Known for its fried chicken, corn dogs, rice bowls and other fare, a fast-casual Korean restaurant in Mandarin abruptly closed after two years.
K-Bop Korean Kitchen permanently shut its doors, effective Monday, Oct. 5, at 11700 San Jose Blvd. in the Mandarin South shopping center.
The restaurant announced the closure on social media Oct. 6. In addition, two signs hanging on the restaurant's front door Oct. 7 thanked customers and the community for years of support.
Would-be diners were invited to the original K-Bop at 4320 Deerwood Lake Parkway, Suite 106, in the Deerwood Lake Commons shopping center on the Southside, which remains
open. K-Bop also operates a food truck.
Neither the social media post nor restaurant signs offered a reason for the Mandarin restaurant closure. But it emphasized appreciation for customers and "our wonderful community."
"We are truly grateful for all the love, support, and memories you’ve shared with us over the years. Thank you for making K-BOP Mandarin part of your lives!" the post and signs said.
The Mandarin location opened in August 2024 — 28 months after the original Deerwood Lake Parkway restaurant, according to social media and state food service license records.
K-Bop is a locally owned and family-operated Jacksonville restaurant offering authentic Korean fare that began as a food truck and then added the brick-and-mortar restaurant on Deerwood Lake Parkway.
"Each dish is crafted in-house using genuine Korean ingredients, offering a delectable experience whether you're dining in, ordering delivery, or catering an event," the restaurant says on its website.
Popular menu offerings include Korean fried chicken. Bulgogi rice bowls, Korean corn dogs, kimchi fries, bibimbap and boba drinks, the website shows.
Customers responded to the closure announcement posted at lunchtime Oct. 6 on the restaurant's Facebook page with dismay.
"No!!! Sorry to hear this!!! Thanks for serving great food," one customer posted.
Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @TeresaStepz or reach her via email at tstepzinski@jacksonville.com.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: K-Bop Korean Kitchen closes Mandarin restaurant
