Oniguru, the Japanese fast-casual brand known for its onigiri rice balls, rice bowls, and poke bowls, is preparing to open a new location inside The Shops at Mission Viejo. According to 926OC, the business will debut in the dining pavilion — 555 The Shops at Mission Viejo.
The restaurant will be located next to Paradise Bakery & Café. It will be operated by Concept Restaurants LLC, led by co-founders Leni Benbicaco and Ibrahim Emrah Emral. Benbicaco confirmed to What Now OC that a lease was executed last month, and construction will begin later this month, with hiring to happen in the following weeks. They are targeting a November opening date.
It will occupy approximately 1,000 square feet as a counter-service space inside the food court. Oniguru’s menu highlights Japanese-inspired onigiri rice triangles in flavors such as KBBQ beef, teriyaki salmon, crab salad, garlic parmesan shrimp, vegan options, and tuna mayo. Additional offerings include rice bowls, poke bowls, and specialty lemonades.
First launched at SteelCraft Garden Grove in April 2024, the brand quickly grew to open a second location in Ladera Ranch last summer 2024. Concept Restaurants LLC also operates Pastaphony, a customizable pasta-bowl concept with locations in Stanton, Tustin, and Glendora (with more launching soon).
“We’re thrilled to expand both Oniguru and Pastaphony into vibrant new markets across Southern California,” Benbicaco told the publication. “We’re building momentum to bring our modern takes on Japanese comfort food and Italian pasta bowls to even more communities.”
