Shabu-Zen in Allston May Be Replaced by Zhu Seafood & Beef Hot Pot

One of a pair of longtime Asian fusion restaurants known in part for their hot pot could be replaced by a new hot pot place.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the City of Boston website, Shabu-Zen in Allston is petitioning to transfer its license to Zhu Seafood & Beef Hot Pot, which would open within its space on Brighton Avenue. Very little information has been given about the proposed eatery, but more should be known by later next week after the hearing, so stay tuned for updates.

The Allston location of Shabu-Zen opened approximately 20 years ago, joining the Chinatown location which had debuted a few years earlier and which remains in operation on Tyler Street.

The address for Shabu-Zen in Allston (and the proposed Zhu Seafood & Beef Hot Pot) is 80 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134. The website for the business is at https://www.shabuzen.com/

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Howie's Bar and Vincent's Kitchen Plans to Open in Wakefield

A brand new Asian restaurant is on its way to the northern suburbs of Boston.

According to a source, Howie's Bar and Vincent's Kitchen is planning to open in Wakefield, moving into a space on Main Street in the Greenwood section of town. Our source mentions that the proposed dining spot will focus on Asian fusion (including dishes with Japanese and Chinese influences), with sushi possibly being included among the offerings.

The address for the upcoming Howie's Bar and Vincent's Kitchen is 963 Main Street, Wakefield, MA, 01880. Its Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587544162383

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Double Chin in Boston's Chinatown Has Closed

A popular Asian fusion spot in downtown Boston has shut down.

According to multiple sources, including a source within the restaurant industry, Double Chin in Chinatown has closed, confirming chatter on social media over the past several days about the status of the Harrison Avenue restaurant. Double Chin first opened in the early part of 2016, featuring Chinese dishes with modern influences, Hong Kong-style street food, and fusion fare with influences including Korean, Japanese, and Southeast Asian.

The address for the now-closed Double Chin was 86 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, 02111.

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Fupo Cafe in Cambridge's Huron Village Has Closed

A Cambridge restaurant known in part for its Asian Fusion fare and its Chinese-American dishes appears to have shut down.

According to a couple of source, including Leah Klein of City Living Boston, Fupo Cafe in Huron Village is apparently no longer in business, with photos of the Huron Avenue space showing it mostly cleared out. There is no indication of its closure on its social media, nor does its website mention anything about its shuttering.

Fupo Cafe first opened about a year ago, taking over the space where Village Kitchen had been.

The address for the now-closed Fupo Cafe was 359 Huron Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138.

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Shine's Fresh Asian in Belmont Center Has Closed; Exact Status Unknown

An Asian restaurant in the western suburbs of Boston appears to have shuttered, and it isn't know exactly why it closed or if it could return in the future.

According to a source, Shine's Fresh Asian in Belmont Center is no longer in business, with a sign out front at the Leonard Street storefront seeming to confirm that it has closed (phone calls to the dining spot indicate that the number is out of service). The restaurant first opened in 2016 in the former Asai space and focused on Asian fusion fare.

The address for Shine’s Fresh Asian was 30 Leonard Street, Belmont, MA, 02478.

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GrowlGrowl to Open in Boston's Downtown Crossing

A brand new Asian restaurant is making plans to open in the heart of Boston.

According to an article from What Now Boston, GrowlGrowl is going to be opening in Downtown Crossing, moving into a space on Winter Street near where it meets Tremont Street. The article mentions that the upcoming eatery could feature hot pot options with pan-Asian street food influences, with several soup bases possibly being offered.

If all goes well, GrowlGrowl may be opening in late October.

The address for the upcoming GrowlGrowl Hot Pot is 48 Winter Street, Boston, MA, 02108. Its website can be found at https://growlgrowl.com/

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Zen Asian Fusion to Open in the Former Trinktisch/Craft Beer Cellar Space in Belmont

The people behind a local group of Asian restaurants will be opening a new dining spot in the western suburbs of Boston, and it will move into the space where a beer hall and specialty beer shop had been.

According to a source (via an article from The Belmont Voice),  Zen Asian Fusion is planning to open in Belmont Center, taking over the former Trinktisch/Craft Beer Cellar space on Leonard Street. The article mentions that the upcoming spot will be part of Karma Restaurant Group (which has locations of Karma in Concord, Winchester, Wellesley, Burlington, and Westford), and it will include a sushi bar and offer a "lounge vibe" with cocktails offered, while the lower level of the space will be used as a commissary kitchen for the restaurant group. If all goes as planned, Zen Asian Fusion will open later this year.

Trinktisch and Craft Beer Cellar said farewell to Belmont at the end of 2023.

It appears that the address for Zen Asian Fusion will be 87 Leonard Street, Belmont, MA, 02478.

