California Pizza Kitchen, Inc. (CPK) (Nasdaq:CPKI – News) opened its first location in South Korea today. The new restaurant, opened by CPK franchise partner Iris Co. Ltd., is located in the financial district of Seoul, south of the Han River.

The unique, three-level CPK seats about 200 people and is located at 1316 Seocho-dong Seocho-Gu, around the corner from the New York Bakery in the Kangnam shopping center. Tastefully decorated with warm colors and rich textures, the restaurant will open Sunday through Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

“We’ve been looking forward to this opening since signing with Iris Co. earlier this year and we are excited to see the doors open today” says Larry Flax, co-founder and co-CEO of California Pizza Kitchen. “The location of this restaurant is ideal,” adds Rick Rosenfield, co-founder and co-CEO of California Pizza Kitchen. “The people of Seoul have been exceptionally welcoming and fantastic to work with on this opening.”

The open-exhibition kitchen takes center stage where guests can watch as all of California Pizza Kitchen’s innovative dishes are prepared. The menu features a wide variety of innovative items including everything from the California Club Pizza and Jamaican Jerk Pizza to Kung Pao Spaghetti and the new Miso Salad. A special menu is also available for children 12 and under.

California Pizza Kitchen, Inc., founded in 1985, has 224 restaurants. One hundred-ninety are company-owned and 34 operate under franchise or license agreements.