Dokidoki Opens Japanese Yakitori and Izakaya Restaurant in Merced

MERCED, Calif., May 30, 2026 — A new Japanese restaurant called Dokidoki has announced plans to open in Merced, bringing a yakitori and izakaya dining concept to a city where residents have openly called for more sit-down restaurant options. The business confirmed its plans to the Merced Sun-Star and announced the concept on Instagram on May 13, 2026.

Dokidoki describes itself as "not another ordinary restaurant," positioning its arrival as a departure from the standard dining formats currently available in the Central Valley city. The announcement fills a gap that locals have been vocal about, with residents leaving comments on recent city social media posts asking for more clothing stores, sit-down restaurants and entertainment options.

Dokidoki Brings Japanese Yakitori and Izakaya Experience to Merced

The new eatery plans to offer a contemporary Japanese dining experience rooted in two traditions: Japanese street food culture and the izakaya format, the informal, pub-style dining style common across Japan where small plates, grilled skewers and drinks are served in a relaxed social setting.

In a statement to the Merced Sun-Star, Dokidoki said it is bringing "a new ramen and yakitori concept to Merced." The menu will feature authentic ramen dishes, binchotan-grilled yakitori and fresh sashimi. Binchotan refers to a traditional Japanese white charcoal prized for the clean, high-heat cooking it produces, giving grilled yakitori skewers a distinct flavor and char that standard charcoal or gas grilling does not replicate.

The business said guests can expect a "warm, energetic dining experience," though menu prices have not yet been finalized ahead of opening.

Merced Residents Have Called for More Dining Options in 2026

Merced has welcomed several new businesses in 2026, including major retailers and popular dessert chains, but the arrival of new sit-down dining concepts has been slower. Residents have noticed the gap. One Instagram user commented on a recent city post highlighting incoming businesses: "Can we get more clothing stores and sit-down restaurants? Another movie theater?"

Dokidoki's announcement landed directly in that context. The izakaya format, with its emphasis on shared plates, grilled skewers, noodle dishes and convivial atmosphere, fits the kind of evening dining experience that has been underrepresented in Merced's current restaurant landscape.

Merced is home to the University of California, Merced campus, which has grown steadily since its founding in 2005 and now anchors a younger residential population in the city. That demographic, students, faculty and the families and businesses that support them, represents a natural audience for a dining concept built around social eating and Japanese-inspired fare.

What Is Yakitori and Izakaya Dining?

Yakitori refers to Japanese skewered chicken grilled over charcoal, typically seasoned with either a tare glaze or simple salt. The dish is a fixture of Japanese street food culture and izakaya menus alike. Binchotan charcoal, which Dokidoki plans to use, burns at higher temperatures than conventional charcoal and produces minimal smoke, allowing the natural flavor of the meat to come through cleanly while producing a consistent sear.

Izakaya dining originated in Japan as a format where customers linger over multiple small plates and drinks rather than ordering a single meal. The concept has expanded internationally over the past decade, appearing in major US cities as an alternative to formal Japanese dining. Dokidoki's arrival would make it among the first restaurants in the Merced market to adopt the format explicitly.

Ramen and sashimi round out the announced menu categories. Ramen, Japanese wheat noodles served in a seasoned broth with toppings including chashu pork, soft-boiled egg and nori, has grown in popularity across California, with dedicated ramen restaurants established in Fresno, Modesto and Sacramento. Merced has seen limited options in the category, making Dokidoki's ramen offering a notable addition to the local dining scene.

Opening Details Still to Come

Dokidoki has not yet announced a confirmed opening date or a specific address in Merced. The business made its initial announcement through Instagram on May 13, 2026, and has since communicated directly with the Merced Sun-Star about its plans. Further details on location, hours and finalized menu pricing are expected ahead of the opening.

For updates on Dokidoki's opening, follow the restaurant on Instagram or check local coverage from the Merced Sun-Star.

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