Nestled in the heart of downtown Oklahoma City across from the National Memorial, JK by Chef King is a colorful dining destination that promises an unforgettable experience. With its unique blend of pan-Asian cuisine and stunning interior design, this restaurant is a testament to the creative vision of master chef, King Dey.

Chef King Dey's Cross-Contient Artistry

Chef King Dey’s journey is as fascinating as the dishes he creates. Born in India and raised in London, Dey honed his culinary skills in Paris before embarking on 30 years of cooking experience through the kitchens of Tokyo and Bangkok. His diverse background is reflected in the eclectic menu at JK, which combines flavors and techniques from across Asia and Europe. Originally intended for Dallas, Dey and his business partner, Josh Balan, found a home for their innovative restaurant in Downtown Oklahoma City thanks to our opportunity for growth and burgeoning restaurant scene.

A Feast for the Eyes

One of the standout features of JK is its interior design. The restaurant boasts a captivating blend of bohemian and eclectic styles, adorned with Versace floral wallpapers, elegant chandeliers, and hanging Japanese wisteria that creates an strikingly contemporary atmosphere. However, the dim lighting can make it challenging to fully appreciate the beauty of the decor and the presentation of the food—an important consideration for those eager to capture the perfect Instagram shot.

JK is undoubtedly a place to see and be seen. The ambiance complements the artistry found in the food offerings, and the drink menu features playful options designed for social media. The Deluxe Espresso Martini, for instance, is printed with guests’ photos or messages using a foam ripple machine, making for a perfect social media photo-op guaranteed to get comments. Additionally, the cocktail served with steel wool set alight for a slow, glowing burn at your table draws attention from fellow restaurant guests.

Sipping & Sampling

Our adventure began with the drink menu, where we opted for a selection of cocktails: the Margo Lychee Margarita, Hibiscus Royal, Lavender Haze, and Tokyo Old Fashioned. For those who prefer cocktails that aren’t overly sweet, the Hibiscus Royal stood out as our favorite, featuring a sparkling mix of peach vodka, Prosecco, orange bitters, and hibiscus syrup. The Lavender Haze was a close second, offering a surpisingly light gin flavor. The Margo Lychee Margarita leaned sweeter, while the Tokyo Old Fashioned provided a classic touch.

For appetizers, we chose a mix of options from various sections of the menu. The Lobster Tacos were a refreshing start, served cold with mango salsa and micro cilantro. From the Dim Sum section, the Lobster & Shrimp Shumai was enjoyable, but our top pick was the Crispy Rice Tuna from the Kurudo & Raw Bar. This dish featured stacked bites of tuna atop crispy rice, enhanced by spicy aioli and eel sauce—a must-try for sushi lovers!

A Culinary Main Event

For our main courses, we selected the Chilean Sea Bass paired with fried Brussels sprouts tossed in soy chili sauce, and the JK Pad Thai. As fans of Thai cuisine, we were eager to compare JK’s Pad Thai to our favorite from another local restaurant. While JK’s version had a more pronounced tamarind flavor, it was distinct and worth trying for any Pad Thai enthusiast.

Sweet Endings

Dessert was undoubtedly the highlight of our meal. We didn't want to leave without seeing Chef JK's artistry in his desserts, so we decided to indulge in the Coco Passion and Guanaja Chocolate Fondant. Both desserts were exceptional, featuring creamy coconut, fruity sorbets, and a warm brownie and crispy wafers that left us wanting more.

Conclusion: A Culinary Adventure Worth Repeating

JK by Chef King is a unique gem in Oklahoma City’s dining scene. Its downtown location showcases the OKC’s always growing restaurant scene, and while not every dish was a home run, the ones that were truly stood out. Our experience was the most we’ve ever spent at a restaurant—the dishes themselves aren’t overly expensive, but there are so many unique offerings that pique your curiosity, you’ll want to try as much as possible which can rack up your bill!

If you’re trying to remain cost-effective, we’d recommend sticking with the small plates from the Dim Sum and Kurudo & Raw Bar sections of the menu, followed up with an amazing dessert.

With a diverse menu that invites exploration, we’re already looking forward to our next visit to try more of the intriguing dishes we missed, like the Pork Belly Bao dim sum and Oxtail & Bone Marrow Fried Rice. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, JK by Chef King is a unique experience that Oklahoma City has to offer and shouldn’t be missed!

Find out more about JK by Chef King here...
WEBSITE • FACEBOOK • INSTAGRAM

© 2025 Flotilla Holdings, Inc.