I love stumbling into a new delicious food joint. I went in not knowing what to expect and was pleasantly surprised. I opted to build my own bowl with purple rice, japchae, roasted veggie salad, spicy pork, corn, carrots, radish, mayak egg, gochujang, and seaweed. I wasn't sure if the combination would work, but it was delicious! Definitely will be back if and when I go to Chicago again. read more

Tasty satisfying Korean fast casual that's good whether you're a big fan of Korean food or never had it before! It's like a Korean Chipotle or Cava - you can choose between a bunch of premade bowls or make your own by choosing a base (rice, noodles, veggies, etc) + protein (classic Korean proteins bulgogi beef, spicy pork, tofu, etc) and an assortment of veggies, toppings, and tasty sauces. I got the Seoul Train - glass noodles, bulgogi beef, creamy sriracha sauce, corn, cucumbers, kale slaw, kimchi, scallions, cilantro, crispy garlic, and sesame seeds. The noodles were tasty by themselves and the beef was flavorful, and I think it was a pretty reasonable portion compared to some places like chipotle which have really started skimping. The sauce was quite creamy and it looks like a bunch of the sauces tend to be on the sweeter or creamier side, but they still go well with the savory meat and carbs. I think the bowl started at $14-15 so with tax and a small tip it's a few more dollars, pretty on par with prices for other fast casual places these days, but it's nice to have a Korean option to spice things up! read more

SeoulSpice - Seoul Train - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I had the Seoul Train. The food was ok. Not a whole lot of value for the price. I paid $18 for just ok flavor, quantity was meh, and left the establishment still feeling hungry. Service was quick. Ambiance feels more like a CAVA, honey grow or some poke place rather than a korean restaurant. read more

Great takeout!!! Huge bowl packed with fresh ingredients. Lots of great sauces to choose from. Good amount of food for the cost! read more

SeoulSpice - 2 protein bowl - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I'm so glad I found this place! I just flew into Chicago and didn't want anything carb heavy (pizza) and wanted something semi healthy and with flavors. I came upon Seoul Spice on Yelp, was a bit hesitant because it's new and not a lot of people reviewed it. But took my chance bc a build your own bowl Korean style sounds fun! It's the chipotle Korean bowls. It's right across from millennium park. I came and there wasn't many people, just a few. I ordered by selecting my carb (half purple rice and glass noodles), protein (half bulgogi and chicken), and proceeded with the sides- kimchi, radish, corn, seaweed, cucumber, bean sprouts and extra spicy sauce. They put so much in your bowl. The glass noodles were japjae noods and the purple rice tasted authentic. The meat had flavors and I ate every single rice. It was good! I was very surprised by it, especially seeing no Koreans in sight, workers or customers. Tasted like something I would have gotten from a K-Town. And I'm from California, you get a lot of Korean food choices. I want one to open up in California. Love the concept! It's so simple yet you don't see much of it. If you like Korean bibimbap, you gotta try this! read more

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Celiacs rejoice!! This place is 100% gluten free!! I ate here 3 days in a row so I could try more of the menu. I really love the glass noodles so I pretty much ate variations of those. I tried the crispy chicken which was ok but I really liked the Bulgogi. The radishes and sauces gave a great spice and texture. The staff here was super nice every day and I never had to wait. The place was clean and I ate there and had delivery. It's a place you eat quick and run, so people don't linger long. I wished I lived close enough to eat here more often, but do yourself a favor and check it out. read more

SeoulSpice - Some tasty beef dish - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Wow!!! Love this place! The food was great and almost everything is gluten free. You can order one out of their premade bowls, or make your own. My friend and I chose to make our own bowls. They were so delicious! Also very generous portions. We both said there's no way we're going to eat this whole thing, and yet we did. The restaurant was very clean and quiet. I hope they add outdoor seating in the future. The staff were all extremely friendly. My friend and I agreed that we will definitely be back! She even purchased a bowl to bring home to her husband that afternoon. read more

SeoulSpice - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This is like the same setup as Bibibop Asian Grill but not as many options. I made my own bowl with purple rice and roasted veggies as my base and then bulgogi beef as my protein. I added carrots, cucumbers, kale, corn, sesamiso sauce, sesame oil, and crispy garlic. Service was friendly. Price was not bad. It was healthy but the bulgogi beef did not look like the picture or from kbbq's when you cook it. The color and texture was off. We were in a hurry so I didn't bother bringing it up. Bibibop does it better with the bulgogi beef cooked right. Also, the portions here are not as generous as Bibibop. Overall this is a 3.5 out of 5. read more

