Seoul Restaurant
7515 Martin Way E, Olympia, WA, 98516
Seoul Restaurant Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Olympia for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Olympia for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Olympia for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
7515 Martin Way E
Olympia, WA, 98516 - Phone (360) 459-3364
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Kit P.
After moving from SoCal, I was more than a little concerned about being able to find good Korean. It kept me up at night with nightmares the likes of which would have killed a lesser man, but thankfully, I'm painfully awesome and carried on. Yesterday, after my Korean foodlust had reached an all-time peak without being sated, my partner, in a near psychic display of empathy, suggested that we go to Korean BBQ. So, after hopping into the car and heading toward the outskirts of "what the hell?" Olympia, where only old gods, Walmart, and Sushi-Go-Rounds exist, we turned into the small restaurant. Thank you, based god. Although the decor of the restaurant was a little...er, humble, the service was great. We were seated very quickly by our waitress and handed our menus and tea within 2 minutes of getting into the building. Great! I ordered the #!, a kalbi plate, coming in at about $17.99, and Andrea ordered "#29", a spicy pork and kimchi stirfy with tofu coming in at around $19.99. Although it seemed to be a little more than we wanted to spend at the time, it was more than a little worth it for the price on the portions. We both have fair appetites and found ourself taking home overflowing takeout boxes. (As a matter of fact, I am enjoying mine now.) The flavor was fantastic in my kalbi, with a lot of flavor left in the bones, and let me tell you something else: this place does not skimp on banchan. We got 8 different sides, not bad. All in all, we had a fantastic meal. As we were heading out, the cook popped her head out to wish us a good evening and ask how we liked our meals and, in a sweet gesture, insisted we take home some additional toasted rice candies for the road. :) That sealed the deal for me. We plan to be back before our next movie night. The only real negatives I would have for this place are: -the decor (I don't really care about that, but I know some do.) -the volume of the place. It can get pretty loud in there.
(4)Kate M.
Small and so authentic. Love the Korean old lady waitresses. So cute. Delish Kalbi, so flavorful. Guy owner is very personable. Best Korean restaurant in the area.
(4)Joanna E.
I have wonderful memories of Seoul restaurant from ten years ago when we lived nearby and came here often. My parents were stationed in Korea for a year, and it was my mom's favorite. I'm sorry to say that lunch today was a real disappointment. I got there at 12:45pm and the restaurant was almost completely full. There was only one waitress moving as fast as she possibly could, so service was slow and felt very rushed. I had to ask for water, as did people at the tables around me. I ordered the bulgoki beef lunch box ($8) and chap che noodles from the dinner menu knowing I would have good leftovers. The lunch box was fine, but all the sides were bland (including the kimchi, never a good sign). Only two of the eight sides served with the chap che had any red pepper at all, and one was diced raw onion (which feels like cheating). The noodles themselves lacked any sesame flavor, which I think is the best part. From some of the conversations at the counter, it sounds like they have new owners. Let's hope it was just an off day, and not the end of a Lacey institution.
(2)Nhung D.
3.5 stars This is one of the better Korean restaurant in Oly. They give you a wide array of side dishes (some of them are super greasy, but still good). I used to love getting the Kimchi stew here, however for the past couple of times I've been here the Kimchi stew lacked any kind of flavor and was very watery. Sooo disappointed, since this used to be my to go place when I'm craving kimchi (which is basically always). Their bulgogi is very good and if you get their lunch box special you can lots of bulgogi, rice and side dishes for under 10 bucks.
(4)Pasha N.
Seoul, through all the owners it's had, has always been the de facto standard for Korean food (for me) in the Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater area. Their food has always been good and everything I've eaten there has been made with a lot of love, care and preparation. The owner is a really sweet lady and she's always happy to strike up a conversation with people if she's not too busy. If you go there often enough, and get to know the staff, they will try new dishes out on you and ask your opinion as well. Dishes I usually eat there are the Soon Doo Boo, and the Spicy Chicken Lunch combo. Both are excellent. Prior to the dinner meals, there is an amazing assortment of banchan that they put on the table. The banchan alone is enough to fill me up sometimes! Seoul, in all your iterations, I love you.
(5)Amp O.
