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.

Asian beauty store Maison Beauty opening in Squirrel Hill on November 16.

Asian beauty store Maison Beauty will open in Squirrel Hill on November 16, and will have a number of specials to mark the occasion.

Grand Opening Day Special Offers: First 48 customers who spend $25 or more will receive a free keyring lip gloss!! Available in two different colors!!
First 25 customers who spend $40 or more will receive 5% off their purchase!!

It describes itself as "Pittsburgh’s one stop shop for all Asian Beauty products," and signage went up for it earlier this month at 2021 Murray Ave. (map). It will open at 11 am on the 16th.

Asian beauty store Maison Beauty coming soon to Squirrel Hill.

Maison Beauty, an Asian skincare and cosmetics store, is coming soon to Squirrel Hill. It describes itself as "Pittsburgh’s one stop shop for all Asian Beauty products," and will be opening at 2021 Murray Ave. (map).

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.

Ebisu Japanese Life Store soft opening in Squirrel Hill on November 1; Grand Opening scheduled for November 2.

Ebisu Japanese Life Store has announced the soft opening for its first Pittsburgh location will happen on November 1, with the Grand Opening scheduled for November 2. Signage went up for Ebisu a short time ago at 5846 Forbes Ave. (map), the former location of Panda Supermarket before that grocery store relocated in 2021. There are a number of giveaways scheduled for the opening if customers hit certain purchase thresholds (for instance, a snack gift pack for spending $39.99 or more).

Founded October 2013 in Osaka, Japan, Ebisu is a unique life store that offers thousands of product categories from Japan. Quality, happiness, and harmony are core values of Ebisu. High-quality comes from our willingness to provide the best products to our consumers, happiness is the feeling a consumer gets when shopping in our store and harmony is when the consumer experiences everything we have to offer!

Ebisu Japanese Life Store is a Chinese chain specializing in Japanese goods, with its stores featuring cosmetics, snacks, homegoods, stationary, gacha machines, and more.

Ebisu Japanese Life Store coming soon to Squirrel Hill.

An Ebisu Japanese Life Store is coming soon to Squirrel Hill, going into 5846 Forbes Ave (map), the spot formerly occupied by Panda Supermarket before it moved down the block three years ago.

Founded October 2013 in Osaka, Japan, Ebisu is a unique life store that offers thousands of product categories from Japan. Quality, happiness, and harmony are core values of Ebisu. High-quality comes from our willingness to provide the best products to our consumers, happiness is the feeling a consumer gets when shopping in our store and harmony is when the consumer experiences everything we have to offer!

The former Panda was long rumored to be Jho's Pool Hall, but development stalled and the "for lease" signs multiplied.

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.

Miniso coming soon to The Mall at Robinson.

Chinese chain Miniso, "a Japanese-inspired lifestyle product retailer offering high-quality household goods, cosmetics, and food at affordable prices," is coming soon to The Mall at Robinson. The mall's social media teased this in August, and the retailer is currently hiring staff. The international chain arrived to western Pennsylvania in June with is Greensburg location, and looks to be opening this suburban Pittsburgh location later this year or early next.

MINISO is based on three core principles. Affordable high quality: guides our decisions from design to materials. Joy: the response our customers experience while in our stores. Lighthearted: the relaxed and happy feeling when encountering the large variety of goods available.
MINISO has collaborated with world-famous brands including Coca Cola, Marvel, Hello Kitty, Sesame Street, Mickey and Minnie, Pink Panther, We Bare Bears and Beijing’s Palace Museum, releasing playful crossover products that have been hugely popular with our young shoppers.

Miniso has been described as a "Japanese Hot Topic" or a "Chinese Five Below" and seems to specialize in kawaii products, plushies, Japanese snacks, and various Disney and Sanrio branded products, as well as other Asian products. This is the third Miniso location coming soon to the area, after South Hills Village Mall and Greensburg Mall.

via miniso-us.com

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.

Work continues on Korean BBQ (코리안 바베큐), planned for Semple St. in Oakland.

One of the biggest food developments in Pittsburgh this year was the arrival, or at least the announcement, of several all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ and hot pot restaurants. There have been seven announced for the area: Hong BBQ and Hot Pot in the North Hills, Korean BBQ in Oakland, KPot in Squirrel Hill, Shabu Shabu Hot Pot and Grill in McCandless and Robinson, Top Pot Hotpot & Korean BBQ for the Southside, and most recently Running Dish at the Waterfront. Though work has continued on most, only one has actually opened this year (Hong BBQ).

