Pasadena's fast-casual Vietnamese spot Paper Rice is gearing up to join the Sawtelle Japantown scrum, with plans to land in a roughly 1,900 square foot corner at 2202 Sawtelle Blvd in late 2026. The chain, known for build-your-own spring rolls, bowls, and bánh mì, says the new outpost will stick with its bright, modern look. Locals have already clocked the papered windows on the corner space, a telltale sign that early development is underway.
New Location Details
Signage on the Sawtelle storefront started raising eyebrows in May, and What Now Los Angeles reported that the restaurant will take over about 1,900 square feet at 2202 Sawtelle Blvd, with a projected opening in late 2026. According to the outlet, the team picked Sawtelle because demand for Paper Rice has grown past its San Gabriel Valley base, and this upcoming shop is set to be the brand's first Westside location.
The Menu And The Brand
Per Paper Rice's website, the company currently runs two locations, one at the One Colorado Food District in Pasadena and another in Whittier. The concept revolves around customizable spring rolls and bowls, with a mix of build-your-own and made-to-order combinations designed for quick counter service and takeout.
Why Sawtelle?
Sawtelle is one of the city's most tightly packed dining strips, a stretch famous for Japanese restaurants along with a dense lineup of other Asian spots. That concentration means any new tenant steps into a ready-made stream of foot traffic and a lot of hungry neighbors. The Infatuation recently wrote that eating on Sawtelle can feel like a "street-long food festival," a setup that can either turbocharge or test fast-casual concepts, depending on how quickly they move and how clearly they define their niche.
Local Signs And What The Team Says
The Paper Rice team told What Now Los Angeles that the Sawtelle shop is meant to feel "bright, airy, fresh, and welcoming" and that the brand is looking to spotlight Vietnamese dishes beyond pho. Local blogger Todd Rick Allen recently noted the papered windows at 2202 Sawtelle, a sign that a formal buildout is likely in progress. For now, Paper Rice is still aiming for a late 2026 debut as the space works through early construction and future hiring.