To all the people that claim that they know Korean food... you are absurd.Tis place is a joke. I went there in two different ocassions because I refused to be live. There is not a good Korean restaurant.Well the waitress is Mexican and don't even know what a miso soup is, the lady that runs the place is white.The food is Expensive. Not worth it. I don't. Mind eating standing up I don't mind eating out inside a gypsy tent or a shack if the food is worth it I do it. But this place is nasty overpriced. Don't eat here.
(1)Donna N.
I gave the Korean BBQ place (just a short distance from here) two chances to impress me, and they're NOTHING compared to Seoul. My mother is Korean, so I grew up eating Korean food and wouldn't recommend a place if it weren't above average. The 4 stars are for the food. I would have gave 5 stars, but the booths are a bit worn out and the decor is less to be desired. I moved to Lacey almost 4 years ago and when I crave Korean food, my husband knows exactly where we're headed.
(4)Tai T.
I haven't been to Olympia since I was on a field trip in grade school. Sadly the capitol building looks a lot less impressive today than 20+ years ago... While in town, my girl friend said there is this great little Korean restaurant she used to go to when she went to Evergreen College. I'm skeptical of course... Korean food in Olympia? Well I was surprised. I got introduced to Gamja Tang... A hot bowl of Spicy Pork and Potato soup. The only reason I stopped eating was because I ran out. I give it 3.5 stars actually.... the side dishes were a little disappointing... but if you're in town I would stop in. Olympia is a cool little town and worth a day trip.
(4)Windi L.
Hand's down the best Korean food in America. With the large Korean population of Tacoma, this place in the outskirts of Olympia is a real gem and asset to those craving some serious Korean grinds and don't want the hassle of driving up to Pierce County. Yes, it looks like an "old western saloon" but inside you will be greeted by the best Korean food EVER! My favorite here is their Bi Bim Bop. Yes, it's a pretty standard dish but I haven't been able to find comparables at any Korean eatery to date. Much to the dismay of my pocketbook, I lived across the street from here so I would regularly get takeout and dine in. Thank God for an abundance of first dates as this was the meeting spot. I've definitely introduced a lot of unsuspecting white dudes to Korean food. ;-) I also am a fan of their spicy ANYTHING dishes here. While not confirmed, I am sure they use their own hot sauce to jazz things up instead of the standard store bought item. There is a small view of the kitchen through a door way and you can see an old Korean man and woman slaving away over a large pot and various kitchen items. Bobby Flay's kitchen this is not. Not glamorous, just authentic cookware to include the biggest rice cooker I have ever seen. Lastly, the kimchi here is beyond amazing. They make it themselves and like the bi bim bop, I've not been able to find comparables anywhere else. I'm headed back to WA for a visit in 10 days. Best believe this is the first place I'm going.
(5)Linh H.
I like the bibimbop hot bowl and that's basically all I can eat since I'm not fond of spicy food. I tried a noodle dish and under-estimated the spiciness of the plate when ordering. I regret that. I couldn't have more than 1/10 of the plate before giving up. I don't fault the restaurant with this, but there's not much to try if you're not up for eating some really spicy food. Service was slow when I last went and our order took a really long time to be served. The servers came to ask us how things were, but only refilled out waters once when it was obvious that I needed A LOT of water to soothe my taste buds.
(3)Jane A.
KIMCHI POWER!!! It's definately worth pushing people to hear me out on my recommendations! My cousin introduced me to this spot and it was her favorite spot to eat. She came here almost every other day. The side dishes are THE BEST. I wasn't too thrilled with my bulgogi. didn't seem very bulgogi to me, felt like "beef steak" (filipino dish, filipinos would know what I'm talking about). I know my cousin's looking down from heaven on me and saying WTF.. only 4 stars. Because I know she'd rate this a 6 if there was even that option. Definately a worthy place to eat.
(4)Jenn A.
good korean food, no doubt. i was disappointed when they didnt have meat jun. actually the korean lady didnt even know what meat jun is! isnt that a korean dish? ive eaten that many times at korean restaaurants so i was shocked when she was confused. anyway, the kalbi was a bit tough and chewy but the flavor was good. bulgogi was yummy, the kimchee fried rice was delish. and i enjoyed all the side dishes too. place is ok...not too crazy about it.
(3)Christine Z.
