Kima Cafe to Open in Somerville's Union Square

It looks like a coffee shop is on its way to a Somerville neighborhood.

According to a message sent to us from Leah Klein of City Living Boston, Kima Cafe is planning to open in Union Square, with the address given for the place within a public legal notice indicating that it will apparently be opening in the Fortissimo Coffeehouse space on Bow Street. The upcoming spot will offer food and drink with Korean and other Asian influences, and it hopes to open sometime in mid-September if all goes as planned.

The address for the upcoming Kima Cafe is 75 Bow Street, Somerville, MA, 02143.

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Jinjee Opens in Allston

A new Korean restaurant has come to Allston, joining another Korean spot within the same space.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Jinjee is now open on Brighton Avenue, moving into part of the former Tavern in the Square space by the corner of Harvard Avenue and being the second of three Korean places to open there (the first being Sanbada). Jinjee features Korean BBQ with tabletop grills being featured, while Sanbada tends to focus in part on seafood; a third place called Bombbada will be more of a trendy late-night place that should be opening sometime this summer.

The address for Jinjee is 161 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134.

[Earlier Article]
Sanbada Opens in Allston

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Yakiniku Plans to Open in Waltham

It looks like a new Asian restaurant will be opening in the western suburbs of Boston.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Yakiniku is looking to open in Waltham, moving into a space on Main Street just east of Prospect Street. A Waltham Times article says that the dining spot will focus on Korean BBQ, with burners in the tables for diners to cook all-you-can-eat meat, and the restaurant will offer ramen and sushi as well. If all goes well, Yakiniku could be opening sometime in May.

The address for the proposed Yakiniku is 863-867 Main Street, Waltham, MA, 02451.

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Sanbada Opens in Allston

A brand new Korean restaurant has come to Allston.

According to a source, Sanbada is now open on Brighton Avenue, moving into part of the former Tavern in the Square Space by the corner of Harvard Avenue. The new dining spot offers wood-fired dishes, with its menu including such options as mackerel, spicy pork, bulgogi patties, soy-marinated shrimp. beef shank, beltfish, flounder, and pork belly.

The address for Sanbada is 165 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sanbada.allston/

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K-Bok Korean Fried Chicken Opens in Somerville's Union Square

Last fall, it was reported that a chicken place could be coming to Somerville, and now we have learned that it is up and running.

According to multiple source, K-Bok Korean Fried Chicken is now open in Union Square, and as mentioned in an earlier article, it has taken over the space on Washington Street that had once been home to Cantina La Mexicana. The menu for the eatery shows such options as wings, boneless tenders, and chicken sandwiches, and it also offers vegetarian options (using oyster mushrooms) along with fries, coffee, tea, and baked goods.

The address for K-Bok Korean Fried Chicken is 249 Washington Street, Somerville, MA, 02143. Its website can be found at https://www.kbokchicken.com/

[Earlier Article]
K-Bok Korean Fried Chicken May Be Opening in the Former Cantina La Mexicana Space in Somerville's Union Square

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Gangnam Spice Opens in Jamaica Plain

A brand new Korean street food spot has debuted in a Boston neighborhood.

According to a message sent by Adam Gaffin of Universal Hub along with an article from Jamaica Plain News, Gangnam Spice is now open in JP, moving into a space on Centre Street in Jackson Square. The article mentions that the new place offers Korean fried chicken and street snacks, while a check on its social media indicates that the business started out as a food truck that was first launched in April of 2024.

The address for Gangnam Spice is 225 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02119. Its website can be found at https://www.gangnamspice.com/

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Kimchipapi in Malden Has Closed

A pair of Korean restaurants is back down to one, as its newer location has shut down.

According to a Bluesky post from snoe.bsky.social along with a Reddit thread, Kimchipapi in Malden is no longer in operation, with the Salem Street eatery apparently closing its doors in September. The dining spot, which opened late last year, offered such options as corn dogs, Korean fried chicken, fries, kimchi fried rice, and more; the original location (which is called Kimchipapi Kitchen) does remain open on Harvard Avenue in Allston.

The address for the now-closed Kimchipapi in Malden was 184 Salem Street, Malden, MA, 02148. The website for Kimchipapi Kitchen in Allston can be found at https://www.kimchipapi.com/

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Bap Street to Open by Boston University on the Boston/Brookline Line

It looks like a new Korean restaurant may be coming to a space by the Boston/Brookline border.

