What's going in on Frankfort Avenue? New Korean restaurant to take over familiar spot
Project: Miki's Karaoke Bar
Location: 2230 Frankfort Ave.
Description: Mikyong Miller said she moved to the U.S. in 1996, but she grew up in Seoul, South Korea. Since coming to Louisville, she has worked in the food and beverage industry for more than 20 years. Miller said that prompted her to start thinking about her own restaurant about five years ago.
Louisville is "my second hometown," she said.
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Miller wants Miki's Karaoke Bar to be an invitation for the community to share Korean food and culture. She plans to open a combination Korean restaurant and karaoke bar featuring make-your-own-bowl fare similar to Korean restaurant franchise Cupbop, alongside Korean favorites like tteokbokki — a popular, spicy Korean street food made with rice cakes and gochujang — and edamame with strong spice and garlic flavors.
It took Miller and her Realtor about a year and a half to find the Frankfort Avenue location, she said, and they settled on the former Jake and Elwood's restaurant because she wants to encourage community among diverse residents. There's also a lot of activity in the area, she said.
Korean karaoke normally happens in individual rooms, Miller said, but the space didn't allow for that, so the space will have an open-stage style set up where people can eat and watch performances together.
"I'm not a good singer," Miller said. "But I love to hear from the other people."
Miller is hoping to keep the restaurant open until midnight, although after 9 p.m., she plans to only allow people 21 and older.
Miller is looking forward to an early October opening date, but there are a few things left to finalize, she said.
Cost: About $200,000.
What's being replaced: Jake and Elwood's, a Chicago-style pizza restaurant.
Size: About 3,500 square feet.
Developer: Miller and a team from Space Enterprise Inc.
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Contact reporter Rae Johnson at RNJohnson@gannett.com. Follow them on Twitter at @RaeJ_33
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Miki's Karaoke Bar to bring Korean food, community to Frankfort Ave.
