Boston Restaurant Talk: Southeast Asian restaurants

Showing posts with label Southeast Asian restaurants. Show all posts

Thursday, September 26, 2024

Chalawan in Cambridge Is Closing

A Southeast Asian restaurant in Cambridge is shutting down.

According to a Bluesky post from @troysch1.bsky.social, Chalawan on Mass. Ave. is closing, with a Facebook post from the dining spot indicating that it says farewell on September 29. The restaurant, which is known in part for its Thai and Vietnamese fare, opened in 2019 in the former Pho House space between Porter Square and Harvard Square.

The address for Chalawan is 1790 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02140. Its website can be found at https://www.thechalawan.com/

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

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Monday, March 25, 2024

All Locations of Grainmaker Have Apparently Closed

A trio of dining spots featuring Southeast Asian street food appear to have shut down permanently.

According to a source, locations of Grainmaker in Boston's Downtown Crossing, Somerville's Davis Square, and Woburn Village are no longer in business, with a check on their website and social media pages indicating that they have all been taken down. The three restaurants were known in part for their focus on gluten-free and dairy-free items, offering such options as poke bowls, dumplings, grain bowls, street tacos, smoothies, and more.

The first location of Grainmaker debuted in Downtown Crossing in 2017, with the Somerville outlet opening in 2019 and the Woburn location opening in 2022.

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

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Shojo Is Opening in Cambridge's Central Square in April

A couple of years ago, it was reported that a restaurant in Boston that features inventive takes on Asian food was planning to expand to Cambridge, and now we have learned that the new location is finally about ready to open.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Shojo is hoping to open its new outlet in Central Square in mid-April, with the Mass. Ave. spot joining the original restaurant on Tyler Street in Chinatown. Once it opens, expect to see modern takes on Southeast Asian dishes (including a handful of new dishes at the Cambridge location) as well as a variety of cocktails.

Brian Moy, who is behind Shojo, also runs Ruckus, a pan-Asian noodle bar in Chinatown, and Nomai, an Asian fusion restaurant in Hingham. (Another location of Shojo can be found at Logan Airport.)

The address for the upcoming Shojo in Central Square is 425 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139. Its website is at https://www.shojocambridge.com/

[April 6 update: A tweet from @TroySch1 and a note on the restaurant's website indicate that Shojo in Cambridge has soft-opened.]

[Earlier Article]
Shojo to Open in Cambridge's Central Square Area

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

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

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!

Monday, January 30, 2023

Beantown Pho & Grill in Boston's Back Bay Is Closing

A Southeast Asian restaurant is saying goodbye to Boston after nearly 10 years in business.

According to a source, Beantown Pho & Grill in the Back Bay shuts down today, with a note out front referring customers to their affiliated restaurants--Noodle Barn in Jamaica Plain and Noodle Market in Arlington. The note indicates that the Newbury Street space may not be empty for long, as a new spot called Bangkok Bento plans to open there.

Beantown Pho & Grill first opened in 2014, taking over the space where a location of b.good had been; the dining spot offered such items as gyoza, chicken satay, pho, vermicelli bowls, pad Thai, drunken noodles, yellow curry, ginger fish, and more.

The address for Beantown Pho & Grill (and the upcoming Bangkok Bento) is 272 Newbury Street, Boston, MA, 02116.

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

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

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Kin Dee Thai & Pho Opens in Lexington

A brand new Thai restaurant that also has Vietnamese influences has come to the northwest suburbs of Boston.

According to a source, Kin Dee Thai & Pho is now open in Lexington, moving into a space on Routes 4/225 between the center of town and the Route 128 intersection. The website for the dining spot says that "We work hard to offer dishes from each region [of Thailand] in our menu. Our team is originally from the northeast, which has huge Vietnamese influence due to a significant number of people living there from Vietnam. For more variety we also included Vietnamese food in our menu."

The address for Kin Dee Thai & Pho is 182 Bedford Street (Routes 4/225), Lexington, MA, 02420. Its website can be found at https://www.kindeelexington.com/

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

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

Friday, August 12, 2022

ThaiRiffic by the Sea Opens in Former Yan's China Bistro Space in Swampscott

A brand new Thai and Southeast Asian restaurant has opened on the North Shore, taking over the space that had been home to a Chinese spot for more than 15 years.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, ThaiRiffic by the Sea is now open in Swampscott, moving into the former Yan's China Bistro space on Humphrey Street. The website for the new eatery indicates that all food items on the menu are halal other than the duck dishes and that this is actually a second location of the restaurant, with the original being in Marlborough.

