Work progresses on second KuJiRa location in Bridgeville, after briefly taking "Nami" name.

Work progresses on a second KuJiRa restaurant, coming soon to Chartiers Valley Shopping Center in Bridgeville. KuJiRa is an all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant in Shadyside.

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; the banner features a whale--kujira is Japanese for whale--and the same font as the temporary Kujira signage from 2023.

A huge local restaurant trend in 2023 and 2024 was planning---and sometimes opening---all-you-can-eat hotpot and Korean-style BBQ places, while a trend for 2025 was opening all-you-can-eat sushi places: 8 Star in Gibsonia, Let's Sushi in Wexford, and Koi Steakhouse and Sushi Bar in Monroeville opened over the past year, and Oyoshi in East Liberty is still under construction. KuJiRa will be located in the former Vocelli's Pizza (map).

Chinese Culture Summer Camp with Yanlai Dance Academy, August 3 - 7 and August 17 - 21.

Yanlai Dance Academy in the North Hills will host two sessions of Chinese Culture Summer Camp for kids ages 5 - 11. One session will span from August 3 through 7, another from August 17 through 21, and both run 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. The camps "include Chinese folk dance, paper crafts, art and more!"

Those interested in registering should contact PACCL.edu at gmail.com. Yanlai Dance Academy is a dance school in the North Hills that has long specialized 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).

Bombing Pot coming soon to The Waterfront.

Bombing Pot, an all-you-can-eat sush, Chinese-style hot pot, and Korean-style BBQ place, is coming pretty soon to the Waterfront, according to the shopping center's social media. 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. It is listed in the directory in the spot across from Starbucks formerly occupied by Versona, Charming Charlie, and American Eagle.

Lucy Chen's Dress in Red at Kelly-Strayhorn Theater, April 3 and 4.

The Kelly-Strayhorn Theater will present Lucy Chen's Dress in Red on April 3 and 4, part of its Freshworks series.

Femininity. Sexuality. Perception. Expectation. Dressed in Red explores these ideas and our shifting self and social identities through a blend of movement and video performance. Inspired by Classical Chinese dance and contemporary movement, Dressed in Red reflects on Lucy’s experience of the complex relationship between how we see ourselves, how we present ourselves, and how others see us. 

Utilizing video media and a costume that transforms throughout the performance, the dancers explore self-expression and connection/tension with their communities, within the lens of what it means to be feminine. Audiences witness an evolving narrative of feminine identity and are encouraged to contemplate their own experiences with their image, and how we perform our gender and sexuality.

The performances run 7:30 to 9:00 pm and include a post-show discussion. Tickets are available online. The Kelly-Strayhorn Theater's Alloy Studios is located at 5530 Penn Ave. in East Liberty (map).

2026 Chinese movie Pegasus 3 (飞驰人生3) remains in Pittsburgh through March 15.

The 2026 Chinese movie Pegasus 3 (飞驰人生3), which opened in Pittsburgh on February 27, will remain here through at least March 15. It is the highest-grossing film in China in 2026 thus far, and is the 11th-highest-grossing film in China of all time.

After the final stage at Bayanbulak, Zhang Chi (played by Shen Teng) is invited to compete in a brand-new event, the “Muchen 100 Rally,” as the head coach of the team. The once “wild” racer now steps onto the international stage. Facing a completely new course filled with top-tier competitors, Sun Yuqiang (played by Yin Zheng) and Ji Xing (played by Zhang Benyu) once again fight side by side with Zhang Chi. Powerful drivers such as Lin Zhendong (played by Huang Jingyu) are also invited to join, and a team built on top-level speed and shared belief is formed. However, Zhang Chi soon realizes that the true challenge does not seem to come from the race itself. Beneath the surface, tensions are rising beyond the track, casting uncertainty over their high-speed journey ahead.

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

Omakase at Okane Sushi downtown now open.

Photos via taken by Tran Le and sent by management.

The omakase service at Okane Sushi, a new sushi restaurant downtown, is now open. Omakase is a higher-end sushi dining experience where the chef decides the menu.

Our Omakase experience is now available for guests seeking something truly special. Omakase is a curated tasting where our chef selects the freshest fish and seasonal ingredients of the day. Each course is thoughtfully prepared and served to highlight balance, flavor, and craftsmanship. Join us for an intimate dining experience that celebrates the art of sushi.

Prices range from $88 to upwards of $188, and can be reserved online. 

Okane Sushi opened in January at 245 4th Ave. downtown (map). Its omakase space is on the second floor, above the first-floor restaurant featuring sushi tacos and other Japanese dishes and appetizers.

American Chinese restaurant Dragon City coming soon to Bellevue, replacing Dragon Town.

American Chinese restaurant Dragon City is coming soon to Bellevue. It will be located at 503 Lincoln Ave. (map), what was previously the home of Dragon Town.

