Nami Japanese Kitchen & Bar, offering all-you-can-eat sushi, coming soon to Bridgeville.

Nami Japanese Kitchen & Bar, offering all-you-can-eat sushi, is coming soon to the Chartiers Valley Shopping Center in Bridgeville. The torii, and signage, is up in the former Vocelli Pizza spot.

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.

Paris Baguette in Shadyside now open.

The local Paris Baguette has posted on its Instagram story that the Shadyside location is now open. The Korean cafe chain's second Pittsburgh restaurant was first announced for 5514 Walnut St. (map) in January 2024.

Signage up for Poke Bowl Express & Asian Cuisine in Greenfield.

Signage is up for Poke Bowl Express & Asian Cuisine on Murray Ave. in Greenfield. Printed window signage went up 11 days ago announcing the arrival of "a "Poke Bowl-focused Asian fusion restaurant" coming soon to the spot most recently occupied by Gold Ladle. Gold Ladle was the latest in a line of Chinese restaurants occupying 4219 Murray Ave. (map), dating back to at least the 1980s, but it closed in April 2025 due to fire after just six months in business. It took over the spot after a few months of Wai Wai, which took over that spot after China Star was shut down in February 2024 due to repeated health violations.

Signage on the windows says

Dear Customers,

Our restaurant has been renovated and upgraded from a Chinese restaurant to a Poke Bowl-focused Asian fustion restaurant (Japanese & Chinese).

Coming Soon

After Monroeville's Bobae closes, owners reopen Korean/Japanese market "Ramen Mart" in Murrysville.

While searching through paperwork on another business, I found news of "Ramen Mart" in Murrysville, a Korean-owned store that specializes in Korean and Japanese snacks, ramen, beverages, and other food novelties. Of course it's not exactly news, since it opened over the summer, but it's new to me. It's located at 3920 William Penn Highway (map), a small outparcel it shares with Let's Taco and a real estate agent. The owner used to operate Bobae in Monroeville, with similar offerings, until it closed earlier this year. Photos of Ramen Mart's offerings are available on its Instsagram and Facebook pages

Ramen place coming to Brookline.

Word around town is a Japanese ramen restaurant will be coming to Brookline, in the spot most recently occupied by Oak Hill Post (map). The sign was recently painted over and an application was submitted to paint the new one, while work continues inside.

Vietnam 9 Vietnam closes after brief stint in Oakland.

Vietnam 9 Vietnam, a Vietnamese restaurnant in Oakland, closed in late-November. If the latest Google Review is to be believed, it aims to look for a new location. Vietnam 9 Vietnam opened in April at 338 S. Bouquet St. (map), across from the post office.

Viet Lounge coming to East Liberty.

Work is underway in East Liberty on a new restaurant and lounge called Viet Lounge. It will be located on the ground floor of 211 Tower on 211 N. Whitfield St. (map), in what was most recently Blue Sky Kitchen and Bar.

"Poke Bowl-focused Asian fusion restaurant (Japanese & Chinese)" coming soon to Greenfield to replace short-lived Gold Ladle.

Signage went up today on Murray Ave. in Greenfield for a "Poke Bowl-focused Asian fusion restaurant" coming soon to the spot formerly occupied by Gold Ladle. Gold Ladle was the latest in a line of Chinese restaurants occupying 4219 Murray Ave. (map), dating back to at least the 1980s, but it closed in April 2025 due to fire after just six months in business. It took over the spot after a few months of Wai Wai, which took over that spot after China Star was shut down in February 2024 due to repeated health violations.

Signage on the windows says

Dear Customers,

Our restaurant has been renovated and upgraded from a Chinese restaurant to a Poke Bowl-focused Asian fustion restaurant (Japanese & Chinese).

Coming Soon

Lao Sze Chuan to soft open in Cranberry today, December 3.

Lao Sze Chaun, a chain of Sichuan-style Chinese restaurants, will soft open its first Pittsburgh-area location today, December 3.

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's 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.

Fujiya Ramen to soft open its new North Fayette location December 6.

Fujiya Ramen announced on social media today it will soft open its new North Fayette / Robinson location on December 6.

After months of hard work, we’re finally ready!
Fujiya Ramen North Fayette will begin its soft opening on December 6th! 🎉
From our 15-hours homemade broth to every detail in our new space, everything is prepared with heart ❤️
We can’t wait to welcome you, your family, and your friends.

📍 210 McHolme Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15275
🗓 Soft Opening — Dec 6, 2025

Thank you for supporting a local, family-run restaurant. ❤️

Its coming was reported over the summer in the spot formerly occupied by the Atarashi Revolving Sushi place (map).

Self Chef, featuring Mongolian stir-fry and sushi, coming soon to Castle Shannon in former Linden Grove spot.

Self Chef, offering Mongolian stir-fry and sushi, is coming soon to Castle Shannon in the former Linden Grove spot. Its arrival was rumored for months, but signage visible from the T light rail line recently went up. It will be located at 1100 Grove Road (map).

Paris Baguette coming pretty soon to Shadyside after two years of work, now eyes mid-December opening.

