Popular Japanese pop-up Okaeri Cafe opening permanent Richardson location

A popular pop-up eatery that specializes in authentic Japanese food is opening a permanent location on Terrace Drive in Richardson, according to the website CultureMap Dallas.

Okaeri Cafe is expected to open this fall in the DFW Chinatown center off Greenville Avenue, according to the site.

Co-owner Gene Tran founded Okaeri Cafe with college friend Michelle Pepping in 2020, who is the chef-owner of Tasty Tails in Richardson, and they grew a loyal following primarily through word of mouth, according to the report.

They began by posting their menu and taking orders online and went on to create a pick-up window.

Okaeri Cafe sells Japanese comfort food, such as cornflake chicken katsu and a kid’s curry with the rice shaped into the face of a panda bear.

The café setting will allow Okaeri to also offer coffee and high-quality Japanese teas, Tran told the website.