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.

New designs for Sushi Atarashi, Wushiland Boba, set to open in new Shadyside complex in March 2026.

New renderings show the design for a joint Sushi Atarashi, Wushiland Boba space in The Meridian, a residential and retail space under construction in Shadyside. The combined sushi and bubble tea space was announced in Summer 2024, and will join Giant Eagle Market District, Shake Shack, Cava, Barnes & Noble, Sephora, and Meridian Nail Bar, along with 231 apartments at the corner of Shady and Penn Avenues (map).

Umai Thai & Sushi to soft open today in Bellevue.

Umai Thai & Sushi will hold its soft opening today in Bellevue from 4:00 pm. It is located at 172 Lincoln Ave (map), in the spot occupied by Thai Tamarind until it relocated to 513 Lincoln Ave., a few blocks away, and rebranded as Thai Tamarind Noodle & Rice in June. A menu is available online for the restaurant, which draws its name from a Japanese word meaning delicious, and offers a variety of Thai entrees and sushi platters, plus bento boxes, soups, rolls, poke, ramen, and many other Asian dishes.

Fujiya Ramen shares designs of new location coming to North Fayette.

On Sunday, Fujiya Ramen shared some renderings of its second location. As reported in July, Fujiya plans to open a new spot at 210 McHolme Dr. (map) in Robinson township, in the storefront most recently occupied by Sushi Atarashi's revolving sushi place last year.

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.

YeGa K-Food opens at Ineffable Cà Phê inside Enson Market in Point Breeze.

Jeonghee Choi of YeGa Kimchi has opened a Korean food stand, YeGa K-Food, at Ineffable Cà Phê inside Enson Market in Point Breeze. YeGa K-Food held its opening on Saturday, September 12, and is open from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.

Our special menu features:

Korean BBQ Chicken

Bibimbap

Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes)

Oxtail Radish Soup

Dumplings

Enjoy a joyful evening with delicious food and Korean K-pop music. We look forward to welcoming you!

Beyond this newly-opened food stand, Choi's YeGa Kimchi sells a variety of kimchi, banchan, triangle kimbap, and dosirak boxes at several retailers and farmer's markets around the city. Enson Market is an Asian grocery that opened in June.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea (一芳台灣水果茶) to hold Grand Opening for its first Pittsburgh-area location, August 23 and 24, with buy-one-get-one free specials.

Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea (一芳台灣水果茶), which soft opened its first Pittsburgh-area location in Squirrel Hill last month, will hold its Grand Opening on August 23 and 24.

🎉 GRAND OPENING in PITTSBURGH! 🎉
We’re celebrating our GRAND OPENING on August 23 & 24, 2025 with your favorite YiFang drinks 🍍✨
Buy One, Get One FREE – both days long!

💛Yifang Fruit Tea
🍍 Pineapple Green Tea
🍯 Green Plum Green Tea
🧋Brown Sugar Pearl Latte
🍓 Strawberry Latte
🌿 Sugarcane Mountain Tea

📍 YiFang Taiwan Fruit Tea – Pittsburgh
5825 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217

Grab a friend and celebrate with us! 💛

Work first began on Yi Fang back in October 2024, and the new spot joins several other famed Asian dessert and beverage chains that have opened recently in the neighborhood, like Tiger Sugar, Mango Mango, and Kyo Matcha.

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.

Oakland's Smile Thai & Sushi closes.

Smile Thai & Sushi, which opened in October 2024 in the spot formerly occupied by Spice Island Tea House, appears to have closed over the summer. It opened with great fanfare, replacing the 29-year-old restaurant Spice Island, but was beset by poor health inspection reports and bad reviews.

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.

Moochi & You, a new dessert place featuring mochi donuts, corndogs, and boba, set to open August 15 in Bellevue.

Moochi & You, an Asian dessert place, is set to open in Bellevue tomorrow. It will be located at 601 Lincoln Ave. (map), in what was most recently Valkyrie Doughnuts.

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.

Lucky Bites eyes August 16 opening in Bellevue.

Lucky Bites, a new restaurant coming soon to Bellevue featuring boba and poke bowls, is eyeing an August 16 opening.

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

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.

Togyu Asian Barbecue and Bar in Cranberry to hold Grand Opening today, August 4.

Togyu Asian Barbecue and Bar in Cranberry, which ran its soft opening from July 23 through August 3, will hold its Grand Opening today, August 4, from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm. It is located in the Cranberry Mall spot formerly occupied by Lumberjaxes Axe Throwing (map).

Welcome to Togyu Asian Barbecue & Bar—Pittsburgh’s premier destination for refined Korean and Japanese-style barbecue. Conceived by two brothers with a profound appreciation for the artistry of authentic Asian cuisine, Togyu was born from a desire to introduce an elevated culinary experience unlike any other in the city.

Drawing inspiration from the vibrant dining culture of cities like Seoul and Tokyo, we’ve curated an environment where elegance meets tradition.

Guests are invited to indulge in the highest quality Angus Prime beef, expertly paired with the freshest locally sourced vegetables, all prepared to perfection at the table. Every detail is designed to enhance the senses—from the richness of the ingredients to the ambiance that surrounds each meal.

Initially announced in March, it is one of several all-you-can-eat Korean-style BBQ places announced for the Pittsburgh area in the last couple years, but the first for Cranberry.