Yan's China Bistro closed down a couple of months ago, though its sibling restaurant--Fantasy Island in Salem--remains in operation.

The address for ThaiRiffic by the Sea is 146 Humphrey Street, Swampscott, MA, 01907. Its website can be found at https://thairifficma.com/

[Earlier Article]
Yan's China Bistro in Swampscott Is Closing

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

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

Wednesday, June 01, 2022

Yan's China Bistro in Swampscott Is Closing

A Chinese restaurant on the North Shore is shutting down, though the people behind it will continue to run a nearby dining spot.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Yan's China Bistro in Swampscott closes its doors today, with a note out front referring customers to Fantasy Island in Salem. It is not yet known if any of the dishes from Yan's will be offered at Fantasy Island; if we get any information on this, we will post an update here.

Yan's China Bistro first opened 16 years ago, offering Chinese and Polynesian fare along with Southeast Asian cuisine.

The address for Yan's China Bistro is 146 Humphrey Street, Swampscott, MA, 01907, while the address for Fantasy Island is 516 Loring Avenue, Salem, MA, 01970.

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

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

Friday, February 18, 2022

Grainmaker Opens at Woburn Village

A pair of restaurants that feature Southeast Asian street food have been joined by a third location.

According to a press release, Grainmaker is now open at Woburn Village, an open-air mixed-use development located just off Route 128 at the site of the old Woburn Mall. The new dining spot, which is completely gluten-free and dairy-free and focuses on reusable packaging in order to avoid packaging waste, offers such options as poke bowls, grain bowls, street tacos, smoothies, and more.

Other locations of Grainmaker can be found in Boston's Downtown Crossing and Somerville's Davis Square.

The address for the new outlet of Grainmaker at Woburn Village is 300 Mishawum Avenue Suite 510, Woburn, MA, 01801. The website for all locations can be found at https://www.eatgrainmaker.com/

[Earlier Article]
Tavern in the Square, Grainmaker, Crumbl Cookies Coming to Woburn Village

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

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

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Friday, December 31, 2021

Out Of Asia in Saugus Has Closed

A longtime Chinese restaurant on a busy stretch of Route 1 has shut down for good.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook page, Out Of Asia in Saugus is no longer in business, with a post in the Boston's Wicked North Shore Facebook page saying that "After almost 3 decades in business, Out of Asia has permanently closed. The popular restaurant that sat up on the second floor had a loyal following. Many regulars had made weekly stops to dine or socialize at the bar." No reason has been given for the closure of the dining spot, nor is it known what might go into the space; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here. (Phone calls placed to the restaurant went unanswered this week.)

In addition to Chinese fare, Out of Asia also offered Thai and other Southeast Asian fare.

The address for Out of Asia was 1268 Broadway (Route 1), Saugus, MA, 01906.

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

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

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Friday, December 10, 2021

Suasday Is Opening in Boston's North End

A Southeast Asian restaurant is coming to a Boston neighborhood that is known for its Italian dining spots.

According to Patrick Maguire of Maguire Promotions & Hospitality Consulting (along with an article from boston.com), Suasday is opening in the North End, taking over the Hanover Street space that had been home to Cobblestone Cafe until closing last fall. The article mentions that the upcoming eatery will feature Cambodian sandwiches (though an "Italia twist" with prosciutto, salami, mortadella, and provolone will also be offered) along with salads, desserts, and drinks, and that the group behind it is Blackfin Collective (Love Art Sushi, Love Art Udon, Poke by Love Art, Cloud & Spirits). If all goes as planned, Suasday could be opening in January, with lunch and dinner being offered--and possibly breakfast as well at some point.

The address for Suasday is 227 Hanover Street, Boston, MA, 02113. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/suasdayco/

[June 13, 2022 update: Eater Boston states that Suasday is now open.]

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

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

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Monday, October 25, 2021

Tiger Mama in Boston's Fenway Is Closing; Tiffani Faison to Open New Restaurant in Space

A local chef and restaurateur is getting ready to close one of her dining spots, and she will be opening a new restaurant in its space.

Eater Boston is reporting that Tiffani Faison is shutting down Tiger Mama in the Fenway section of Boston this week, with its last official day of service being Friday, October 29, though a Halloween drag brunch will be held on Sunday, October 31 at well. The article mentions that Faison will open an as-of-yet unnamed dining spot in the Brookline Street space sometime next year, while also opening three new food and drink spots at the High Street Place food hall in downtown Boston in 2022 as well, including Bubble Bath, Dive Bar, and Tenderoni's.