Thank you for being in Olympia and being THE Korean restaurant I always stop by for lunch when I'm in town. Look up the address: 7515 Martin Way East....you can't miss it. It's located at a stand alone building connected to an alteration shop. (very typical Korean....love it) Whenever I go to Olympia for work, I psych myself out because I know that I will make a trip to this place. Usually, I order the bi bim bop (rice, veggie and beef dish with hot sauce). This last Tuesday, I ordered the Soon du boo (seafood tofu hot pot) and was not disappointed. As usual, the lunch time fare came with ban chans (side dishes) five to be exact and were seasoned perfectly. The seafood hot pot was piping hot and very flavorful. The banchans were delicious and plentiful. The menu is expansive including chicken dishes, satay dishes and even a maceral dish. I hope you readers look past the simple building and the even more simple decor and give this place a try. Yay for Korean food. Did I mention.....my lunch (seafood tofu hot pot and five banchans....) $6.95.
(5)Thomas J.
Best Korean food I've found this side of Seoul, but it's called Seoul, so this might be confusing to those who don't study geography. Been meaning to try this place for some time, and finally made it in for some Bibimbop for brunch. Glad I did. The kim-chee was fantastic, the spicy pickle things were unreal, and they let us finish our outside-coffee inside. Delicious, and I can't wait to try other things here. Really, really good.
(4)Jason C.
From the outside it does look pretty run down. The booth I was in had lumpy cushions that were caved in pretty bad. So ambience a one star deduction. But the bulgoki was flavorful, and the side dishes were fresh and tasty. Not a great date restaurant, but for solid Korean not too bad.
(4)N O.
How does this get more than two stars from everyone else? The waitress is very friendly but does not speak a speck of English and the restaurant is trashy. The inside looks like it is from the 60's. It's dark and very run down. I've been here three times. Each time i sat in a booth and each time I had to take asprin when I got home because the boothes are so uneven and uncomfortable. The food is not better or cheaper than the other Korean restaurants in the area. So why sit in a trashy uncomfortable environment? Why not sit in a nice, clean, and air conditioned place that serves the same food for the same price? I suggest to explore your options, you will find better accommodations that are probably closer than you think. .
(2)Jody F.
I used to tell some of my Korean students that "I'm going to Seoul tonight." They'd get all wide-eyed and say "Really?" So I'd have to clarify, "Seoul Restaurant." I've gone through serious phases in my eating life. But Korean food remains a front runner. The other night my kids (yes, I'm raising 'em right) brought home leftovers of a dish transliterated JAE-YUK-TO-BU-POK-UM. Essentially, it's lean pork sauteed with lots of kim-chee, served with plainish cubes of tofu. Definitely a yin/yang experience - fiery hot & sour cabbage accompanied by bland blocks of beige. I'm starting to wonder that Seoul might not hire me to write their promo. Oh well. Korean food is not for the faint of palate. The only reason Seoul loses a star is that the service is iffy. Don't go there starving, because you may be staring at an empty table for awhile. But it's worth it. Bring some scratch paper & play a party game.
(4)Ronnie M.
My parents live in Oly and whenever I visit them, we have dinner at Seoul. I like very few restaurants in Oly and Seoul is one of them. Last night, we ordered the marinated short ribs, fried mackerel and the glassy noodles. We ate everything! No food to take home and we were stuffed! The short ribs were my favorite. Tender and juicy. I was so stuffed but still managed to continue eating! Don't expect top-of-the-line decor at this place. People come here for the food, not the ambiance. Just like most Korean restaurants, meals come with little bowls of side dishes such as kimchi (love love love!), pickled radishes, tofu marinated with chili, etc. Yum!
(4)Sam B.
Excellent spicy chicken and kimchi tofu soup. Delicious!!!
(5)Mimi J.
I went to this restaurant a couple week ago, but I didn't have a chance to write a review. My husband, his a friend and I went for dinner. I ordered bulgoki beef. It was served with lot of size order. It was very tasty. Reasonable price. I would go back again.
(4)ryan y.
this is one of the greatest Korean restaurants that i have been to. the owner was very friendly and funny, i enjoy talking with her every time I'm there. the lunch specials are priced right and the food is awesome.
(5)Pat K.
