A new spot for sushi, ramen and pho is now open in Huntersville’s Northcross hub
A new sushi restaurant has opened at Northcross Shopping Center in Huntersville, bringing another Asian cuisine option to Lake Norman.
Kairu Sushi and Noodle Bar started out with a soft opening Jan. 16, and is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. But the Asian fusion restaurant is holding a grand opening Saturday, Feb. 10 to coincide with Lunar New Year.
Co-owners Will Phong and Steve Ly have each worked in restaurants before, but this is the first restaurant venture for them to open themselves.
“Our main attraction so far is the sushi and the ramen,” Phong told CharlotteFive.
The food: You’ll find mostly Japanese dishes at Kairu, along with a few Vietnamese pho choices. Vegetarian and vegan options are available.
The Japanese fare on the menu includes classic sushi rolls and signature selections, along with nigiri, sashimi, poke bowls and donburi bowls. But there’s also hibachi and teriyaki meals, ramen and yaki udon, which are stir-fried noodles with protein options such as chicken, seafood, shrimp and steak.
As for the pho, each choice comes with bean sprouts, basil, jalapenos and lime on the side, plus green onions, yellow onions and cilantro garnish. Phong said Ly perfected his pho recipe over the past five years while working at Cilantro Noodle in Plaza Midwood.
The atmosphere: When you walk in the door, you’ll find a casual environment with modern decor and a wall mural evoking the feel of a Japanese streetscape. Orchids and other fresh flowers sit in pots along the bar. And the dark wood furniture offers a clean, sleek look.
Early reviews: Customers who have visited Kairu in the opening weeks say they’re already fans.
“We can’t say enough about how good the food is and the service way amazing,” Doug Kropelnicki and Lynn Cook Kropelnicki, who own a neighboring vacuum shop in Northcross Shopping Center, posted in a Lake Norman Facebook group.
“We had an EXCELLENT meal. Everything was delicious (and beautifully presented). We will definitely be returning and it’s nice having a very good local sushi place,” Lawayne Kimbro said via Facebook.
Phong is hoping that the good vibes continue.
“We would love to have the community coming in,” he said. “I really like to give them something that they all can enjoy. Especially when you’re going into Asian cuisine, there’s so much of it — all kinds of flavors.”
Kairu Sushi and Noodle Bar
Location: Northcross Shopping Center, 9709 Sam Furr Rd A, Huntersville, NC 28078
Cuisine: Asian, Japanese, Vietnamese
Instagram: @kairusushi