According to a Brookline News article, Bap Street is planning to open on Commonwealth Avenue, moving into a space by Boston University just north of the Brookline line. The article mentions that the eatery could be offering such options such as bibimbap and kimbap, and it will be takeout-friendly while also having 20 seats for dining in.

The address for the upcoming Bap Street is 1027 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215.

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Gen Korean BBQ House to Open in Allston

A chain of Korean barbecue spots will be expanding to Boston.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Gen Korean BBQ House is planning to open in Allston, moving into a space on Harvard Avenue just south of the Brighton Avenue intersection. An earlier Universal Hub article mentioned that the upcoming restaurant will be set up on two floors and that the tables will have grills built into them for patrons to cook their food. 

Gen Korean BBQ House was established in Los Angeles in 2011 and has more than 40 locations today.

The address for the upcoming Gen Korean BBQ House is 121 Harvard Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134. The website for the chain is at https://www.genkoreanbbq.com/

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Seoule to Open in North Quincy

A brand new fusion restaurant is on its way to a space just south of Boston.

According to a source, (Sarah Wu), Seoule is planning to open in North Quincy, with photos sent indicating that it will be moving into a space on Billings Road a few storefronts east of Hancock Street. The signs out front show that the upcoming dining spot will feature Korean-French cuisine (though a menu has not been seen as of yet), and it isn't known when it might open, so stay tuned for any updates as they come in.

The address for the upcoming Seoule is 49 Billings Road, Quincy, MA, 02171.

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Iru Opens in Brookline

A new Korean restaurant has debuted in Brookline.

According to an article from Boston Magazine along with the Instagram page for the place, Iru has opened on Washington Street in Brookline Village, with Hajime Yamazaki being behind it. The article mentions that Yamazaki runs several Korean dining spots in Japan, with two of them receiving the Michelin Bib Gourmand Award which the Michelin Guide gives out to "best value for money restaurants." Boston Magazine says that ginseng chicken soup (samgyetang) is a featured item at the place.

The address for Iru is 238 Washington Street, Brookline, MA, 02445. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/iru_boston/

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Nowon Opens in Boston's Seaport District

A Korean-American gastropub with roots in New York City has opened on the Boston waterfront after being in the works for more than a year.

According to a source (Gary Goldblatt), Nowon opens for dinner service today in the city's Seaport District, with an Instagram post from the business saying "The time is here, Boston! Nowon Seaport is officially open today! It's been a long time coming and we can't wait for you to dive into our menu. Book on Opentable or walk-in." The new location joins others in Manhattan's East Village and the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, with the menu for the Boston location (which hasn't been posted as of this writing) possibly including such options as tots, burgers, chicken sandwiches, noodle dishes, kimchi rice, and more, along with beer, wine, and cocktails.

The address for the new location of Nowon in the Seaport District is 117 Seaport Boulevard, Boston, MA, 02210. The website for the business is at https://nowonusa.com/

[Earlier Article]
Nowon Plans to Open in Boston

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Seoul Gourmet Is Opening in the Former SuSu Sushi Space in Stoughton

A Korean restaurant is coming to the southern suburbs of Boston, replacing an all-you-can-eat sushi spot that closed toward the end of last year.

According to a Bluesky post from @danie913.bsky.social, Seoul Gourmet is opening in Stoughton, with a reply from @jeremyk.bsky.social indicating that it is moving into the space on Washington Street where SuSu Sushi had been until shutting down late last fall. A DoorDash page for the place shows such menu items as kimchi scallion pancakes, shrimp shumai, crab stick tempura, soft tofu stew, Korean fried chicken, bulgogi, grilled pork belly, japchae, and bibimbap.

The Instagram page for Seoul Jangteo in Allston indicates that there is an ownership connection between it and Seoul Gourmet.

The address for the Seoul Gourmet is 408 Washington Street, Stoughton, MA, 02072. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/seoulgourmetboston/

[March 24 update: Based on its Instagram page, it appears that Seoul Gourmet is going through a soft opening, with its grand opening on the way soon.]

