Dessert chain Kyo Matcha, bubble tea place Meetcha coming soon to Squirrel Hill.

Signage is up for Kyo Matcha in Squirrel Hill, at at 5864 Forbes Ave. (map) in the former Footers Cleaners spot. Kyo Matcha, according to its official site,

is an international chain of Matcha desserts dedicated to creating top-quality raw materials. Due to the influence of the Japanese-style matcha culture, the Kyoto Matcha is based on the brand mission of “Let the Tea Return to the Forest”, rooted in the traditional Japanese tea culture and dedicated to the promotion of Matcha culture.

Signage is also up for Meetcha, which will likely bring another bubble tea place to Squirrel Hill. Signage for something first went up in September, when plans for published for a restaurant/cafe in this spot. It will be one of several new Asian dessert places coming soon to the neighborhood, in addition to Meccha Matcha and Mango Mango/Tiger Sugar.

Footer's is owned by the same family who ran Lord Duncan Cleaners on Forward Avenue, which also closed earlier in 2023, and Sumi's Cakery.

Little Viet Kitchen soft opening in Wexford.

Little Viet Kitchen is in the middle of a soft open in Wexford. It is the first Vietnamese place to open in the North Hills, located in the Pine Creek Shopping Center in McCandless (map). The menu includes customizable banh mi, rice bowls, vermicilli bowls, and pho, in addition to bubble tea and an assortment of Vietnamese coffee.

Moving closer to new Korean BBQ place in Oakland.

More signage is up at the all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ place under development in Oakland, this time featuring new photos of menu items and new blue lighting on the windows. The yet-unnamed restaurant will be in the spot formerly occupied by Korea Garden at 414 Semple St. (map). The menu advertises $27.99 for adults with over 30 types of meats; Korean dishes like bibimbap, jjajangmyeon, ramyeon, and bulgogi; Korean appetizers like mandu, japchae, and gaeranjim; and a selection of other Asian items like sichuan noodles, Chinese-style jajangmen, orange chicken, and fried rice.

Korea Garden closed in June in preparation for a new restaurant at Novo Asian Food Hall in the Strip District Terminal, which is set to open any week now according to social media posts today. Signage for this new BBQ place went up in September, after the building was bought by Jiyan An of Dormont in March.

Pittsburgh's Tous Les Jours now hiring.

A "Now Hiring" sign went up at the Tous Les Jours coming soon to East Liberty. The Korean bakery chain is opening its first Pittsburgh location in Eastside Bond Building C, across the street from Target (map). Those interested in employment opportunities should email TLJEastbond@gmail.com or phone 724-553-8223.

Signage first went up in June, though it will likely be a few more months before it's close to ready to open.  Tous Les Jours is the first of the big Korean bakery chains to announce a Pittsburgh spot (though it was followed about two months later by another one), and will complement Sumi's Cakery, which has been Pittsburgh's lone Korean bakery since it opened in 2012.  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."
via @TousLesJoursUSA

MiFan now open in East Liberty.

MiFan is now open in East Liberty. Signage went up in August at 5923 Baum Blvd. in what was most recently Wings Over East Liberty (map). Menu information is available on its new website, and signage on the windows refers to a 10% off promotion.

Squirrel Hill (im)patiently awaits Tiger Sugar and Mango Mango.

Work has yet to progress on Tiger Sugar and Mango Mango, which will share a large storefront in Squirrel Hill. Signage first went up in May advertising the first Pittsburgh locations for the Taiwanese bubble tea chain Tiger Sugar and the Hong Kong-style dessert chain Mango Mango. They will occupy 5853 Forbes Ave. (map), which was most recently a beer distributor; Tiger Sugar will have Suite A and Mango Mango will have Suite B.

Taiwanese chain Wushiland Boba coming soon to Oakland.

Signage is up and interior renovations are underway on S. Craig St. where Wushiland Boba is coming soon. It will be located at 300 S. Craig St. (map), where Fuku Tea opened its second location in July 2020. The operator of this Wushiland is the Director of Operations of Fuku Tea and Atarashi Sushi, the latter an offshoot of the Sushi Fuku that had a few locations in Oakland and that opened Fuku Tea in 2015.

Wushiland is a Taiwanese chain with several locations in California.

Many More Marketplace.