Hello, Bellevue! 👋
​The secret is officially out! We are thrilled to join the neighborhood and bring a fresh spark to the local food scene. Dragon City is officially on the way to 503 Lincoln Ave! 🐉✨
​We are currently hard at work perfecting our menu and getting the kitchen fired up to bring you the best American Chinese comfort food in town. 🥡🧧🐎
​📅 Current Goal: Opening in the beginning of April
Will be Available on Grubhub, Doordash, Ubereats, Ezcater 饭团外卖Fantuan, 熊猫外卖HungryPanda

Asahi Ramen coming very soon to Brookline.

Photos posted by ownership to Google.

Work is nearly complete on Asahi Ramen, a new ramen restaurant coming very soon to Brookline and the old Oak Hill Post spot (map). Work began on the spot in December, and ownership has been aiming for a mid-march opening.

The restaurant has a website, but it gives security errors when attempting to open it. The menu lists Tonkotsu Ramen, Miso Ramen, Spicy Miso Ramen, Black Garlic Tonkotsu Ramen, and Vegetable Ramen, plus a variety of Japanese appetizers like agedashi tofu, takoyaki, karaage, tonkatsu, gyoza, edamame, and more. The Uber Eats page is just a generic Asian menu, apparently auto-generated. 

2026 Chinese movie Pegasus 3 (飞驰人生3) remains in Pittsburgh through March 9.

The 2026 Chinese movie Pegasus 3 (飞驰人生3), which opened in Pittsburgh on February 27, will remain here through at least March 9. It is the highest-grossing film in China in 2026 thus far, and is the 13th-highest-grossing film in China of all time.

After the final stage at Bayanbulak, Zhang Chi (played by Shen Teng) is invited to compete in a brand-new event, the “Muchen 100 Rally,” as the head coach of the team. The once “wild” racer now steps onto the international stage. Facing a completely new course filled with top-tier competitors, Sun Yuqiang (played by Yin Zheng) and Ji Xing (played by Zhang Benyu) once again fight side by side with Zhang Chi. Powerful drivers such as Lin Zhendong (played by Huang Jingyu) are also invited to join, and a team built on top-level speed and shared belief is formed. However, Zhang Chi soon realizes that the true challenge does not seem to come from the race itself. Beneath the surface, tensions are rising beyond the track, casting uncertainty over their high-speed journey ahead.

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

Yo! Brew coming to Duquesne University, from Yotea & Yoka Kitchen and YOYO Panda team.

Yo! Brew, a bubble tea place and bakery, will be opening soon at Duquense University. It will be located on Locust St. under Brottier Hall. (map), in what was formerly a Subway, and comes via the team behind Yotea & Yoka Kitchen in North Oakland and YOYO Panda in Allison Park. Work began on the spot last spring.

Chinese bakery opafé coming soon to Southside Works.

Signage has recently gone up for opafé, a Chinese bakery and cafe in Southside Works. It will be located at 2720 SIdney St. (map). It comes from the team behind Top Pot, Okane Sushi, and Opal Buffet, among others, and is a portmanteau of "opal" and "café."

"Asia Pop Lecture: Platformativity of Desire: Wanghong and Chinese Entertainment Livestreaming," March 4 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will present Dr. Kun Qian and her talk "Platformativity of Desire: Wanghong and Chinese Entertainment Livestreaming" on March 4, part of the Asia Pop lecture series.

Live streaming has reshaped social relations, cultural production, and daily life—especially in China, where the industry surpasses Western counterparts in scale, genre diversity, and revenue. This lecture examines labor relations in China’s entertainment live streaming sector, arguing that state authorities and private platforms jointly regulate desire for political control and profit.

Through Hao Wu’s People’s Republic of Desire (2018), it shows how physical and affective labor become emotional commodities circulating across platforms. Drawing on Jean-François Lyotard’s “libidinal economy” and Thomas Lamarre’s “platformativity,” it argues that platforms fuse the political, economic, and psychic to sustain a “tittytainment” economy that masks exploitation.

It runs from 6:00 to 7:00 pm in 205 David Lawrence Hall (map).

Beginning-level Mandarin Chinese courses at Carnegie Library - Hill District branch, Wednesdays from March 4.

via Khun Hans Photography (Creative Commons)

According to the University of Pittsburgh Asian Studies Center newsletter, the Carnegie Library - Hill District will host two Asian Studies Center interns to lead beginning-level Mandarin Chinese classes on Wednesdays from March 4 through April 22. Classes run from 4:00 to 5:00 pm and are free, though registration is required. The Hill District branch is located at 2177 Centre Ave. (map).

Asahi Ramen coming to Brookline in mid-March, in former Oak Hill Post spot.

Photo via Brookline Today Facebook group.

Work continues on Asahi Ramen, the Japanese-style ramen place be coming to Brookline in the spot most recently occupied by Oak Hill Post (map). Ownership says they are aimning for a mid-March opening.

New Chinese movie Pegasus 3 (飞驰人生3) in Pittsburgh, from February 27.

The 2026 Chinese movie Pegasus 3 (飞驰人生3) will play in Pittsburgh from February 27.

