The Hidden World of Ghost Kitchens
By Kelli Luu | 30 Jul, 2025

Ghost kitchens are changing the restaurant industry giving Asian chefs and young entrepreneurs a low risk way to test out creative and delicious food concepts.

Have you ever tried ordering from a new spot on DoorDash or Uber Eats and when you try to look it up on your browser, there’s no actual restaurant? That’s because you’re ordering from a ghost kitchen and Asian menu items are becoming a popular concept for success in this space. 

So what exactly is a ghost kitchen? You can find ghost kitchens on food delivery apps such as UberEats and Postmates. They are restaurants that do not offer any kind of sit-down dining and most of the time they don’t even have a store front. Some ghost kitchens operate out of shared kitchens or even from inside of another restaurant. 

This idea completely cuts down on the price of rent, product waste, and staffing which makes this brilliant for small businesses. New entrepreneurs are able to break into the restaurant industry and test out food concepts to real customers.

Asian ghost kitchens have been a big hit on food delivery apps. 

CM Ghost Kitchen is run by Chef Maezaki and it’s Pasadena’s number one take out spot for the most authentic Japanese cuisine. With menu items ranging from premium sashimi to fresh    wagyu bento bowls, CM Ghost Kitchen has become a local favorite in the area. 

Chef Maezaki works out of his own suite on North Allen Avenue, only offering takeout and delivery, but if you are looking for entertainment for your next event, he can also bring the fine dining to you with his in-home catering services. 

If you’re in the mood for a Japanese Korean fusion, Amazing Katsu in Santa Clara is co-owned and managed by Sean Kim and Joe Shin. Dedicated to developing the perfect katsu recipe, Kim and Shin knew their traditional thick cuts of meat would stand out with modern Korean ingredients like cheese. 

Amazing Katsu’s kitchen and pick up point is at the Elite Event Center on El Camino Real. They offer four different types of katsu including pork loin, pork tenderloin, cheese, and their signature. Kim and Shin are using their ghost kitchen to give new customers delicious but reasonably priced katsu and are looking to expand their business into a franchise. 

Ghost kitchens are proving that a fancy dining area is not necessary to serve tasty food. It just takes creativity, passion, and timely delivery. The next time you are deciding what to eat for dinner on DoorDash, check to see if you’re ordering from a hidden gem like these because chefs have found a new way to share their culture through food.