Very yummy Korean place. Good tofu soup and grilled dishes. Ban chan selection excellent. Must try: Kim chi Overall a very well run restaurant - not the most pleasant exterior or interior but the food was great. Service was good too!
(4)Samantha S.
Holy smokes! Literally...the food at this place was great but they need some more ventilation/fans in here. You would think you are walking into a Asian karoake bar with smoke for added ambiance. Banchan! Wow it was just me and another person and they brought out about 10 small side dishes. Extremely generous! I got the U Geo Ji Kal Bi Tang. The broth was very good, a little spicy though and it is not marked with a chili pepper on the menu. Generous portion of short ribs in the bowl. My friend got the Na Mul Dol Sot Bab, comes in a sizzling hot stone bowl. Very tasty and very generous portion as well.
(4)Sheri D.
This place is quite a gem! I wasn't so sure about Seoul Restaurant when my son first suggested it but it had a stellar yelp rating so I decided to give it a whirl. First, do not be put off by the outside of the building. The dining room is small but very nicely kept. (The bathrooms are also very nicely maintained.) There is also a slightly smokey smell when entering the restaurant but after a few minutes of great food smells, it's not noticeable. So far, we have had chicken in spicy sauce, barbecued beef, chicken in not so spicy sauce, and bulgogi. Everything has been outstanding and the side dishes (all 10 of them!) are phenomenal. The prices are very reasonable and portions are huge. The service is consistently outstanding and they are accommodating for little ones. We love this place! **One thing to note is that the credit machine was down last time we visited. It may be wise to take cash just in case it's a frequent problem.
(5)Kate F.
Great soup! I ate the tofu spicy soup (comes with seafood but I asked to omit ... It's mussels and shrimp) Soup was spicy and flavorful. The tofu was soft and had an egg like consistency. I took the raw egg out and mixed it into my rice bowl. Sides are better than korean BBQ down the street. Have a hot soup and a Hite beer - you won't be disappointed.
(4)Kimberly D.
Have been looking for a Korean restaurant for sometime now. Came across this place on yelp. Didn't feel like driving to Tacoma. Service was okay. Food came out really slow considering boyfriend and I was the only one there. Spicy seafood and tofu soup was blan! I don't recommend it. Save your money don't waste 8.99!! However the spicy pork bulgogi was bomb! I would come back just for this. I also loved how generous they were with the sides.
(3)Mike C.
Drove many miles to try to eat here, with my wife, two kids and in-laws. Posted times online and at restaurant are 9-11. It was 315, the open sign was on, and there were three other families eating. The hostess gave us a look of disgust, sucked her teeth, and just shook her head no to my hello. She stared at us silently for 30 seconds and then said " It is our break time." The afternoon break time needs to be posted and their rude hostess needs retraining. Luckily Korean BBQ is down the road and actually politely serves food during posted business hours.
(1)Angela P.
I had the chicken with sweet and sour sauce because I wasn't quite ready to venture out into the unknown. It was REALLY good! I also loved the little appetizers they bring out to the table. Next time I will be more adventurous and try a different main dish. The atmosphere is a little on the dark side but clean and quiet. It feels like it hasn't been updated in quite sometime. The booth seats were comfortable. I would definitely come back. Great food and service.
(4)Victor W.
So, I'm from Houston and now live in Austin. I say this because I've been to the best Korean restaurants in both cities as well as Park BBQ in LA, which is considered one of the best ever. While visiting my girlfriend's parents in Olympia, I wanted to take them somewhere new and non-American. I settled on Korean. With great fear of taking them somewhere I had never been, I researched all of the Korean restaurants and read nearly every single review for Seoul Restaurant and this is what I can say. The food is on par with most of the top Korean restaurants I've been to. The portions are generous and the Bulgogi and Kalbi are both tasty. Personally, I like my Korean meat a little less sweet than what they serve but most people probably can't tell the different. They definitely give you more side dishes than most Korean restaurants, I believe we got around 10-12. Finally the crystal noodles (chop che) was very good as was the seafood, tofu soup. The negatives I've read about this place are the following: the service can be slow because there is only one lady working. This is true - which is why I chose to eat there at 6pm and we got full attention. If you're in a rush and super passive about requesting more tea, water or side dishes then this isn't the place for you. The interior decor was described as dirty and old. I think if you're born with a silver spoon in your mouth and have royal blood lineage then perhaps. But for the most part, this just seems like a mom and pop restaurant that looks like any mom and pop asian restaurant. Overall - I was beyond impressed with this place. It's not the best I've ever had but I don't think it needs to be. If you want good Korean food then this is the place to go.