Work is rapidly progressing on the Shadyside Paris Baguette, and it's now aiming for a mid-December opening. Some background, back when it was aiming for this month, from the Tribune Review:

[Owner] Zafar said customers can can expect larger menu from the new Shadyside location.

”Whether it be some personal favorites from the community … anything the community wants from us will actually happily make for them we just need to test that on the market,” he said.

Some of the special items Zafar has on the menu include: Asian sweet rice doughnuts, mango coconut cake and potato bread. Zafar aims to have eight bakers on his staff, who will make this items fresh each morning.

The inside of the building will have a glass dome display case to show off the baked goods, penny tile and an exposed wooden ceiling, he said.

It was first announced for Walnut Street in January 2024, back before the region's first Paris Baguette opened in the Norh Hills. The Shadyside location will be located at 5514 Walnut St., in what was William Sonoma until January 2022. In 2024, the year both locations were set to open in Pittsburgh, the franchisee announced plans to open five Paris Baguette cafes in the area.

YangGuoFu Mala Tang coming to Squirrel Hill.

Photo courtesy of reader.

Signage is up on Forbes Ave. in Squirrel Hill for YangGuoFu Mala Tang, a chain of Chinese restaurants with locations in California, Washington, New York, and several other states.

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.

Korean BBQ in Oakland aims for January 7, 2026 Grand Opening.

Photo submitted by reader.

After more than two years of development, Korean BBQ in Oakland is aiming for a January 7, 2026 Grand Opening, according to signage on the door. Signage first went up at 414 Semple St. (map), the former location of Korea Garden, in September 2023. At this time it was among the many all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ and hot pot places planned for the area in 2023, capitalizing on the dining trend that saw a couple of them open. It has been beset by permitting and construction delays, but should it open it will be the first Korean BBQ place in Oakland and the fifth in the region overall, though several others are also in various stages of development.
Photo from October 27, 2025.

Paris Baguette aims for November opening of its Shadyside location.

The Shadyside Paris Baguette is aiming for a November opening, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

[Owner] Zafar said customers can can expect larger menu from the new Shadyside location.

”Whether it be some personal favorites from the community … anything the community wants from us will actually happily make for them we just need to test that on the market,” he said.

Some of the special items Zafar has on the menu include: Asian sweet rice doughnuts, mango coconut cake and potato bread. Zafar aims to have eight bakers on his staff, who will make this items fresh each morning.

The inside of the building will have a glass dome display case to show off the baked goods, penny tile and an exposed wooden ceiling, he said.

It was first announced for Walnut Street in January 2024, back before the region's first Paris Baguette opened in the Norh Hills. The Shadyside location will be located at 5514 Walnut St., in what was William Sonoma until January 2022. In 2024, the year both locations were set to open in Pittsburgh, the franchisee announced plans to open five Paris Baguette cafes in the area.

Paris Baguette is a chain of bakeries ubiquitous throughout South Korea that has over 250 locations across the United States. The menu boasts a wide variety of cakes, baked goods, sandwiches, juices, and coffees, in addition its eponymous French bread.

Sushi Tomo opening second location in South Side, grand opening October 18.

Sushi Tomo will open its second location on October 18, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. It currenty operates on McKnight Road in the North Hills but will open its new restaurant at 2122 E. Carson St, in what was formerly Little Tokyo Bistro. The public grand opening is scheduled for 5:00 pm on the 18th.

Opal Buffet & Bar coming to the Waterfront, bringing all-you-can-eat sushi, Brazilian steak, and pan-Asian cuisine.

Open Buffet & Bar, from the team behind Pittsburgh's Nan Xiang Soup Dumplings, has announced on social media it will be opening in the former Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery spot (map). The menu will feature all-you-can-eat Brazilian steakhouse, sushi, and pan-Asian cuisine for $43. More details will be emerging soon.

Opal Buffet & Bar coming to _____.

Open Buffet & Bar, from the team behind Pittsburgh's Nan Xiang Soup Dumplings, will be opening somewhere in Pittsburgh. Details haven't been announced because they are running a "guess where?" promotion on Instagram. The restaurant is eyeing a 2026 opening.

Lao Sze Chuan aims to soft open its first Pittsburgh-area location in Cranberry later in October.

Ownership has shared new photos of the first Pittsburgh-area Lao Sze Chuan, a chain of Szechuan restaurants set to open locally in Cranberry, announcing it aims to soft open in October.

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.

Work continues on Paris Baguette in Shadyside.

Work continues on the Paris Baguette cafe and bakery coming to Shadyside. It was first announced for Walnut Street in January 2024, back before the region's first Paris Baguette opened in the Norh Hills. The Shadyside location will be located at 5514 Walnut St., in what was William Sonoma until January 2022. In 2024, the year both locations were set to open in Pittsburgh, the franchisee announced plans to open five Paris Baguette cafes in the area.

Paris Baguette is a chain of bakeries ubiquitous throughout South Korea that has over 250 locations across the United States. The menu boasts a wide variety of cakes, baked goods, sandwiches, juices, and coffees, in addition its eponymous French bread.