), red chili flakes, or other options.

The company opened its first location in Kawaguchi, Japan, in 2001, and has since opened locations in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Australia.

Vancouver's Bidwell Street location became the first Canadian location in 2013.

Think pink

The poké craze introduced Vancouver to poké burritos, which are basically like large uncut sushi rolls. A new place opening up in the West End appears to be ready to bring along the next step.

Pink Sushi will open up at 903 Denman Street, in a former Flight Centre location.

Details aren't available yet on this one except that they'll be serving sushi burritos and "cup sushi", or sushi served in a small bowl or container.