Shabu Shabu Hot Pot and Grill opens in McCandless after coming soon for 1,000 days.

Via Town of McCandless Open Discussion Facebook Group. 

After a wait of over 1,000 days, Shabu Shabu Hot Pot and Grill in McCandless opened on May 5. Work had been underway since Summer 2023 on the second Shabu Shabu location in Pittsburgh, after its first opened in Robinson in June 2025. It occupies a building shared with Midwest Shooting Center across from LaRoche University (map).

A big Pittsburgh restaurant trend in 2023 and 2024 was planning, and sometimes opening, all-you-can-eat Korean-style BBQ and hot pot places. Several places did ultimately open, like Hong BBQ on McKnight Road, a second Shabu Shabu Hot Pot and Grill in Robinson (which has since become the first), among a couple others, while Korean BBQ in Oakland was famously delayed and the Kpot in Squirrel Hill ultimately pulled the plug in 2025 after two years of inactivity.

Yo! Brew nears completion on Duquesne University campus.

Signage is up for Yo! Brew, a bubble tea place and bakery opening soon on the Duquense University campus. 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, and onership says it intends to open very soon, with a soft opening date to be announced shortly.

Work progresses on YangGuoFu Mala Tang in Squirrel Hill.

Permanent signage is up on YangGuoFu Mala Tang in Squirrel Hill, where work has been underway since late fall on the new Chinese chain with locations in California, New York, and elsewhere in the US.

Indulge in the perfect blend of fresh ingredients and bold flavors, combined to create a dining experience that transcends the ordinary. Our Mala Tang offerings are carefully crafted for those seeking a healthy yet delicious meal option.

It will be located at 5870 Forbes Ave. (map) in what was most recently Evelyn James Interiors. It was initially eyeing openings in January and March.

Eastern Passage 东方之旅 soft opens downtown.

Eastern Passage 东方之旅---a retail store specializing in Asian apparel, artisan crafts, and cultural souvenirs---soft opened in downtown Pittsburgh last week, part of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership's Project Pop-up. Some context, from the Pittsburgh Chinese Culture Center's newsletter:

Coming soon to downtown Pittsburgh! Eastern Passage 东方之旅 – a retail store specializing in Asian apparel, artisan crafts, and cultural souvenirs is scheduled to open in April 2026. Located in the historic Park Building at 355 Fifth Avenue, the store is part of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership’s Project Pop-Up that will turn a vacant storefront into a vibrant cultural destination. We are particularly interested in promoting artworks and crafts by local artisans. Contact us for more information at easternpassagepgh@gmail.com.

匹兹堡市中心即将迎来新店开业！ 东方之旅 (Eastern Passage) 是一家专注于亚洲服饰、手工艺品及文化纪念品的零售店，将于 2026 年 4 月下旬开业。 该店坐落于第五大道355 号的历史性建筑Park Building，作为匹兹堡市中心伙伴关系 (Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership) “快闪项目” (Project Pop-Up) 的一部分，我们将把原本闲置的店面转变为充满活力的文化地标。 我们尤其注重推广本地艺术家和与手工艺人的作品。 欲了解更多详情，请联系我们：easternpassagepgh@gmail.com 。

Shabu Shabu Hot Pot and Grill, coming soon to McCandless for 1,009 days.

Signage first went up for Shabu Shabu Hot Pot and Grill in McCandless Crossing on July 15, 2023, and though some progress has been made on the interior, it shows no signs of opening in the foreseeable future. Emails and messages to restaurant management have gone unanswered over the years, while shopping center management has dismissively reiterated they will post about updates when they have them. It occupies a building shared with Midwest Shooting Center across from LaRoche University (map).

A big Pittsburgh restaurant trend in 2023 and 2024 was planning, and sometimes opening, all-you-can-eat Korean-style BBQ and hot pot places. Several places did ultimately open, like Hong BBQ on McKnight Road, a second Shabu Shabu Hot Pot and Grill in Robinson (which has since become the first), among a couple others, while Korean BBQ in Oakland was famously delayed and the Kpot in Squirrel Hill ultimately pulled the plug in 2025 after two years of inactivity.

American Chinese restaurant Dragon City to soft open in Bellevue April 14.

American Chinese restaurant Dragon City is soft opening in Bellevue on April 14. It will be located at 503 Lincoln Ave. (map), what was previously the home of Dragon Town. From its "coming soon" announcement last month:

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

May Nail Studio opening in Aspinwall next month.

May Nail Studio is coming soon to Aspinwall, aiming to open appropriately enough in May. It will be located at 407 Freeport Ave. (map), in what was formerly Dream Nails Studio, and will specialize in manicures, pedicures, nail art, and more.
via tranjennyle.nails

It's run by Tran Jenny Le, a nail artist and photographer familiar to those who follow the social media of trendy local Asian restaurants (@tranjennyle).

