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Northwest Austin Korean restaurant DUBU gains alcohol license

Northwest Austin Korean restaurant DUBU gains alcohol license

New Capabilities Austin, TX local

Owner Hyo Lim's new Korean-Japanese spot on US 183 gets its mixed beverage permit ahead of opening.

August 14th, 2026: Mixed beverage license issued

Overview

Updated Yesterday

Hyo Lim, owner of Austin's Yuki Handroll Bar, moved a step closer to opening his second restaurant brand. On August 14, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission issued a mixed beverage license to DUBU at 13343 N US Hwy 183, permitting beer, wine, and cocktail service there.

The license is one approval among several, not confirmation that the restaurant is open or fully permitted. DUBU, named for the Korean word for tofu, is set to serve a primarily Korean menu with Japanese-style dishes aimed at Northwest Austin diners.

Why it matters

DUBU's alcohol license clears a key regulatory hurdle for a new Korean-Japanese restaurant in Northwest Austin from a proven local owner.

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Key Indicators

1
Mixed beverage license issued to DUBU
Texas ABC granted the permit on August 14, 2026.
3
Lim's Austin restaurant locations
Yuki in Westlake and Four Points, plus DUBU.
~15
Years Lim has worked in food service
Per Community Impact, he started in Houston and Dallas before Austin.

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People Involved

Organizations Involved

Timeline

March 2022 August 2026

5 events Latest: August 14th, 2026 · 4 weeks ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date
  1. Mixed beverage license issued

    Latest Regulatory

    Texas ABC issues DUBU a mixed beverage license at 13343 N US Hwy 183.

  2. DUBU announced

    News

    Community Impact reports DUBU targeting a July opening on US 183.

  3. Yuki expands to Four Points

    Business

    Lim opens a second handroll location in Northwest Austin.

  4. Yuki Handroll Bar opens

    Business

    Lim's first Austin restaurant opens in Westlake with Chef Jun Kim.

  5. Construction site registered

    Regulatory

    Texas TDLR logs an architectural barriers project at the 13343 US-183 address.

Scenarios

1

DUBU opens in Northwest Austin with full alcohol service

Likely Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: Community Impact coverage and TABC license records

The mixed beverage permit is typically among the last regulatory steps before a restaurant can serve alcohol. DUBU's owner has opened two Yuki locations over the past several years, suggesting the build-out at Suite 250 is near completion. If it finishes, DUBU starts serving its Korean-Japanese menu.

2

DUBU opening delayed into 2027

Possible Resolves by Q1 2027

Discussed by: Community Impact's ongoing Austin dining updates

Restaurant openings slip on construction, staffing, or final inspections. If DUBU's build-out or its required accessibility inspection lags, the opening moves past the initial summer target into early 2027.

3

DUBU never opens, license lapses

Unlikely Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: TABC public license records

Not every licensed restaurant actually opens; mixed beverage permits can be surrendered or lapse if the business never activates. There is no sign of trouble here, making this the least likely path, but the permit alone does not guarantee a door opens.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

2023

Yuki Handroll Bar opens in Westlake (2023)

Lim and Chef Jun Kim opened Yuki Handroll Bar, a Japanese hand-roll concept, in Westlake. It was Lim's first Austin restaurant after working in Houston and Dallas.

Then

The spot built a following and led Lim to expand within a year.

Now

It established Lim as a multi-location operator in Austin's dining scene.

Why this matters now

Yuki's expansion shows Lim's ability to launch and scale in this market, a track record DUBU now relies on.

2024

Yuki Four Points expansion (2024)

Lim opened a second Yuki Handroll Bar at Four Points in Northwest Austin, moving into the corridor DUBU now targets.

Then

The second location gave Lim a foothold just off US 183.

Now

It proved repeatable launch in the same part of town.

Why this matters now

DUBU sits in the same corridor, aiming to repeat that expansion with a Korean-focused menu.

Sources

(3)