Mercer Island’s Town Center is on track to get a serious Korean comfort food upgrade. According to recent business filings, Danji Korean Cuisine is preparing to open a second restaurant at 2707 78th Ave. SE, bringing Korean barbecue, hot pots and fried chicken to the island’s downtown. If all goes according to plan, the Mercer Island spot will be the group’s second brick-and-mortar after its Issaquah flagship.
Those filings, first highlighted by What Now, list the operators as Gyeongsoo Lim, Mi Young Bok and Sung Tae Kang and tie them to the Mercer Island address. The paperwork marks the first public sign that Danji is stepping beyond its Eastside home base. As What Now notes, there is still no official opening date on the books.
From Issaquah To Mercer Island
The new Mercer Island location will join Danji’s original restaurant at 936 NE Park Drive, Suite 103 in Issaquah, per Issaquah Highlands. That flagship menu leans into Korean staples like stone-pot bibimbap, bulgogi, pajeon and several styles of Korean fried chicken, as listed on Danji. Over time, the Issaquah spot has turned into a regular go-to for Eastside diners chasing familiar Korean flavors.
License Hurdle Cleared
The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board has signed off on a liquor license for the Mercer Island restaurant, clearing a key regulatory step for any spot aiming to serve a full range of drinks, according to What Now. With an endorsement attached to the license, Danji will be able to pour beer, wine and cocktails alongside its barbecue and hot pots. The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board outlines how those license endorsements are connected to business licenses on its Licensee List page.
Town Center Spot Has Served Diners For Decades
The space at 2707 78th Ave. SE is no stranger to hungry Island residents. Over the years it has housed a rotation of eateries, including Alpenland Delicatessen and Pogacha, making the corner a long-running food stop in Mercer Island’s Town Center. The location’s restaurant lineage has been chronicled by the Mercer Island Reporter. If it opens as planned, Danji would add another Asian-focused option to a block already mixing casual and full-service dining.
So far, there is no grand opening date for the Mercer Island restaurant. Danji lists the new address on its online ordering portal, but the team has not yet shared a timeline for either a soft opening or full launch. For the latest updates, diners will want to keep an eye on Danji’s website and social channels.
