2025 Chinese film Gloaming in Luomu (罗目的黄昏) in Pittsburgh, September 19, part of SCREENSHOT: ASIA Film Festival.

The 2025 Chinese film Gloaming in Luomu (罗目的黄昏) will play in Pittsburgh on September 19, part of this year's SCREENSHOT: ASIA Film Festival. A synopsis, from SCREENSHOT:

CONTENT WARNING: Addiction

When Bai (Bai Baihe) – a dancer with an alcohol problem – receives a postcard from her missing boyfriend that only says “Gloaming in Luomu,” she heads to the untouched, idyllic village to try to find out what happened to him. There, she connects with a host of interesting characters, all of whom help her as she feels increasingly more connected to her absent companion. In Gloaming in Luomu, Korean-Chinese filmmaker Zhang Lu offers a radical reworking vanished soulmate theme, with the Sichuan-set tale unfolding like a delirious dream, the mysteries of its complex characters and metaphysical conversations heightened by meticulous camerawork and imaginative sound design. The film captures the surreal disjuncture of searching while also lost and of looking for a shade of the past–someone who may or may not be a fever dream.

It plays in room 332 of the Cathedral of Learning (map) and tickets are available online. Tickets are free for students, faculty, and staff with a valid University of Pittsburgh ID card, and for Carnegie Mellon University students. 

Laurie Trok x Peel Open Session, debuting new menu, September 19 at Peel in Squirrel Hill.

Newish Squirrel Hill teahouse Peel is hosting an Open Session on September 19 where it will unveil its new menu.

Laurie Trok x Peel is a kinetic menu collaboration for play, translocal encounters, and rituals.

Laurie is a multidisciplinary artist whose work leans into our experience of the ephemeral and the ways time is made visible by entropy. Food is central to this practice and Laurie has sought to create menus that investigate our relationship to time.

Often sourcing directly from their own garden, Laurie’s and Peel’s practices are both particularly attuned to time and place-specificity. The collaboration approaches temporalities and inheritances as sites where play, locality and collaboration can generate speculative rituals for tasting, relating and gathering.

Your ticket gives you access to the space from 12-5pm, with unlimited menu offerings available throughout the session (menu below). Once the reservation is made, there are no additional charges at Peel.

Tickets are available online for $38. More information is on Peel's Instagram post. Peel opened in February at 5806 Forbes Ave., second floor, above Uncle Sam's (map). 

11th Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Festival (相约第11届匹兹堡中华文化节), September 19 in Mellon Park.

The Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Center will present the 11th annual Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Festival (相约第11届匹兹堡中华文化节) on September 19.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 19 at Mellon Park! Bring your family and friends for a lively day filled with captivating performances, interactive art demonstrations, fun games, and delicious food. Early birds can enjoy warm-up performances starting at 10:30 AM, with the official festival kickoff at 11:00 AM (running through 5:00 PM). See you there!

9月19日（周六）Mellon Park 带上家人与朋友，一起享受精彩绝伦的舞台表演、丰富有趣的艺术互动展示、热闹的互动游戏以及地道的各色美食。上午10:30起将带来精彩的预热表演，文化节将于11:00正式拉开帷幕（持续至下午5点）。期待您的到来！我们不见不散！

The event runs from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm in the southern half of Mellon Park (map, not the half with the spray park and baseball fields).

"2026 CMU Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival" at Carnegie Mellon University, September 25.

The Department of Languages, Cultures & Applied Linguistics’ Chinese Studies program at Carnegie Mellon University and Pittsburgh’s Organization of Chinese Americans will present the 2026 CMU Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival on September 25.

The Mid-Autumn Festival — Zhongqiu Jie (中秋节) in Chinese — is also called the Mooncake Festival or the Moon Festival, and is the second most important festival in China after Chinese New Year.

In Chinese culture, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a reunion time for families, celebrated by gathering for dinners, worshiping the moon, lighting paper lanterns, eating moon cakes, etc.

Join LCAL and the Chinese studies program as we celebrate this special holiday with food and drink, arts and performances, and being together as a community!

The event runs from 7:00 to 9:00 pm in the Cohon University Center's Rangos Ballroom on the Carnegie Mellon campus in Oakland (map), and is free and open to the public.

Mid-Autumn Festival with Pitt's Asian Studies Center, September 14.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will hold its annual Mid-Autumn Festival on September 14.

