MIX plans Linn County’s first Korean barbecue with expansion at Uptown Marion restaurant

MARION — MIX isn’t finished bringing new “firsts” to Marion and Linn County.

When it moved from downtown Cedar Rapids to Uptown Marion in 2022, the Asian restaurant was the first in the Corridor to offer Chinese hot pot you can cook with built-in electric burners at your own table. It was the first Korean restaurant in Marion, and was likely the only restaurant in Iowa with hot pot, Korean and sushi under one roof.

But it’s not stopping there. Now, it’s bringing the first Korean barbecue experience to Linn County.

With new barbecue burners and ventilation at 14 tables, customers will be able to grill Korean meats and vegetables at their own tables starting in mid to late April. The new addition coincides with MIX’s third anniversary next month.

The new barbecue, complementing the restaurant’s long-standing Korean menu, will be available through a la carte or “all you can eat” options similar to their sushi and hot pot offerings.

“This will be on par with nice Korean barbecue restaurants in any big city, like Chicago,” said Kyle Franklin, co-owner.

Diners will be able to choose from dozens of beef, lamb, pork, chicken and seafood styles including bulgogi, jumulleok boneless short ribs and kalbi.

As the restaurant expands its existing menu of banchan Korean sides, it also will add traditional Korean barbecue sides like Korean corn cheese and soybean paste soup.

Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or elijah.decious@thegazette.com.

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