Faison first opened Tiger Mama in the latter part of 2015, with the restaurant focusing on Southeast Asian cuisine; in addition to that restaurant and the upcoming spots both within the Tiger Mama space and High Street Place, she also runs Sweet Cheeks, Fool's Errand and Orfano, the latter of which is currently closed but plans to open back up next month.

The address for Tiger Mama is 1363 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02215.

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

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

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Hen Chicken Rice to Open in Downtown Boston

A Somerville restaurant that features a Thai version of a chicken and rice dish is expanding to the heart of Boston.

According to both a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page and Adam Castiglioni of the Boston Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog, Hen Chicken Rice in Union Square is being joined by a new location on High Street in the Financial District, with the restaurant possibly opening in the next few months. We are still trying to figure out the exact address, as it appears to be taking over the former Mike's Cafe space at 190 High Street though we have also been told that it may be taking over the old U&D Kitchen space at 184 High Street as well; as soon as we confirm the exact space, we will post an update here.

Hen Chicken Rice first opened in Somerville last fall, offering khao man gai, which is a style of Hainanese chicken rice typically found as a street-food dish in Thailand as well as Singapore and Malaysia, with Hen's version having a mix of sour, salty, sweet, and spicy elements.

The website for the original location of Hen Chicken Rice in Union Square can be found at https://www.henchickenrice.com/

[November 10 update: A source has confirmed that Hen Chicken Rice will be moving into the old Mike's Cafe space at 190 High Street.]

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

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

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Shojo to Open in Cambridge's Central Square Area

A restaurant in Boston's Chinatown that features inventive takes on Asian food is expanding across the river.

According to a press release, Shojo is planning to open in Cambridge, moving into a space on Mass. Ave. on the eastern edge of Central Square. The email mentions that the new location of the dining spot will offer modern takes on Southeast Asian dishes along with cocktails and Japanese spirits, and that it hopes to open sometime this fall, joining its original location on Tyler Street along with another at Logan Airport.

The person behind Shojo--Brian Moy--also runs Ruckus, a pan-Asian noodle bar in Chinatown that is currently closed for the time being (Shojo in Chinatown is also temporarily closed).

The address for the upcoming Shojo in Cambridge is 425 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139. The website for Shojo can be found at https://www.shojoboston.com/

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

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

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Thursday, October 08, 2020

Chic Chick in Allston Has Closed

An Allston dining spot that featured a cuisine that is difficult to find locally has closed after only a brief time in business.

According to a tweet from @Lin_Dolin, Chic Chick on Brighton Avenue is no longer in operation, with an Instagram post from the place saying the following:

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have decided to close our shop....People thought we were crazy to open our doors in the midst of a pandemic. We tried, we fought, and we have no regret! Thank you Boston! Chic Chick Out!

Chic Chick first opened in May of this year, offering Hainanese chicken rice, which is a street-food dish that is popular in Singapore while also found in other parts of Southeast Asia.

The address for the now-closed Chic Chick in Allston was 164 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134.

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

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

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Chic Chick Is Opening in Allston

A new dining spot that features a cuisine that is difficult to find in the Boston area is on its way to the city.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Chic Chick is looking to open in Allston, moving into the space on Brighton Avenue where Iron Kitchen currently resides. The post says that the eatery will offer Hainanese chicken rice, which is a street-food dish that is popular in Singapore while also found in other parts of Southeast Asia. A rep for Chic Chick tells Eater that "The goal was to bring delicious Singaporean food to the Boston area, so people can experience the wonderful taste of this local Hainan food." If all goes as planned, the new restaurant could be opening sometime in the third week of March. (It is not known whether Iron Kitchen--which focuses on Asian fusion fare--will move to a new space or close for good.)

Another soon-to-open dining spot called Hen that is coming to Somerville's Union Square will also be featuring Hainanese chicken rice, though this will apparently be a Thai version.

The address for this new dining spot in Allston is: Chic Chick, 164 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134.

[May 6 update: Eater Boston states that Chic Chick is now open for takeout and delivery.]

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

[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Twelve Food Items from Asian Restaurants in the Boston Area]

Friday, February 28, 2020

Yunnan Vegetarian Cuisine Opens in Quincy

A new vegetarian restaurant has come to Quincy, and it features dishes with both Chinese and Southeast Asian influences.

According to a source, Yunnan Vegetarian Cuisine is now open within President Plaza on Quincy Avenue, with a check on the happycow.net site indicating that the dining spot offers a variety of hot noodle soup options along with such items as a soy chicken salad, a vegetarian version of a pu pu platter, wonton soup, yellow vermicelli, and coconut jello. Yunnan--whose name comes from a province of Southwest China that borders Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar--appears to be a small space with some seating inside, while also offering takeout.