Squirrel Hill's Viet Nom Nom closing March 30.

Squirrel Hill's Viet Nom Nom will close its doors on March 30. From its Instagram post today:

Graditude. Privilege. Friendship. And unmatched support are just a few words that describe what I feel when I look back on the last 15 years of being a restaurant owner in Squirrel Hill. There were a few hiccups with the transition but everything is finalized. Tomorrow will be my last day in business until I am ready to relocate. Remember friends, I’m a serial “pivot-er” so this isn’t Good bye… it’s a BRB !!! Love you all and thank you for your continuous support❤️

It briefly announced a closure last month, with some additional context:

There's a little sadness in letting go but there's plenty of beauty in starting over. Squirrel Hill was home to 2 of my businesses the last 14 years. This community has welcomed me with open arms as I introduced Vietnamese cuisine to the neighborhood with the opening of Tan Lac Vien in 2012. It was my first dine-in restaurant where i Offered more unique and authentic dishes. I had a great run. In 2023 I decided to down size to what is currently Viet Nom Nom. It was a fun, quirky and cozy spot. I offered quick and casual dine-in where I served no fuss dishes. I will forever be grateful for the patronage and friendships that I have created here over the years. I am honored to have served the Squirrel Hill community. Life is filled with changes and I have to allow my new priorities to align with my home and work balance. A reset is deeply desired, but Please don't worry because if any of you know me, you'll know that I am a "serial entrepreneur " - to be continued...

It opened January 2023 at 1711 Murray Ave (map). 

Eastern Passage 东方之旅 coming to downtown Pittsburgh in April as part of Project Pop-Up.

According to the Pittsburgh Chinese Culture Center's newsletter, a retail store called Eastern Passage 东方之旅 is coming to the Park Building downtown (map), part of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership's Project Pop-up.

Coming soon to downtown Pittsburgh! Eastern Passage 东方之旅 – a retail store specializing in Asian apparel, artisan crafts, and cultural souvenirs is scheduled to open in April 2026. Located in the historic Park Building at 355 Fifth Avenue, the store is part of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership’s Project Pop-Up that will turn a vacant storefront into a vibrant cultural destination. We are particularly interested in promoting artworks and crafts by local artisans. Contact us for more information at [redacted].

匹兹堡市中心即将迎来新店开业！ 东方之旅 (Eastern Passage) 是一家专注于亚洲服饰、手工艺品及文化纪念品的零售店，将于 2026 年 4 月下旬开业。 该店坐落于第五大道355 号的历史性建筑Park Building，作为匹兹堡市中心伙伴关系 (Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership) “快闪项目” (Project Pop-Up) 的一部分，我们将把原本闲置的店面转变为充满活力的文化地标。 我们尤其注重推广本地艺术家和与手工艺人的作品。 欲了解更多详情，请联系我们：[redacted] 。

The email address listed in the newsletter has a typo and is invalid, hence my redaction. Project Pop Up

brings vibrancy and innovation to Downtown Pittsburgh by activating vacant storefronts with temporary retail pop-ups, interior window displays, and artistic window graphics. In collaboration with Downtown property owners—and with generous support from the Hillman Foundation—the program invites entrepreneurs, artists, makers, retailers, and creative teams to transform empty storefronts into engaging destinations.

This initiative supports Downtown’s economic revitalization by providing low-barrier opportunities for creative retail, art, and cultural activations that contribute to a more dynamic and welcoming streetlevel experience.

Krunchy Bird Korean Fried Chicken opens in Mt. Lebanon.

Krunchy Bird Korean Fried Chicken, offering Korean-style chicken sandwiches, wings, and tenders, has opened in Mt. Lebanon. It is located at 325 Mt. Lebanon Blvd. (map), in the former Oya Sushi location.

Self-Chef Mongolian Stir-Fry and Sushi to open in Castle Shannon on March 18 now open in Castle Shannon.

Self-Chef Mongolian Stir-Fry and Sushi will open in Castle Shannon on March 18 is now open in Castle Shannon, in the former Linden Grove spot. Signage went up in the fall at 1100 Grove Road (map).

The menu, posted on their official site, features primarily sushi, sashimi, rolls, and Japanese appetizers and desserts at this point:  

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).

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.

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. 

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.

Viet Nom Nom not closing after all.

On February 21 Viet Nom Nom, a Vietnamese restaurant in Squirrel Hill, announced its last day of operations would be February 28. Today, it announced it will not be closing after all. It is located at 1711 Murray Ave (map) and opened in January 2023.

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."

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.