Join ASC for our Mid-Autumn Festival! We will play Pitch Pot and enjoy free snacks!!

It runs from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm in the Global Hub on the first floor of Posvar Hall (map), and is free and open to the public.

Bilingual Chinese-English Story Hours at Carnegie Libraries in Squirrel Hill and Oakland this fall.

The Chinese Library for Children will present Bilingual Story Hour monthly this fall at the Carnegie Library in Squirrel Hill, representing a return of Chinese-English storytimes that were frequent pre-COVID.

Join us for stories, songs, movement and hands-on activities–designed to introduce children to language and culture through play and shared reading.

Story Hours are scheduled from 10:30 to 11:30 am on September 12, October 10, and November 14 at the Squirrel Hill branch at 5801 Forbes Ave. (map), and September 26, October 31, and November 28 at the Oakland (Main) branch at 4400 Forbes Ave. (map). Both branches are accessible by a number of city buses.  The Chinese Library for Children is

a community-grown nonprofit initiative that supports children’s access to Chinese-language reading through shared resources and local collaboration.

New Chinese computer-animated film All Wishes Come True (八仙) stays in Pittsburgh through (at least) September 9.

The Chinese computer-animated film All Wishes Come True (八仙), which opened in Pittsburgh on August 28, will remain in the area through (at least) September 9.

On a wondrous island where mortals and Immortals dwell as one, a legendary vault holds a fortune beyond dreaming. Lü Dongbin and Zhongli Quan have a plan. To crack that vault, these two mortals will pull off the impossible: pose as Immortals themselves. They gather six more misfits along the way: He Xiangu, Tieguai Li, Han Xiangzi, Cao Guojiu, Lan Caihe, and Zhang Guolao. Eight ordinary souls, one extraordinary heist, and death waiting for anyone caught trying to outsmart the heavens. But something far worse is already closing in: a shadow conspiracy that could undo the balance of all things. And our eight bumbling schemers stand right in its path. Inspired by the beloved Chinese legend of the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, All Wishes Come True! opens in theaters this summer.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online.

Progress slow but steady on Pittsburgh's first YangGuoFu Mala Tang, coming to Squirrel Hill.

Progress is still underway on YangGuoFu (also known as YGF Malatang), a chain of build-your-own malatang bowls, aiming to open its first Pittsburgh-area location in Squirrel Hill.

Founded in 2003 in Harbin, China, YGF Malatang began as a humble street-side stall built on one belief: great food should be fresh, flavorful, and uniquely yours. We handpicked ingredients, simmered broth daily, and let guests craft their own bowls — interactive, vibrant, and deeply personal. That founding spirit — individuality and flavor discovery — drives us today as we bring authentic Malatang to the Americas. At YGF, every bowl is crafted fresh and unmistakably yours.

It will be located at 5870 Forbes Ave. (map) in what was most recently Evelyn James Interiors. Signage first went up in November 2025, and they were initially aiming for a mid-January opening. There are over 6,000 YGF Malatang restaurants worldwide, and locations in New York, California, Georgia, Florida, Texas, and Washington. (Ownership did not respond to requests for Pittsburgh-area updates.)

Ebisu Life Store coming to Cranberry.

Work is underway on an Ebisu Life Store in Cranberry. It will be located at 20217 Route 19 Suite 203 in a former Party City in a strip mall near the Walmart at the intersection of Route 19 and Old Freedom Rd, and aims to open later this year. From their Instagram:

At the end of this year an Ebisu Japanese Life Store will be opening in Cranberry Township, PA! This 7,000 sq ft store will be packed with claw and gatchapon machines, Japanese beauty, exciting snacks and drinks to try, anime figures, stationery, and much more!

Stay tuned for more information on the Grand Opening and exciting events in store! 🌸🇯🇵

Ebisu Japanese Life Store is a Chinese chain specializing in Japanese goods, with its stores featuring cosmetics, snacks, homegoods, stationary, gacha machines, and more. It opened its first area location in Squirrel Hill in October 2024. 

11th Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Festival (相约第11届匹兹堡中华文化节), September 19 in Mellon Park.

The Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Center will present the 11th annual Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Festival (相约第11届匹兹堡中华文化节) on September 19.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 19 at Mellon Park! Bring your family and friends for a lively day filled with captivating performances, interactive art demonstrations, fun games, and delicious food. Early birds can enjoy warm-up performances starting at 10:30 AM, with the official festival kickoff at 11:00 AM (running through 5:00 PM). See you there!

9月19日（周六）Mellon Park 带上家人与朋友，一起享受精彩绝伦的舞台表演、丰富有趣的艺术互动展示、热闹的互动游戏以及地道的各色美食。上午10:30起将带来精彩的预热表演，文化节将于11:00正式拉开帷幕（持续至下午5点）。期待您的到来！我们不见不散！

The event runs from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm in the southern half of Mellon Park (map, not the half with the spray park and baseball fields).

New Chinese computer-animated film All Wishes Come True (八仙) in Pittsburgh, August 28 - September 2.

The Chinese computer-animated film All Wishes Come True (八仙) will play in PIttsburgh on August 28.

On a wondrous island where mortals and Immortals dwell as one, a legendary vault holds a fortune beyond dreaming. Lü Dongbin and Zhongli Quan have a plan. To crack that vault, these two mortals will pull off the impossible: pose as Immortals themselves. They gather six more misfits along the way: He Xiangu, Tieguai Li, Han Xiangzi, Cao Guojiu, Lan Caihe, and Zhang Guolao. Eight ordinary souls, one extraordinary heist, and death waiting for anyone caught trying to outsmart the heavens. But something far worse is already closing in: a shadow conspiracy that could undo the balance of all things. And our eight bumbling schemers stand right in its path. Inspired by the beloved Chinese legend of the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, All Wishes Come True! opens in theaters this summer.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online.

2026 Chinese film Dear You (给阿嬷的情书) in Pittsburgh, from September 3.

The 2026 Chinese film Dear You (给阿嬷的情书) will play in Pittsburgh from September 3.

A debt-ridden grandson travels to Thailand to find the grandfather he believes abandoned their family, hoping the man behind years of qiaopi letters and remittances can help pay his debts. Instead, he uncovers a lifelong act of love and sacrifice. Inspired by overseas Chinese traditions, DEAR YOU has become a breakout success, touching global audiences with its story of family and devotion.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online.

Tickets for 2026 SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Festival now on sale.

The lineup for the 2026 SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Fest was announced a few days ago, and tickets are now available online. This year's festival features 13 works, so far, at locations throughout Oakland and downtown. Most relevant to readers of this site are films from Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Korea, China, and the Philippines:

• Before the Bright Day (南方時光, Taiwan) - September 18, 1:30 pm, Frick Fine Arts Auditorium
• Sleep No More (Monster Pabrik Rambut, Indonesia) - September 18, 8:00 pm, Harris Theater
• Gloaming in Luomu (罗目的黄昏, China) - September 19, 11:00 am, Cathedral 332
• Filipiñana (Philippines) - September 19, 7:00 pm, Harris Theater
• Two Seasons, Two Strangers ( 旅と日々, Japan) - September 20, 11:00 am, Frick Fine Arts Auditorium
• Queer Taiwan: Works from Jo-Fei Chen (Where is my Love?, Incidental Journey) - September 20, 3:00 pm, Carnegie Museum of Art
• Ky Nam Inn (Quán Kỳ Nam, Vietnam) - September 21, 6:30 pm, Public Health G24
• 3670 (Korea) - September 22, 7:00 pm, Harris Theater
• The Yoshida-Ryo Dormitory (対話のゆくえ　京都大学吉田寮, Japan) - September 23, 7:00 pm, David Lawrence 121

Tickets are free for anyone with a University of Pittsburgh ID and for Carnegie Mellon University students. The festival runs from September 16 through 23.

Oakland's Mount Everest Sushi closes.

Mount Everest Sushi has recently closed in Oakland after nine years of operation. It opened in April 2017 at 128 Oakland Ave., replacing the popular Sushi Boat and offering (at the time) poke, sushi rolls, sushi tacos, and sushi donuts.

Bilingual Chinese-English story time returns to Carnegie Library in Squirrel Hill this fall.

The Chinese Library for Children will present Bilingual Story Hour monthly this fall at the Carnegie Library in Squirrel Hill, representing a return of Chinese-English storytimes that were frequent pre-COVID.

Join us for stories, songs, movement and hands-on activities–designed to introduce children to language and culture through play and shared reading.

