A local chef and restaurateur is working on something new in Jamaica Plain.
Moe Kuroki, the chef behind the former Oisa Ramen Slurp & Go, is working to open a new concept called Hinata Shokudo. While the exact address has not yet been announced, Kuroki hopes to welcome guests to the new space before the end of 2026.
Though Kuroki closed Oisa in late 2020, she never stopped cooking. According to Boston.com, she has spent the past several years hosting pop-ups, working at restaurants including Koji Club, Iru, and Juliet, and building a private chef business, all while continuing to introduce diners to the comforting flavors of her native Japan.
With Hinata Shokudo—roughly translating to “sun-filled eatery” or “sunny place”—Kuroki hopes to create a welcoming neighborhood restaurant that feels like a “home away from home,” she told What Now Boston.
The menu would draw inspiration from the meals Kuroki’s mother prepared for her growing up, as well as the dishes she now makes for her own daughters. “It would be wonderful to have guests come into my home, into my childhood, and share the warmth of home cooking,” she explained.
Diners can expect an experience centered around teishoku, a traditional Japanese set menu served on a single tray. Each meal will include rice, miso soup, side dishes, and a main course. Fans of Oisa will also be happy to know that ramen is expected to make an appearance, though Kuroki is still determining how prominently it will feature on the menu.
Beyond everyday service, Kuroki envisions Hinata Shokudo as a community gathering place. She’s considering weekly tasting menus, cooking classes, and Sunday brunch, and she also plans to apply for a beer and wine license so she can serve sake. The intimate restaurant would seat about 17 guests—nearly double the capacity of Oisa’s cozy nine-seat dining room.
“There are a couple more hurdles to clear before I can establish a solid timeline and confidently announce, ‘I am opening a restaurant!'” Kuroki said. “However, if everything goes smoothly, it will open sometime this year.”
Behind the scenes, Kuroki said the project has been made possible by the love and guidance of many supporters. “This project wouldn’t be where it is without the help of many kind people,” she reflected. “I have no partner, no investor… just me trying to figure things out one step at a time. Many days, I think I am not equipped to take on this project, but then I get blessed with guidance and help.”
