Singapore F&B specialist Katrina Group has opened its first So Pho Vietnamese restaurant in Shanghai.

Located in the BaiLian Chuansha Shopping Mall in the Pudong New Area, the restaurant marks the start of Katrina Group’s partnership with Hong Kong-listed Ajisen Group to grow the So Pho brand in China and Hong Kong. The outlet is under a JV formed by So Pho International and Big Benefit Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ajisen (China) Holdings.

Covering about 1160sqft (110sqm), the restaurant seats 42 diners.

BaiLian Chuansha Shopping Mall is in Chuansha New Town with nearby landmarks including the Port of Shanghai, Shanghai Expo and Century Park, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, the Jiuduansha Wetland Nature Reserve and Shanghai Disney Resort.

Meanwhile, Katrina Group has opened three restaurants in Singapore, one each in Causeway Point and Northpoint City under the So Pho brand, and one at Suntec City under the brand name Streats (Asian street food). This month the group aims to open outlets at Marina One and West Mall, taking its total to 41.

Agreements have also been signed to open a Streats outlet in Tampines 1 and a So Pho in Jewel Changi Airport.