Mukja, a restaurant that has faced numerous challenges since its inception, has officially closed its doors this week.
Founded in 2020 by Chang and his longtime friend Peter Chung, Mukja weathered the storm of the COVID-19 pandemic but struggled amidst a shifting office landscape in Midtown and high overhead costs.
After several years of operating without Chung, who departed the business, Chang decided to close the restaurant to focus on his health.
Recovering from a car accident in December that resulted in persistent nerve pain, he expressed the need to devote more time to finding effective treatments for his condition.
Chang reflected on the journey, stating, “It was the craziest uphill battle, and we fought all the way; we created something beautiful that was championed really well.
We left really gracefully.”
In its final days, Mukja garnered support from long-time customers, many of whom were saddened to visit for the last time and even requested the restaurant’s beloved kale slaw recipe.
Despite the closure, Chang has no plans to enter the restaurant business again, instead hoping to find a job that allows him to work from home.
He remarked on the experience of running a restaurant as unique and valuable, stating, “Whether the door was going to close on me one day or the other, win or fail, I want to at least say that I did it.”
In brighter news within the Atlanta food scene, Tyde Tate Kitchen is preparing to open its third location at Krog Street Market this summer.
Having started as a pop-up in 2019, the Thai eatery has blossomed with locations in Chattahoochee Food Works and South Downtown.
The new space in Krog Street Market will replace the former Recess stall and feature popular dishes such as pad see ew, panang curry, and rotating mocktails.
It will join other notable food vendors in the market, including Soul: Food & Culture, Dips Kitchen, and Gu’s Dumplings.
In another uplifting local story, Mykale Baker, a Dacula high school student, went viral after he showed up to his Burger King job right after graduating.
Maria Mendoza, a customer, filmed him stepping in to assist his co-workers during a busy shift while still wearing his graduation attire.
Inspired by his dedication, Mendoza launched a GoFundMe campaign to help Baker with his post-graduation goals.
Within days, the fundraiser amassed almost $200,000, and as a result, the Burger King Foundation awarded Baker a $10,000 scholarship for his education.
Additionally, Mendoza’s daughter, Daizie Chavez, also received a scholarship of the same amount to aid her studies at Georgia State University.
The culinary landscape continues to evolve with new openings, including Hermanita, a pop-up from the team behind Tio Lucho’s, which will operate at Wild Heaven Beer’s Avondale Estates patio for a month.
Set to run from June 12 through July 13, Hermanita will serve a unique blend of Peruvian street food infused with Southern flavors.
Meanwhile, the Poncey-Highland location of Tacos & Tequilas has temporarily closed due to a kitchen fire.
Fortunately, the team announced that no injuries were reported and that they are working on a plan to reopen.
Several new restaurant openings have caught the community’s attention, with Whataburger bringing its Texas-based burger chain to Grayson, expanding the Georgia footprint to 32 locations.
Offering a diverse menu of burgers, chicken sandwiches, and breakfast items, the 24-hour establishment is expected to attract many late-night diners.
In Duluth, Desi Tadka has opened its second location, introducing patrons to Indian cuisine that includes a blend of small plates and hearty entrees.
Additionally, Arden’s Garden is launching its 19th store in Benteen Park, hosting an opening celebration that includes a ribbon-cutting and various samples for attendees.
On June 12, Hilltop Bottle Shop also opened in Sandy Springs, presenting a grand opening event featuring food from local restaurants along with tastings of its offerings.
Looking ahead, new developments at the Battery include Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, set to open on June 23, where guests can enjoy Cajun-inspired dishes in a vibrant sports bar environment.
Playa Bowls is opening a Decatur location this month, serving smoothie bowls made from ingredients like acai and coconut.
Furthermore, the steak bar Luella is planned to debut this fall in the former location of Ivy in Buckhead, further diversifying the area’s dining options.
In unfortunate news for diners, Taco Mac has decided to close its Midtown location on Peachtree Street, mere weeks after shutting its Virginia-Highland restaurant.
As Atlanta’s culinary scene adapts and grows, both obstacles and opportunities continue to shape the experiences of restaurant owners and patrons alike.
image source from：https://www.ajc.com/food-and-dining/2025/06/mukja-korean-fried-chicken-closes-its-doors-and-more-from-the-atlanta-dining-scene/