(4)Ha T.
The food is still as good as ever. But we will not be back. Not until they hire another server. There was only one server for a restaurant full of people. She was red in the face, scrambling back and forth, apologizing to everyone. She looked like she was about to cry, or collapse. Her hands were shaking when she poured our water. I felt terrible. The best we could do for her was stack the dishes, but I didn't think that helped much. Poor lady.
(4)Tien D.
I stopped by this restaurant on my way up to Seattle with my boyfriend. The service was very friendly and the food was delicious! I loved the side dishes. We were stuffed by the time we left. I can't quite remember which rice cake soup I got, but it was very good. He got a spicy seafood type soup that was pretty spicy.....but tasted so good that I had to try some too!
(4)Chris D.
Very good food and plenty of it. Sorry but I had the sweet and sour Chicken again. It was good but not the best I have ever had but good enough that I will go back. The owner/wait person was very nice and the place was clean. Bonus - The water tasted okay or should I say it didn't taste like chlorine. It's good enough you can bring your best GF here. Enjoy!
(4)Richard J.
Eat here often. Chow is good, ladies are nice but its time clean the carpet or put in wood/tile flooring.
(4)Kimberly C.
Came here wanting Korean food and this place is delicious! It's a smaller, cozy feeling restaurant. It's not an all you can eat one where you cook your own bbq at your table but it's a nice change than that. I ordered the soft tofu soup combo with the bulgogi I believe it was. I love the tofu soup! My son who's 16 months ate the bulgogi and liked it too. He doesn't usually eat bulgogi but he loved it. It's slightly pricey but it's worth it for being here in lacey. Definitely worth coming back. I have no idea why I've never eaten here before!
(5)John K.
I spent a year teaching in Korea and I make a lot of my own ethnic foods since I also travel to Mexico and Thailand on a yearly or biyearly basis. My son and I go to South Tacoma only if we want a full grill experience that is completely authentic. Otherwise, right here at home in Olympia we love the Seoul Restaurant. Naysayers, stay away and head to McD's for fast food. We just enjoy the tea and each other. I would not complain about the service the 10-12 times we have been there, I just invite the server dancing again and laugh it up. Seriously, it is authentic, delicious and with a happy, caring, personal attitude we get treated great. Practice a few Hanguk terms Kamsamnida! The Bibimbap is always fantastic as well as the cutlet and soups. Our portions always result in at least one lunch and a snack. Prices with the extra Kim Chee's are very good.
(4)Shawn C.
Absolutely authentic! The food, service, and atmosphere remind me is Seoul. I'll definitely be a regular.
(5)Deborah L.
The side dishes reminded me of my grandma's side dishes back home. Friendly staff but price was a bit high. Meat was marinated too sweet like Japanese food but tender. Good place to go in Olympia for Korean food but I recommend S Tacoma way if you have time to travel.
(3)Courtney S.
I admit I was skeptical when some friends of ours suggested this place. I had been there years before and don't remember much except I didn't particularly like Korean food. This time was different... It's not fancy or in a fancy part of Lacey. The staff took a least 15 minutes to notice us. Even though we were seated. But once we got their attention the experience shifted and it was all about the food -- lots of food. We ordered at the waitresses recommendation 4 plates of Korean BBQ -- mix of short ribs and beef. It was probably one too many for six people but super tasty and tender. We also had a huge pancake with vegetables, potato and egg. So big and thick she had to cut it with scissors for us. Meal in itself. Finally we had a mix of beef and rice in a stone pot (Korean staple dish) topped with an egg. And there were at least a doze little samplers of pickled this and that which I liked much more than expected -- especially the beans. Add four tall beers tot mix. Super friendly staff and you have a great meal and new favorite dining spot!
(4)Chuck L.
Totally legit Korean in Lacey! Kalbi is delicious of course. Grilled mackerel is a personal fave. The to-go option is intriguing.
