With the beginning of the year, comes new and exciting restaurants across the Bay. We’re most excited for popular pop-ups moving into their own space and seeing how they’ll expand their menu. We’re also eagerly anticipating the gigantic Asian grocery store and restaurant complexes opening this year. Whether you’re looking for bee pollen sourdough or pho-inspired smash burgers, this year has something exciting for everyone.
1. Kinjo — Milpitas
Opening date: January 18
This upcoming Milpitas sushi restaurant is run by Chef Andy Tran, known for the popular Sushi Simpin pop-up. The restaurant is going for omakase quality at mid-level prices of about $40 per person. The menu includes both Western-style sushi and intricate traditional specialties like cod sperm.
2. Smish Smash — San Francisco
Opening: January 25
Ikea’s Saluhall is getting a big upgrade in the burger department. Smish Smash is setting up in the food hall to dish out unique smash burgers. It was named one of the best smashburgers by the SF Chronicle for their unique creations. We’re most excited to get our hands on the pho-inspired burger loaded with basil, chiles, sprouts, and spiced mayo. Their new menu will also include fried chicken sandwiches and vegetarian smashburgers.
3. Jagalchi — Daly City
Opening: February
This 75,000 square foot Korean complex is taking over the space of a JC Penny in Daly City. The space will operate a grocery store, bakery, restaurant, and multiple bars. We’re looking forward to enjoying charcoal-grilled meat with a glass of soju and a side of kimchi. Aside from multiple formal restaurants, you can also pick up prepared foods and snacks like freshly made tofu, banchan, and rice-flour baked goods.
4. Milk Belly — San Jose
Opening: February
Milk Belly is known for its unique sourdoughs made from kinako (roasted soybean flour), hojicha, bee pollen, and mochi porridge. They’ve been operating from a ghost kitchen for a couple of years, but now they’re opening a storefront in downtown San Jose where they’ll sell sandos on their freshly baked shokupan and strawberry yuzu scones.
5. Asia Live — Santa Clara
Opening: Fall 2025
San Francisco’s China Live emporium is expanding to Santa Clara’s Valley Fair Mall. China Live will be a hybrid restaurant, cafe, bar, lounge, and retail space spanning across two stories and a rooftop. The complex will offer cuisine from China, India, Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia. The menu is set to carry over favorites like pan-fried pork buns and Peking duck pockets, but will also introduce new concepts like tandoori ovens, sushi, charcuterie, and Rijsttafel (Indonesian rice table).
6. Tokyo Central — Emeryville
We’re eagerly anticipating the opening of this Japanese grocery store with a built-in restaurant. There isn’t much information available yet, but expect to find prepared goods like musubi, soup, and cold noodles. If their other location is any indicator, then it’ll also be a great spot to shop for seafood.
