Ricemill, a modern Asian-inspired rice bowl concept, is thrilled to announce the launch of three new locations in Phoenix in 2025. As the first selected U.S. city to debut this innovative fast-casual concept, Phoenix represents Ricemill’s commitment to redefining dining in the region as the go-to destination for delicious, elevated rice bowls.
Ricemill will open its first-ever location in Downtown Phoenix at Collier Center in March 2025, followed by the first West Valley location in Arrowhead Towne Center and the crown jewel of their initial rollout will be a store in Tempe.
“We’re excited to introduce accessible, chef-driven rice bowls to communities, combining high quality, convenience, dynamic flavors, and innovation,” Co-founder Fannie Wang said. “At Ricemill, we reimagine a timeless staple into a fresh experience that celebrates cultural fusion and craftsmanship while meeting the demand for unique dining options in underserved areas craving for a concept like ours.”
Each rice bowl is a culinary story, blending the founders’ cherished family memories and Asian culinary traditions with a contemporary twist. Ricemill’s journey is shaped by the personal stories of the four founders: Fannie Wang, Harry Yu, Chef Yiyi Wang, and Jin Zhang. They draw inspiration from family gatherings where the comforting aroma of rice bowls prepared by their grandmas filled the air. These moments of connection and shared values taught them that food is more than nourishment – it’s a profound expression of love and togetherness.
“Growing up, I was fascinated by how my family could take simple ingredients and create something magical,” Co-Founder and Operations Partner Harry Yu said. “A rice mill represents a beautiful process of transformation – taking something humble and unlocking its full potential. That’s exactly what we do in our kitchen every day.”
Guided by these memories, the Ricemill team embarked on a culinary adventure across Asia: Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sichuan and Osaka to develop the food and beverage program. Led by Chef Yiyi’s culinary direction who honed her skills at both a 3 Michelin Star and a 2 Michelin Star restaurant, the thoughtfully-curated menu transforms timeless rice bowls bursting with rich, fusion flavors. With a focus on freshness, quality, convenience, and versatility, Ricemill is designed to meet the demands of busy working professionals, students, and families seeking customizable, authentic flavors, and health-conscious options.
Chef-curated signature rice bowl dishes like the savory Seoul Garlic Chicken bowl and aromatic Shanghai-style Steak bowl are the core of the menu, combining Asian traditions with a modern twist. Along with the signature bowls, guests can “bowl it your way” by creating their own dream rice bowls in three easy interactive steps, offering endless possibilities:
Foundation: At Ricemill, warm, steaming rice is the heart of every bowl. Ricemill’s “Select Blend,” a meticulously curated combination of the finest aromatic Asian long and short rice grains, enhances textures and flavors to the next level. Along with rice, rice noodles or vegetables are additional base options.
Premium Proteins: The second layer includes premium proteins such as Szechuan Mala Steak, Yuzu Shrimp, Hong Kong-style Crispy Chicken and Szechuan BBQ Tofu. Complementary housemade toppings such as sweet and sour eggplants, sauteed mushrooms, purple cabbage, pickled cucumber and radish, and sweet corn can be added for extra flavors and textures.
Bold Housemade Sauces: Unlock a world of flavors through Ricemill’s housemade sauces. All the Asian-inspired sauces are crafted with sophisticated French techniques that push the flavor boundaries like never before. Each variety balances flavor forward, savory notes resulting in unexpected flavor combinations with a refined touch. Guests can mix and match or go solo, their sauces are the mind-blowing finish that every bowl needs. From umami, to spicy and sweet, sauce variations include the Signature Szechuan Mala Sauce, House K-Style Hot Sauce, Honey Chili Aioli, and Yuzu Miso Sauce.
Ricemill’s beverage menu will uniquely offer refillable milk teas, inviting guests to enjoy endless sips of their favorite flavors while showcasing authentic ingredients.
The Downtown Phoenix location is a 1,789 square foot restaurant introducing the inaugural design concept: a refined, energetic atmosphere where clean lines and vibrant touches create the perfect backdrop for power lunches, family dinners, and casual dining experiences. The space is suited to modern tastes and lifestyles featuring an inviting indoor dining room, an interactive rice bowl bar, a convenient take-out counter, and outdoor dining patio. Guests can enjoy dine-in service, carryout, online ordering, catering, and third-party delivery, all available seven days a week.
Ricemill will hire 30 full-time and part-time employees for each location starting with Downtown Phoenix at: 201 E. Washington St. Suite 111, Phoenix, AZ 85004.
