4K remaster of 2005 Japanese film Linda Linda Linda (リンダ リンダ リンダ) in Pittsburgh, September 27.

The 2005 Japanese film Linda Linda Linda (リンダ リンダ リンダ) will play in PIttsburgh on September 27, part of the Harris Theater's International Art House Classics series.

A cult favorite and a hidden gem of Japanese cinema, Linda Linda Linda returns in a stunning 4K remaster to celebrate its 20th anniversary!

In a quiet provincial town, a high school festival is just days away when an unexpected setback threatens a student rock band’s performance. The group’s guitarist suffers a finger injury, and tensions within the band lead to their vocalist quitting. Left in disarray, the remaining three members—Kei (Yu Kashii), Kyoko (Aki Maeda), and Nozomi (Shiori Sekine)—find themselves at a crossroads. On a whim, they invite Son (Bae Doona), a Korean exchange student with little musical experience, to take on the role of lead singer. Together, they form a makeshift cover band dedicated to performing Linda Linda by The Blue Hearts. As they rehearse tirelessly in the days leading up to the festival’s grand finale, their journey becomes one of unexpected friendships, quiet perseverance, and the exhilarating spirit of youth. Featuring music by James Iha (The Smashing Pumpkins).

Tickets for the 2:00 pm show are available online. The Harris Theater is located at 809 Liberty Ave. in downtown's Cultural District (map).

Pom Poko (平成狸合戦ぽんぽこ), Grave of the Fireflies (火垂るの墓), Only Yesterday (おもひでぽろぽろ), and The Tale of Princess Kaguya (かぐや姫の物語) at Row House Cinema for Takahata Week, from September 26.

The Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville will present four Japanese animated films in "a celebration of Isao Takahata – one of Japan’s greatest directors/screenwriters" from September 26 through October 2. Pom Poko (平成狸合戦ぽんぽこ), Grave of the Fireflies (火垂るの墓), Only Yesterday (おもひでぽろぽろ), and The Tale of Princess Kaguya (かぐや姫の物語) will comprise this fall's Takahata Week. Special evens for this week consist of "Tissues with Grave of the Fireflies on September 27th and a one-evening-only showing of The Tale of Princess Kaguya on October 2. Tickets are available online. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler St. (map).

“Against the Odds: The Professional Struggles of U.S. K–12 Chinese Teachers in a Constrained System," September 24 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's Department of East Asian Languages & Literatures will host “Against the Odds: The Professional Struggles of U.S. K–12 Chinese Teachers in a Constrained System” on September 24 as its first colloquium of the year.

Dr. [Yi] Xu will share insights from her study of over 200 Chinese language educators across the U.S., exploring the systemic and professional challenges they face and offering recommendations for support.

The talk runs from 12:00 to 1:00 pm in 501 Cathedral of Learning.

Took Took 98 in Squirrel Hill closed by health department after damning inspection.

Took Took 98 in Squirrel Hill has been ordered closed by the Allegheny County Health Department after an inspection that revealed damning, and disgusting, food safety and cleanliness violations. The list of violations include dead rodents in the basement; rodent droppings in rice; the phrase "too many rodent droppings to count" throughout many places and surfaces in the kitchen; cross contamination and improper holding temperatures; and, among others:

During rodent dropping clean-up, employee observed placing finger of gloved hand in mouth. Inspector observed employee cleaning up rodent dropping wearing the same gloves immediately before observing contact with mouth. Inspector ordered employee to change gloves and wash hands. Gloves not changed. Inspector ordered person-in-charge to order employee to remove gloves and wash hands

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.

2024 film Blue Sun Palace (蓝色太阳宫) in Pittsburgh September 21, part of 2025 SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Festival.

The 2024 film Blue Sun Palace (蓝色太阳宫) will play in Pittsburgh on September 21 as part of the 2025 SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Festival.

