Kyo Matcha and Meetcha soft opening in Squirrel Hill today, holding Grand Opening on July 27 and 28.

Dessert spots Kyo Matcha and Meetcha are holding a soft opening in Squirrel Hill today followed by a Grand Opening this weekend. They'll be located at 5864 Forbes Ave. (map) in the former Footers Cleaners spot where signage first went up in October. Kyo Matcha, according to its official site,

is an international chain of Matcha desserts dedicated to creating top-quality raw materials. Due to the influence of the Japanese-style matcha culture, the Kyoto Matcha is based on the brand mission of “Let the Tea Return to the Forest”, rooted in the traditional Japanese tea culture and dedicated to the promotion of Matcha culture.

Meetcha is a bubble tea place. This is the latest in a recent batch of Asian dessert openings in Squirrel Hill, following Meccha Matcha, Mango Mango, and Tiger Sugar.

Work progresses on KYURAMEN, TBaar, both coming soon to Pittsburgh.

Work is progressing on national ramen chain KYURAMEN and national bubble tea chain TBaar, both coming soon to East Liberty. KYURAMEN was announced last July for Eastside Bond in East Liberty. TBaar was not announced, though signage went up recently in the spot next door and on the signposts. In response to an inquiry, KYURAMEN ownership indicated a potential September opening.


The Eastside Bond building welcomed Tous Les Jour, the international Korean bakery, in March, the first of the huge Korean chains to open in Pittsburgh.

Three-day "Crash Course in Chinese Medicine," July 19-21 in Oakland.

Source Pittsburgh will hold a three-day "Crash Course in Chinese Medicine" from July 19 through 21.

Learn Chinese Medicine in three days! Spend the weekend learning the theory and practice of Chinese medicine with this interactive course. If you're a novice with no prior knowledge or a veteran who want to brush up on your knowledge, this course will expand your insights and understanding of a traditional healing art.

The Introduction session on the 19th runs from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, while Diagnosis and Treatment Strategies on the 20th and 21st, respectively, run 2:00 to 6:00 pm. Registration can be completed online. Source Pittsburgh is located at 460 Melwood Avenue, Suite 211 in Oakland (map).

Oakland's KBox, the area's first Asian karaoke spot, closes permanently.

Signage has gone up on the door of KBox, the area's first Asian karoke spot, announcing its permanent closure. Ownership posted on social media on May 3 that it would close soon after plans to redevelop the S. Craig St. spot had moved forward.


KBox opened September 16, 2012 in Oakland, hoping to appeal to the Asian students and KTV enthusiasts at Pitt and Carnegie Mellon. It was the first dedicated Asian singing room business in the area, where previously the only option was to rent a private room in a restaurant. The buliding was long in disrepair, though, and not only did it always appear closed from the outside, but the developer stated during the June Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting that it had been vacant for several years; that is not quite true, but the state of the landscaping, steps, windows, and exteriors would give that impression. As PennsylvAsia detailed in a June 2024 post, the site has been the topic of redevelopment plans for nearly as long as KBox was open: first as the home of a new, larger Pink Box Bakery; then, as the site of a five-story apartment building; finally, as the future home of a two-story restaurant once demolition and reconstruction is complete.

Sushi Atarashi, Wushiland Boba to open in East End's Meridian development next spring.

Sushi Atarashi, a small chain of sushi restaurants in Pittsburgh, and national bubble tea chain Wushiland Boba are confirmed as tenants for the East End Meridian development in Shadyside set to open next spring, according to restaurant ownership and a June 25 Pittsburgh Business Times article.

Sushi Atarashi is the rebranded outcome of Sushi Fuku, as the two split back in 2015 with the S. Craig St. location in Oakland retaining the original name. Sushi Atarashi---atarashi means "new" in Japanese---has several locations around the Pittsburgh area in addition to the original Oakland Avenue location, and is aiming to open a revolving sushi restaurant in Robinson later this summer. Restaurant ownership confirms revolving sushi will be part of this new Meridian location as well. Wushiland Boba is a growing chain that opened its first Pittsburgh location in January. Sushi Atarashi and Wushiland Boba will join Market District, Shake Shack, and Barnes & Noble at The Meridian, which is replacing a small strip mall in Shadyside.

