Pocha by Kye-won named Best Korean restaurant in 2025's Pittsburgh City-Paper reader's poll.

Pocha by Kye-won, located in Saxonburg, was named Best Korean restaurant by the 2025 Pittsburgh City-Paper reader's poll. From the official restaurant of the place that opened in February:

We're so excited to bring a brand-new spot in Sprankles grocery store in Saxonburg to share authentic Korean food paired with amazing Grist House beer. Everything we serve is handmade, and we're the only place offering an authentic Korean BBQ experience, if you don't know what this is, see our Korean BBQ section! Whether you're a vegetarian or meat lover, we have something for everyone on our menu that's sure to make you feel right in Korea!

Other winners relevant to PennsylvAsia include Chengdu Gourmet for Best Chinese, Little Tokyo for Best Japanese and Best Sushi, Pho Van for Best Pho, Ramen Bar for Best Ramen, Tram's for Best Vietnamese, Lotus for Best Asian Grocer, and Panda Supermarket for Best International Grocery Store. These lists were for a long time notorious for their uninspired winners at the expense of smaller or more authentic restaurants, but in recent years have expanded beyond the small list of usual suspects.

Running Dish now called Bombing Pot, coming eventually to Waterfront.

Bombing Pot is the new name of the all-you-can-eat revolving sushi, CHinese-style hot pot, and Korean-style BBQ coming eventually to the Waterfront. When it was announced for the area in September 2024 it was known as Running Dish, a concept with a Sterling, VA location from the team behind Sushi Bomb in Robinson. According to the directory, it will go into the spot across from Starbucks formerly occupied by Versona, Charming Charlie, and American Eagle.

Moochi & You, a new dessert place featuring mochi donuts, corndogs, and boba, to hold Grand Opening on September 15.

Moochi & You, an Asian dessert place featuring mochi donuts, corndogs, and boba, is set to hold its Grand Opening on September 15. It is located at 601 Lincoln Ave. (map), in what was most recently Valkyrie Doughnuts, and started its soft open on August 15. From a Tribune-Review profile last month:

The shop, located in the heart of the neighborhood, will feature donuts as well as Korean corn hot dogs. Also on the menu will be classic boba, also known as bubble tea, a popular Asian drink that often consists of a milky sweet tea and tapioca pearl balls.

Moochi & You will offer a variety of flavors.

Moochi & You uses Ghirardelli chocolates and top the donuts with pistachios, Oreos and other goodies. The hot dogs are all beef and they have spicy options.

Also on the menu will be coffee and different tea flavors. All of the tea is brewed fresh. The fresh milk tea is made with organic whole milk.

Signage went up earlier this summer. The Moochi & You owner was one of the co-founders of China Star in the North Hills, which expanded to a second location in Squirrel Hill that eventually rebranded to become Sichuan Gourmet.

Chinese & English Storytime, September 20 at Cooper-Siegel Community Library in Sharpsburg.

The next installment of the Cooper-Siegel Community Library's Chinese & English Storytime will be held on September 20 at the Sharpsburg branch.

Explore the Chinese language with native speaker Ms. JJ through bilingual songs, books, and playful experiences! This monthly program on the 3rd Saturday of the month is designed for kids in preschool - 2nd grade with their caregivers.

This volunteer-led program is FREE - donations appreciated. All supplies provided.

Library parking is limited. If the library lot is full, we recommend parking at the 13th Street municipal lot. We're also conveniently located on the 91 and 1 bus routes.

The event runs from 10:30 to 11:30 in the Community Room. Registration is required. The library is located at 1212 Main St. in Sharpsburg (map).

Tasty Noodle (西安面馆) opens in Squirrel Hill.

A new Chinese restaurant, Tasty Noodle (西安面馆), has recently opened in Squirrel Hill. According to its Instagram page, it officially opened August 1. It's located at 5824 Forbes Ave. Lower Level (map), a spot that has held a number of Chinese restaurants over the years including Jian's Kitchen, Northeastern Kitchen, and Lucky Nine.

Surf Poke aims to open in Shadyside on September 9.

Surf Poke, with a menu that includes poke bowls, bento boxes, sushi, and bubble tea, aims to hold its grand opening on September 9. Work has been underway at 5400 Centre Ave. (map) for a couple of years in what was a medical space on the ground floor of the Arlington Apartments building.

