Team behind Cary Japanese restaurants plans new spot in Raleigh. When it opens
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- Shinmai Moku, a new izakaya, will open at Quail Corners this summer.
- The menu will offer grilled skewers and a full bar with cocktails.
- Quail Corners continues adding to dining mix, which includes Clyde Cooper’s and Gym Tacos.
A new Japanese restaurant from the team behind two Cary concepts is opening in Raleigh.
Shinmai Moku is the latest eatery from Jayden Chen, Stacia Zhong and Ming Jin. Since moving from the Bay Area a few years ago, the trio have also launched Shinmai Shokudo and Shinmai Kumo, both in Cary.
The new restaurant will open at Quail Corners, the shopping center at the intersection of East Millbrook and Falls of Neuse roads. While the space is still under construction, the owners are hoping for an opening by Monday, June 1, Chen told The News & Observer in a call.
Shinmai Moku will be a Japanese izakaya centered around skewers grilled over binchotan, a kind of charcoal. While the skewers will be the focus, small plates and shareable mains will also be served.
The restaurant, which will open for lunch and dinner, will also have a full bar, offering cocktails.
Around 65-80 people can sit in the indoor dining room, and Shinmai Moku will also have outdoor seating.
Shinmai Moku is the latest restaurant to join Quail Corners. The shopping center welcomed Raleigh’s Clyde Cooper’s Barbeque at the beginning of the year and is also home to Big Ed’s, Deja Brew Coffee House, Cristo’s Ristorante & Pizzeria, Juicekeys, Morning Rolls and Gym Tacos.
The Japanese concept will move into a new building at Quail Corners, which will also house Color Me Mine, Magnolia Soap and Bath Co., Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming and Revive Salon Collective. The N&O has reached out to Quail Corners for more information about tenants planned for the new building.
A few other restaurants serving Japanese cuisine are open near Quail Corners. A sushi concept called UglyFish soft opened in December at 4701 Atlantic Ave., and Kanki Japanese House of Steaks and Sushi is at south of the shopping center, off Old Wake Forest Road.
Shinmai restaurants
Shinmai Shokudo was the first in the Shinmai chain to open, in March 2024 at 1904 NW Maynard Road in Cary. It serves popular dishes such as Tonkotsu ramen along with udon and soba, bento boxes and appetizers such as edamame.
Shinmai Kumo debuted in September 2025, offering Itameshi, a fusion of Japanese and Italian. Diners will find pastas such as Tonkatsu Tagliatelle, made with Japanese-style fried pork cutlet and tomato meat sauce, and flatbreads with toppings such as Japanese curry paste. It’s located at 1010 Tryon Village Drive.
Shinmai Moku will be at 1200 E. Millbrook Road and at 2,300 square feet, it’s the largest of the three Shinmai concepts so far.
The owners do not plan to stop after Shinmai Moku, Chen said, and may look to the Research Triangle Park area for their next venture.
This story was originally published March 23, 2026 at 12:03 PM with the headline "Team behind Cary Japanese restaurants plans new spot in Raleigh. When it opens."
