Chinese & English Storytime, at Cooper-Siegel Community Library, January 13.

via CuriousLittleBao.com 

The Cooper-Siegel Community Library will resume a series of Chinese & English Storytimes, starting on January 13. 

Explore the Chinese language through bilingual songs, books, and playful experiences. This program is designed for kids in grades preschool - 2nd grade with their caregivers. 

Registration is required and can be completed online. There is a Chinese & English Storytime scheduled February 10, March 9, April1 3, and May 11 as well. The Cooper-Siegel Community Library is located at 403 Fox Chapel Rd. (map).

1994 Hong Kong film Chung King Express (重慶森林) at Row House Lawrenceville, from December 26.

The 1994 Hong Kong film Chung King Express (重慶森林) will play at the Row House Lawrenceville from December 26 through January 4.

Kar-wai’s break out film employs his signature crossing storylines to follow two police officers who fall into ill-fated love in a film brimming with raw humanity and irresistible energy.

Tickets are available online. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler St. (map).

New Hong Kong film The Goldfinger (金手指) in Pittsburgh, from December 29.

The upcoming Hong Kong film The Goldfinger (金手指) will play in Pittsburgh from December 29.

Set in the 1980s, the film depicts cut-throat machinations between Hong Kong's jostling business elites amidst the backdrop of the tail end of British colonial rule.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online.

New Miyazaki film The Boy and the Heron (君たちはどう生きるか) remains in Pittsburgh-area theaters through (at least) January 3.

The 2023 Hayao Miyazaki film The Boy and the Heron (君たちはどう生きるか), which opened across Pittsburgh-area theaters on December 7, will remain here through (at least) January 3. A synopsis of the movie, from the distributor:

Hayao Miyazaki's first feature film in 10 years, The Boy and the Heron is a hand-drawn, original story written and directed by the Academy Award®-winning director. Produced by Studio Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki, the film features a musical score from Miyazaki's long-time collaborator Joe Hisaishi. The theme song for the film "Spinning Globe" was penned and performed by global J-pop superstar Kenshi Yonezu.

. . .

A young boy named Mahito
yearning for his mother
ventures into a world shared by the living and the dead.
There, death comes to an end,
and life finds a new beginning.


A semi-autobiographical fantasy
about life, death, and creation,
 in tribute to friendship,
from the mind of Hayao Miyazaki.

Tickets are available online for shows at several Pittsburgh-area theaters. Please note, some shows are in Japanese with English subtitles while others are dubbed in English.

Godzilla Minus One (ゴジラ-1.0) to remain in Pittsburgh-area theaters through (at least) January 3.

The latest Godzilla movie, Godzilla Minus One (ゴジラ-1.0), which opened in Pittsburgh on November 30, will remain in local theaters through at least January 3.

Japan, devastated after the war, faces a new threat in the form of Godzilla. How will the country confront this impossible situation?

It plays locally in Japanese with English subtitles at several local theaters, and tickets are available online.

Top Pot Hotpot & Korean BBQ coming soon to Pittsburgh.

Top Pot Hotpot & Korean BBQ is coming to Southside Works in 2024.

Top Pot Hotspot [sic] & Korean BBQ will open a 6,000-square-foot restaurant on East Carson Street in SouthSide Works. The concept has the same operator as Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao, the New York-based chain which signed a lease with SouthSide Works in September.

Top Pot Hotpot & Korean BBQ is a restaurant concept that offers a combination of Chinese hot pot and Korean BBQ. The chain was founded in 2010.

This is one of several Korean BBQ places set to open in Pittsburgh in 2024, including KPot in Squirrel Hill, Korean BBQ in Oakland, Shabu Shabu Hot Pot and Grill in McCandless, and Hong BBQ & Hot Pot on McKnight Road.

Beginner and Intermediate Level Adult Mandarin Classes at Tzu-Chi Academy Pittsburgh, starting January 4.

Tzu-Chi Academy Pittsburgh will offer its next session of Beginner and Intermediate Level Adult Mandarin Classes on Sundays starting Janary 4.

Location: South Hill Middle School

Class time: every Sunday from 10-12:45 pm (1st Term 1: 1/14-4/7 2nd Term: 9/15-12/8)

Tuition: $120/term (Referral discount: $20 off for you and the referred one); $240 for 2 terms
Tuition includes: Textbook + Workbook

Seats are LIMITED! We will only take 16 students (beginner level 8 people; intermediate level 8 people )

Please note: It is recommended to register 2 terms because we will continue the study from 1st term to 2nd terms.

Though classes have been offered here before, the Taiwan Center for Mandarin Learning - Tzu Chi Academy Pittsburgh is a new project:

In 2024, the Taiwan Center for Mandarin Learning-Tzu Chi Academy Pittsburgh was established, thanks to generous funding from the Taiwan Overseas Community Affairs Council. Individuals aged 18 and above are warmly invited to join us on this language-learning adventure!

Embark on an extraordinary linguistic journey by learning Chinese! Because of this incredible support, we’ve crafted an environment that goes beyond language acquisition—it’s an adventure into the heart of Mandarin-speaking culture. Seize the opportunity to not just learn a language, but to unlock a world of possibilities and enrich your personal and professional journey. Don’t miss out on the chance to thrive in a community where language and culture converge seamlessly. Join us and let the language of opportunity be your guide!

Please note, space is limited. Registration is required and can be completed online. South Hills Middle School is located at 595 Crane St. in Beechview (map).

Kujira, specializing in sushi and sake, now open in Shadyside.

Kujira, a new restaurant specializing in sushi, sake, and whiskey, opened in Shadyside on December 10.

Hi Friend! Welcome To KuJiRa
Here, We Will Present a Unique Japanese Experience to Your Table.
Please Enjoy the Fresh Ingredients From the Ocean to Pittsburgh! Thank you

じら体験
こんにちは、友達です! クジラへようこそ
ここでは、ユニークな日本体験をあなたのテーブルにお届けします。
海からピッツバーグまで届く新鮮な食材をぜひご賞味ください!
ありがとうございました

Signage first went up in late October at 736 Bellefonte St. (map) in the spot formerly occupied by The Yard, where Dr. Tea opened upstairs earlier this year. Kujira---Japanese for whale---has the same ownership team as Bubble Bee, which has opened a few bubble tea spots around the city recently.

Kujira is active on Instagram, where you can find photos and stories of menu items.

Work progresses on Pittsburgh's first Tous les Jours, coming pretty soon to East Liberty.

Work progresses on Pittsburgh's first Tous les Jours Cafe coming soon to East Liberty. Signage first went up for the international Korean bakery chain in June 2023. 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."

While some people may sneer at excitement over (inter)national chains coming to Pittsburgh, I've written before that I actually consider it a healthy sign and representative of Pittsburgh's growing Asian food scene, as these chains have almost completely ignored the region prior to this year. Tous Les Jours will be located in the Eastside Bond Building C, across the street from Target (map).
via @TousLesJoursUSA