-New favorite quick service restaurant! We will be dining here/doing pick up quite frequently from now on. -The food is quite flavorful, portions were a good size, and prices are not outrageous (about $15ish per person) -so easy, especially when you're craving Korean food -We built our own bowls, where you can choose the base and add your protein and toppings -glass noodles were chewy and exactly what I was expecting, and the purple rice was cooked perfectly. It's chewy and holds the sauce flavor -sauces were delicious, I got the Korean hot sauce and sesamiso, though I will ask next time to have it on the side (it does get a little mushy if you are traveling with it) -got the spicy pork and bulgogi half and half option, which id recommend to try a variety of different options -inside there's a few seats as well, very clean inside too Next time I can't wait to try the crispy chicken I can't say enough good things about this spot! read more

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Had gone into SeoulSpice for a quick lunch. Located across Millennium Park, this small outlet is hard to miss due to its standout branding. Their menu was simple and not too extravagant. Went with their Kimchi Crunch, which contained half noodles (glass noodles) and half purple rice, with a plethora of condiments, kimchi, chicken and sprouts for the crunch. I took my time to finish my bowl - it was huge! But I loved every bit of it. I particularly loved the kimchi against the cold glass noodles. Would definitely come back to try more items from the menu. read more

SeoulSpice - Kimchi Crunch - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Absolutely DELICIOUS!!!... We were looking for a quick grab for dinner and came upon this spot as were walking back towards out hotel. I was a little hesitant at first but figured I would give it a try and boy was I happy that I decided to try it. It is a cool little create your own bowl spot a little like a create your own Korean bibimbap bowl or kind of like a Chipotle bowl. The process was easy to follow and directions were printed on the glass covering as well as up top on the menu. The servers were very nice and patient. They also accommodated me with my kimchee and hot sauce on the side which was great. There was a line when I got there but it moved pretty quickly other than having to wait for them to to refill the japchae which was fine because I wanted it for one of my base items. You start with your base or starch. You can choose from white rice, purple rice, and/or japchae (Korean flavored long rice), grilled veggies, or toss salad. You can have choose two choice if you wish or just one. I chose the purple rice snd japchae. Great choice! Then to your protein/meats. Once again, you can choose just one or half of two types. If you want extra meat, you can choose so as well for an extra charge. The meats consist of: Bulgogi Beef, Teriyaki Chicken, Crispy Chicken, Spicy Pork, or Tofu. I chose beef and chicken and both were delicious and cooked well. I didn't have to add any additonal soy sauce bevuse they were both very flavorful. If you are like me and don't like your rice with too much sauce on it, ask the servers to please drain as much liquid from the meats before placing them into your bowl. They were so kind to do so ans it was perfect. After that, you move onto unlimited veggies. They had quite a selection consisting of: Cucumbers, Carrots, Corn, Bean Sprouts, Cilantro, Pickled Radish, Kim Chee, Kale, Edamame, Green Onion, Sesame Seeds. I may have missed a few but that is what I remember. I was simple and chose bean spouts, pickled radish, lots of cilantro, and kimchee and hot sauce on the side. After your unlimited toppings, you can choose several different sauces. I remember them having about 4-5 different ones. Goya, Kochujang, Oil, and something else. I only wanted hot sauce which was perfect and loved that I didn't need to add anything else to it. The staff was amazing, and food was absolutely amazing. Loved everything about it and my experience. I wish I could have gone one more time while in town, but at least now I know if I return, this will be one of my go to spots for a quick Korean Bowl fix. I recommend this place . read more

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This place is excellcent. It's a Korean bowl concept. So what chipotle did for Mexican and cava did for Mediterranean, Seoul spice is doing for Korean food. The atmosphere is fun casual and approachable. The high quality food at reasonable prices make this place a great option for a quick dining option during a day of touring the city. Definitely worth the stop! read more

