Downtown Durham is trading one of its most recognizable restaurant marquees for a brand-new concept. M Pocha, the Five Points spot in chef-owner Michael Lee’s M Restaurants group, quietly served its final dinner on Saturday, June 13, 2026. In its place, Lee is rolling out M Nikkei, a Japanese-Peruvian concept that will spotlight robatayaki charcoal grilling and sushi handrolls. The dining room is set for a full overhaul this summer, with plans for banquettes and a curved sushi-style bar anchoring the revamped space.
What’s replacing M Pocha
Lee told The News & Observer that M Pocha opened in 2019 as a Korean street-food spot before gradually widening into a broader Asian small-plates menu. “We thought it would be our first small introduction to Korean food,” he said, explaining how the concept evolved over time.
According to The News & Observer, M Nikkei will keep some of M Pocha’s fan favorites while layering in the new robatayaki offerings and sushi handrolls. Construction crews are already working in the Five Points storefront, and Lee told the paper he expects the reimagined dining room to open in a little over a month.
Inside the new look and menu
The M Restaurants site still lists M Pocha among Lee’s portfolio for now, but the group is in transition. Triangle Food Blog has been tracking the changeover and noted that M Pocha’s last day before renovations was Saturday, June 13.
The switch to M Nikkei means saying goodbye to the counter stools and communal table in favor of banquettes, more window-focused seating and that new curved sushi-style bar. The restaurant group says some beloved Pocha dishes will stick around, sharing space with the incoming Nikkei flavors. For the moment, the work is focused on the interior buildout rather than menu previews or reservation announcements.
Timing and Lee’s footprint in the Triangle
The M Pocha-to-M Nikkei pivot lands as Lee is also rolling out M Hansik, a more traditional Korean project in the Wye Junction area. Hey Durham reported that M Hansik began limited seating on June 19, with a grand opening scheduled for June 24. That opening arrives on the heels of Lee’s expanding Triangle footprint, which has been chronicled as his M Restaurants group continues to grow across the region.
The rebrand keeps one of downtown Durham’s popular kitchens active under the M umbrella and highlights Lee’s continued investment in the city’s dining scene.
Lee told The News & Observer he expects M Nikkei to open in “a little over a month,” with construction already underway on the interior. Until an official opening date is announced, diners can keep an eye on the M Restaurants site and local coverage for updates on when reservations will go live.