(4)nitashia p.
We waited more then 30 minutes and was still not acknowledged. One waitress for all the tables and people that walked in after us were served before us and we were still ignored. I walked to the counter with my kids, told the owner the problem and that I would NEVER come back. She pulled my arm and told me to please stay that I been a great customer. I told her I would consider coming back if she hired another waitress. I walked out. She talked to my daughter and said she knew me for a long time and to please tell me to come back and eat for free. I told my kids to get into the car and I drove to the all you can eat Korean BBQ in Tacoma and it was well worth it. $20 per person all you can eat and excellent service. I'd rather pay nearly the same amount for the 3 of us to eat all you can eat. Seoul has terrible service and the food prices are a bit high. I won't waste my money there even going there for the past 10+ years.
(1)Paul Q.
It was St. Patrick's day and no Irish place in town so I opted for Korean instead! Totally opposite but definitely no regrets! This place rocks! The server was very friendly and accommodating to my inquisitiveness when it come to ordering! I decided on bibimbob in hot stone bowl! You can't go wrong with the dish! They put tofu instead of beef per my request. The egg was cooked perfectly and the yolk was runny and just filled the dish with golden creaminess! Too bad they don't have brown rice:( if they did I would rate this 6 stars! The bibimbob was so filling and hearty! Perfect for a cold and wet Olympia weather! The banchan! Oh wow! There was a lot! Those alone filled me up already even before I got to try the main dish! I love the fish cakes!!! They even gave me a second serving of some! I'm so glad I tried this place! Awesome new discovery in this area! I don't have to travel far to satisfy my Korean craving next time!
(5)Pearl W.
If you HAVE to have Korean food in Lacey/Olympia... this is the best option. Otherwise just drive to Tacoma or Federal Way.
(3)Ellen C.
The free Korean side dishes are super delish. Unfortunately, they don't make vegetarian broth soondobu (tofu soup). Boo. So for the vegetarian, order the sizzling bibimbap. And you may want to skip the fish cake and kimchi (made out of shrimp and anchovies).
(4)Donald L.
My first 5 star rating ever for a restaurant. I am Korean and this is by far the BEST in the WEST!!! So AUTHENTIC it tastes just like mom used to make. Every dish so far was perfect. When I have visitors and they want some good Asian food I take them here!!! OMG I'm going there now this review made me hungry! Btw try the Kimchee fried rice or the Spicy Japchae... YUMMIE!!!
(5)Kelsey P.
Nom nom nom. I love this place! Their ban chan is delicious! I always get soft tofu soup and short ribs, but have tried their jap chae and spicy pork. I would highly recommend this hole in the wall! Don't be put off by the old decor, the good is awesome! Minus one star for the fact they are always understaffed and the lady runs around like a chicken with her head cut off. A bit on the pricy side, but the portion is worth it.
(4)Rebecca L.
star crossed so yeah. everything bunneh said * infinity i've dined here a few times now, and this past weekend will most likely be the last time i dine here unless i have an incredible hankering for stone pot bi bim bap and #1 korean across the street is closed. i would love to give this place two stars, even three stars but i can't. not in good conscience. The seafood soondooboo was boiling water with a ramen packet and tofu added to it. we got a made for ants amount of kalbi and had to tell the waitress there was only two pieces with actual meat on it. (the owner did come out to apologize and say how their meat shipment was paltry) but still, they should have done quality control and not have it represent the place. the bibimbap was good but it was $10 dinner for two came out to be about $40. yup. $40. and in no way is this a good deal. the booths are shitty. you will sink in, and you can tell that they haven't spent any money remodeling the place in years. i'm sorry, but i just got the overall feeling that the restaurant owner was greedy. LIke they could have reinvested in making the restaurant better, or buying better ingredients, or making the service better but they simply don't. i don't see myself coming back here again and will be making #1 korean across the street my go to place. At least there, you'll know you'll get great service with great food.
(1)Mary L.
I have lived in the Bay Area, Hawaii, San Diego and now here in Lacey. Seoul is a gold mine!! This is by far one of the best Korean food restaurants that I have ever eaten at. The side dishes are so good!! Lacey doesn't have much but at least it has Seoul!!!
(5)Kim G.
