A global Chinese food chain that was all the rage a few years back has closed its Toronto location.

Founded in Shanghai and now boasting locations from Edmonton, Alberta to Wellington, New Zealand, Dagu Rice Noodle has all the trappings of a chain done right — from carefully crafted noodles and broth made in house daily to swanky interiors that elevate the experience from your typical noodle shop.

Upon opening the doors of their first Toronto location back in 2017, Dagu was an instant hit for the city, immediately overrun with crowds dying to get their hands on a steaming bowl of Crossing the Bridge Noodles complete with every topping you could possibly dream of.

After a good run, though, the noodle shop appears to have quietly packed up and left the location without so much as a notice announcing the closure.

In fact, the restaurant closed so suddenly that a number of Google Reviews claim that patrons tried either to go to the restaurant or place an order online under the belief that the restaurant was still open, only to find its doors locked, or worse, for their food to simply never arrive.

Even more sudden, the takeover of the space by its next tenant has already begun, with a shiny, new sign hanging out front, while the papered-up windows still sport Dagu Rice Noodle decals.

Small Pot Restaurant's sign glows proudly in the former location of DaGu Rice Noodle. Photo by blogTO.

According to the signage — which includes a smirking crab mascot — the restaurant space will soon house a second location for North York Chinese spot, Small Pot Restaurant, which, alongside a host of other dishes like Spicy Sichuan Crab and a particularly intriguing "Milk Flavoured Crab," just so happens to have a healthy offering of rice noodle-based dishes.

While the loss of DaGu Rice Noodle is certainly felt in the hearts and stomachs of those who were most excited to learn of its impending opening 7 years ago, it never hurts to see and try something new.

Except that Milk Flavoured Crab. I'm not sure I'll be trying that.

There's no word yet on when Small Pot Restaurant will be opening for business, but you can get an early taste of what's to come by visiting their current location at 155 Consumers Road.

DaGu Rice Noodle was formerly located at 115 Dundas West.