After the final stage at Bayanbulak, Zhang Chi (played by Shen Teng) is invited to compete in a brand-new event, the “Muchen 100 Rally,” as the head coach of the team. The once “wild” racer now steps onto the international stage. Facing a completely new course filled with top-tier competitors, Sun Yuqiang (played by Yin Zheng) and Ji Xing (played by Zhang Benyu) once again fight side by side with Zhang Chi. Powerful drivers such as Lin Zhendong (played by Huang Jingyu) are also invited to join, and a team built on top-level speed and shared belief is formed. However, Zhang Chi soon realizes that the true challenge does not seem to come from the race itself. Beneath the surface, tensions are rising beyond the track, casting uncertainty over their high-speed journey ahead.

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

Sushi restaurant Sokoya coming to former Patron spot in East Liberty.

A sushi restaurant called Sokoya is coming to the former Patron spot in East Liberty, located at 135 S. Highland Ave. (map). Patron closed in November 2025. Beyond new signage, no changes are expected to the exterior, but permitting paperwork is still pending for the sushi bar and other interior changes.

Zhang Yimou's Scare Out (惊蛰无声) remains in Pittsburgh through February 25.

The 2026 Chinese movie Scare Out (惊蛰无声), which opened in Pittsburgh on February 17 for the Chinese New Year, will remain here through (at least) February 25.

A major breach of China’s classified intelligence triggers an urgent response from a national security unit, determined to expose the traitor behind it. However, successive arrest missions suffer severe setbacks, driving tensions ever higher. As the investigation deepens, suspicion unexpectedly turns inward—toward members of the task force itself. Caught in a vortex of trust and betrayal, a silent struggle quietly unfolds.

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

2026 Chinese martial arts film Blades of the Guardians (镖人：风起大漠) stays in Pittsburgh through February 25.

The 2026 Chinese martial arts film Blades of the Guardians (镖人：风起大漠), which opened in Pittsburgh on February 16 to coincide with Chinese New Year, will stay here through (at least) February 25.

Dao Ma, the "second most wanted fugitive," who is entrusted by his benefactor, the chief of Mo family clan, to take on a mysterious escort mission-escorting the "most wanted fugitive," to Chang'an.

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

Peel teahouse soft opening in Squirrel Hill, February 20.

Peel, a new teahouse in Squirrel Hill, is soft opening from Friday, February 20.

Peel is soft opening this Friday 2/20/26, 12pm - 11pm!! on 2nd floor @ 5806 Forbes Ave

We’re beta testing so free tea after 8pm on Fri in exchange 4 ur thoughts, come hang 🌀🌀🌀

*We’ll be in beta testing/soft open mode for the next two weeks for us to find grounding, hours are as follows:

Mon to Tue: closed
Wed to Thurs: 12pm- 10pm
Fri to Sun: 12pm - 11pm

Signage went up for the Chinese-owned place in January, though work has been underway for nearly a year.  It is located at 5806 Forbes Ave., second floor, above Uncle Sam's (map). The text on social media, and the front-door signage, says Peel

is a (tea)house for drinks, eats, inquiries & play

Bring Lunar New Year Wishes to Squirrel Hill's Trees in 2026.

Due to the dangers presented to Pittsburgh's Asian communities by ICE and right-wing citizens, the Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition has cancelled the Lunar New Year Parade that sometimes passes through the neighborhood (last held in 2023). However, it has launched a "Bring Lunar New Year Wishes to Squirrel Hill's Trees" initiative to celebrate the holiday and the Asian businesses and residents that comprise much of its vibrancy. From the latest Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition newsletter:

In light of recent events directly impacting the safety and well-being of our
migrant and immigrant community members and allies, we have made the
difficult decision to cancel our Squirrel Hill Lunar New Year Celebration
to ensure the safety of all who would attend. However, this does not mean
we will stop celebrating the beautiful traditions that enrich our community.

A Different Tradition: Bring Lunar New Year Wishes to
Squirrel Hill's Trees
For years, students at a local school have observed the beautiful Lunar New
Year tradition of each child writing two wishes on red tags. One wish is for
themselves and one is for the community. The tags are hung from trees around
their school. As one wise 4th grader put it, it's a way to say to our Asian
community, "We see you, we appreciate you, and we think you're awesome!"
This Lunar New Year, let's spread this tradition across all of Squirrel Hill! In
honor and celebration with our Asian neighbors, let’s fill the trees throughout
Squirrel Hill with bright red tags carrying wishes of prosperity, health, and joy
for the year ahead! Thanks to Mardi Isler’s tireless work expanding our tree
canopy, we have plenty of trees ready to bloom with good wishes and
community solidarity.
How to participate:
● SHUC will have red Lunar New Year tags available for pickup at the Silk
Elephant or the SHUC Office. Email mcohen@shuc.org if you'd like to
volunteer to help distribute them throughout our neighborhood
● You can also start this tradition on your own! Hang red tags with wishes
on trees in your neighborhood and share the tradition with neighbors!
● Need tags? Click here to find red Lunar New Year tags on Amazon