This profile is in active compilation — some details are awaiting a cited source.

KOBI-Q is a woman- and immigrant-owned Korean barbecue and Asian-fusion restaurant in the Crossroads Arts District, founded in 2018 by Seoul-born Sooki “Mamasan” Geisler. The Crossroads location at 1531 Grand Blvd is the original flagship; KOBI-Q has since launched a franchise program.

Description

KOBI-Q serves Korean barbecue and Asian-fusion fare in the Crossroads Arts District. The menu centers on Korean classics and street food — bibimbap, LA-style galbi short ribs, spicy BBQ pork with rice cakes, and Korean Fried Chicken (KFC) wings — alongside fusion and pan-Asian offerings including poké, sushi and sashimi, shabu-shabu, and Vietnamese-inspired noodle bowls.1 The drinks program leans into Asian beers, soju, and premium sakes.2 The restaurant occupies the former Czar Bar space on a revitalized stretch of Grand Boulevard near Resurrection Downtown, Messenger Coffee, and the recordBar.3

Ownership and history

KOBI-Q was founded in 2018 by Sooki “Mamasan” Geisler, who relocated from Seoul, South Korea, and brought traditional Korean cuisine to the Crossroads.2 The restaurant opened in mid-2018 in the former Czar Bar location, retaining original fixtures such as the bar while the landlord uncovered a previously hidden skylight; early coverage described family member Mila Geisler as managing the new restaurant.3

KOBI-Q has since established a franchise program (KOBI-Q Franchise) marketing the concept to operators outside Kansas City; published franchise terms cite a franchise fee of $40,000 and a 6% royalty.2 The 1531 Grand Blvd Crossroads location is the original flagship and the subject of this page.

Sources

Disputes

  • Owner attribution: the franchise site credits founder Sooki “Mamasan” Geisler 2; 2018 Flatland coverage names Mila Geisler as the restaurant’s manager 3. Both surnames match; relationship/exact ownership split.

Footnotes

  1. KOBI-Q official site — https://kobi-q.com/ — asserts: business name styling (Kobi Q / KOBI-Q), address 1531 Grand Blvd KC MO 64108, Korean BBQ / Asian-fusion cuisine and signature dishes (KFC wings, galbi, bibimbap, poké, sushi, shabu-shabu). ↩

  2. KOBI-Q Franchise — https://kobi-qfranchise.com/ — asserts: founder Sooki “Mamasan” Geisler relocated from Seoul, South Korea; Korean/American fusion concept; franchise fee $40,000, 6% royalty; drinks program (soju, sake, Asian beer). ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  3. Flatland KC, “Kobi-Q Korean Barbecue Finds Fun Home on Resurging Stretch of Grand” (June 26, 2018) — https://flatlandkc.org/eats-drinks/kobi-q-korean-barbecue-finds-fun-home-on-resurging-stretch-of-grand/ — asserts: 2018 opening, former Czar Bar location at 1531 Grand, menu, Mila Geisler as manager, neighborhood context. ↩ ↩2 ↩3

See also

Categories
  • Locally owned
  • Korean
  • Crossroads