SeoulSpice - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

It was Josh B. who mentioned (and I am paraphrasing) that SeoulSpice is like the Korea Cava, and I couldn't have described it better myself. While they may not have the same smörgåsbord of ingredients, this may work in their favor. It is far too easy to go overboard at Cava and end up with something questionable. With a more limited selection, ending up with something that is the equivalent of mixing seven sodas from the fountain is harder. In terms of the ingredients they did have, they seemed fresh and of high quality. The meats were tasty, tender, and not skimped on in the slightest. Even if you are not typically a fan of Korean food, SeoulSpice makes it very approachable. Whether you enjoy it more or less is a matter of taste and palate than anything else (as well as your bowl-creating skills). Their interior is clean and modern, and while not the kind of place where I'd spend 2+ hours, it is perfectly fine for a quick lunch or dinner. In regards to their service, I was quiet on the night I visited. The employee working behind the counter was a bit... abrupt? I wouldn't go as far as to call it rudeness, just the kind of abruptness you'd more expect from a Deli my grandfather went to in his 20's. Final verdict: SeoulSpice is not a destination spot. At the same time, it nails it as a different, unique, and affordable (though not cheap) option for grabbing a quick lunch. read more

5 for food but a 1 for service. Wow the attitude of the staff was basically "you are annoying me because you're making me work." These kids have NO sense of work ethic. They just want to stand around and NOT do anything. But when they have to work eyes roll and the attitude comes out. The food is great. I LOVE the concept. But sheesh dins some dang workers that WANT to work and who aren't spoiled babies who have an attitude at every customer. Or you're going to end up closed really soon. The atmosphere...super cool. Chill. Nice space with good people watching. I'd definitely come back. Price for the quality of food is definitely great. The staff need to lose the attitude or be fired. read more

SeoulSpice is seriously my new favorite spot to get lunch in the Loop. Just a short walk from my office, this spot is always clean and there's always a spot for me to sit and enjoy my lunch there. It's a build-a-bowl type place where you go down the line and choose what goes in it. The staff is super helpful and knowledgeable if you have questions on menu items and flavors. My personal favorites are bulgogi and jap chae! I try a different combo every time I go. read more

SeoulSpice - Bulgogi Build Your Own Bowl - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This is one of my favorite quick stops in the Loop! I have been several times and SeoulSpice never misses. The shop is very cute and the employees are always very friendly. Every time I've visited, I've been consistently impressed by the high quality and fresh ingredients. The portions are huge and can definitely last for two meals. Out of the bowls I've tried, my favorite has to be the Kimchi Crunch. The chicken is super tender and flavorful, and the purple rice is perfectly sticky and moist. The generous rice and proteins are complemented perfectly by crunchy veggies, spicy kimchi, and a refreshing ginger carrot sauce. Definitely do *not* skip the soft boiled egg, which is marinaded and cooked to perfection! Healthy comfort food at its finest. 100% recommend SeoulSpice and will undoubtedly be back soon! read more

SeoulSpice - Kimchi Crunch - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This was my second time visiting and the customer service was great. We were greeted and treated with patience and attentiveness. I got the build a bowl - which is my go to now. I was able to customize it to my liking with all the fixings. You really get great portions for what you pay. I wasn't able to finish it all in one sitting. Can't wait to finish the rest later. Inside it is super cute. Lots of people were sitting and it was busy. I highly recommend this location if you are in the area. read more

SeoulSpice - Build Your Own Bowl - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I came for Elite Week: It was a speedy and easy service. They were also very informative and friendly. It turned out this place's 100% peanut-free and gluten-free! I ordered the fireball and substituted the purple rice with the noodles, while my boyfriend ordered a build-your-bowl with half spicy pork and half bulgogi. While we both do not eat peanut-free and gluten-free items, we both enjoyed our bowls thoroughly. The fireball was a bit spicy (and I eat spicy food), so I may suggest to those who don't to maybe try another type of bowl, find an ingredient that can help tame the spiciness, or ask if it can be made less spicy. I would come back again and try another bowl. This place is like any other small fast food place downtown so do expect a bit of noise if eating in. We took our bowls to-go. read more

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This is probably my fifth time here and each time it's wonderful. The atmosphere is bright, warm, and inviting. The manager is always great and makes sure people can get in and out quickly. But the food is soo good. Everyone I've talked to gets the tofu even if they eat meat because it's braised in such a delightfully flavorful way but not breaded. Food is fresh and lots of delicious flavors. read more

SeoulSpice - Braised tofu bowl - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I went here during the opening time. The menu has amazing and healthy options. Service is friendly and quick. Ambiance is clean and I hope they keep maintaining it. I got the chicken bowl with purple rice and sides. Chicken is baked and yet crispy. Everything was fresh and is totally worth the price read more