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Koy in Boston's Faneuil Hall Area Is Closing

An Asian fusion restaurant in downtown Boston that focuses in part on Korean-influenced dishes is shutting down.

According to a source, Koy in the city's Faneuil Hall area is closing its doors, with another source (Leah Klein of City Living Boston) confirming that the dining spot will be closing after business hours on December 20. An Instagram post from Koy confirms this, saying that "we've made the bittersweet decision not to renew our lease as we prepare to pivot and explore a new business concept."

Koy first opened 10 years ago, taking over the space that had been home to a location of UBurger.

The address for Koy is 16 North Street, Boston, MA, 02109. Its website can be found at https://koyboston.com/

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Ginger Exchange Express Plans to Open in Somerville

It looks like another location of a local group of Asian Fusion spots could be on its way.

According to a source, Ginger Exchange Express is planning to open in Somerville, moving into the space on Highland Avenue that had been home to Highland Market Pizza. An introduction page sent to us mentions that the proposed eatery would offer such items as sushi, rice and noodle bowls, and Korean fried chicken, and based on the website for Ginger Exchange, this would indeed be under the same ownership as Ginger Exchange Express in Arlington and locations of Ginger Exchange in Boston's Mission Hill and in Watertown.

The address for the proposed Ginger Exchange Express is 22 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA, 02143. The website for all locations is at https://www.gingerexchange.com/

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Ginger Exchange in Boston's Symphony Hall Area Has Closed

It looks like a local group of Asian fusion spots has closed one of its locations.

According to @theurbanologist, who posted on Twitter/X, Ginger Exchange in the Symphony Hall area of Boston is no longer in business, with its website seeming to confirm this, as that restaurant has been removed from the locations section of the site. Locations of Ginger Exchange remain open in Watertown and Mission Hill, along with a Ginger Exchange Express in Arlington.

The address for the now-closed Ginger Exchange by Symphony Hall was 250 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115. The website for the group of restaurants can be found at https://www.gingerexchange.com/

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Hakki Asian Fusion Is Opening in the Former Red Lentil Space in Sharon

A new Asian restaurant is getting ready to open in the southern suburbs of Boston, opening where a location of a vegan/vegetarian had been.

According to a couple of sources, Hakki Asian Fusion appears to be on the verge of opening in Sharon, moving into the space on Pond Street that had been home to Red Lentil until it closed late last year. The menu for the dining spot shows such items as gyoza, shumai, sushi, teriyaki, tempura, ramen, udon and soba dishes, kushiyaki, and more.

The original location of Red Lentil in Watertown remains in operation.

The address for Hakki Asian Fusion is 1 Pond Street, Sharon, MA, 02067. Its website can be found at https://hakkiasianfusion.com/

[October 21 update: According to a source, Hakki Asian Fusion is now open.]

[Earlier Article]
Red Lentil in Sharon Has Closed

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Makiin Opens in Maynard

 A new Asian fusion spot has opened west of Boston.

According to a source, Makiin is now open in Maynard, moving into a space on Main Street in the center of town. The menu for the place shows dishes with influences that include Thai and Japanese fare, with some of the options including miso soup, tofu salad, gyoza, shrimp tempura, peanut curry rice, ramen curry, Thai-style grilled pork, Japanese fried oysters, and more.

The address for Makiin is 74 Main Street, Maynard, MA, 01754.

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Wok n Talk in Boston's Mission Hill Neighborhood Appears to Have Closed Permanently

A Chinese and Asian fusion spot located near where Mission Hill and Jamaica Plain meet has apparently shut down for good.

According to a source, Wok n Talk on S Huntington Avenue is permanently closed, with our source telling us that it had been temporarily shuttered by the Boston Licensing Board for expired licenses and a locked fire exit, both of which were mentioned in a hearing notice from September. A check on the website indicates that the site is no longer running and phone calls go directly to voicemail, though the Brighton location of the eatery does appear to remain in operation.

Wok n Talk first opened in Mission Hill in 2011.

The address for the now-closed Wok n Talk in Mission Hill was 23 S Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115.

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[More restaurant openings/closings from the Boston's Hidden Restaurants site): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Cloud Asian Fusion & Bar to Open in Quincy

A brand new Asian restaurant is on its way to a shopping center that is home to several other Asian food spots.

According to its website and social media, Cloud Asian Fusion & Bar is planning to open this summer in Quincy, moving into a space in the President Plaza on Quincy Avenue. Its website indicates that the dining spot will offer raw bar items along with such options as gyoza, soft-shell crab, bao, lobster rangoon, five-spice chicken, marinated short ribs, ramen, chicken katsu, and crispy shrimp, while also serving beer, wine, and cocktails.

