October 21, 2019
Off the Mrkt: Tangram Signs on Ju Qi & Meet Fresh

Tangram, the 1.2 million square foot mixed-used development transforming the lifestyle of Flushing, is excited to announce the signing of two incredibly popular, international restaurants: Ju Qi, a cult-favorite eatery among millennials and tourists that specializes in authentic Beijing cuisine, and Meet Fresh, a Taiwan-based dessert bar known for its fresh, natural and healthy ingredients. A major moment for New York City, this announcement signifies Ju Qi’s first location in the U.S., and Meet Fresh’s second New York outpost. Both restaurants have inked 10-year leases at Tangram, with Ju Qi committing to a 6,377-square-foot space and Meet Fresh to an approximately 2,000-square-foot space in the development. Both eateries are slated to open in 2020, with Meet Fresh aiming for March of that year.

A game-changing project for the area, Tangram encompasses two residential towers, retail space, a food hall, Flushing’s first beer garden, curated office space and a host of other experiential amenities. These two restaurants also join Xiao Long Kan Hot Pot at Tangram, one of the largest and most popular hot pot chains in China, which is slated to open its first North America location at the development in summer 2020.

Headquartered in Beijing with 20 locations across China and one location in Sydney, Ju Qi is a culinary phenomenon that celebrates old Beijing-style cuisine through inimitable dishes and an immersive dining experience that is a fan favorite among millennials and tourists. Named after traditional Beijing dialect signifying a person being mannered, righteous, generous and straightforward, Ju Qi is now expanding into the U.S., and has committed to a 10-year, 6,377-square-foot space at Tangram with plans to open in 2020. The restaurant will showcase signature dishes only found at Ju Qi – like the incredibly creative mashed potato dish shaped like Lord Rabbit, an important symbol of Beijing culture, as well as their special fried rice presented in the shape of a traditional honeycomb briquette.

On the heels of its highly successful opening in Manhattan’s East Village, Meet Fresh, one of the largest international dessert chains, is growing into Flushing for its second New York location, having signed a 10-year, around 2,000 square foot lease at Tangram with plans to open in March 2020. Meet Fresh is a beloved dessert brand originally from Taiwan that now has over 1000 stores across Asia, New Zealand and Australia. Meet Fresh is lauded for its fresh, natural and healthy ingredients, and Instagrammable treats such as taro balls, herbal grass jelly, mochi, mango shaved ice, boba tofu pudding, green tea with whipped cream, and hot almond soup.

“Our first location in Manhattan’s East Village was a huge success, and it made perfect sense for us to expand into Flushing,” said Vicky Chen, Owner of Meet Fresh stores in New York. “Tangram is becoming the new social hub in Flushing, and we are excited to be a part of that.”

Ju Qi and Meet Fresh joined the many other global restaurant brands that are expanding in the United States with outposts in Flushing. For example, Pappa Rich, the wildly popular Malaysian fast casual restaurant, debuted in North America across the street from Tangram at F&T Group’s One Fulton Square, and the famous Sichuan-style hot-pot chain HaiDiLao just opened at Flushing Commons, another F&T Group property. Xiao Long Kan Hot Pot, one of China’s largest and most popular hot pot chains, is also projected to open at Tangram in the summer of 2020.

Now nearing completion, the Tangram development is inspired by the traditional Chinese dissection puzzle “tangram,” which consists of seven flat pieces called tans. Tangram is elevating Flushing through its groundbreaking vision of immersive retail, residential, office and hotel space, featuring 275,000 square feet of high-end curated retail in a multi-level space alongside a sweeping, sky-lit atrium.  The development will also offer a four-star Renaissance New York Flushing Hotel, a state-of-the-art 4DX movie theater from Regal Cinemas, a food hall, and the neighborhood’s first beer garden.

For more information, please visit www.tangramnyc.com

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