Story Hours are scheduled from 10:30 to 11:30 am on September 12, October 10, and November 14 at the Squirrel Hill branch at 5801 Forbes Ave. (map). The Chinese Library for Children is

a community-grown nonprofit initiative that supports children’s access to Chinese-language reading through shared resources and local collaboration.

Teriyaki Express soft opens in Squirrel Hill, in former Viet Nom Nom spot.

Teriyaki Express has soft opened in Squirrel Hill. Its menu offers a variety of teriyaki dishes reminiscent of a mall food court---chicken, beef, and shrimp---and Asian appetizers like tempura and dumplings. It operates several spots in Ohio, but the Pittsburgh location is at 1715 Murray Ave. (map), taking the place of Viet Nom Nom, which closed March 30.

Wei Lai Dim Sum closes restaurant in North Hills on May 25.

Wei Lai Dim Sum announced on social media it will close its North Hills restaurant on May 25.

We will be officially closing on May 25.

Thank you for being part of our journey.

After more than two wonderful years, Weilai Dim Sum Restaurant would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all of our customers for your continued support and patronage. It has truly been our pleasure to serve you.

Wei Lai opened in March 2024 in McIntyre Square, and was one of several restaurants to open in the last few years offering high-quality, non-chain cuisine in the North Hills. The lack of dim sum in Pittsburgh was an oft-cited vacancy until the arrival of Wei Lai and, a month later, HK Dim Sum in North Oakland.

Comedian Yaqiao Yang at The Comedy Bar, June 6.

Comedian Yaqiao Yang will perform at The Comedy Bar on June 6. 

Comedian Yoqiao Yang takes over The Comedy Bar Pittsburgh for a weekend of laughs.

Yaqiao Yang (often referred to as Yang Comedy) is a rapidly rising Chinese-born stand-up comedian based in the United States, known for her sharp wit, daring, and frequently viral stand-up material. As of early 2026, she is recognized as a standout performer in the US comedy scene, notably earning a "Golden Ticket" on the popular live podcast and stand-up show Kill Tony.

Tickets are available online. Please note, there is a two-item purchase minimum charged on top of tickets and service fees. The Comedy Bar @ Remo's is located at 2151 Babcock Blvd. in the North Hills (map). 

University of Pittsburgh hiring part-time Chinese instructor.

The University of Pittsburgh's Department of East Asian Languages & Literatures is hiring a part-time Chinese instructor.

The Chinese Program of the Department of East Asian Languages & Literatures at the University of Pittsburgh, pending budgetary approval, seeks an instructor to teach several sections of 5-credit First-Year Chinese recitation classes in Fall 2026. The successful Candidate will need to have in hand, at the time of the hire, a MA in Chinese language pedagogy (or related field) and experience in teaching Chinese language courses at college level. 

 

The appointment is for the Fall semester of 2026. Reappointment in Spring 2027 may be possible, depending on student enrollment. These classes will be taught in person. 

 

Review of application materials will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Apply here by uploading a letter of application detailing your suitability for this teaching appointment, a current CV, a statement of teaching philosophy and experience, and a list of three recommenders, at least one of whom should be able to comment explicitly on the candidate's teaching ability. 

KuJiRa's Bridgeville location opens today.

KuJiRa, an all-you-can-eat sushi bar in Shadyside, has opened its second location in Bridgeville. From an announcement on Instagram:

The wait is officially over—Bridgeville, we have arrived! 🎉 We are absolutely thrilled to announce that our brand-new location is officially OPEN and ready to welcome you. A ton of love and hard work went into bringing this beautiful space to life, and we can’t wait for you to experience the vibe. 🥢✨
Come on by, say hi, and celebrate this next chapter with us! Here are all the details you need to plan your visit:
📍 **Where to Find Us:**
1025 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, PA 15017
⏰ **Hours of Operation:**
* **Sunday – Thursday:** 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM
* **Friday – Saturday:** 11:30 AM – 10:30 PM

It is located in the Chartiers Valley Shopping Center in the former Vocelli's Pizza spot (map).

This was first teased in an October 2025 social media post by Legacy Realty, but when I visited the spot in December signage was up for Nami Japanese Kitchen & Bar. However, maybe the Nami signage was a ruse to keep the location partially hidden until more permanent signage could go up.