The address for the upcoming Cloud Asian Fusion & Bar is 217 Quincy Avenue, Quincy, MA, 02169. Its website can be found at https://www.cloudfusionbar.com/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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NOTE: Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is currently dealing with health issues and needs your help. Please donate if you can at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!

Hobgoblin Is Opening in the Former Stoddard's Space in Boston's Downtown Crossing This Month

A couple of years ago, it was reported that a new dining and drinking spot was taking over the space that had been home to a gastropub-style restaurant and bar in downtown Boston, and now we have learned that it is finally on the verge of opening.

According to a post from boston.com, Hobgoblin plans to debut this month in Downtown Crossing, moving into the former Stoddard's Fine Food & Ale space on Temple Place. The post mentions that the new spot will also be a gastropub-style place (and a piano bar), though with Asian fusion fare including such options as black cod croquettes, Korean rice cakes, chicken basil burgers, duck confit, smoked bacon pad Thai, and salted salmon fried rice on its menu.

Stoddard's announced its closure in the fall of 2021 after being in business for approximately ten years.

The address for Hobgoblin is 48 Temple Place, Boston, MA, 02111. Its website can be found at https://www.hobgoblinbar.com/

[July 14 update An article from Boston Magazine mentions that Hobgoblin opens this evening.]

[Earlier Article]
New Restaurant Proposed for Former Stoddard's Space in Boston's Downtown Crossing

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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NOTE: Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is currently dealing with health issues and needs your help. Please donate if you can at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!

Twelve Hours in Brighton's Oak Square Neighborhood Has Closed

An Asian fusion restaurant in Brighton that focused on takeout has shut down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Twelve Hours in Oak Square is no longer in business, with a Facebook post from the Washington Street eatery saying that the closure was due to "many circumstances." Twelve Hours offered food items with Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Korean, and Vietnamese influences, including dumplings, scallion pancakes, vermicelli, ramen, pad Thai, pho, and lo mein.

The address for the now-closed Twelve Hours in Oak Square was 559 Washington Street, Brighton, MA, 02135.

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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Thazia Is Opening in a Shipping Container by the Innovation and Design Building in Boston's Seaport District

A new Thai and Asian fusion restaurant is on its way to Boston, and it will be opening in a tiny space by the waterfront.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Thazia is planning to open on the promenade of the Innovation and Design Building in the city's Seaport District, setting up shop in a shipping container that it will lease initially for one year. The post mentions that Panupak Kraiwong--who founded Dakzen in Somerville's Davis Square (and has since moved on)--is opening the new takeout spot and that he will be working with chefs Faye Prapawicha and Sasirin Siwayawirote to offer a seasonal menu that includes Southern Thai fare along with "a melting pot of Asian food," while ramen will apparently be part of the offerings.

If all goes well, Thazia plans to open on February 2.

The website for Thazia can be found at https://thazia.com/ while its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/thaz1a/

[February 23 update: Eater Boston states that Thazia is now open.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Jakingrass to Open in Somerville

The people behind a Thai restaurant in Somerville will be opening a brand new dining spot nearby.

Eater Boston is reporting that Jakingrass is planning to open on Elm Street, behind Porter Square near the Somerville/Cambridge line and a bit less than a half mile down the road from Dakzen. The team behind Dakzen plan to offer Asian fusion dishes at the upcoming Jakingrass, including Thai fare and Asian street food, while it will be a casual spot with counter service. No opening date has been given as of yet, as they are still waiting on a permit, according to Eater.

The address for the upcoming Jakingrass will be 54 Elm Street, Somerville, MA, 02144. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/jakingrass/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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Karma Asian Fusion Cuisine Plans to Open in Winchester

It looks like a local group of Asian restaurants will be expanding to a new location in the northern suburbs of Boston.

According to a source within the restaurant industry, Karma Asian Fusion Cuisine is planning to open in Winchester, taking over a couple of spaces in the center of town that had been home to The Spot and an outlet of Dunkin'. Once it opens, expect to see pan-Asian fare including a variety of sushi options along with other Japanese items, as well as dishes with Chinese, Korean, and Thai influences.

Other locations of Karma can be found in Andover, Burlington, Concord, and Westford. Their website is at http://karmaasianfusion.com/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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Boon Noon Market Is Opening in the Former Thailand Cafe Space in East Arlington

A new Asian restaurant is on its way to East Arlington, taking over the space that had been home to another Thai spot.

According to a poster within The Arlington List Facebook group page, Boon Noon Market is opening in the former Thailand Cafe space in East Arlington, with an article in Your Arlington confirming this. The article mentions that the new spot will focus on Asian Thai fusion fare, while a picture posted on The Arlington List shows that the restaurant will also apparently include a Thai grocery within the space.

The address for Boon Noon Market is 161 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA, 02474.

[April 26, 2022 update: A poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page mentions that Boon Noon Market is now open.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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