Pull to refresh
Logo
Exit 5 Korean BBQ Ballard location targets November opening

Exit 5 Korean BBQ Ballard location targets November opening

Built World Seattle, WA local

Second location of Renton's all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ appears on Seattle's active business license list

Today: City business license appears on Seattle's list

Overview

Updated 58 minutes ago

Exit 5 Korean BBQ, the family-run all-you-can-eat spot from Renton, has a city business license for its second location, in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood. A city business license for the restaurant at 2316 NW Market St appeared on Seattle's active license list on October 1, with the business telling the city it opens or opened in November 2026.

The opening would fill a 5,803-square-foot corner storefront on the ground floor of the Ballard Independent apartment building, at NW Market St and 24th Ave NW. The Kangs first announced the Ballard location in August 2024, making this a roughly two-year build-out.

Why it matters

If the opening holds, Ballard's NW Market Street gains a 5,800-square-foot anchor as three nearby businesses close this summer.

Questions about this story

Free account needed to ask — your question is kept and asked for you right after sign-up. Answers are public.

No questions yet — be the first to ask.

Key Indicators

5,803 sq ft
Restaurant size
The Ballard location's floor area, per Emerald City Wire.
2 years
Build-out duration
From the August 2024 announcement to the November 2026 target opening.
3
Businesses departing NW Market Street
September clothing boutique, Koshari, and Salmon Bay Paddle announced closures this summer.
2nd
Location for the Kangs
Second restaurant after the original Renton spot opened in 2019.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

Ever wondered what historical figures would say about today's headlines?

Sign up to generate historical perspectives on this story.

People Involved

Organizations Involved

Timeline

2019 October 2026

4 events Latest: Today
Tap a bar to jump to that date
  1. City business license appears on Seattle's list

    Today Licensing

    A business license for Exit 5 Korean BBQ at 2316 NW Market St appears on Seattle's active license list. The business told the city it opens or opened in November 2026.

  2. September opening target reported

    Report

    Emerald City Wire reports the restaurant is targeting September, with an employee saying 'maybe in September.'

  3. Ballard location announced

    Announcement

    Exit 5 Korean BBQ announces plans for a second location on NW Market Street in Ballard.

  4. Exit 5 Korean BBQ opens in Renton

    Opening

    The Kangs open their first all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ restaurant after nearly 30 years of planning.

Scenarios

1

Exit 5 Korean BBQ opens Ballard location in November

Likely Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: The restaurant's own website and the city license record, which both point to a late-2026 opening

The business told the city it opens or opened in November 2026, and the website's FAQ lists a tentative late-2026 opening. If construction wraps on schedule, the restaurant opens its doors and begins serving customers in the Ballard Independent building.

2

Ballard opening slips into 2027

Possible Resolves by Q1 2027

Discussed by: The September target reported in August has already slipped to November, suggesting further delays are possible

The opening target has moved from September to November. If construction, permitting, or inspections take longer than expected, the opening could slide into 2027. The restaurant's website still lists the date as tentative.

Historical Context

One moment from history that rhymes with this story — and how it unfolded.

2019

Exit 5 Korean BBQ opens in Renton (2019)

Mison and Max Kang opened their first all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ restaurant in Renton after nearly 30 years of planning. Mison designed the space to mirror the street markets she grew up with in South Korea, with '90s K-pop and built-in table grills that eliminate barbecue smoke.

Then

The restaurant built a following in Renton, with all-you-can-eat lunch at $23.99 and dinner at $32.99.

Now

The Kangs decided to expand, announcing a Ballard location in August 2024.

Why this matters now

The Ballard location replicates the same sit-down, all-you-can-eat format and design that made the Renton original popular.

Sources

(5)

More from Seattle, WA

Openings, permits and council decisions in Seattle, WA, in your inbox every Monday.