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.

Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program Information Session, October 8 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will hold its annual Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program Information Session on October 8.

Are you interested in living and working abroad?
Have you been studying Japanese and looking to apply your skills after graduation?
Do you want to make an impact on the lives of young people?
Would you like to find out where the ultimate ramen shop is found?
If any of these questions apply to you, then please join the Asian Studies Center and JET Alumni group in Pittsburgh for an information session to learn more about the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program. This hybrid Information Session will be in room 4130 Posvar Hall, on the 4th floor of W. Wesley Posvar Hall on October 8, 2024 starting at 5:30pm. Learn about the requirements of the JET Program and learn from your future-JET Program sempai with our JET Alumni Panel.

The hybrid event starts at 5:30 pm and registration is required; the in-person component is held in 4130 Posvar Hall.

2024 Thai film How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies (หลานม่า) in Pittsburgh, September 20 and 21.

The 2024 Thai film How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies (หลานม่า) will play in Pittsburgh on September 20 and 21.

After his grandmother is diagnosed with cancer, a scheming young man moves in to care for her, motivated by a desire to secure her fortune for himself. Unfortunately for him, it turns out that winning Grandma’s favor is no easy feat.

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

2024 documentary The Cats of Gokogu Shrine (五香宮の猫) at Pitt, September 26, as part of the SCREENSHOT: Asia film festival.

A screening of the 2024 documentary The Cats of Gokogu Shrine (五香宮の猫) has been added to the SCREENSHOT: Asia film festival at the University of Pittsburgh on September 26. A synopsis, from director Kazuhiro Soda's official site:

Gokogu is a small, ancient Shinto shrine in Ushimado, Japan, on the Seto Inland Sea. Home to dozens of street cats, it is also known as “Cat Shrine.”

Many people visit the shrine for various reasons: some to worship gods, others to enjoy gardening. Some people come to clean the shrine as volunteers while others just stop by on their way to fish Japanese sardinella –– and it is the perfect place for kids to play after school. In addition, some people visit Gokogu to feed the freely roaming stray cats. Others just come to see these cats or to take pictures of them. It is a heaven for cat-loving residents and visitors, but some residents complain about the waste the cats leave around the neighborhood. Gokogu looks peaceful on the surface, but it is also the epicenter of a sensitive issue that divides the local community.

In 2021, after living in New York City for 27 years, Kazuhiro Soda and Kiyoko Kashiwagi relocated to Ushimado where they had previously filmed Oyster Factory (2015) and Inland Sea (2018). As new settlers, the couple tries to blend into Ushimado’s local community, and gets caught up in the problem around the cats of Gokogu. The filmmakers started rolling their camera to observe and depict the aging, traditional community and its spiritual center Gokogu. The result is a beautiful and cruel, simple yet complex portrayal of the universe of Gokogu, interwoven with people, cats, and all living beings.

It plays in 125 Frick Fine Arts in Oakland, on the edge of the University of Pittsburgh campus, (map) and tickets for the 7:00 pm show are now available online.

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).

2024 Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Festival (匹兹堡中华文化节将), September 21 in Mellon Park.

The 2024 Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Festival (匹兹堡中华文化节将) will be held September 21 in Mellon Park (map). Presented by the Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Center, it will run from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm and feature vendor booths, cultural performances, music, food, and more. The festival grounds at Mellon Park---the southern portion, near the Rose Garden, not the northern portion near the baseball fields and spray park---are in Point Breeze near the intersectiosn of the Shadyside and Squirrel Hill neighborhoods.

"We Learn" Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Korean classes resume at Carnegie Library in Oakland, Saturdays from September 14 through November 16.

via the Republic of Korea's Flickr page.

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh branch in Oakland will resume its free "We Learn" Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Korean classes Saturdays from September 14. 

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).

1981 Japanese film Mobile Suit Gundam in Pittsburgh, October 2 and 6.

The 1981 Japanese film Mobile Suit Gundam will play in Pittsburgh on October 2 and 6, part of the three-part AXCN Gundam Fest showing the films compiled from the initial Gundam TV series.

In Universal Century year 0078, the space colony Side 3 declares itself the Principality of Zeon and launches a war of independence against the Earth Federation. Eight months have passed since the war entered into a deadlock. Learning of a secret plot by the Federation Forces, the Zeon Forces launch reconnaissance followed by an attack against Side 7. A young boy by the name of Amuro gets wrapped up in the war, and by coincidence ends up piloting the mobile suit Gundam and defeating the enemy. The Federation’s White Base, having lost its proper crew in the battle, escapes from Side 7 with forces still in training and civilians both.

It plays locally, in Japanese with English subtitles, at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark in Robinson, and tickets are available online. The other two films derived from the Gundam series will play in Pittsburgh later in October.