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Wow -- I came in with reservations about this place because I was not sure if the flavors would be watered down at a "fast food" place, but I was mistaken. This place is legit. I built my own bowl with bulgogi. The only suggestion I would have is more beef. I felt like half way through I was done with all the meat. I plan on coming back! read more

SeoulSpice - Build Your Own Bowl - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've been here twice already this month and brought along a friend today and we both agree it's a fantastic quick service food option. I love the simple menu and streamlined ordering method. The staff were friendly and there was no wait for lunch. We were able to get seating inside but this is the perfect grab and go lunch. I've tried their spicy pork and bulgogi before, so today I decided to go with the chicken. I thought the chicken was really juicy and the marinade was perfectly savory with a hint of sweetness. I prefer to build my own bowls. I didn't get the add on egg but my friend did and said it was delicious. Portions are very substantial and filling. Can't go wrong here if you're looking for some casual Korean food! read more

We've been here twice since it opened and love it. The food is tasty and the service is top notch and friendly. Price is decent for the quantity of food you receive. The interior is well done. A plus is they do have free water if you are dining in. Had the Southwest bowl today and it's good. Unique flavor and the chicken is excellent. Had the Seoul Train the last time we were in and that's great as well. We also did a build your own bowl and added the egg option. read more

SeoulSpice - Southwest bowl - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Chipotle WHO??? Stopped by on a Saturday evening to pick up a to-go order and I just want to say WOW!!! First off, the staff were so sweet and welcoming. They made sure to take the time to explain what everything was and recommended a few faves. I ordered the Seoul train. The spice of the creamy sriracha was just perfect and everything was so fresh!! The bowl was also well packed. Will definitely be back!! read more

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Delicious first visit! I stopped into Seoul Spice for the first time and had a great experience! I've never had a Korean-style burrito bowl before, so I was really excited to try something new and it did not disappoint. The space is super clean, inviting, and has plenty of seating with both booths and tables. I also appreciated the free water station which was a small detail but a really nice touch. The staff was incredibly friendly and walked me through the menu since it was my first time. I ended up going with the Southwest Bowl, and it was fantastic. The chicken had a teriyaki-style feel and was super lean, and the rice and veggies were all fresh and flavorful. It felt like a healthy, energizing meal which was perfect after a workout. I'd absolutely recommend Seoul Spice to anyone looking for a fresh, satisfying lunch option. I'll definitely be back the next time I'm in the area! read more

SeoulSpice - Southwest Bowl - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The stars say it all. This was a great event! The location is awesome and the staff was so friendly and helpful. The classic bowls looked delicious but I went with building my own and adding an egg. So yummy! I loved the flavorful ingredient options that all worked so well. I came on my own so I opted to take a seat along the counter facing Michigan Avenue. It was the perfect place to eat my bowl while people watching the crowd at Cloud Gate! read more

SeoulSpice - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The bowls were quite interesting and filling. I took my husband too, he had the Kimchi Crunch and I had the Herbivore. Loved the food and the vibe of the place! Definitely something different to try other than the usual Mexican bowls. Loved the Korean twist in the bowls concept. The service was great and so was the ambiance, like a normal fast food joint. Would definitely recommend! read more

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Absolutely delicious! I got the bulgogi bowl with their japchae as the base and it was definitely the move. The bulgogi beef was super flavourful and had a nice balance of sweet and savoury. I loved the fragrance of the sesame oil in the japchae and it paired really well with the beef. I loaded up on all the toppings and would say the favorite was corn. I thought the kimchi was a little under fermented and the bean sprouts needed a little more salt. The soy marinated egg is a must add though! Runny centre just elevated each bite! Could see this spot making my regular rotation for lunch spots! Oh and the staff were so lovely - vibes were vibing here read more

SeoulSpice - Bulgogi beef bowl with japchae - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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First and foremost, I love the vibe here. Fun, and everyone is friendly. Places like this make me wish I lived in Chicago! Portions are REALLY big. Smaller appetites could probably split and be full. And they have purple rice! So hard to find place that does that! Everything is nut free too, so if you have those allergies you can still get a nice Korean bowl here safely. So clean and bright, just very welcoming. It took me a while to find it because my map app was made at Sofa King, but I am so glad I found this place! read more

