Oakland's TapiLab to hold grand opening, January 15.

TapiLab, a bubble tea place in Oakland that soft opened around Christmas, will hold its grand opening on Wednesday, January 15. Hours on the 15th are 11:00 am to 8:00 pm. It's located a couple months ago at 3606 Fifth Ave. (map), what was most recently, and briefly, Gussy's Bagels & Pizzeria.

Welcome to TAPILAB, where we redefine bubble tea! Our passion for creating the ultimate bubble tea experience drives us to craft everything from scratch, starting with our signature homemade tapioca pearls. Our pearls offer an extraordinary burst of flavor that sets us apart. We believe great flavors begin with pure ingredients, which is why we use filtered water wherever it's needed. Quality and authenticity are at the heart of what we do. That’s why we take pride in making our tapioca fresh daily, ensuring that every cup is a delightful experience. Our signature product is the Brown Sugar Tapi, which is our freshly caramelized brown sugar tapioca made in-house with natural ingredients with milk. We’re dedicated to crafting unique drinks that cater to your personal taste, turning every sip into a moment of joy. Join us in discovering the delicious world of bubble tea, where simplicity meets creativity!

Its social media boasts of tapioca pearls freshly made daily and gacha gacha machines.

Shabu Shabu Hot Pot and Grill in McCandless eyes January opening.

Photos from March 2024.

Shabu Shabu Hot Pot and Grill in McCandless is aiming for a January opening. Work has been underway at the spot in McCandless Crossing---across from LaRoche University and in the outparcel shared with Midwest Shooting Center (map)---since July 2023.

Shabu Shabu Hot Pot and Grill is among at least six all-you-can-eat Hot Pot and BBQ places planned for the Pittsburgh area since mid-2023 and in various stages of completion, including: Korean BBQ in Oakland, Kpot in Squirrel Hill, Top Pot Hotpot & Korean BBQ in the Southside, and a second Shabu Shabu Hot Pot and Grill in Robinson; Hong BBQ & Hot Pot on McKnight Road is the only place to have opened so far. Running Dish was announced this fall for the Waterfront, planning to offer revolving sushi and Korean BBQ, but there is no timetable for completion.

Plans for new Thai restaurant in Fox Chapel halted again.

1034 Freeport Road in Fox Chapel has had a string of Thai restaurants in recent decades, most notably one of the city's three Thai Place restaurants and most recently The 98 Contemporary Thai Cuisine for half of 2023. The spot went up for sale in Fall 2023 and The 98 owner and chef was planning to open Breakfast with Tiffany, but now the space is back up for sale.

Jackie Inn Chinese Restaurant opens in North Hills.

Jackie Inn Chinese Restaurant opened on December 26 on Rochester Road in Ross Township.

The moment we’ve all been waiting for 

The Jackie Inn will be ready to roll on Thurs, Dec 26th Chinese Cusine, Sushi  and Penn State Creamery Scooped Ice Cream

Right here next to our market! 533 Rochester Road.

You will also be able to access the restaurant/takeout from our market. Modern open kitchen concept and trendy eats. Share with your fellow foodies 

It's located at 533 Rochester Road, in the WMG Garden & Supply - Peach’s Farm Market next to Rochester Inn (map).

Pittsburgh's Kyuramen opening December 27, Cranberry location a couple months away.

Kyuramen has announced a grand opening for its Pittsburgh location for December 27, this time with an updated graphic featuring baseball players rather than Philadelphia landmarks. Its social media team has acknowledged the Cranberry location is about two months away.

All of our ramen are carefully developed by our ramen masters. The founder of KYURA MEN studied and absobed [sic] the essence of the Japanese ramen, to create the most unique and rich Ramen dish. The carefully crafted "white", "thick", “fresh” and “fragrant” soup bases are served with a fresh Japanese-style pork roast, a 7 minute boiled egg, and a pair of chopped green onions. DELICIOUS!

The national ramen chain's first Pittsburgh restaurant will be located at 6204 Penn Ave. at Eastside Bond (map), and will be accompanied by TBaar, a chain of bubble tea shops. The Cranberry location is in the "Streets of Cranberry" development, between Condado Tacos and Rally House. The ramen place is stylized Kyuramen, KYURAMEN, and Kyu Ramen at various times.

Kyuramen is one of several large national and international Asian chains to come to Pittsburgh in recent years---in addition to Paris Baguette, Tous Les Jours, Fresh International Market, Yi Fang, Kura Revolving Sushi, among many others---and though some may look askance at chains, it also represents the growth of Pittsburgh's food landscape that companies that ignored Pittsburgh for the last decade or two are recognizing its appetites.

TapiLab soft opens in Oakland in former Gussy's spot.

New bubble tea place TapiLab has soft opened in Oakland. Signage went up a couple months ago at 3606 Fifth Ave. (map), what was most recently, and briefly, Gussy's Bagels & Pizzeria. Its social media boasts of tapioca pearls freshly made daily and gacha gacha machines.

KYURAMEN opening first Pittsburgh location, December 27.