Some days are busy when you visit, but the foods are worth it. Great 10 side dish and food portions are great, always left over to take home.
(5)Beth S.
Delicious food! Finally made it here for a friend's birthday (been wondering about this place for years). We ordered the 2-person and the 4-person meals. We had so much food and so many side dishes to try. Great way to share a meal with 7 people. So many flavors and new dishes.
(4)Violet P.
Very friendly people and the food tasted good too. They always give a lot of variety of side dishes (more than average Korean places I've been to).
(5)Eric K.
I tried giving zero stars but Yelp wouldn't let me. We had a terrible experience tonight. The restaurant is filthy. The bathroom was a bit cleaner than the bathroom in my fraternity house. The table was covered in a sticky, greasy film and the menu pages stuck together. Did I mention the condition of the carpet?Gag! I ordered the bbq short ribs for $20. Flavor was good but only one rib. My nephew ordered shrimp fried rice. Only two miniature shrimp. The service was terrible. One waitress to cover all tables. Never again!
(1)Yooj N.
It was a rainy cold day and the hot Korean stew hit the spot..friendly service and authentic Korean food...almost any type of stew or soup that you can find in Korea they have here...relaxing with some good Korean food and a bottle of refreshing cold Korean beer. Just came home from work and the gym so that made everything tastier
(5)Heather M.
This is definitely my new place to go when i'm craving Korean food and I don't feel like driving up to Lakewood. I came here last week for a working lunch and I wasn't disappointed. When we walked in we were told to pick a table. We soon received our waters and were handed our menus. They have great week day lunch specials. After looking over the menu I chose the soon du bu (tofu soup with seafood) and my friend ordered the mae un dak bok um (spicy chicken with vegetables). My soup and banchan came out really fast. The banchan was really fresh! It included the following: kimchi, potatoes, fish cake, some type of broccoli salad, pickled daikon, and a sprout salad. Yum!! The soup was delicious!!! The tofu was pillow-like, the seafood was tasty, and the broth was rich and flavorful! My friend's spicy chicken came out soon after. After sneaking a bite I understood why my friend was so quiet during the meal. The chicken was tender and the sauce on it was amazing!! As we ate our meal, the waitress came over and dutifully checked on us and refilled out water glasses. Two thumbs up for the service, which can be iffy at a Korean joint! Overall, this place was awesome! I can't wait to come back again and try more of their dishes!!
(4)Laurie C.
Love this place! Food is awesome and tasty! My husband is Korean and it passed his test!
(5)Jay P.
In my opinion, this is one of the best Korean restaurant in town. They are family owned and they have a small operation, which can translates to a bigger waiting time during busy time...so you have to manage your time. But this also means that they have very good price. Oh and the food? The food here tastes better than down the street or up the street, or whatever else you may go. Oh...sometimes they run out of stuff. Annoying? Yes. But did I tell you their food is cheap and good?
(5)Duwon C.
My favorite Korean restaurant! Go-to spot when I visit family back in my hometown. I've been going here for probably over 10 years, and it hasn't changed much which is a good thing. Very chill atmosphere with some nice booths we always sit at. I think a lot of people around there, this is their first experience with Korean food; good that their first impression is likely positive. Be forewarned, the food,particularly the meat and fried dishes, are kind of greasy here.
(5)Natasha W.
Came in the night before with the husband because he was craving korean food. Since moving to lacey we have had some misses with korean food so we hesitated a little bit in coming into seoul thank goodness we didnt. The restaurant may not look the newest but the staff were very nice. The food that came out were very big portions for cheaper prices. The best part was there was an abundance of side dishes. I hate when we go to korean restaurants and the servers only bring out four side dishes that's not very good. This place had so many side dishes! The stir fry squid was my dish and the husband had the kalbi which I have to mention had a lot of meat. Some places skimp on their ribs. We will be back!
(5)Alex H.
Best Korean restaurant in the area, possibly in the entire state! The lady that owns the restaurant must be channeling my grandmother because ALL of her dishes are delicious and made with love. The potato casserole is some of the best around as are the bbq dishes. The flavors are authentic and you can taste the difference. I live in Seattle and look forward to coming down to Oly so I can stop and eat at Seoul.
(5)Sarah E.