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Jinjee, Sanbada, and Bombbada to Open in the Former Tavern in the Square Space in Allston

A multi-concept place featuring food and drink is looking to open in Allston, and it will be taking over the space where a location of a local chain of restaurants had been.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the City of Boston website, Jinjee, Sanbada, and Bombbada are all planning to open in the former Tavern in the Square space on Brighton Avenue, with an earlier abutters meeting post indicating that Jinjee will offer Korean BBQ, Sanbada will be a Korean restaurant that focuses on grilled fish and an array of side dishes, and Bombbada will be "the nighttime counterpart of Sanbada," featuring Korean dishes along with specialty Korean cocktails. It looks like the restaurants will have a couple of rooms including a dining and bar area in one and more seating in another, with two other rooms being used for kitchens and food prep areas.

The Allston location of Tavern in the Square closed in 2024 after 14 years in operation.

The address for Jinjee, Sanbada, and Bombbada is 161 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134. 

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Dae Gee Korean BBQ Is Opening in Chelmsford

A small group of Korean restaurants in Colorado that gained national recognition via a popular TV show is just about ready to expand to Massachusetts, with a location opening north of Boston.

According to a source (Gary Goldblatt) who sent us a link to a Facebook reel from the business, Dae Gee Korean BBQ is opening in Chelmsford on February 14, moving into a space on Parkhurst Road just off Route 3 in the Drum Hill area of town. Dae Gee, which was featured on Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," is known in part for its "unlimited BBQ" with various bulgogi options along with pork belly, short ribs, brisket, chicken dumplings, and more, while also serving such entrees as tofu stew, bee beem bhop, and grilled mackerel.

The address for the new location of Dae Gee Korean BBQ in Chelmsford is 83 Parkhurst Road, Chelmsford, MA, 01824. The website for the business is at https://daegee.com/

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Coreanos in Allston Expands to Second Location in Framingham

A Korean fusion restaurant in a Boston neighborhood has expanded, opening a new outlet in the MetroWest area.

According to Kiat Cormier, who posted on the ChewOnThis Facebook group page, Coreanos is now open in Framingham, with the Route 9 eatery joining its original on Brighton Avenue in Allston. The website for Coreanos says that when it first opened in Allston in 2016, it had "a simple mission: to offer quality Korean food to Boston. Offering traditional dishes to Mexican fusion and everything in between, there's something for everyone. All the sauces and ingredients are made in house, and each item is prepared to order to ensure freshness."

The address for the new location of Coreanos is 1255 Worcester Road (Route 9), Framingham, MA, 01701. The website for the Allston location is at https://www.coreanosallston.com/

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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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K-Bok Korean Fried Chicken May Be Opening in the Former Cantina La Mexicana Space in Somerville's Union Square

A new restaurant that is part of a hot trend in dining could be on its way to a space in Somerville that had been home to a beloved eatery until last year.

According to a source, K-Bok Korean Fried Chicken is planning to open in Union Square, taking over the former Cantina La Mexicana space. A licensing commission page mentions that the proposed eatery plans to have seating for 50 and hopes to acquire a liquor license, though little else is known about the place, at this point in time.

Cantina La Mexicana got its start as Taqueria la Mexicana in 1995, with the restaurant closing in September of 2023.

The address for the proposed K-Bok Korean Fried Chicken is 249 Washington Street, Somerville, MA, 02143.

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KChickin Has Opened in Boston's Fenway Neighborhood

A new Asian fusion spot has debuted in the Fenway.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page,  KChickin is now open on Peterborough Street, moving into the space that had been home to Sushi Kappo. The website for the new eatery indicates that it combines "the bold flavors of Korean cuisine with the delicate artistry of Japanese cooking," with its menu including such options as wings, boneless tenders, sushi, gyoza, bulgogi, kimchi tofu soup, yaki udon, and more.

The address for KChickin is 86 Peterborough Street, Boston, MA, 02215. Its website can be found at https://www.kchickin.com/

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TofuStory Opens in Allston

 A brand new Korean restaurant has come to Boston.

According to a source, TofuStory is now open in Allston, with an earlier What Now Boston article indicating that it has moved into the former Kao BBQ space on Harvard Avenue. The menu for the new dining spot includes such options as pan-fried dumplings, kimchi pancakes, tofu stew, bulgogi, short ribs, marinated crab, japchae noodle, bibimbop, and more--and the website mentions that their tofu is made daily in-house.

The address for TofuStory is 85 Harvard Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134. Its website can be found at https://www.tofustoryboston.com/

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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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