10th Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Festival (第十届匹兹堡中华文化节), September 13 at Mellon Park.

The Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Center will present the 10th Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Festival (第十届匹兹堡中华文化节) on September 13 at Mellon Park.

The 10th Pittsburgh Chinese Culture Festival will take place on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Mellon Park (1047 Shady Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15232). As the largest outdoor celebration of Chinese heritage in Western Pennsylvania, the festival will feature authentic cuisine, spectacular stage performances, cultural exhibits, interactive workshops, and family-friendly activities. From traditional dance and martial arts to calligraphy, crafts, and kids’ fun with ice cream and bounce houses, this free event offers something for everyone.

The event runs from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm in the southern half of Mellon Park (map, not the half with the spray park and baseball fields).

Surf Poke opening soon in Shadyside.

Surf Poke---offering poke bowls, sushi, bento boxes, and bubble tea---aims to open soon in Shadyside. It will be located at 5400 Centre Ave., on the ground floor of the Arlington Apartments building at the corner of Centre and S. Aiken (map). Ownership is looking to open Monday or Tuesday of next week.

CAN I KICK IT? Pittsburgh presents "Enter the Dragon," September 5 at Frankie Pace Park.

The CAN I KICK IT? outdoor movie experience will present Enter the Dragon on September 5 at Frankie Pace Park connecting downtown and the Hill District.

Shaolin Jazz and the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership are teaming up once again to bring the CAN I KICK IT? outdoor movie experience to Pittsburgh. At each event action films and martial arts flicks are scored live (scene-by-scene) with a blend of Hip Hop and much more mixed by DJ 2-Tone Jones.On Friday, Sept 5th at Frankie Pace Park they will present a special outdoor screening of one of the greatest martial arts films of all time, Enter the Dragon starring Bruce Lee.

The event is free for all ages and open to the public. The festivities kick off at 6pm with an opening set by Pittsburgh's own DJ Selecta, and the feature film will beginning around 7:30pm. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets. Food trucks and other amenities will be on site. Enter the Dragon is rated R (Restricted), attendees under age 17 require an accompanying parent or adult guardian for entry into viewing area.

The event starts at 6:00 and is free, but registration is requested. Frankie Pace Park is located at 901 Centre Ave. (map), atop the cap that was placed atop Interstate 579 in 2021. 

Casting call for Chinese speakers for upcoming student film We All Leave at the End of the Night.

An upcoming student film by University of Pittsburgh student Freya Norwood, We All Leave at the End of the Night, has an open casting call for three roles and is accepting applications through September 8.

Are you, or someone you know, a Chinese speaker in the Pittsburgh area who always loved the tale of Chang’e flying to the moon as a kid? Are you interested in acting in a student film and trying your hand at calligraphy? Are you prone to melancholic musings and enjoy sharing mooncakes?

There are three roles:

Chang’e 嫦娥: 18-22, female, Chinese, the immortal woman on the moon from Chinese legend, Chinese speaking role (long undyed hair preferable)

Leah: 20-23, female, a half-Chinese college senior split between enjoying time with her friends and missing her family afar, English and Chinese speaking role

Jiejie 姐姐: 20-25, female, Chinese, the playful but imperious older sister of Chang’e, Chinese speaking role (undyed long hair preferable) 

 Those interested should apply via this Google Form.

English dub of 2025 Chinese animated film Ne Zha 2 (哪吒之魔童闹海) stays in Pittsburgh-area theaters through (at least) September 4.

The English dub of the 2025 Chinese animated film Ne Zha 2 (哪吒之魔童闹海), which which opened in Pittsburgh-area theaters on August 21, will remain here through at least September 4.

A rebellious young boy, Ne Zha, is feared by the gods and born to mortal parents with wild, uncontrolled powers. Now he's faced with an ancient force intent on destroying humanity, he must grow up to become the hero the world needs.

It is scheduled to play in Digital 3D, Real 3D, and Standard Formats in several local theaters at different points throughout its run, including the Manor Theater in Squirrel Hill, the AMC Loews Waterfront, the AMC Classic South Hills Village, AMC Westmoreland in Greensburg, the Waterworks Cinemas, the Chartiers Valley Luxury, and the Cinemark theaters in McCandless and Robinson, among others. Tickets are available online.