Work continues at 414 Semple St. (map) on Korean BBQ, which now aims to open later this year. Recently signage advertising the restaurant's hours and website went up---the website is no longer online---but ownership says an opening is not set for the immediate future. Signage for the new restaurant went up in September 2023, in the spot formerly occupied by Korea Garden, which moved to the Novo Asian Food Hall in the Strip District. This small strip of Semple St. is an interesting enclave of dining options in a neighborhood increasingly dominated by chains and university-owned property.

Grand Opening for Pittsburgh's first Paris Baguette scheduled for September 21.

Pittsburgh's first Paris Baguette opened its doors to the public on September 6, but will be holding a formal Grand Opening on September 21. From a press released issued by The Block Northway today:

We are thrilled to announce the Grand Opening of Paris Baguette at The Block Northway on Saturday, September 21st ! Join us for a delightful celebration filled with freshly baked pastries, artisanal bread, and gourmet coffee. Experience the delectable flavors of Paris right here at your doorstep.

Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024

Time 7:00 AM

Location: The Block Northway – 8011 B McKnight Road

Hours: 7 A.M. to 9 P.M. Daily

Paris Baguette invites customers to experience a fusion of Parisian elegance and delectable

pastries, sandwiches, and beverages. With a commitment to quality ingredients and authentic

recipes, Paris Baguette promises a culinary journey unlike any other. Paris Baguette brings a

touch of French elegance and artisanal mastery to the heart of The Block Northway.

“Paris Baguette is not just a Bakery,” said Isif Shah owner of Paris Baguette. “It’s a cultural

experience that rings the flavors of France to your doorstep. With our dedication to quality

ingredients and authentic recipes, we strive to transport our customers to the streets of Paris with

every delicious bite.”

Paris Baguette is actually a Korean bakery, an international chain with hundreds of locations around the US. It is the second international Korean bakery to open in Pittsburgh, after Tous Les Jours in March. This spot is open in The Block Northway in the North Hills (map), though the franchisee says he aims to open five in the area; the second is coming soon to Shadyside.

Northeastern Kitchen (东北厨房) open in North Oakland.

Northeastern Kitchen (东北厨房) is now open in North Oakland, taking the spot occupied by TW Kitchen from March 2019 to August 2024. Ownership has posted its menu online, and it includes dozens of stews, noodle dishes, dumplings, and other staples of northeasetern Chinese cuisine. It is located at 192 N. Craig St. (map).

Sushi Atarashi location in Robinson, with revolving sushi belt, opening on Monday, September 16.

A new Sushi Atarashi is opening in Robinson on Monday, September 16, with a revolving sushi belt. The new restaurant was announced back in April, and its social media has documented the construction journey. It will open at 12:00 pm on its first day, and guests can receive 10% off their order by completing a survey. 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, and the new Robinson restaurant is locaated at 210 McHolme Dr. (map).

Smile Thai & Sushi coming soon to Oakland.

Signage is now up for Smile Thai & Sushi, coming soon to Oakland in the spot long occupied by Spice Island Tea House. The new spot was hinted at in Spice Island's online goodbye message back in July, excerpted below:

We have vacated Atwood Street in Oakland, and new owners with a new Thai concept have taken over the space. Since we closed regular service back in September last year, we’ve been looking for a fitting restauranteur to take over the space so that Atwood Street would remain an interesting and diverse food destination in Oakland. We wish the new owners much success, and we hope that you will support them once they open for business.

Smile Thai & Sushi will be located at 253 Atwood St. (map).

I Bowl (一碗面) now open in Squirrel Hill.

A little while ago paper went up on the windows at 2209 Murray Ave. in Squirrel Hill, the home shared by Mr. Egg's Kitchen and Teppan BBQ (and, from 2006 to 2020, the home of Ka Mei). Signage recently went up for I Bowl (一碗面), a noodle restaurant currently open for take-out only. A look at their menu, via Fantuan delivery service; ordering in-store is done via a kiosk near the door.

Running Dish, an all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ and revolving sushi place, coming soon to Pittsburgh / Homestead.

Local news has reported that Running Dish, an all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ and revolving sushi place, is one of two new restaurants slated to come soon to the Waterfront, located in Homestead just across a bridge from Pittsburgh. WPXI says it "has signed a lease and is in the permitting phase" while Patch says it will be located across from Starbucks. Running Dish will be one of six all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ places that either opened in 2024 or are set to open in the near future, and will be one of three revolving sushi places in the area, besides Kura Sushi and the soon-to-open Atarashi in Robinson.