Umai Thai & Sushi coming soon to Bellevue.

Umai Thai & Sushi is coming soon to Bellevue. It will open 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 but the restaurant, which draws its name from a Japanese word meaning delicious, isn't aiming to open until the fall.

Fujiya Ramen to open location in Robinson.

Fujiya Ramen, a Japanese ramen restaurant located in Shadyside, is planning to open a second location in Robinson. It will be located at 210 McHolme Dr (map), in what was the home of the Sushi Atarashi revolving sushi restaurant from September 2024 to January 2025. Fujiya Ramen, says the official site,

is the result of a passion for Japanese cuisine and collaboration between father and son, Minoru and Zen Yoshida. Minoru worked for more than 40 years making delicious ramen in both Tokyo and its surrounding Japanese prefectures. When he began his business in Tokyo in the 1960’s, ramen at the time only cost $1.40. Minoru’s business has come very far as his dream of opening a ramen shop in America has finally come true. We hope you will enjoy our family’s authentic ramen every time you visit.

Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea (一芳台灣水果茶) soft opens in Squirrel Hill.

The Taiwanese fruit tea chain Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea (一芳台灣水果茶) has soft opened its first Pittsburgh location. The US-based chain's Squirrel Hill spot is located at 5825 Forbes Ave (map), in what has been empty for a couple years but what was most recently Classic Lines bookstore. The soft open hours are 12:00 to 9:30 pm.

Paperwork and planning for the new tea spot---which will join Mango Mango, Tiger Sugar, Tsaaoca, and Meetcha on the same block---started back in October 2024. Yi Fang currently has locations throughout California, the East Coast, and elsewhere in North America.

Let's Sushi, an all-you-can-eat sushi place and "unlimited Japanese fusion," to soft open August 4 in Wexford.

Let's Sushi, an all-you-can-eat sushi place in the works for Wexford Plaza (map), plans to soft open on August 4 from 11:00 am to 9:30 pm. The restaurant offering "unlimited Japanese fusion," according to a sign in the window, will be located in the spot formerly occupied by Nakama. Paperwork indicates Let's Sushi is owned by the properietor behind other Asian buffets that used to operate in the area: Misaki, Yamato Hibachi Grill, and Old Town Buffet.

Koi Steakhouse and Sushi Bar eyes August opening in Monroeville.

Koi Steakhouse and Sushi Bar is coming soon to Monroeville and is eyeing an August opening. It will be located at 1782 Golden Mile Hwy (map), in what was most recently Golden Palace Restaurant. 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.

Lucky Bites, featuring boba and poke bowls, coming soon to Bellevue.

via @bellevueforward

Another new Asian place is coming soon to Bellevue: Lucky Bites, serving boba tea and poke bowls will be opening at 549 Lincoln Ave. (map), the former home of Dietz Floral and Gifts. Ownership is aiming for an August opening.

Moochi & You, a new dessert place featuring mochi donuts, corndogs, and boba, coming soon to Bellevue.

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

All-you-can-eat sushi place Oyoshi coming to East Liberty / Shadyside.

via @IndustryPittsburghApartments

Work progresses on Oyoshi, an all-you-can-eat sushi place coming to Centre Ave. near the intersection of East Liberty and Shadyside. It will be located at 5821 Centre Ave. (map) on the ground floor of the Industry apartment building, next to a dentist's office that is also under construction. Details about the floorplan are available from an April 2025 Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting (pdf); the architect attached to this new restaurant also worked on Hong Kong Dim Sum, which opened recently in North Oakland.

via @IndustryPittsburghApartments

Togyu Asian Barbecue and Bar in Cranberry announces August 4 Grand Opening.

Togyu Asian Barbecue and Bar in Cranberry, which will hold its soft opening today from 3:00 to 8:00 pm, has announced an August 4 Grand Opening. 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.

Fresh Garden Kitchen (鑫福源) has soft opened in Squirrel Hill.