Koi Steakhouse and Sushi Bar in Monroeville to soft open August 28, hold a Grand Opening on August 30.

Koi Steakhouse and Sushi Bar in Monroeville has announced its soft opening on August 28 and its Grand Opening from August 30. It is located at 1782 Golden Mile Hwy (map), in what was most recently Golden Palace Restaurant. 

I started my journey as a private chef, bringing the excitement of hibachi cooking directly into people’s homes. Now, I’m thrilled to bring that same passion, flavor, and fun to this beautiful community with Koi Steakhouse & Sushi Bar.

In the past, I’ve also volunteered my time and skills as a chef to support local events and help those in need. I’m new to Monroeville, and I want to give back to the community. If you’re organizing any volunteering events, shelters, or community programs, feel free to reach out—I’d love to help.

Soft Opening: Thursday, Aug 28, 2025 @ 3 PM

Grand Opening: Saturday, Aug 30, 2025

Oak Shopping Center – 1782 Golden Mile Hwy, Monroeville, PA 15146

Grand opening Vouchers Valid only from 28th August to 5th September 2025

In addition to the restaurant, you can also book me as your private hibachi chef for parties and special occasions!

Visit Hiroshihibachi.com to learn more.

Please share this post with your friends and family—I can’t wait to serve you, both at Koi and at your own special gatherings!

The menu is hundreds of items long, consisting of a variety of hibachi items, poke bowls, sushi, rolls, standard Chinese and Thai entrees, boba tea, and more. 

"Chinese Mid-Autumn and Global Food Festival" at Carnegie Mellon University, October 1.

The Department of Languages, Cultures & Applied Linguistics’ Chinese Studies program at Carnegie Mellon University and Pittsburgh’s Organization of Chinese Americans will present the 2025 Chinese Mid-Autumn and Global Food Festival on October 1.

Celebrate the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival and explore culinary traditions from around the world at this vibrant cultural event!

Free and open to the public, attendees will enjoy live performances that showcase music, dance and storytelling from East Asian cultures. Sample delicious global cuisine, connect with the greater-CMU community and take part in a joyful evening of community, culture and conversation. All are welcome — come hungry and curious!

The event runs from 6:30 to 8:30 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.

2025 Chinese animated film The Legend of Hei II (罗小黑战记2) in Pittsburgh, from September 4.

The 2025 Chinese animated film The Legend of Hei II (罗小黑战记2) will play in Pittsburgh from September 4.

When an attack shatters the fragile peace between the spirit world and humanity, Hei teams up with Luye, the last disciple of his Shifu Wuxian, to expose a conspiracy that threatens both realms - and the bond they've sworn to protect.

It is scheduled to play locally, so far, at the Cinemark theater in Robinson, and tickets are available online.

2025 Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival, September 27 at North Park.

The 2025 Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival will be held on September 27 at North Park. The event runs from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm on North Park Lake (map), and in addition to the races that support breast cancer survivors, there will be a lion dance, food trucks, vendors, and activitiy tables including the Chinese Heritage Room (from the Pitt Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Program), OCA, the Pittsburgh Chinese School, and the Pittsburgh Taoist Tai Chi Society. The event is free for spectators, and registration remains open for teams of paddlers through August 31.

Meet Pho now open in Oakland, in old Meet Bao spot on Atwood St.

Meet Pho is now open in Oakland, and has a menu available online, via Fantuan. It is located at 114 Atwood St. (map), in the spot formerly occupied by Meet Bao, which had announced what they said was a temporary closure over the summer months. Meet Bao opened in 2021 in what was briefly Night Market Gourmet and TOP Shabu Shabu, and before that was perhaps best known as Pizza Sola.

First batch of films for 2025 SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Festival, running September 20 through 28, announced.

