Yuki Hana Expanding, Korean BBQ and Private Karaoke Planned

Sushi restaurant Yuki Hana is doubling in size in a new venture to bring Korean barbecue and private-room karaoke to East Lake View.

The restaurant, located at 2920 N. Clark St., is taking over a vacant neighboring storefront and tearing down the separating wall. Chicago Building Permits estimate construction will cost $40,000.

The space was once home to retailer Clothes Optional before slow sales forced owners to close the space in April. Now the windows are papered as crews work to transform the space.

“It’s going to be two different concepts,” said Yuki Hana’s manager Mugi Tume. “We decided to do it two months ago, and we’ve been doing the paperwork since. The new spot will have Korean barbecue.”

That’s combined with four private karaoke rooms, similar to the popular Lincoln Square destination, Lincoln Karaoke. Rather than singing to a group of strangers, friends rent out a private room to sing in.

Business has been good at Yuki Hana, Tume said, which influenced the restaurant’s desire to expand. The sushi restaurant is best known for its happy hour specials where maki rolls are $3 each.

The expanded eatery is slated for completion in late October or early November. It will join new restaurant Four Belly Asian Street Food, also on Clark Street.