Fresh Garden Kitchen (鑫福源) held its soft opening on July 12. Signage went up for the new spot in June, at 2209 Murray Ave. (map), the home of the popular Ka Mei from 2006 to 2020. Since Ka Mei's closure, a number of restaurants have occupied the spot, including Teppan BBQ in 2020, a joint Teppan BBQ - Mr. Egg's Kitchen, I Bowl in 2024, and K L Asian Cuisine briefly in 2025.

Togyu Asian Barbecue and Bar in Cranberry to soft open July 23.

Togyu Asian Barbecue and Bar, coming soon to the Cranberry Mall spot formerly occupied by Lumberjaxes Axe Throwing (map), has announced its soft opening for Wednesday, July 23. It is one of the many all-you-can-eat Korean-style BBQ places announced for the Pittsburgh region over the past couple years, and the first for the Cranberry area. The soft opening is set for 3 to 8 pm.

JJ Panda / Yoyo Panda reopens in Allison Park, this time led by Yotea & Yoka Kitchen team.

JJ Panda, which existed in Duncan Manor at various times the last couple years, reopened as JJ Panda / Yoyo Panda on July 9. This incarnation is run by the team behind Yotea & Yoka Kitchen in North Oakland. It is located at 1701 Duncan Ave. in Allison Park (map).

Fresh Garden Kitchen coming soon to Squirrel Hill.

Signage has recently gone up for Fresh Garden Kitchen, a new Chinese restaurant coming soon to Squirrel Hill. It will be located at 2209 Murray Ave, the home of the popular Ka Mei from 2006 to 2020. Since Ka Mei's closure, a number of restaurants have occupied the spot, including Teppan BBQ in 2020, a joint Teppan BBQ - Mr. Egg's Kitchen, I Bowl in 2024, and K L Asian Cuisine briefly in 2025.

Chow's Kitchen (周家小馆) now open in Squirrel Hill.

Chow's Kitchen (周家小馆) is now open in Squrirrel Hill. Temporary signage went up earlier this month at 5825 Forbes Ave. (map) in what was most recently Dagu Rice Noodle and, previously, The Magic Noodle and Sun Penang. The business paperwork is connected to the ownership team of Everyday Noodles on the same block. The flyer on the door directs people to the restaurant's website, but currently I am unable to load it on a computer; it does seem to open on mobile, though. A menu has been uploaded to Yelp.

Togyu Asian Barbecue and Bar in Cranberry eyes late-June soft-opening, early-July grand opening.

Togyu Asian Barbecue and Bar, coming soon to the Cranberry Mall spot formerly occupied by Lumberjaxes Axe Throwing (map), is aiming for a late-June soft opening, with a grand opening tentatively scheduled for the first week of July. 

Numerous all-you-can-eat Korean-style BBQ places were announced for the Pittsburgh area in 2023 and 2024, and after a series of delays, several have started to open this month, including Top Pot Hotpot in Southside Works and Shabu Shabu Hotpot & Grill in Robinson.

Dancing Crab Thai opens East Liberty location.

Dancing Crab has recently opened an East Liberty location to go along with its Dormont restaurant and its Dancing Crab Noodlehouse on the Southside.

Authentic Thai cuisine features a complex interplay of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors, often incorporating fresh herbs and spices.

It is located at 6018 Broad St. in what was formerly The Bridge (map). A menu is available online.

Enson Market, previously known as Fresh International Market, and Ineffable Cà Phe soft opening today, June 7.

Enson Market and Ineffable Cà Phê will soft open in Point Breeze's Rockwell Park today, June 7. Previously going by its parent company name Fresh International Market, Enson Market "will bring fresh groceries, prepared foods, and Asian-inspired dishes to the heart of Point Breeze North," according to the latest press release.

Located inside the historic Apollo building at 7511 Thomas Blvd, the 40,000 square foot space has been fully restored and reimagined as a modern grocery and café destination. It’s a big moment for the neighborhood—and for anyone looking for quality ingredients, ready-to-eat meals, and something a little different for dinner.

. . .