The City of Pittsburgh Department of City Planning has a look at the proposed signage for the new Many More Marketplace location, set to go before the Zoning Board of Adjustment on October 12. Many More Asian Market in Lawrenceville is relocating to a larger space eight blocks down the street and has been sharing progress pics on Facebook.

Work underway on Pittsburgh's first Paris Baguette.

In mid-August Pittsburgh's first Paris Baguette was announced for The Block Northway, and work is underway on the space it will occupy on the lower leven next to Blaze Pizza. The Block Northway is a shopping center on McKnight Road that emerged from the remnants of the old Northway Mall.
via @parisbaguetteus

Paris Baguette is a chain of Korean bakeries ubiquitous throughout South Korea that has over 150 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. It has several spots in Philadelphia already, and had a Youngstown location listed as "coming soon" though mention of it was removed from the website earlier this month. Paris Baguette's arrival is part of a boom in new Asian restaurants, particularly chain restaurants, making their way to Pittsburgh.

Shadyside's Nakwon Garden reopening today.

Photo from September 13.

Nakwon Garden, a Korean restaurant in Shadyside, will reopen today, September 27 according to ownership. The hours are 12:00 to 10:00 pm, Monday through Saturday, with reservations preferred. Nakwon Garden is located at 5504 Centre Ave. (map).

Handwritten "Open Soon" signage went up on its door in August, and a fresh coat of paint went up earlier this month. The restaurant closed on January 1 and hinted at reopening in the future.

More information about all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ restaurant possibly coming to Oakland.

Earlier this month signage went up for an all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ restaurant in Oakland, and recently a menu and photos were posted to the windows. The menu advertises $27.99 for adults with over 30 types of meats; Korean dishes like bibimbap, jjajangmyeon, ramyeon, and bulgogi; Korean appetizers like mandu, japchae, and gaeranjim; and a selection of other Asian items like sichuan noodles, Chinese-style jajangmen, orange chicken, and fried rice. It will be located at 414 Semple St. (map), in the former location of Korea Garden which closed a while back in preparation for a move to the Asian food court under development in the Strip District.

I am not as definitive in this post as I am with other restaurants coming soon because Pittsburgh has been duped before by handmade print-outs promising Korean BBQ. However, building permit paperwork does show that a new restaurant by building owner Jiyan An is coming soon to the spot.

Hong Kong Dim Sum planned for North Oakland.

via Hanna Langholz Wilson Ellis

A restaurant called Hong Kong Dim Sum is planned for 4520 Centre Ave. in North Oakland (map), the newish apartment complex One On Centre. If approved by the Zoning Board of Adjustment, the restaurant would occupy over 4,200 square feet of the first floor. Details are scarce, but should the restaurant arrive it would help fill one of the largest remaining gaps in the Pittsburgh dining scene.

Chinese restaurant/cafe coming to Squirrel Hill in Footer's Cleaners spot.

A new Chinese restaurant / cafe seems to be coming to Squirrel Hill. Footer's Cleaners at 5864 Forbes Ave. (map) closed earlier this year and the building was bought by JC Investment Squirrel Hill Property LLC, run by a Yao Chen from Erie. A Chinese construction crew has been performing work on the interior of the 3500-square-foot space, and Hungry Panda advertisements are on the windows. Paperwork to the City of Pittsburgh Department of City Planning has more information about the proposed restaurant / cafe; the contact information on the application leads the former ownership behind Oakland's Top Shabu Shabu and Night Market Gourmet, and contact information on permits lead to a real estate company that also owns a Chinese restsaurant in Irwin.

Footer's is owned by the same family who ran Lord Duncan Cleaners on Forward Avenue, which also closed earlier in 2023.

Many More Asian Market shares progress pics of its new Strip District location.

On September 16 Many More Asian Market shared some progress pics of the work at its new Strip District location.



The new store will be at 2767 Liberty Ave, Strip District (map), a few blocks from its current location. In October 2022 work started on the new warehouse space that will have a food court and boba tea place; it was originally scheduled to open in the summer but is now looking at a fall opening.

New York-based chain Nan Xiang coming to SouthSide Works in 2024.