SCREENSHOT has announced the first batch of films for its 2025 SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Festival, running from September 20 through 28. The initial lineup consists of 12 films, with more to be announced later, including

• A Better Tomorrow (英雄本色) - 4K restoration of 1986 Hong Kong film
• A Useful Ghost (ผีใช้ได้ค่ะ) - 2025, Thailand
• Blue Sun Palace (蓝色太阳宫) - 2024, United States
• Daughter's Daughter (女兒的女兒) - 2024, Taiwan
• Missing Child Videotape (ミッシング・チャイルド・ビデオテープ) - 2024, Japan
• Mixed Modern (ミックスモダン) - 2025, Japan
• Pavane for an Infant (搖籃凡世) - 2024, Malaysia
• The Botanist (植物学家) - 2025, China
• Winter in Sokcho - 2024, France

Ticket and showtime information will be announced later, with screenings to be held around Oakland and the downtown Cultural District. SCREENSHOT: ASIA, which puts on the annual festival along with other Asian programming,

is a joint project from the Film and Media Studies Program and the Asian Studies Center that brings together students, faculty, and community members to create a shared awareness of Asian and Asian American experiences through contemporary film and media. Using film, video, and other on-screen arts, the series provides a forum to learn about Asian art, whether it is a classic work of cinema, a film by an emerging director, or a documentary addressing contemporary social concerns. The programming allows us to reflect on the importance of visual arts, current arts technology, and the place of cultural experiences in a global educational experience.

Work progresses on Lao Sze Chuan, a chain of Szechuan restaurants opening its first Pittsburgh-area location in Cranberry.

Work progresses on Lao Sze Chuan, a chain of Szechuan restaurants set to open its first Pittsburgh-area location in Cranberry.

The very first Lao Sze Chuan opened in 1998 in Chicago’s Chinatown and has since become one of the most beloved Chinese restaurants nationwide. The brainchild of Sichuan-born Chef Tony Hu, Lao Sze Chuan prides itself on providing traditional Sichuan cuisine with high-quality ingredients. In 1999, Lao Sze Chuan was recognized by the Chicago Tribune as “One of the Best,” receiving a “three fork” rating that was considered a prominent accomplishment for Chinese restaurants at that time.

Although Lao Sze Chuan has flourished since humble beginnings, our mission to offer, elevate, and promote gourmet authentic Chinese cuisine and provide exceptional customer service has never wavered. Our Grade A chefs are skillfully trained in Sichuan cuisine to provide the most authentic flavors at all locations. To this day, Lao Sze Chuan lives by the mantra “One Style For One Dish, A Hundred Dishes Have A Hundred Different Tastes,” a saying that keeps our most frequent customers coming back for more.

It will be located at 936 Sheraton Dr. in Mars, in what was most recently Max & Erma's (map). Work began on the spot in November 2024. This location is coming to the area by the restauranteur behind Wild Ninja Asian Grill in Oakland (2021-2022) and Dagu Rice Noodle in Squirrel Hill (2020-2025), in addition to Lao Sze Chuan, KyuRamen, Shinto, and Dagu Rice Noodle locations in Ohio.

Lucky Bites to hold Grand Opening tomorrow, August 16, in Bellevue, serving boba and poke bowls and featuring Steel Dragon lion dance performance.

Lucky Bites, a new restaurant coming soon to Bellevue featuring boba and poke bowls, will hold its Grand Opening tomorrow, August 16, at 3:00 pm.

Delicious poke bowls, refreshing boba, and a variety of Asian treats!

The opening will feature a lion dance from Steel Dragon and will coincide with traffic closures for Rhythm and Brew from 4 to 9.

Lucky Bites held its soft opening(s) on August 13 and 14. The restaurant is hiring, and those interested may send their resume to hello@luckybitespgh.com. The new spot is located at 549 Lincoln Ave. (map), the former home of Dietz Floral and Gifts.

English dub of 2025 Chinese animated film Ne Zha 2 (哪吒之魔童闹海), the highest-grossing animated film of all time, in Pittsburgh from August 21.

The 2025 Chinese animated film Ne Zha 2 (哪吒之魔童闹海), which played here in February and March, returns to the area from Augsut 21, this time dubbed in English.

A rebellious young boy, Ne Zha, is feared by the gods and born to mortal parents with wild, uncontrolled powers. Now he's faced with an ancient force intent on destroying humanity, he must grow up to become the hero the world needs.

It is scheduled to play in Digital 3D, Real 3D, and Standard Formats in several local theaters, including the Manor Theater in Squirrel Hill (from the 22nd), the AMC Classic South Hills Village, AMC Westmoreland in Greensburg, the Waterworks Cinemas, and the Cinemark theaters in McCandless and Robinson. Tickets are available online.