Enson Market will offer a wide selection of fresh produce, meats, and seafood, along with everyday grocery items and unique international finds. You’ll find snacks, sauces, and prepared foods that introduce new flavors, while still being able to shop for your regular weekly staples—all in one place.

With a fresh bakery, hot food counter, and grab-and-go meals like sushi and spring rolls, the store is set up for convenience, discovery, and everyday use.‍

Just beyond the grocery aisles, Ineffable Cà Phê adds another layer to the experience. Known for its original Lawrenceville location, the café will serve Vietnamese coffee, bánh mì, phở, rice bowls, and weekend brunch. It’s a place to grab breakfast, meet a friend, or wind down with a beer or glass of wine.

The release did not give an explanation for the new name, which had been used in recent weeks on job advertisements for the store. The Pittsburgh branch of this US-based chain of Asian grocery stores was first announced for Pittsburgh in March 2023 with a Summer 2024 target, and will be among the largest Asian groceries in the region. It had previously announced openings for February, April, May, and June 6. It will be located at 7511 Thomas Blvd. (map), and the cafe will be open today 8:00 am to 3:00 pm (the grocery store did not provide its hours).

Top Pot Hotpot & Korean BBQ eyes Monday, June 9, opening.

Top Pot Hotpot & Korean BBQ is aiming to open on Monday, June 9, in the Southside Works. Top Pot is a chain with nine locations currently open---three in Pennsylvania, two in Ohio, and one each in Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, and Utah---and four under development, including this Pittsburgh spot first announced in December 2023.

Top Pot & K BBQ is an AYCE restaurant franchise that offers a unique and satisfying dining experience with a combination of hot pot and Korean BBQ. The menu features a wide range of ingredients, spices, and sauces to cater to different tastes, with options for meat, seafood, vegetables, and more. Customers can enjoy cooking their food at the table with a simmering pot of soup stock or grilling meat on the table with personalized dipping sauces. The restaurant also offers a well-rounded meal with a lot of delicious small side dishes, which provide a diverse array of flavors and textures. These side dishes, along with the option of both hot pot and Korean BBQ, make for a unique and satisfying dining experience.

In addition to the delicious food, Top Pot BBQ is committed to providing quality service at affordable prices. This means that customers can expect to receive not just a great meal, but also attentive service and a welcoming atmosphere. And with the restaurant's focus on using fresh ingredients, customers can be assured that they are eating high-quality food that is both delicious and nourishing.

For those looking for a unique and satisfying dining experience, Top Pot BBQ is the perfect choice. With its combination of hot pot and Korean BBQ, and commitment to quality, service, and affordability, it's sure to leave a lasting impression on all who visit and we have something for everyone regardless of your preferences.

The Monday opening will follow private tasting events this weekend. It is located at 2829 East Carson St. (map), and will be one of three new-ish Asian chains, along with Kura Sushi and Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao, helping to make Southside Works a dining destination for lovers of Asian food.

Chow's Kitchen coming to Squirrel Hill.

A new Chinese restaurant, Chow's Kitchen, is coming to Squirrel Hill. It will be located at 5825 Forbes Ave. (map) in what was most recently Dagu Rice Noodle and, previously, The Magic Noodle and Sun Penang. The business paperwork is connected to the ownership team of Everyday Noodles on the same block, and the new restaurant is currently hiring staff and management. Chow's Kitchen did not respond to inquiries about the menu or opening date yet, so updates will be forthcoming.

Shabu Shabu Hot Pot & Grill in Robinson aiming for June 8 opening.

Photos courtesy of reader Sarah Ung. 

Shabu Shabu Hot Pot & Grill in Robinson is aiming for a June 8 opening. First announced for the area in March 2024, Shabu Shabu Hot Pot and Grill was one of the numerous hot pot places set to arrive to the Pittsburgh area in 2023 and 2024. If all goes according to plan, it will be the second such places to open in the area, after Hong BBQ & Hot Pot on McKnight Road. Work still inches along at the Shabu Shabu Hot Pot & Grill location in the North Hills, coming soon to McCandless Crossing since July 2023.
It will be located at The Point in Robinson, in the former Party City storefront (map).