Two New Osen Concepts Coming to OCVIBE Osen Hospitality Group, led by Chef Damon Cho, will open two distinct Japanese dining concepts at OCVIBE, the 100-acre mixed-use development surrounding Honda Center in Anaheim. Osen Handroll will operate inside Katella Commons, a 50,000-square-foot market hall, while Osen Urban Table will operate as a standalone restaurant in OCVIBE's Urban Park. Both concepts will debut when OCVIBE opens to the public in March 2027, with restaurant operations launching later that year. Osen becomes the first culinary partner to operate concepts in both Katella Commons and as a standalone restaurant within the district.

Two Different Dining Formats, One Philosophy Osen Urban Table will present a refined version of Cho's flagship Izakaya Osen, designed as a casual, approachable environment that transitions seamlessly between lunch and dinner service. Osen Handroll will serve as a quick-service concept tailored to the fast-paced energy of OCVIBE, offering handroll preparations with "thoughtful food and unexpected details," according to the announcement. "We've always wanted Osen to be a place where people can enjoy great food, feel welcomed and spend time together, so the opportunity to bring that spirit to OCVIBE is very meaningful to us," said Chef Damon Cho, Founder, CEO and Owner Chef at Izakaya Osen. "It gives us the opportunity to share our approach to Japanese dining in two different ways while becoming part of a new community in Orange County."

Osen Joins Growing Culinary Lineup Osen is one of more than 35 dining concepts announced for OCVIBE to date.

Katella Commons will house offerings from chefs including Danielle Duran Zecca and Alessandro Zecca (Amiga Amore), Alberto Bañuelos (Burritos La Palma), Alex Garcia and Elvia Huerta (Evil Cooks), and Kanate Ungkasrithongkul and Anita Lin (Manaao Thai Comfort Food), among others. Chef Zach Scherer will introduce two concepts—OC Pizza Cult and Wanderfowl—within the market hall. Chef Roy Choi is developing a standalone restaurant for the district. Osen Hospitality Group has operated since 2017, with Cho helming the flagship Izakaya Osen in Silver Lake (opened 2017) and Irvine (opened 2022). Cho trained at Le Cordon Bleu California and worked at Nobu, Four Seasons, and Tao before launching his first restaurant.

Why It Matters

OCVIBE represents a major retail and hospitality play in Southern California, backed by $5 billion in private investment from the Samueli Family. The development's emphasis on high-profile chef partnerships and diverse culinary concepts signals a shift toward destination dining as a core anchor for mixed-use districts. For operators, the phased rollout—concert hall in March 2027, followed by Katella Commons and restaurants by year-end—creates a carefully sequenced opening strategy designed to build audience momentum across a 100-acre footprint.

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Written by FBM Publications Editors