Registration for Yanlai Dance Academy Chinese Culture Summer Camp in August.

Registration is open for the Yanlai Dance Academy Chinese Culture Summer Camp which will run two sessions on August 12 - 16 and August 19 - 21.

Partnering with Pittsburgh Academy of Chinese culture and Language, this camp included traditional Chinese folk dance, Chinese paper arts and crafts, and other cultural activities.

The cost is $250 for the first week or $150 for the shorter second session. Those interested should contact PACCL.edu [at] gmail.com.

Yanlai Dance Academy is a dance school in the North Hills specializing in traditional and contemporary Chinese dances for all ages, as well hosting as Kpop sessions and adult dance troupes. It is located at 2260 Babcock Blvd. (map).

Many More Asian Market to have limited soft opening at its new location, June 15.

Many More Asian Market announced this afternoon that it will have a limited soft opening at its new location on Saturday, June 15.

Guess what??? bad news… Our refrigeration line exploded!!! but thankfully, it happened outside and no one was hurt. We'll have to redo the entire process, meaning no cooler/frozen items can be added, and the food court will remain closed...also more bad news… someone took down the new cherry blossom tree we just planted!! (What did our baby tree ever done to deserve this ? They are so small and just started to meet this world… )

Despite this and that, some good news!! we're still excited to announce our soft opening this Saturday at our new, bigger, and better location! It is not what we are hoping for, not 100% ready, but we still are excited to just be able to open the door and see you guys! lots of items to buy and check out! So comeeeeeee~~~ We are hoping to have our grand opening next month, complete with lion dance and an opening ceremony! Woo! Thank you!! See you guys!

New location:

2767 liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh , Pa 15222

Date:

Saturday, June 15, 2024

The new location has been beset by challenges since plans were first announced back in October 2022, troubles that delays and theft of equipment and appliances. The new location remains one of the most anticipated openings due to its expanded footprint and its food court, as it will the first large Asian grocery in the Pittsburgh area to incorporate one.

Miniso opens store in Greensburg's Westmoreland Mall.

Chinese retailer Miniso opened a store on June 1 somewhat locally in Greensburg's Westmoreland Mall. It is part of a US expansion that includes 13 new stores around the country in 2024. As to why it opened in Greensburg ahead of Pittsburgh, the reason may be due to agreements with CBL Properties, which manages scores of indoor and outdoor malls around the country, with the nearest being in Monroeville.

MINISO is based on three core principles. Affordable high quality: guides our decisions from design to materials. Joy: the response our customers experience while in our stores. Lighthearted: the relaxed and happy feeling when encountering the large variety of goods available.
MINISO has collaborated with world-famous brands including Coca Cola, Marvel, Hello Kitty, Sesame Street, Mickey and Minnie, Pink Panther, We Bare Bears and Beijing’s Palace Museum, releasing playful crossover products that have been hugely popular with our young shoppers.

Miniso has been described as a "Japanese Hot Topic" or a "Chinese Five Below" and seems to specialize in kawaii products, plushies, Japanese snacks, and various Disney and Sanrio branded products.

Newest big plans for the Kbox site.

For almost as long as Kbox has been in operation as an Asian karaoke place in Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood there have been plans to redevelop the site. Recently, the latest designs under review have called for replacement of its wood building with a two-story structure and a rehabilitation of the formerly residential structure behind it into apartment bulidings. Mike Wu, whose family owns a number of restaurants in the area and who is leading the redevelopment, said during a meeting this spring that the restaurant will play with three concepts, including an Asian restaurant and possibly a bakery. No further details were made available, though Wu reiterated that the space will not be occupied by chain restaurants, which would be a welcome development for the neighborhood.

