3-19-26-Paul Kim INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Paul Kim, owner and chef of the food operation at the Indianapolis Yacht Club, is launching a Korean-Mexican fusion menu for the spring season. The business began as a food truck in 2013 and has been partnered with the club for about two years. The new menu includes specialty smash burgers, ceviche tacos and kimchi-infused cheeseburgers. Kim, whose family has a long history in the restaurant industry, transitioned the operation from a food truck and brick-and-mortar locations to its current setting at the yacht club to offer a distinctive dining experience for members. Among the featured items is the “King cheese cheeseburger,” which blends American ingredients with Korean flavors. The burger includes pepper jack cheese, thick-cut applewood smoked bacon and caramelized kimchi. “In any Korean barbecue that you go to, you’re always going to have pork and kimchi together. So we incorporated that in the burger,” Kim said. He added that thick-cut bacon is used because “bacon makes everything taste better.” Other additions include the blackjack burger, designed for those who prefer spicier fare. It features pepper jack cheese, sliced jalapeños, bacon and chipotle aioli. Kim also highlighted Peruvian ceviche crispy wonton tacos. “The tacos are basically our twist on ceviche,” he said. “We took cured shrimp, salted and seasoned it, and paired it with our signature cilantro lime aioli, cabbage slaw and cotija cheese.” The menu also introduces “ugly dumplings,” created after a club member requested extra sauce. “We were like, you know what, let’s just mix it up there. And then it didn’t look pretty, so hence the word ugly, but they taste phenomenal,” Kim said. 3-19-26-Paul Kim In addition to the new offerings, the business continues to serve smash burgers, Korean barbecue chicken or beef rice bowls and rotating taco specials. Kim said the operation has evolved significantly since its early days as a food truck in 2013. “From then on we went brick-and-mortar and then a lot of things shifted and we found our new home at the Yacht Club,” he said. The team also provides catering and customizable menus for club events. Kim’s involvement in the industry reflects a family tradition of restaurant ownership. “Basically, I think everybody in our family has owned a restaurant at one point in their lives,” he said. “For me now, it’s just passing the torch and doing something a little bit different.” The Indianapolis Yacht Club’s boating season is scheduled to begin in May. The club is accepting new members and offering tours of its facilities. “The boaters love to start their engines in May,” Kim said. “Right now, we are accepting new members. If you are interested, give us a call.” ...read more read less