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YUM! by Kaju licensed for new Boston restaurant

YUM! by Kaju licensed for new Boston restaurant

New Capabilities Boston, MA local

The popular Korean tofu house brand takes another step toward opening at 54 Harvard.

August 13th, 2026: Food establishment license issued for YUM! by Kaju

Overview

Updated 59 minutes ago

Kaju Tofu House, the Allston restaurant known for its spicy Korean soft tofu soup, is expanding. A new location called YUM! by Kaju has secured two city licenses, moving it closer to opening at 54 Harvard in Boston.

The licenses, a common victualler permit and a food establishment license, were filed in July and August. They don't guarantee the restaurant will open, but they clear the first regulatory hurdles. The brand has already proven it can succeed outside its original home, with a Harvard Square location that opened in 2013.

Why it matters

If YUM! by Kaju opens, Boston diners get another spot for authentic sundubu jigae, and the brand tests whether it can replicate its success in a new neighborhood.

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Key Indicators

2
Licenses obtained
Common Victualler and food establishment licenses filed in July and August 2026.

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Organizations Involved

Timeline

September 2012 August 2026

4 events Latest: August 13th, 2026 · 1 month ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date
  1. Food establishment license issued for YUM! by Kaju

    Latest Licensing

    The city approves a food establishment license for eating and drinking with takeout, completing the initial regulatory approvals.

  2. Common Victualler license filed for YUM! by Kaju

    Licensing

    The city issues a common victualler license for the new restaurant at 54 Harvard, allowing food service from 7 AM to 11 PM daily.

  3. Kaju Tofu House expands to Harvard Square

    Opening

    The brand opens a second location at 57 JFK Street, replacing Shabu-Ya, and proves the concept works outside Allston.

  4. Kaju Tofu House opens in Allston

    Opening

    The original location opens on Harvard Avenue, quickly becoming a local favorite for sundubu jigae.

Scenarios

1

YUM! by Kaju opens by end of 2026

Likely Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: Local food media, including Eater Boston, will likely cover the opening.

The restaurant completes inspections, hires staff, and opens its doors. The brand's existing popularity and the location's foot traffic make this the most likely outcome.

2

Opening delayed into 2027

Possible Resolves by Q1 2027

Discussed by: Restaurant industry observers note that construction and permitting often take longer than expected.

The restaurant faces delays in construction, inspections, or staffing, pushing the opening to 2027.

3

Licenses lapse, restaurant never opens

Unlikely Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Some local businesses fail to open after obtaining licenses.

The project stalls, licenses expire, and the restaurant never opens.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

September 2012

Kaju Tofu House opens in Allston (2012)

Kaju Tofu House opened on Harvard Avenue in Allston, offering Korean soft tofu soup. It quickly gained a loyal following.

Then

The restaurant became a local favorite.

Now

It established the brand and led to expansion.

Why this matters now

This is the original location that built the brand's reputation.

October 2013

Kaju Tofu House opens in Harvard Square (2013)

The brand expanded to Harvard Square, replacing a shabu-shabu restaurant. It brought the same menu to a new neighborhood.

Then

The location succeeded, proving the concept could work outside Allston.

Now

It demonstrated the brand's viability for further expansion.

Why this matters now

This expansion is a precedent for the current YUM! by Kaju location.

Sources

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