A business formerly in Wu's portfolio is Pink Box Bakery, and the earliest plans for redevelopment 10 years ago involved a Pink Box that would be four times the size of the Squirrel Hill location. The first logos of Pink Box, which opened in Squirrel Hill in 2014, featured addresses for both Oakland and Squirrel Hill. The idea was to open the second location in late-2014 or 2015, but this never came to pass.

The next concept came in 2019, when Wu and Fisher ARCHitecture imagined a five-story structure replacing both buildings. More information about the design is available from Fisher ARCHitecture.

The project will be discussed at a Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting on June 13. Those interested in learning more about the project, including a video walkthrough of the proposal and architectural designs for the space, can do so online via the Oakland Planning and Development Corporation.

Asian Festival Night, May 19 at Carnegie Mellon.

The Organization of Chinese Americans and Win-Win Kung Fu Cultural Center will present Asian Festival Night on May 19.

OCA Pittsburgh and Win Win Kung Fu invite you to Asian Festival Night on May 19th, 4-6pm at:

CMU McConomy Auditorium

Jared L. Cohon University Center

5032 Forbes Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Enjoy cultural performances from Asian American groups in our community: OCA Performance Ensemble, Win Win Kung Fu, BCAP, FAAP, Geeta Tahiliani-Bolly Rangeela, PAPAGP, Pittsburgh Taiko, Silk Elephant, Zang Taekwondo. Sponsored by CMU Chinese Studies Program, Dept of LCAL.

Tickets are $5 flat rate

Join us in three week to spend the Asian Festival Night!!!

It runs from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at McConomy Auditorium in the second floor of the Jared L. Cohon University Center on the Carnegie Mellon University campus (map).  

Asian Granite & Cabinet in the North Hills hiring bilingual Mandarin-English office assistant.

Asian Granite & Cabinet in the North Hills is hiring a bilingual Mandarin-English office assistant.

Our Granite & Cabinet shop needs an additional sales associate.

We are looking for vibrant, energetic friendly people to join our team!

Sales/customer service experience preferred, but we are willing to train.

Skill: Basic excel, typing.

Education: High school diploma or GED.

Language skills: Bilingual , Mandarin and English speaking.

Many More Asian Market eyeing June opening for its new location.

After nearly 18 months of development, Many More Asian Market is eyeing a June opening for its new location, it announced on social media this afternoon.

Hi everyone! For the question everybody been asking, “When will we be open?” it has been a long journey… since the first expected opening date dated back in …. Last years June ….. 🫠We are finally confident enough to tell you guys…. We are expecting to open around this year June!!!!!! wooo!🥳 can’t wait! Really excited!! 😆

Work began in October 2022, and initial delays were compounded by theft of materials last fall. The expanded location at 2767 Liberty Ave, Strip District (map) will feature not only more groceries and housewares but also a small food court.

Wai Wai Chinese Cuisine to open second location in Greenfield.

Wai Wai, which currently operates a Chinese restaurant in Bloomfield, announced on social media they will open a second location in Greenfield in what was formerly China Star. The spot at 4219 Murray Ave. has held Chinese restaurants for decades, the last closing in February after a lengthy list of health violations.

2023 film Sight, based on life of Dr. Ming Wang, in Pittsburgh from May 23.

The 2023 film Sight, A Christian movie based on life of Dr. Ming Wang, will play in Pittsburgh from May 23.

Sight—starring Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning Greg Kinnear, and Terry Chen (Almost Famous, Falling)—is based on the true story of Dr. Ming Wang, a poor Chinese immigrant who defies all odds to become a world-renowned eye surgeon in the United States. Set in 1970s rural China, a young Ming faces persecution and despair at every turn; but with the support of his dedicated family and his own unwavering determination, he finds his way to America, attends Harvard and MIT, and helps develop an innovative technology that restores sight in millions. Taking on the seemingly impossible challenge of helping a blind orphan, the resilient Dr. Wang must reconcile with his own traumatic past and face the harsh reality that the strength of his own will can only go so far.

