Capitol Hill Bok a Bok Chicken Shutters for Repairs, Aims to Reopen This Spring

The popular Korean-style fried chicken restaurant is working to fix structural issues in its 110-year-old building.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 11:15am

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Capitol Hill's Bok a Bok Chicken, known for its Korean-style double-fried chicken, has been forced to temporarily close its doors due to structural damage in the floors beneath its kitchen. Owner Brian O'Connor says the restaurant has removed concrete floors, plumbing drains, and some walls to remedy the situation and is aiming to reopen this spring. Bok a Bok's Capitol Hill location is the only one remaining in the city after the owner opened the first restaurant in White Center and expanded to other locations.

Why it matters

Bok a Bok's closure comes at a challenging time for the Seattle fried chicken scene, with competitors like Dave's Hot Chicken and Raising Cane's opening new locations in the area. The restaurant's return will be closely watched as it looks to regain its footing in the city's competitive fried chicken market.

The details

Bok a Bok's Capitol Hill location, housed in a 1916-era building that was once part of the neighborhood's auto row, has been closed since mid-October due to the structural issues. Owner Brian O'Connor says the restaurant has had to undertake extensive renovations, including removing concrete floors, plumbing drains, and some walls, in order to replace the beams supporting the floor. Despite the setback, O'Connor is aiming to reopen the restaurant as soon as possible, with plans to streamline the menu and potentially bring back some past fan-favorite items.

  • Bok a Bok's Capitol Hill location closed in mid-October 2026 due to structural damage.
  • Bok a Bok is aiming to reopen its Capitol Hill restaurant this spring.

The players

Bok a Bok Chicken

A Korean-style fried chicken restaurant with a location on Capitol Hill in Seattle.

Brian O'Connor

The chef and owner of Bok a Bok Chicken.

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What they’re saying

“We have removed all of the concrete floors, plumbing drains, and some walls to remedy the situation. Our goal is to get back open as soon as possible, but with the amount of structural damage we have had to fix, it is taking time to replace the beams to hold up our floor.”

— Brian O'Connor, Owner, Bok a Bok Chicken (capitolhillseattle.com)

“We are so lucky to have such an amazing community around us, and a staff that is second to none. Bok a Bok will return, I just don't know exactly when.”

— Brian O'Connor, Owner, Bok a Bok Chicken (capitolhillseattle.com)

What’s next

Bok a Bok is aiming to reopen its Capitol Hill location this spring after completing the necessary structural repairs.

The takeaway

Bok a Bok's temporary closure highlights the challenges facing small, independent restaurants in Seattle's competitive fried chicken market, but the restaurant's loyal community and commitment to quality are positioning it for a comeback once the necessary renovations are complete.