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.

Revolving sushi planned for renovated Sushi Atarashi in Robinson, July 2024.

Sushi Atarashi has announced that its Robinson location will get a makeover to include a revolving sushi bar. The location temporarily closed in mid-March and aims to reopen in July. Sushi Atarashi is a small local chain of build-your-own sushi roll restaurants, formerly known as Sushi Fuku, with several locations in the area.

Meccha Matcha soft opening its first Pittsburgh location April 26.

Meccha Matcha has just announced a soft opening for its first Pittsburgh location, coming to Squirrel Hill on April 26.

Progress on Hong Kong Dim Sum, coming soon to Pittsburgh.

There has been some progress inside Hong Kong Dim Sum, coming soon to North Oakland. The development team sent this photo of framing inside the Centre Ave. ground floor of One On Centre (map). The new dim sum restaurant was announced for this spot back in September.

Meccha Matcha truly coming soon to Squirrel Hill.

Meccha Matcha's first Pittsburgh location appears to really be coming soon. It announced on social media today that an announcement about its opening date will come tomorrow.

Meccha Matcha is a small chain of matcha (green tea)-themed dessert items and drinks. It has displayed a "coming soon" sign at 2000 Murray Ave. in Squirrel Hill (map), in what was formerly Te Cafe, since last February. Pronounced approximately Mayt-cha---Japanese for very---rather than Meck-ah---as in a robot suit you wear into battle---the menu boasts "America's strongest matcha ice cream!" and offers green tea ice cream, green tea lattes, blended ice, and a few other non-matcha coffee and tea drinks. There are currently Meccha Matcha locations in California and Texas.

Filipino restaurant, from Rafael Vencio of Amboy Urban Farm, coming soon to Pittsburgh's North Side.

via @amboy_urbanfarm_pittsburgh 

Chef Rafael Vencio recently announced on social media that he is working on opening a Filipino restaurant on Pittsburgh's North Side. It will be located at 400 East Ohio St. (map), in what used to be a Subway but has been vacant for many years. Rumors of a possible Filipino spot here first turned up online last fall.

Vencio operates Amboy Urban Farm and has been visible in running various iterations of Filipino food pop-ups.

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.

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.

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.

After slight delay, Wei Lai set to open March 16 in the North Hills, serving dim sum, bubble tea, and other Chinese dishes.

Wei Lai has just announced a March 16 grand opening, a slight delay from its originally-announced date of this Tuesday. 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.

Another Shabu Shabu Hot Pot and Grill coming to Pittsburgh area, this time to Robinson.

The Shabu Shabu Hot Pot and Grill in progress in McCandless Crossing in the North Hills is one of five all-you-can-eat hot pot and Korean BBQ places coming this year to Pittsburgh, and a reader shares news of a sixth underway in Robinson. Signage is up for Shabu Shabu Hot Pot and Grill at The Point in Robinson, in the former Party City location (map).

Wei Lai set to open March 12 in the North Hills, serving dim sum, bubble tea, and other Chinese dishes.

Wei Lai announced on social media this evening that it aims to open March 12. 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.

Pittsburgh's first Tous les Jours set to open March 7.

Pittsburgh's first Tous les Jours is set to open on March 7, a couple weeks after its originally-scheduled February 22 opening was delayed.

Join us for the grand opening of Tous Les Jours Pittsburgh on Thursday, March 7th at 10AM! Celebrate with us by stopping by to visit our store and redeem some of our special promotions offered at the grand opening event!!

Tous Les Jours is a huge Korean bakery chain with locations around the world, and the first Pittsburgh location will be at Eastside Bond Building C in East Liberty, across from the Target (map). Tous Les Jours, says its US website, "has developed into a reputable neighborhood bakery specializing in French-Asian inspired baked goods, hand crafted beverages and bold, flavorful coffee and espresso made with the finest ingredients." It joins Paris Baguette as two international Korean bakery chains coming soon to Pittsburgh to supplement Sumi's Cakery, the lone Korean bakery in the area.

Pittsburgh's first Tous Les Jours has announced an opening date of February 22, and to mark the occassion it has several giveaways.

McKnight Road's Hong BBQ & Hot Pot aiming for an April 30 opening.

Hong BBQ & Hot Pot, one of at least five Korean BBQ and hot pot places opening in Pittsburgh in the near future, commented on social media that it is aiming for an April 30 opening.

