Columbia to get new Asian fusion spot as part of coming food hall. What we know
A new spot for Asian cuisine is set to be part of a coming food hall in a key Columbia district.
Banh Sai, an Asian fusion restaurant that started in Wilmington, NC, will be a vendor in the under-construction Gather COLA food hall in the BullStreet District, according to a weekend social media post from the food hall.
“Born as a food truck in 2020, Banh Sai has built a cult following with their bold bowls, crave-worthy eats, and a menu packed with gluten-free + vegan options that never skimp on flavor,” Gather COLA said on Instagram. “Their vibe? Fresh, colorful, and all about making every bite an adventure.”
While it began as a food truck, Banh Sai now has a brick-and-mortar shop on Wrightsville Avenue in Wilmington. It describes itself as “Asian fusion comfort food with an 80s flair.” The menu at the North Carolina location features Asian bowls, burritos, Bao buns, fried chicken, pork egg rolls and more.
The Banh Sai news is the latest in a string of announcements in the last few months about food and beverage vendors planned for Gather COLA, which will be at the corner of Sabal and Freed streets in the BullStreet District, not far from the REI outdoor store. Construction is well underway on the project and it is slated to open later this year.
The Columbia food hall is a project from Greenville’s Four Oaks Property Group, Cason Development, and Hughes Development, the lead developer for BullStreet. It’s set to include 8,500 square feet of office space on multiple floors and an outdoor area designed for live entertainment — in addition to the two bars, 10 food vendor and restaurant spaces and pop-up areas aimed at micro-retailers. Four Oaks Property Group also developed the lauded Gather GVL food hall in Greenville.
Several well-known local food trucks will be establishing a more permanent presence at the food hall, including Bessie’s Burgers and More, Spicy Voodoo’s Big Easy Seafood, Mexican favorite Los Chicanos and barbecue spot Smoke It Up.
Officials also have said that Remedy, a new cocktail bar, will be located upstairs at the food hall, overlooking an amphitheater, and that beer spot Session Taproom will be serving brews at the development.
Earlier this summer, food hall leaders noted that the Bull & Bread — an offshoot of Wilmington, NC sandwich shop The Half — and sweet shop Cocobowlz would be part of the project.
And in August, Gather announced that Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles, the James Beard Award-nominated restaurant that has multiple spots in Columbia, will also have a location at Gather COLA.