The address for this new restaurant in Quincy is: Yunnan Vegetarian Cuisine, 219 Quincy Avenue (President Plaza), Quincy, MA, 02169.

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

[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Twelve Food Items from Asian Restaurants in the Boston Area]

Thursday, February 27, 2020

Purple Shell Opens in South Boston

A new Asian restaurant has come to South Boston, and it replaces a location of a local group of upscale comfort food spots.

According to a source, Purple Shell opens today on West Broadway in the former Stephi's in Southie space, with an Instagram post from the dining spot confirming this. The website for the restaurant indicates that it features tapas-style dishes with Southeast Asian influences, and it also has a sushi bar.

Stephi's in Southie shut its doors last June, joining the closure of Stephi's on Tremont in the South End; Stephanie's on Newbury in the Back Bay remains in operation.

The address for Purple Shell is 11 West Broadway, South Boston, MA, 02127. Its website is at https://www.purpleshellboston.com/

[Earlier Article]
Purple Shell to Open in Former Stephi's in Southie Space in South Boston

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

[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Twelve Food Items from Asian Restaurants in the Boston Area]

Friday, January 10, 2020

Belicious Cafe Opens in Braintree

A new dining spot has come to the southern suburbs of Boston, and its menu includes a rather interesting mix of cuisines.

According to a source, Belicious Cafe is now open in South Braintree Square, taking over the space on Washington Street where Braintree House of Pizza had been until moving to a larger space a few storefronts down. Our source tells us that its menu features "very eclectic" Asian fusion including Hong Kong, Macanese, Singaporean, Malaysian, Thai, and Korean influences, and the menu actually includes Italian dishes as well along with Portuguese items, the latter of which may come from the fact that Macau was a Portuguese territory until approximately 20 years ago.

A few items offered at Belicious Cafe include "shake shake" chicken, a curry pork chop with rice, laksa (a spicy noodle soup typically found in Singapore), sizzling spicy tuna with rice, baked Portuguese chicken, mussels risotto with cream sauce, prawns with linguine in pesto sauce, a sizzling double hamburg in black pepper sauce, and a parfait with matcha ice cream.

The address for Belicious Cafe is 958 Washington Street, Braintree, MA, 02184. Its website can be found at http://www.beliciouscafe.com/

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

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

Friday, June 14, 2019

Grainmaker Opens in Somerville's Davis Square

A restaurant in downtown Boston that features Southeast Asian street food has opened a brand new location in Somerville, moving into the space where another dining spot had been until closing a few months ago.

As reported here earlier, Grainmaker is now open in Davis Square, taking over the former Amsterdam Falafelshop space on Elm Street. Its opening has been confirmed in a post within the Davis Square Facebook group, and based on that post (which comes from Ron Newman), it appears that the restaurant may have debuted yesterday.

The original location of Grainmaker opened on Summer Street in Downtown Crossing in the fall of 2017, offering such items as salads, street tacos, banh mi, rice bowls, and smoothies.

The address for Grainmaker is 248 Elm Street, Somerville, MA, 02144. The website for the original location in Boston is at https://www.eatgrainmaker.com/

[Earlier Article]
Grainmaker in Boston Plans to Expand to Amsterdam Falafelshop Space in Somerville's Davis Square

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

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

Friday, March 29, 2019

Grainmaker in Boston Plans to Expand to Amsterdam Falafelshop Space in Somerville's Davis Square

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a Southeast Asian street food spot in the heart of downtown Boston may be expanding to Somerville, taking over the space where another dining spot will be until this weekend when it shuts its doors.

According to a post from Ron Newman on the Davis Square Facebook group page, Grainmaker is looking to open in the Amsterdam Falafelshop space in Davis Square, with a notice in the window of the Elm Street storefront indicating that it is seeking a license to operate there. Based on the menu at its original location on Summer Street in Downtown Crossing (which opened in the fall of 2017), the new eatery could be offering such items as salads, rice bowls, street tacos, banh mi, and smoothies, depending on the season.

Amsterdam Falafelshop, which closes down tomorrow, first opened its doors in 2012.

The address for the proposed Grainmaker (and Amsterdam Falafelshop) is 248 Elm Street, Somerville, MA, 02144. The website for the original Grainmaker in Boston can be found at https://www.eatgrainmaker.com/

[April 2 update: Eater Boston states that Grainmaker could be opening in the former Amsterdam Falafelshop space as early as June.]

[June 12 update: Boston Magazine states that the new Grainmaker in Somerville plans to open on Friday, June 14.]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Food Items from Asian Restaurants in the Boston Area]