Curry Tei Japanese restaurant with foodie cred opens in downtown Plano

An Asian restaurant with sterling credentials has debuted in old downtown Plano. Called Curry Tei & Bar, it's located at 1001 14th St. #100, in a former ramen shop, where it's serving Japanese curry, yakitori skewers, noodles, and rice bowls.

The concept comes to Collin County courtesy of Michelle Vi Pepping, who also owns Okaeri Cafe, the buzzy restaurant she opened in Richardson in 2021.

"After opening Okaeri Cafe, we saw how much our guests connected with Japanese comfort food and the feeling of enjoying something warm, familiar, and comforting," Pepping says. "Curry Tei gives us the opportunity to focus more deeply on some of our favorite Japanese comfort foods, especially house-made curry and crispy katsu, while also offering a broader dining experience with shareable dishes and a full bar featuring sake, Japanese whisky, and handcrafted cocktails.

"We wanted Curry Tei to feel like a natural extension of what we started with Okaeri — still warm, welcoming, and approachable, but with a more social, evening-friendly atmosphere where guests can come for a comforting meal, drinks with friends, or both," she says.