A New York-based chain specializing in Northern Chinese cuisine, Nan Xiang, is coming to SouthSide Works in 2024. A LinkedIn post from CBRE says:

Nan Xiang has signed a lease for the former Sake space at Southside Works! The space is 5,947 SF and will feature authentic Northern Chinese cuisine. Look for Nan Xiang to open in late Q1 2024.

The restaurant's official site describes its offerings:

Xiao Long Bao (also known as Soup Dumpling) originated from Nan Xiang County of Shanghai, China. “Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao” opened its door at the heart of Asian cuisine, Flushing, New York in 2006 and soon gained popularity among food lovers in the Big Apple over the past 16 years. Nan Xiang is the first choice for local Chinese immigrants who are craving for authentic Northern Chinese food, Jiangsu & Zhejiang cuisine. A lot of western diners also visit Nan Xiang to experience our famous dishes recommend by various publications and food bloggers. Welcome to Nan Xiang, we provide the most original flavors from China.

. . .

Our signature dishes are the restaurant’s unrivaled crab and pork soup dumplings, plentiful steamed buns and Shanghainese dim sum. Other popular dishes include pan-fried crispy noodles, fried rice cakes, scallion pancakes with sliced beef, fish fillet & pickled cabbage noodle soup and pan-fried dumplings.

The98 Contemporary Thai Cuisine in Fox Chapel for sale.

The98 Contemporary Thai Cuisine in Fox Chapel is for sale. From a listing online:

Turn Key restaurant for sale in Fox Chapel Prime. This place has been recently remodeled inside and the front of building as well. Owner is asking $150,000 and will finance $50,000 for qualified buyer. Please call Phil for showing, 412-628-6154

The restaurant opened in January at 1034 Freeport Rd. (map), from the team behind Squirrel Hill's TOOK TOOK 98.

Shadyside's Nakwon Garden aims to reopen later this month.

Nakwon Garden, a Korean restaurant in Shadyside, plans to open later this month, according to ownership. Handwritten "Open Soon" signage went up on its door in August, and a fresh coat of paint went up today. The restaurant closed on January 1 and hinted at reopening in the future, though the official website's URL has expired and both Google and Yelp marked the restaurant as "permanently closed." Nakwon Garden opened in 2014 and was one of the few places where Korean BBQ was available in Pittsburgh, though a few new establishments are coming soon to change that.  Nakwon Garden is located at 5504 Centre Ave. (map).

Kura Revolving Sushi Bar opening in Pittsburgh on September 17.

After nearly a year of anticipation, Kura Revolving Sushi Bar announced today on social media that it will open its Pittsburgh location on September 17.

 It’s Official  We are thrilled to announce that Kura Sushi will be opening in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at SouthSide Works on SUNDAY, 9/17 at 12:00 PM! We can’t wait for you to experience our authentic Japanese food delights, revolving sushi bar, express belt for made-to-order requests, Bikkura Pon prizes, KuraBots and so much more! 

 3 DAY OPENING SPECIAL:

The first 100 dine-in guests on 9/17, 9/18 and 9/19 will receive a DC™ x Kura Sushi Tote Backpack! 

 SPECIAL OPENING HOURS:

9/17 - 9/19 from 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM

 We will be open with regular hours beginning Wednesday, 9/20!

 415 Cinema Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15203

 SUN: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM

MON – THU: 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM

FRI: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM

SAT: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Signage up for all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ in Oakland, possibly coming soon to Semple St.

Signage is up for all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ in Oakland, located at the old Korea Garden at 414 Semple St. (map). Korea Garden closed a while back in preparation of opening a kiosk at the long-planned Novo Asian Cuisine Food Hall in the Strip District. The building was bought by Jiyan An of Dormont in March. If true---and Pittsburgh has been duped before by promises of BBQ---this would be the fourth Korean BBQ place coming soon to the Pittsburgh area, behind Kpot in Squirrel Hill, Hong BBQ and Hot Pot on McKnight Rd., and Shabu Shabu Hot Pot and Grill in the North Hills.

Bubble Bee coming soon to Centre Ave. in Bloomfield / N. Oakland.

Bubble Bee, a new bubble tea place, is coming soon to 4815 Centre Ave. (map) near the border of Bloomfield, Shadyside, and North Oakland. Bubble Bee is a small chain with locations in Ross Park Mall and South Hills Village; the owner also operates Look Eye Care, which itself has locatiosn in Ross Park Mall and Squirrel Hill.