Two chef-driven Japanese concepts from Atlanta locals are set to expand the city’s growing Asian culinary scene this week. NoriFish, a sushi destination featuring seafood flown in from Tokyo’s Toyosu Fish Market, and Okiboru, a ramen and tsukemen restaurant that earned a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand, will open Friday, August 28, in the Central Food Hall at Ponce City Market in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward.
The openings, which we told you about earlier this year, strengthen the neighborhood’s reputation as a hub for diverse Asian flavors, alongside Midtown’s established Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, and other East and Southeast Asian dining options.
NoriFish and Okiboru Opening This Weekend in Ponce City Market
Ponce City Market’s food hall already showcases a global mix; with these additions it will offer more than 25 concepts spanning Japanese, Puerto Rican, Mexican, Vietnamese, Italian, Thai, American, Persian, Chinese, and Korean cuisines.
Both restaurants come from Sean Park, a formally trained sushi chef with 15 years of experience in traditional Japanese cuisine, and ramen specialist Justin Lim. NoriFish, founded by Park in 2022, already has locations in Buckhead and Sandy Springs.
Its tightly curated menu for the Ponce City Market spot centers on made-to-order hand rolls, fully seasoned signature sushi rolls, and Japanese small plates that rotate with the seasons and ingredient availability. Chef Park prioritizes precision, bold flavor, and craftsmanship.
The beverage program, developed with Atlanta mixologist and certified sake advisor Hendry Kurniawan, includes light craft cocktails, approachable house and premium sakes, local and Japanese lagers, and crisp wines.
Okiboru, co-founded by Park and Lim and first opened in Los Angeles in 2018, focuses on traditional ramen and tsukemen (dipping noodles). The concept has locations in Sandy Springs, Buckhead, Duluth, and Buford, Georgia, plus three in New York.
Its Ponce City Market menu will highlight collagen-rich broths, house-made noodles, appetizers, and rice dishes. Drinks feature cocktails, versatile sakes, lagers, clean craft beers, and non-alcoholic options such as teas and soft drinks. Lim’s extensive exploration of ramen across Japan combines with Park’s culinary discipline to emphasize depth, consistency, and craftsmanship.
“I’ve always believed you can respect Japanese tradition while still finding ways to make it your own,” said Co-founder and Chef Sean Park. “That’s really what these two concepts represent. NoriFish is our expression of sushi, and Okiboru is our take on ramen and tsukemen. We’ve spent years refining both, and we’re excited to finally share them together at Ponce City Market.”
Adam Schwegman, Head of Retail Leasing at Jamestown, noted the broader appeal: “Ponce City Market provides the potential for multiple culinary journeys with each visit. With the openings of NoriFish and Okiboru, the Central Food Hall is now home to over 25 concepts representing cuisine from around the world.”
Together, the restaurants present a modern take on Japanese dining that honors tradition while pushing flavor forward, reflecting the brands’ commitment to integrity, discipline, and quality. Their arrival further cements Old Fourth Ward and nearby Midtown as go-to destinations for Atlanta’s evolving Asian food landscape.
Final Word
Atlanta has some of the best Asian cuisine in the Southeast. If you’re gluten-free, there’s plenty of options. Same goes for keto-friendly restaurants.