A quick handroll before a Ducks game or a Japanese dinner over which to linger with a friend, Osen Hospitality Group, led by chef Damon Cho, plans to accommodate both at OCVibe.
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The chef behind Izakaya Osen, with locations in Fullerton and Irvine, will bring two new concepts to the $5 billion development surrounding Anaheim’s Honda Center. Christened Osen Urban Table and Osen Handroll, both are slated to open in 2027.
Urban Table, billed as a full-service restaurant in the in-progress district’s Urban Plaza, will offer a more casual take on Cho’s flagship izakaya with lunch and dinner service. Osen Handroll will join Katella Commons, the roughly 50,000-square-foot, two-story market hall, with an emphasis on quick meals before games and performances.
Menu prices and exact opening dates have yet to be announced.
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“We’ve always wanted Osen to be a place where people can enjoy great food, feel welcomed and spend time together, so the opportunity to bring that spirit to OCVIBE is very meaningful to us,” said Cho, in a written release.
Cho opened Izakaya Osen in Silver Lake in 2017, followed by an Irvine location in 2022. His background includes work at Nobu, Four Seasons and Tao.
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He joins a previously announced lineup at Katella Commons that includes Danielle Duran Zecca and Alessandro Zecca of Amiga Amore; Alberto Bañuelos of Burritos La Palma; Alex “Pobre Diablo” Garcia and Elvia “La Bruja” Huerta of Evil Cooks; Kanate Ungkasrithongkul and Anita Lin of Manaao Thai Comfort Food; and chef Zach Scherer of Darkroom, who will bring two new concepts, OC Pizza Cult and Wanderfowl.
Other noted dining spots will include Don Churros Gomez, MFK | Modern Filipino Kitchen, chef Guoming “Sam” Xin’s Mojo and Pull & Roll and Gelato Paradiso. Roy Choi’s Best Friend will open separately from the market hall.
The 100-acre district will begin welcoming visitors in March 2027 with its 5,000-person concert hall, Katella Commons, The Weave office building and the first phase of parks and public art are expected to follow soon thereafter. More restaurants are expected to arrive toward said year’s end.