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I was excited to try SeoulSpice since I saw the construction happening. It's a very similar concept to bibibop. The staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming. The space was clean and I loved the interior. It was pretty loud and the employee taking my order couldn't hear me to the point I had to shout. I ordered a build your own bowl and did half chicken half bulgogi over half purple rice and half japchae. The base service was large but the overall portion of meat was really disappointing. This was also the case with all the toppings. It was a sprinkle of each ingredient I asked for, luckily they have many options. I left full, but for the price I paid I think there should've been more protein, and a larger scoop of veggies. Nice spot, and I'd come back but I'd get one protein so it's a regular portion. read more

SeoulSpice - Build your own - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Stopped in because I was in the area but didn't have super high expectations. When I arrived, I was greeted by multiple employees that were very friendly and welcoming. They asked if I had ever visited the location before and if I needed any help or recommendations. Ordered my meal and ate it there. The ingredients were fresh. The price was amazing for what you get and how much of it you get. The bowls were very full. The establishment was clean and kept up with. I will definitely be back and highly recommend you visit. read more

SeoulSpice - Extra spicy bulgogi bimbimbap - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We were excited to try this new spot before heading to millennium park for their concert series. We each had the Kimchi crunch bowl - there was no crunch in it? And barely any sauce/seasoning/flavors - where's the actual spices in SeoulSpice? I also wish they'd allow me to add avocado as my protein because I'm vegetarian and soy-free (allergic to tofu) so my bowl was full price with no protein. I wish they'd add more flavors/sauces. Also, the noodles were delicious but the purple rice was dried out. read more

Food: tastes fresh, variety of combos to build own bowl; full of flavor Service: straight forward Ambiance: clean, cool, AC pumping; they give free cold water read more

Had I discovered SeoulSpice earlier in the week I was in Chicago, I would have come here even more often. It reminds me very favorably of a Korean version of a national chain with several restaurants in my home city, CoreLife. The ingredients are fresh and tasty. I tried several menu bowls during my visits. If I had been able to visit more, I would have also tried crafting my own bowls. They offer some different beverage options at the cashier's station, as well as chilled water for free. Service is friendly and animated, and I really enjoyed the music they were playing. read more

SeoulSpice - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

SOOO DELICIOUS, fresh, and filling! We created 3 build your own bowl. Will definitely return again. read more

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For a quick serve in a heavily tourist-trafficked area, this place is great. Its format is like most poke bowl places but with Korean proteins rather than fish. I had a build your own bowl with bulkogi and tofu. The tofu was hot and seasoned, a welcome change from poke places who just dice up cold tofu. The bulkogi was tasty but my only nitpick would be that the meat is cut too small and gets lost among the other ingredients. Otherwise, everything was top notch. My partner had one of the preset bowls and was very happy with it. He enjoyed the roast chicken but wished the kimchi wasn't so "wimpy." I was fine with it so YMMV. The decor is bright, airy, and K-poppish. Service was excellent. The young man behind the counter was very patient with our inexperience with the menu and quick and efficient in making our bowls. The servings are large (too much for me for one meal) and prices are reasonable for the area and serving size. read more

Small but mighty bowl wonder! The smell when you walk in is honestly salivating worthy. All the people were incredibly helpful and gave great advice on flavors and ingredients. The perfect spot for a quick, flavorful meal. A fully gluten free kitchen. read more

SeoulSpice - Sort of "chipotle" style pick your ingredients line - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Delicious! Choose your own Korean bowl. Quick service, reasonable and plentiful. I had Kimchi, glass noodles, tofu, carrots, cucumbers, sesame seeds and sesame oil. Comfortable eating. I was impressed and will be back! On Michigan Ave across from the Bean, convenient and much better than junk food! read more

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[ FOOD ] Great addition to downtown Chicago. It's basically korean Chipotle. I tried the bulgogi and crispy chicken proteins with all the other sides such as kimchi, bean sprouts, radish, etc. It's korean flavors are tasty . [ SERVICE ] As expected, standard. [ PLACE ] Like all places in downtown, unless you work or live in the area getting to this place sucks. Don't try to drive here unless you want to risk getting a ticket parking out in front. [ VERDICT ] I am adding this to my rotation of food places but would prefer a SeoulSpice in the surrounding suburbs with parking. read more

Newly opened in 2025, this Korean fast food restaurant has bowls with a variety of options. The food is tasty. There are vegetarian, chicken and beef options. I would steer clear of the drinks because I am not a soda person. The tables are clean and the staff are friendly. The average price is about $16. They sell cute shirts and bags too. read more

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