Family-run restaurant brings Asian treat variety to Valley

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — If you are looking for a do-it-yourself instant noodle bar, Taiyaki ice cream, boba and many more treats, Kokoro Noodles, Sweets & Things has it all.

Kokoro Noodles, Sweets & Things located at 3090 Pablos Kisel Blvd brings pieces of Asian culture to the Rio Grande Valley.

Owner, Tanya Mendoza was motivated to open the Asian-inspired restaurant after her two daughters, Kaila and Eliy showed interest in the culture.

^{Owner Tanya Mendoza with her two daughters who inspired her to open the restaurant, Eliy and Kaila. (Photo Courtesy: Tanya Mendoza)}

"They would say take me to an Asian store, take me to an Asian market and I would have to tell them that we don't have that here."

Mendoza decided to take matters into her own hands after she realized the lack of Asian culture in the Valley and opened up her own restaurant, which her daughters help her run.

The restaurant features a "kawaii" or cutesy aesthetic atmosphere that is covered in its mascot, "Kokoro," which is the Japanese word for heart. The restaurant's mascot and name were both designed by Mendoza's 19-year-old daughter, Kaila.

Kokoro offers over 40 variations of Japanese, Korean and Chinese noodles. They also have a variety of toppings that can be added to the noodles such as dumplings, kimchi, shrimp and more.

"We have ramen from Korea, from China, from Japan and we have this Korean machine where you can cook your own noodles in less than 4 minutes," said Mendoza.

Although the food is ready in an instant, Kokoro does not consider itself to be a fast-food restaurant. Kokoro prides itself on the experience its customers get when they walk through the door.

"I think the concept. I think the experience that we give the customer," Mendoza said. "You get your noodles, you add your toppings and then you go and cook it yourself then you go back and get your dessert."

Mendoza wanted to bring the experience of these things from different cultures to its customers without having to leave home.

One of the popular treats Kokoro is known for is its Taiyaki ice cream. Tayaki is a Japanese dessert that is made out of fish-shaped waffles which are filled with ice cream and other toppings. Kokoro gives Tayaki its own twist by adding different toppings such as cream cheese, Nutella and Oreos.

Aside from the noodles and ice cream, they also serve a variety of Asian snacks and drinks that are hard to find in the Valley and can only be ordered online.

After opening in December 2023 and seeing what a success the restaurant has been, Kokoro plans to expand to more locations throughout the Valley such as McAllen, Edinburg and even San Antonio in the future.

Kokoro hosts themed events and encourages its customers to cosplay or dress up in merch. The events come with special menus, raffles, games, prizes and other small businesses are invited to be vendors.

"We give them [small businesses] a chance as well because I think that that is the way it should be with small business owners," Mendoza said. "We're just trying to help each other out."

Its next event is Sanrio-themed and will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21.