GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — What’s billed as downtown Grand Rapids’ first Korean barbecue restaurant and karaoke bar is expected to open this month.
K-ROK owner Robert Yoon says he started transforming the former hotel storage space on Louis Campau Promenade across from Rosa Parks Circle into the new business nearly two years ago.
Inside the restaurant, a locally crafted wood bar greets visitors. Red, black and white subway tile runs across the walls, an homage to the colors of South Korea’s flag. K-ROK’s name also contains elements of the flag and an acronym for the Republic of Korea.
Guests who step into one of K-ROK’s three private karaoke rooms are instantaneously transported to Seoul’s popular Myeongdong Market via vivid murals.
“We want people to feel like they’re walking in Korea,” said Yoon.
(A courtesy photo shows one of the murals of Seoul’s popular Myeongdong Market inside a private karaoke room at K-ROK in downtown Grand Rapids. Courtesy: K-ROK Grand Rapids) 
(A courtesy photo shows one of the murals of Seoul’s popular Myeongdong Market inside a private karaoke room at K-ROK in downtown Grand Rapids. Courtesy: K-ROK Grand Rapids)
The site at 169 Louis Campau Promenade NW is more than double his family’s current restaurant, Emonae Korean BBQ, on 28th Street in Cascade Township. Yoon says K-ROK will seat about 90 people, not including its karaoke rooms.
“This will hype up the night life,” he said.
Korean staples like bulgogi, kalbi, and dolsot bibimbap are expected to grace the menu, as well as Korean street food such as dukpokee.
Inlaid LED grills will allow guests to cook up their meals at their table.
Yoon says K-ROK will also offer a variety of Korean beers, soju and Korean soju cocktails.
K-ROK is expected to open by the end of March. Right now, the business is hiring hosts and hostesses, line cooks, food preparers and servers, among other staff. The restaurant and karaoke bar will hold a job fair on site Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
K-ROK initially will be open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday with extended hours on weekends. The karaoke rooms will stay open an hour longer than the restaurant and be available by appointment on weekdays. On weekends, Yoon also recommends reserving the space.
Yoon says he’s still working on the hourly rental rate for the karaoke rooms, but package deals including food and drinks will be available.