It plays locally in many local theaters, and tickets are available online.

2024 Chinese film YOLO (热辣滚烫) returns to Pittsburgh, from April 12.

The 2024 Chinese film YOLO (热辣滚烫), which opened in Pittsburgh on March 7 and ran through March 27, will return for a showing the afternoon of starting April 12.

Le Ying (played by Jia Ling) has been staying at home for many years, doing nothing in particular. After graduating from college and working for a while, Le Ying chooses to withdraw from society, closing herself off from social circles, which she believes is the best way to "reconcile" with herself. One day, after several twists of fate, she decides to live life in a different way. In cautiously venturing into the outside world, Le Ying meets boxing coach Hao Kun (played by Lei Jia-Yin). Just when she thinks life is about to take a positive turn, the challenges that follow far exceed her imagination, and her vibrant life is just beginning..

Yolo is the highest-grossing film of 2024 in China and is the 16th all time in that country, so far. It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online.

Progress on Shabu Shabu Hot Pot and Grill, coming soon to McCandless.

Permanent signage is up at Shabu Shabu Hot Pot and Grill, coming soon to McCandless. There is a sign in English and a sign that says "shabu shabu" in Japanese at McCandless Crossing in the North Hills, in an outparcel across from Laroche University (map). Work has been underway there since last summer, but there was recently some mild concern online when the temporary signage went down, leading some to ask if this all-you-can-eat BBQ and hot pot place were not coming after all. There is another location set to open in Robinson, too, totalling six AYCE hot pot and BBQ places coming soon to Pittsburgh.

Chinese documentary Youth (Spring) [青春] at 2024 Carnegie Mellon University International Film Festival, March 31.

The 2024 Carnegie Mellon University International Film Festival recently announced its selections and schedule, with the Chinese documentary Youth (Spring) [青春] the lone film from East Asia.

Zhili, 150 km from Shanghai. In this city dedicated to textile manufacturing, young workers come from all the rural regions crossed by the Yangtze River. They are in their early twenties, share dormitories and snack in the corridors. They work tirelessly to be able one day to raise a child, buy a house or set up their own workshop. Between them, friendships and love affairs are made and unmade according to the seasons, bankruptcies and family pressures.

It plays on March 31 at the McConomy Auditorium in the Jared L. Cohen Center on the CMU campus (map), and tickets are available online.

Signage up at Pittsburgh's first Tiger Sugar, Mango Mango locations.

Signage has recently gone up at Pittsburgh's first Tiger Sugar and Mango Mango locations, which will be sharing a storefront in Squirrel Hill. The two dessert chains have been working on the spot that was most recently a beer distributor at 5847-5849 Forbes Ave. (map) since May 2023.

2024 Chinese film YOLO (热辣滚烫) continues in Pittsburgh through March 27.

The 2024 Chinese film YOLO (热辣滚烫), which opened in Pittsburgh on March 7, will remain here through at least March 27.

Le Ying (played by Jia Ling) has been staying at home for many years, doing nothing in particular. After graduating from college and working for a while, Le Ying chooses to withdraw from society, closing herself off from social circles, which she believes is the best way to "reconcile" with herself. One day, after several twists of fate, she decides to live life in a different way. In cautiously venturing into the outside world, Le Ying meets boxing coach Hao Kun (played by Lei Jia-Yin). Just when she thinks life is about to take a positive turn, the challenges that follow far exceed her imagination, and her vibrant life is just beginning..

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

After another slight delay, Wei Lai set to open March 18 in the North Hills, serving dim sum, bubble tea, and other Chinese dishes.

Wei Lai has just announced a March 18 soft opening, a slight delay from its originally-announced date of March 12 and its second date of March 16. It's a restaurant serving dim sum, bubble tea, and other Chinese dishes coming to the spot formerly occupied by Ting's Kitchen in McIntyre Square just off McKnight Road (map). Its Instagram page has been active the last month in promoting is upcoming menu items.