Pan-Asian JAK Bringing Korean Barbecue and Sake to Far Northwest Austin

A defunct Far Northwest Austin Chinese buffet will soon be replaced by something considerably more upscale. JAK Restaurant (that's an acronym for Jenna's Asian Kitchen) is slated to open in early January in the building that formerly housed North & South China on 620 near Anderson Mill.

Husband and wife team Min and Jenna Choe are running the show, with Jenna in the kitchen serving as executive chef. The duo has more than 25 years of Austin restaurant experience between them, and they're making JAK a family affair — Min's sister Hana, who formerly worked in the fashion industry in New York, will act as general manager.

JAK will feature Korean dishes like oxtail noodle soup, ssam (lettuce wraps), kimchi fried rice, and bibimbap, as well as Korean barbecue and "familiar Chinese fare and other pan-Asian offerings, but with better ingredients and presentation," says Min. To go along with the food there will be an "extensive" selection of beer, wine, and sake.

Stay tuned to JAK's Facebook and Instagram for progress updates leading up to the opening next month.