This April or May, Mendota Plaza will be home to a new Asian fusion and sushi restaurant.

The Haiku Japanese Bistro began construction in January. The 2,800-square-foot restaurant will replace Do it Best Hardware.

Haiku will be the third restaurant for owner Jonathan Li, who operates two Japanese sushi and hibachi restaurants in Golden Valley and Fargo, N.D.

Li said he’s also in the process of opening a hibachi grill in Mankato and a fusion restaurant with a menu similar to Haiku’s in Dinkytown.

Li said he picked Mendota Plaze because it’s “a nice area and high income.” He plans to hire 10 to 15 employees.