YangGuoFuo to Open Squirrel Hill Location

The fast-casual Asian chain will debut its first Pennsylvania restaurant on Forbes Avenue in Pittsburgh.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Photograph of a steaming bowl of red-broth malatang with leafy greens and noodles on a steel counter, with a blurred brick storefront behind it. — YangGuoFuo, a fast-casual chain known for herbal beef bone broth malatang, will open its first Pennsylvania restaurant on Forbes Avenue in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood on Nov. 8, 2026. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

YangGuoFuo, also known as YGF Malatang, will open its first Pennsylvania location on Forbes Avenue in Squirrel Hill on Nov. 8, 2026. The restaurant will occupy the former Evelyn James Interiors space.

Why it matters

The opening adds a fast-casual option focused on herbal beef bone broth malatang to Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood. It marks the chain's entry into Pennsylvania as it expands from its existing network.

The chain reports serving over two billion customers over the past 20 years and operating nearly 7,000 locations in 28 countries. The company has not disclosed Pittsburgh-specific sales targets or the size of the Squirrel Hill restaurant.

The players

YangGuoFuo

YangGuoFuo, also known as YGF Malatang, is a fast-casual Asian restaurant chain with nearly 7,000 locations across 28 countries.

The details

Diners choose their own meats, vegetables and noodles, which are briefly simmered in a broth seasoned with Sichuan pepper and dried chili. The cost of a meal depends on its weight.

Nov. 8, 2026: YangGuoFuo opens its first Pennsylvania location on Forbes Avenue in Squirrel Hill.

Culture Shift

The Squirrel Hill opening extends the malatang format, a Sichuan style in which diners assemble their own skewers and noodles, into a Pittsburgh neighborhood. It reflects the growing presence of build-your-own fast-casual concepts in American cities.

Pittsburgh diners will have a new option for build-your-own malatang in Squirrel Hill beginning Nov. 8, 2026. Pricing is based on the weight of the meal, so costs will vary with each order.

The takeaway

Diners planning a visit to the Forbes Avenue location can choose their own ingredients and gauge cost by how much their bowl weighs. Checking the restaurant's opening details closer to Nov. 8 may help plan the first visit.