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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.
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We’ve got a new Atlanta restaurant alert! Husband-and-wife team Dinh Tran and Khanh Dang are expanding their popular Vietnamese restaurant group with a new flagship location at Lenox Square in Buckhead.
Việtvana Phở Noodle House will open across from Sweetgreen, transforming the space into a vibrant, open-kitchen concept that captures the energy of Vietnam’s bustling street-side eateries.
Việtvana Opening in Lenox Square: What To Know
The Lenox Square outpost features a full menu available from morning through night, designed as an all-day destination. Guests can start with coffee and breakfast items and linger through lunch and dinner, enjoying signature dishes like phở, banh mi, vermicelli bowls, broken rice plates, fried rice, appetizers, beverages, and desserts.
The restaurant’s layout includes hallway seating that evokes the narrow, lively alleys of Saigon.“The open kitchen and the hallway are meant to feel like an all-day Saigon alley,” said Tran. “Guests can come in for coffee in the morning and stay through dinner, and the space is built for that. Lenox Square is our flagship.”
The design, led by Danny England and Morgan Justis of Creative License Studio, centers on a purpose-built open kitchen that puts the cooking process front and center, enhancing the authentic atmosphere while supporting extended daypart service.
What sets Việtvana apart is its commitment to authenticity and freshness. The restaurant makes its rice noodles in-house daily, using rice flour for that signature silky texture. Broths simmer for hours—often starting as early as 3 a.m.—with ingredients sourced thoughtfully, including beef and chicken for the pho. Family recipes, including input from Tran’s mother Tina Nguyen, guide the menu. whatnow.com
The concept has expanded rapidly:- Avondale Estates (original location at 2831 E College Ave) — A cozy spot with Vietnam-inspired murals and an outdoor patio.
- Ponce City Market (675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE) — A bustling food hall presence.
- Lee + White Food Hall (1020 White St SW, Stall #4) in the West End — Opened in 2024, bringing pho to a revitalizing historic district.
Việtvana has built a strong following in Atlanta since its debut in Avondale Estates in 2019. The group now operates additional locations at Ponce City Market and the Lee + White Food Hall in the West End. Last June, Tran and Dang introduced three new concepts — Boom Boom Bao, Lime Tiger, and Uwu Asian Dessert Co. — in the redesigned Central Food Hall at Ponce City Market.
David Vinehout, vice president of leasing at Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza, expressed enthusiasm for the addition: “We are excited to welcome Việtvana — one of Atlanta’s most popular Vietnamese restaurants — to Lenox Square. This authentic, internationally inspired concept delivers an elevated, all-day dining experience that enhances Lenox Square’s dynamic mix of culinary offerings and enriches what our guests can enjoy throughout the day.”
At the core of every Việtvana restaurant is its phở, prepared daily from family recipes handed down through generations. The broth achieves its signature sweetness and depth from onions, shallots, ginger, garlic, and beef bones simmered fresh each day.
Chefs make the rice noodles in-house using traditional methods and bake banh mi bread on-site. The recipes are a collaboration between Tran and his mother, Tina Nguyen, who remains actively involved in the kitchens.Through its growing presence, Việtvana aims to elevate perceptions of Vietnamese and Asian cuisine.
The name itself embodies this vision — blending “Việt” with “nirvana” to suggest Vietnamese food at its highest, most harmonious expression. With the Lenox Square opening, the Tran-Dang family continues to bring authentic flavors and warm hospitality to Atlanta’s dining scene.
Metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene continues to grow with no stops on the horizon. Ready to try something new?
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Don’t look now but, Buckhead’s dining scene is about to get a sophisticated new Japanese addition. Koshu Club, a grill-focused restaurant from the team behind the acclaimed Michelin-starred Mujō, is opening soon.
The 46-seat venue will specialize in binchōtan charcoal grilling, highlighting premium seafood, meats, and vegetables prepared over the traditional white charcoal known for its clean, high-heat burn and subtle aroma.
Koshu Club Opens in Buckhead Soon: When?
Koshu Club to open its doors on Monday, April 14, 2026, at 99 West Paces Ferry Road, directly across from The St. Regis Atlanta.
The menu will blend classic washoku (traditional Japanese cuisine) techniques with creative yōshoku (Western-influenced Japanese) dishes, offering both concise à la carte options and multi-course tasting menus.
“We wanted to create something that feels more playful and approachable while maintaining the precision and quality our team is known for at Mujō,” said a representative for the restaurant group.“Koshu Club is designed for guests who want refined yet relaxed dining experiences with exceptional grilled items at the center.”
The space will feature a relaxed yet refined midcentury modern aesthetic, creating an intimate atmosphere perfect for both special occasions and elevated weeknight meals. A strong beverage program will spotlight an extensive sake list alongside carefully crafted cocktails that complement the grilled flavors.
Anticipated average checks are expected to range from $100 to $200 per person, positioning Koshu Club as a premium but accessible option in Buckhead’s competitive fine-dining landscape.
Reservations are now open via the restaurant’s website and major booking platforms. Early bookings are recommended given the intimate size of the dining room.
Koshu Club joins a growing roster of high-end Japanese concepts in Atlanta, building on the success of Mujō’s precise, Michelin-recognized approach.
The new project aims to deliver a distinct personality — one that leans into the theater of live-fire grilling while remaining welcoming to a broader audience of Atlanta diners.
Stay tuned to AtlantaFi.com for updates, first-look photos, and opening night details as Koshu Club prepares for its debut later this week.
Atlanta’s massive airport (ATL) allows for daily air shipments of incredibly fresh fish from global markets, making high-quality seafood and exceptional Ramen accessible year-round. A burgeoning Asian population and dedicated food enthusiasts have fueled demand for authentic and diverse Japanese cuisine. To dig into these wonderful delights, check out the best Asian restaurants in Atlanta.
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