Kristina Zhao, owner of local favorite Sichuan House, is continuing to spread the good word of Sichuan-style cuisine with Dashi Sichuan Kitchen + Bar. The glitzy restaurant, which opened in 2021, features classic and modern renditions of Sichuanese dishes, including gong bao chicken and mapo tofu. Dashi is open for indoor and outdoor service, and to-go orders can be placed online.

The national chain specializing in mochi donuts, Korean hot dogs, and bubble tea expanded to San Antonio in August 2021. Since then, it’s become a popular spot for diners seeking the colorful Instagram-ready donuts and the coveted cheese pull produced from that first bite of a crispy dog. Mochinut has two San Antonio locations, one off DeZavala and I-10 and another in Stone Oak.

Hoka Hoka Fuku opened in the fall of 2021 just north of 1604 and Bandera in the Helotes area. The quaint, casual eatery serves flavorful Japanese comfort foods, including ramen, shrimp tempura udon, and chicken katsu. The dining room is open for indoor service, and to-go orders can be placed online.

Following the success of the South Flores restaurant, Gorditas Mi Torreon opened a second location on San Pedro in December 2021. Diners have been lining up by the dozens at Gorditas Mi Torreon #2, which has gorditas galore, packed with all kinds of hearty fillings like frijoles con queso and chicken tinga. The restaurant is open for indoor dining.

Sari-Sari Restaurant, Market & Bakery continues to expand its assortment of Filipino offerings in San Antonio with Sari-Sari Supper Club, which opened in December 2021. The supper club offers a fine dining experience with fresh takes on traditional Filipino offerings, including lumpia, pork humba, and pan-roasted manok. Sari-Sari Supper Club is open for dine-in service, and reservations can be made online.

Popular Southtown restaurant Feast permanently closed at the end of 2019, shocking diners across the city. In its place, Emily and Houston Carpenter, owners of Little Em’s Oyster Bar, opened Up Scale, a fine dining restaurant that emphasizes style as much as it does flavor. In addition to its twee aesthetic and retro chic decor, this restaurant offers seafood, steaks, and cocktails perfect for a date night splurge. Up Scale is open for indoor and outdoor dining, and reservations can be made online.