Sushi restaurant on Fort Worth’s Near Southside closing after 12 years on Magnolia

Shinjuku Station, a Near Southside sushi bar and pub named for Tokyo’s largest train depot, closed Saturday.

Shinjuku, 711 W. Magnolia Ave., opened in 2011 as a spinoff of the more relaxed Tokyo Cafe, which continues at 5121 Pershing Ave.

“Our little izakaya has weathered the most turbulent economic times, heavy business construction and a global pandemic,” owners Jarry and Mary Kha Ho and Casey Kha wrote in a joint farewell announcement.

“We’re proud of the way we’ve been able to survive.”

Shinjuku drew crowds at first and steady business since, but competition for locations, customers, parking and labor have all tightened for restaurants along maturing Magnolia Avenue.

Walloon’s, a shiny new Southern coastal restaurant from chef Marcus Paslay’s team, is around the corner and now dominates the block, also home to brunch favorites Brewed and the Paris Coffee Shop.

Eazy Monkey, a new Tex-Asian fusion restaurant from former steakhouse chef Andrew Dilda and executives of Monkey King Noodle, is in its soft opening at 401 W. Magnolia Ave., three blocks east of Shinjuku.

Teddy Wong’s Dumplings, a new restaurant from Wishbone & Flynt chef Stefon Rishel, is near opening at 812 W. Rosedale St., three blocks north of Shinjuku.

“While the Near Southside development grows and new businesses move in, we hope you’ll join us in supporting small and local [restaurants],” the Shinjuku owners wrote.

This story was originally published September 2, 2023 at 5:30 AM.