KYURAMEN has announced its first Pittsburgh location will open on December 27. It will be located at 6204 Penn Ave. at Eastside Bond (map), and will be accompanied by TBaar, a chain of bubble tea shops.

All of our ramen are carefully developed by our ramen masters. The founder of KYURA MEN studied and absobed [sic] the essence of the Japanese ramen, to create the most unique and rich Ramen dish.

The carefully crafted "white", "thick", “fresh” and “fragrant” soup bases are served with a fresh Japanese-style pork roast, a 7 minute boiled egg, and a pair of chopped green onions. DELICIOUS!

The national ramen chain, sometimes stylized Kyu Ramen and Kyuramen, was first announced for Pittsburgh in July 2023. A second location in Cranberry remains under construction.

The Pittsburgh announcement graphic features the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, both of which are in Philadelphia, and tagline for the Sunflower State, Kansas.

PhoEverMore and Fantastea now open in Gibsonia, bringing pho, Korean food, bubble tea, and more.

PhoEverMore and Fantastea have now opened in Gibsonia. Signage first went up earlier this fall for the side-by-side spots, owned and operated by a Korean couple, though the pho restaurant seems to have gone through some different names in the planning phase. In addition to pho, the restaurant's menu includes Korean dishes and appetizers, Korean ramen, fried rice, hibachi rice and noodles, plus other Asian dishes. They are located at the Walnut Creek Plaza, 5316 William Flinn Highway (Route 8) (map).

Sumi's Cakery in Squirrel Hill closes.

Sumi's Cakery, the first Korean bakery in Pittsburgh, has finally closed its doors for good. The bakery had been temporarily closed for much of this year, since opening a second location in the Strip District's Novo Asian Food Hall.

When Sumi's opened in March 2012 it was one of two Asian bakeries on the street, joining the Taiwanese bakery Bubble Pi and followed by Pink Box two-and-a-half years later. It brought Korean cakes, pastries, and patbingsu to the neighborhood, and the city, and was the only Korean bakery around until international chains Tous Les Jours and Paris Baguette opened earlier in 2024.

via @sumiscakery, from November 2023

Charm Thai Cuisine PGH (ชามไทย พิตต์สเบิร์ก), offering Thai street food, now open for takeout in North Oakland.

Charm Thai Cuisine PGH (ชามไทย พิตต์สเบิร์ก) has just opened in North Oakland at The Mill Food Co. "From the vibrant streets of Bangkok to the heart of Pittsburgh," the website says,

our journey is a celebration of Thai culinary traditions. Inspired by the rich flavors of my hometown, I opened this kitchen to share my passion for authentic Thai food. Join us as we blend heritage and heart in every dish.

It will open at 451 Melwood Ave. (map) and is one of the takeout restaurants at The Mill Food Co, a newish food hall in North Oakland that seems to have a rotation of restaurants.

At The Mill Food Co, our mission is to become your go-to spot for to-go meals. We are a restaurant co-op that's modernizing the traditional food hall experience. From online web ordering to touchscreen kiosks, we make it easy to order from our 20+ partner restaurants.

Work progresses on national ramen chain KYURAMEN (九汤拉面) and bubble tea place T-Baar in Cranberry, but in a different spot.

When national ramen chain KYURAMEN (九汤拉面) was announced for Cranberry in September, the township listed the address as a storefront in the Cranberry Mall. Howevr, it was recently updated to a strip mall a mile further north, where signage is up and work is still underway. It will open in the "Streets of Cranberry" development, between Condado Tacos and Rally House. As for the East Liberty location, the joint KYURAMEN-TBaar spot there was most recently aiming for a Fall 2024 opening and is currently hiring for all positions.

Bubble tea place Tapi Lab coming soon to Oakland.

Signage is up for Tapi Lab on Fifth Ave. in Oakland. The bubble tea place will be located at 3606 Fifth Ave. (map), what was most recently, and briefly, Gussy's Bagels & Pizzeria.

Fresh International Market now eyes February 2025 opening.

Fresh International Market is eyeing a February 2025 opening for its Pittsburgh location in Point Breeze. The large Asian grocery was announced in 2023 and was initially aiming for a Summer 2024 opening. The location at 7511 Thomas Blvd (map) will also house Ineffable Cà Phê, a Vietnamese coffee shop and cafe that opened in Lawrenceville in 2017. The Fresh International Market press release from March 2023 has more details about the store:

New tenant Fresh International Market will offer authentic Asian flavors to Pittsburgh customers.

A major grocery store chain is set to open its seventh store in Pittsburgh's North Point Breeze neighborhood, within the Rockwell Park innovation center. Known for its unique selection of international ingredients and authentic Asian cuisine, the market's new store will occupy the entire 40,000 RSF Apollo building.

