Signage for the new CoCo Ichibanya restaurant has been installed at the base of the brand new Denizen Apartments at 3840 Sixth Avenue, signaling that the globally recognized brand is preparing to expand its local footprint in 2026. The Hillcrest location will join CoCo Ichibanya’s existing San Diego restaurant at 4428 Convoy Street, which debuted in March 2021 following a pandemic-delayed rollout that tested the patience of devoted fans. The Convoy opening marked a major milestone for the chain, which operates more than 1,400 locations worldwide and is considered the largest Japanese curry restaurant brand on the planet.
Founded in 1974 by Tokuji and Naomi Munetsugu, CoCo Ichibanya began as a small café in Japan before opening its first official restaurant in 1978. The brand expanded rapidly through a distinctive franchising model known as the “Bloom System,” which helps employees eventually open their own stores. In 2015, the company was acquired by House Foods Group, further accelerating its global growth.
At its core, CoCo Ichibanya specializes in kare raisu, Japanese curry rice, a beloved comfort dish that has become a staple across Japan. The chain’s popularity stems largely from its highly customizable format. Diners choose their preferred spice level, rice portion, and an array of toppings that range from crispy pork or chicken katsu to garlic shrimp, cheese, vegetable croquettes, and fried squid. The flexibility has made it a favorite among students, families, and late-night diners alike.
The Hillcrest expansion places the curry giant inside one of San Diego’s most talked-about new residential developments. The Denizen Apartments replaced the long-vacant Pernicano’s restaurant site, a once-iconic mid-century Italian dining destination that sat shuttered for nearly four decades before being demolished. The eight-story luxury complex now features 151 apartment units and ground-floor retail space along Sixth Avenue, directly in the heart of Hillcrest’s commercial corridor.
The building has generated both praise and controversy since its completion in 2024. Supporters welcomed the removal of what had become a graffiti-covered eyesore, while critics pointed to high rental rates and the building’s modern aesthetic. Studios at Denizen start in the mid-$2,000 range, with larger units exceeding $4,500 per month, underscoring the increasingly high cost of living in the neighborhood.
For CoCo Ichibanya, however, the location is strategic. Hillcrest remains one of San Diego’s most walkable, high-density communities, with a built-in customer base from surrounding apartments and steady foot traffic from University Avenue. The addition of a globally recognized fast-casual brand also signals continued commercial momentum in a neighborhood that has seen significant redevelopment over the past several years. The company has not yet announced an exact opening date, but social media posts confirm the Hillcrest restaurant is slated to open in 2026.
With Convoy Street firmly established as San Diego’s epicenter for Asian dining, CoCo Ichibanya’s move into Hillcrest suggests confidence in the city’s broader demand for Japanese comfort food beyond Kearny Mesa. For curry devotees who once endured a “long and agonizing wait” for the first San Diego location, the expansion means fewer cross-town drives and more access to that signature sauce.
CoCo Ichibanya’s Hillcrest location will open at 3840 Sixth Avenue inside the Denizen Apartments in 2026. For more information, visit ichibanyausa.com.
Originally published on February 26, 2026.