In Blue Sun Palace’s Chinese-speaking Queens, Cheung is a migrant laborer and Didi works at a massage parlor with other Chinese immigrants. Among them is Amy (Ke-Xi Wu), a gifted cook who dreams of opening her own restaurant. When Didi is tragically killed, Cheung and Amy form an unexpected bond as they navigate their grief and search for connection. Blue Sun Palace offers a quiet, realistic portrayal of immigrant life in New York, where English is rarely spoken and interactions with non-immigrant Americans are largely commodified. While there are daily indignities foisted upon the immigrants, Blue Sun Palace is no misery showcase. Intimacy and warmth co-exist with economic anxieties and deep grief that are articulated with uncommon intelligence and understanding of how adults endure any given day. Director Constance Tsang gives us confident direction in her debut feature, bringing a fresh exploration to how American newcomers might find comfort and solace in one another in an otherwise alienating land.

Content warning: Violence, sexual scenarios

Tickets are free to everyone with a PITT ID, $5 for all other students, and $11 for General Admission. To purchase or reserve tickets, click buy now on the front page next to the film, or click here.

The movie plays in room 343 Alumni Hall on the University of Pittsburgh campus (map) from 1:30 pm and tickets are available online.

Honghong Tinn and "Island Tinkerers: Innovation and Transformation in the Making of Taiwan's Computing Industry," October 6 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will host Honghong Tinn and her talk "Island Tinkerers: Innovation and Transformation in the Making of Taiwan's Computing Industry" on October 6.

In this seminar, Honghong Tinn will introduce her new, open access book Island Tinkerers: Innovation and Transformation in the Making of Taiwan’s Computing Industry (MIT Press, 2025). Tinn's book tells the critical history of how hobbyists and enthusiasts in Taiwan, including engineers, technologists, technocrats, computer users, and engineers-turned-entrepreneurs, helped transform the country with their hands-on engagement with computers. It was through their creative and ingenious tinkering with computers that they were able to gain a better understanding of the technology, opening the door to future manufacturing endeavors that now include Acer, Foxconn, Asus, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC).

The talk runs from 2:00 to 4:00 pm in 4130 Posvar Hall (map) and is free and open to the public.

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.

"Shop Like a Chef" workshop / tour at WFH Oriental Market and Lotus Food Company, October 5.

Ki Ki of Sunev Holistics is hosting a free "Shop Like a Chef" workshop on October 5 that tours two large Asian groceries in the Strip District, WFH Oriental Market and Lotus Food Company.

Do you ever feel a little overwhelmed walking into an Asian market? Trust me, I get it! The aisles are full of amazing possibilities, but where do you even start?

That's why I'm hosting a FREE workshop and tour right here in Pittsburgh. Come explore with me as I share my secrets shopping like a private chef. We'll cover everything from picking perfect bok choy to understanding different of soy sauce. This isn't just about buying groceries—it's about building your confidence in the kitchen and bringing new, exciting flavors to your meals and meeting like-minded people.

Date: October 5th

Time: 10 AM to 11:30 AM

Fees: FREE

Location: We will meet at WFH Asian Market, then walk over to Lotus Food Company in The Strip.

Click the link in bio and register via email. Limited space! DM if you have any questions 🫶💫

Those interested should register at info [at] sunevholistics.com. WFH Oriental Market, the 10:00 am meeting point, is located at 2306 Penn Ave. (map).

Pocha by Kye-won named Best Korean restaurant in 2025's Pittsburgh City-Paper reader's poll.

Pocha by Kye-won, located in Saxonburg, was named Best Korean restaurant by the 2025 Pittsburgh City-Paper reader's poll. From the official restaurant of the place that opened in February:

We're so excited to bring a brand-new spot in Sprankles grocery store in Saxonburg to share authentic Korean food paired with amazing Grist House beer. Everything we serve is handmade, and we're the only place offering an authentic Korean BBQ experience, if you don't know what this is, see our Korean BBQ section! Whether you're a vegetarian or meat lover, we have something for everyone on our menu that's sure to make you feel right in Korea!

Other winners relevant to PennsylvAsia include Chengdu Gourmet for Best Chinese, Little Tokyo for Best Japanese and Best Sushi, Pho Van for Best Pho, Ramen Bar for Best Ramen, Tram's for Best Vietnamese, Lotus for Best Asian Grocer, and Panda Supermarket for Best International Grocery Store. These lists were for a long time notorious for their uninspired winners at the expense of smaller or more authentic restaurants, but in recent years have expanded beyond the small list of usual suspects.