Of the new store, Rockwell Park Principal Al Lardo shares: "We are thrilled to welcome Fresh International Market to Rockwell Park and the North Point Breeze community. This new store will be a fantastic addition to the city's vibrant food scene. The store's unique selection of international ingredients and prepared meals will provide greater convenience and comfort for local residents." He noted that the arrival of Fresh International Market would also contribute to the continued growth and development of Rockwell Park: “The opening of Fresh International Market at Rockwell Park marks a significant milestone for the Rockwell Park’s growth and development as a hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and community engagement."

According to Fresh International Market Founder and President Bowen Kou, the store aims to become a part of the local community:

"Fresh International Market is excited to join the vibrant Rockwell Park community and offer our unique range of international brands and Asian cuisine to local residents. We are happy to become a part of this beautiful and dynamic place and look forward to contributing to its growth and development. Our goal is to be more than just a grocery store, but a destination where customers can discover new flavors and expand their culinary horizons."

The store will be located in the Apollo building on 7511 Thomas Blvd, which was built in 1906. The construction work is expected to take up to 15 months.

Greenfield's Wai Wai closes, reopens as Gold Ladle (金汤勺·蜀道香), a Sichuan spot.

Bloomfield Chinese restaurant Wai Wai opened a second location in Greenfield in May, but it was recently replaced by Gold Ladle, which:

offers an authentic Sichuan dining experience that tantalizes the taste buds. With a focus on bold flavors and fresh ingredients, this cozy eatery is perfect for both casual diners and those looking for a culinary adventure. The welcoming atmosphere and attentive staff ensure a delightful visit every time.

The awning came down from Wai Wai a few days ago and was replaced yesterday with window signage for the new spot. Wai Wai was the next in a series of American Chinese places a series of restaurants at 4219 Murray Ave. over the decades. It was, however, plagued by its own set of health code violations and shaky customer service.

Gold Ladle's menu is available online, and it is also served by local delivery services like Fantuan.

Ramen King 2 now open in the North Hills.

Ramen King 2 is now open in the North Hills. It carries the "2" in its name, as the original Ramen King opened in Canonsburg in October 2022. Ramen King (2) is located in the McIntyre Square shopping center, next to Gabe's, off McKnight Road (map). Signage went up back in August.

Korean Cooking Class: Flower Kimbap, with Jeonghee Choi from Yega Kimchi, October 30.

The East End Food Co-op will host "Korean Cooking Class: Flower Kimbap, with Jeonghee Choi from Yega Kimchi" on October 30.

Learn to make flower kimbap, a fun variation of a classic Korean dish. Similar to a sushi roll, you’ll learn how the two dishes differ, as well as other interesting facts about Korean cuisine. Participants will make their own to eat and/or take home and share (vegetarian/vegan).

It runs from 6 to 8:00 pm, and is $20 for East End Food Co-op members and $25 for non-members. The East End Food Co-op is located at 7516 Meade St. in Point Breeze (map).

Taiwanese chain Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea (一芳台灣水果茶) coming soon to Pittsburgh.

Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea (一芳台灣水果茶) is planning a Squirrel Hill location. The US-based Taiwanese fruit tea chain recently put up signage at 5825 Forbes Ave (map), in what has been empty for a couple years but what was most recently Classic Lines bookstore. 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 April. Yi Fang currently has locations throughout California, the East Coast, and elsewhere in North America.

Smile Thai & Sushi now open in Oakland.

Smile Thai & Sushi has recently opened in Oakland. It is located at 253 Atwood St. (map), taking over the spot from Spice Island Tea House which long occupied the space. Signage went up a few weeks ago, and the storefront now has its hours posted (and based on what they have posted online, the long hours of operation is not a typo).

Grand Opening for Atarashi Revolving Sushi, October 4 and 5; 30% off coupon for confirmed reservations.

Atarashi Revolving Sushi opened its doors on September 16 in Robinson, but is hosting its full, Grand Opening on October 4 and 5th. Guests with confirmed reservations can enjoy 30% off their order. The restaurant is located at at 210 McHolme Dr. (map), near the Walmart, and reservations can be made online.

At Atarashi Revolving Sushi, a large conveyer belt brings dishes ($3.75 each) by your table, and diners can pull their choices off the belt. Custom orders are delivered by mini robots from Taiwan that zip along another track. Revolving sushi places are ubiquitous throughout East Asia---and larger American cities---but only arrived to Pittsburgh in September 2023 with the Kura Sushi chain.

Sushi Atarashi is a small local chain of build-your-own sushi roll restaurants, formerly known as Sushi Fuku, with several locations in the area. In addition to this concept in Robinson, it has a revolving sushi place planned for Shadyside's East End Meridian development currently under construction.

National ramen chain KYURAMEN (九汤拉面) also coming soon to Cranberry township.

Work began in July 2023 on what was aiming to be the first Pittsburgh-area KYURAMEN location, but one is also coming soon to Cranberry. The national ramen chain with 39 spots already open around the country has a location coming soon to the Cranberry Mall, 20111 Route 19 Suite 302C (map), in a storefront near the movie theater in what was most recently Rajbhog Market Cafe. As for the East Liberty location, the joint KYURAMEN-TBaar spot was most recently aiming for a Fall 2024 opening.