Looking for the best all you can eat Chinese Hot Pot? Look no further! Chinese Hot pot, also known as Chinese fondue, is a popular cooking method throughout China and other Asian countries. It’s an entertaining activity, especially with friends and family members. The broth inside the pot boils over our specially designed heaters, and you have a variety of protein options (meatballs and thinly sliced beef are popular) to add to your pot. In addition to the protein choices, you can add noodles, vegetables, tofu, and more into your soup. The broth comes in many different styles (see our menu for options). It’s quite nutritious as it absorbs all the nutrients and flavors when cooking your meat and vegetables in the broth base. You can either enjoy our Chinese hot pot by itself or enjoy it along with our authentic Korean BBQ!

. . .

We introduce our Korean style BBQ concept, which has been a tradition passed down many generations of Korean history. Our Korean BBQ experience begins by firing up the grill at your table. All you can eat Korean BBQ, choose from our vast selection of beef, pork, chicken, seafood, and various vegetables; don’t forget to invite your grill master! While there are many side dishes to enjoy Korean BBQ with, the meats are definitely the main attraction. Many of the meats are already marinated, carefully crafted by our chefs, so all you need to do is grill it up and enjoy the amazing flavors of our Korean style delicacies.

It is next in the line of restaurants to occupy "where Tokyo Sushi Buffet used to be" in recent years in the outparcel next to Best Buy on McKnight Road (map). Signage first went up in July 2023. Hong BBQ & Hot Pot has two locations in Florida and three restaurants coming soon.

Love Tea (by Bubble Bee) closes in Oakland, ending a run of Asian businesses in a building now owned by Pitt.

Signage went up recently on 229 Atwood St. to say that Love Tea by Bubble Bee has closed and to direct customers to its newish Shadyside location. The property was purchased by the University of Pittsburgh in 2021 and was home to a run of Asian businesses over the last decade, including Love Tea, Love Ramen, and Love Yogurt, a bellwether of Asian food trends in what was formerly a convenience store circa 2014. Love Tea became Love Tea by Bubble Bee last year. Bubble Bee is a small local chain with locations in Shadyside, Ross Park Mall, and South Hills Village Mall; the owner also operates Look Eye Care, which itself has locations in Ross Park Mall and Squirrel Hill.

Pittsburgh's first Tous Les Jours set to open February 22.

Pittsburgh's first Tous Les Jours has announced an opening date of February 22, and to mark the occassion it has several giveaways.

Tous Les Jours is a huge Korean bakery chain with locations around the world, and the first Pittsburgh location will be at Eastside Bond Building C in East Liberty, across from the Target (map). Tous Les Jours, says its US website, "has developed into a reputable neighborhood bakery specializing in French-Asian inspired baked goods, hand crafted beverages and bold, flavorful coffee and espresso made with the finest ingredients." It joins Paris Baguette as two international Korean bakery chains coming soon to Pittsburgh to supplement Sumi's Cakery, the lone Korean bakery in the area.

More progress on Hong BBQ & Hot Pot, coming soon to McKnight Road.

Hong BBQ & Hot Pot, one of five hot pot and Korean BBQ places coming soon to Pittsburgh, shared some progress pics on Facebook earlier this month. It is aiming for a spring opening and will be located at 4801 McKnight Rd, North Hills (map), the most recent in a long line of Asian restaurants to occupy the spot next to Best Buy that "used to be Tokyo Sushi Buffet."
New paint job and some interior renovations from late last year.

Progress begins on Hong Kong Dim Sum in North Oakland.

Progress in the way of brown paper bags over the windows has begun on the Hong Kong Dim Sum coming to North Oakland. It will open on the ground floor of the newish apartment complex, One On Centre (map), and will be run---or at least financed---by the team that recently opened Mi Fan in East Liberty. (Ownership did not respond to requests for comment.)

Latest updates on the new Many More Asian Market store opening in the Strip District.

Many More Asian Market shared some photos and updates on its long-awaited new location set to open near the boundary of Lawrenceville and the Strip District. From Facebook today:

How is everyone? Chinese New Year is approaching! It's the year of the dragon! Some good news : the stolen parts have finally been reordered and arrived, so the process can continue!! It is looking great! We don't have an opening day yet (it seems like every time we expect to open, something happens… so ). We will definitely announce it when we do open though! So stay tuned for the next update!! Happy Lunar New Year!!!

In the mean time , the market at the Smallman street location is still open! We prepared many New Year specials for the celebration. Come check it out!

The new place was supposed to open earlier in 2023, but delays and theft have pushed it back. It will be located at 2767 Liberty Ave, Strip District (map).