Came here for lunch with the wife and was really impressed! The lunch specials are an incredible price and you get a lot of food. I peeked at the dinner prices and they are really pricey. We had the bulgogi lunch special and the spicy pork something. Each special comes with generous portions of the entrée, and banchan (many delicious little Korean appetizers). It is a lot of food, especially for lunch but it is super cheap and extremely delicious. This place is a hidden gem, and don't let the exterior deter you. This place has the best Korean in the Oly area.
(4)Bunneh L.
I'm Korean and I know my Korean food, so listen the fuck up. I ordered their lunch soon dubu and was thoroughly disappointed in the lack of flavor. The picture makes it look way better than it actually was. So. BLAND. Ugh. I had to add tons of salt and soy sauce to make it taste like anything. And they only give you two or three side dishes of banchan if you're dining alone (as opposed to 6 or 7 if you have more than one person). It was also extremely cold inside and I had to wear my coat throughout the entire meal.
(2)Yoshi M.
I love this place. I think we go here so often, they do recognize us when we come in. If my wife's parents are in town, we almost always go here. The only reason we wouldn't go here is if it's closed. Which is Monday. Everyone has to have a day off, right? For authentic Korean food, this is the place. Their kimchee is great, which comes with every meal that I know of. They usually change it up the dishes as well, and I really love it because you almost have to go multiple times to get some good sides. They also do not use MSG that I know of, for those who are allergic or affected by it like my wife. (I personally don't mind it, but I heard it's not good for you.) For the first time eater to Korean food, their bulgogi (beef, pork and chicken) is a great introduction. Their bibimbop is great as well. Their Korean soup is pretty good, but not quite as good as other places I've been. My favorite meal there by far is their Mackerel, only because they give you the whole fish (minus the head - bummer) and not just half the fish, like almost every other asian restaurant I've been to. These people are awesome. It's a relatively small place, but very comfortable. Sometimes the service might be a bit slow, but I think by the time you get your food, you really forget how slow it was for the most part. If you're in Lacey/Olympia and looking for a good authentic Korean food place, this is it. No questions asked, go here.
(5)Jacob F.
A friend recommended this place to me for lunch. It's lunch menu is fair priced and quite delicious. My complaints are their normal menu is over priced in my opinion and the lunch special is only available for a few hours mid week. That is why I had to give them less stars.
(3)Ole L.
Wow, this is the real deal! Wonderful food - a MUCH nicer dining experience than you would anticipate from the outside. The portions were ample (lunch provided me with leftovers that fed two for dinner) and fairly priced. Although there was one server, the food arrived fairly quickly. I will be back to try all the options that tempted me!
(5)Juli M.
Service is a little slow, and the interior definitely reminds me of the interiors of Asian restaurants that already felt dated back in the 1980s, but the food is actually quite good. I decided to not go here something like 6 years ago, because what was posted of the menu seemed rather difficult for a vegetarian, and, well, the place seemed uninviting. I felt inspired to actually give them a shot on account of not having any carnivorous friends with whom to go for Korean food at another nearby restaurant which gets grumpy if you want to sit in a booth without ordering meat. It was worth it. The food was all interesting, flavourful and (to my mind, anyway) authentic enough. They didn't have the Duk Bok Ki that was on the menu, which was so disappointing I almost left, but the sizzling, spicy bibimbap was very, very good. And the panchan, 10 items (8.5 vegetarian), all wonderful. Out waitress seemed overwhelmed by having 2 tables and 1 takeout order at a time, but we didn't suffer excessively for that. Then again, a nice cup of barley tea on an otherwise trying and tiresome day is quite restorative. The spicy japchae seemed good, and the portion was unusually-excessive. It was very solid food, and I was quite pleased. Prices for extra takeout panchan are a little high, but that's worth it, because their potatoes are awesome, and their mixed seaweed panchan was just luxurious. The prices are a little dear, but the ingredients actually all seemed to be quite high-quality, and the waitress was full of gruff, playful banter, and serious suggestions about which things on the menu were best. I left content, save for my disappointment at being unable to finish my food. Best on a day when you're feeling flush and patient, and perhaps somehow longing to sit in front of a wall scroll featuring a passed-out water buffalo and two drunk children who have stolen a farmer's hat, one sleeping in a tree, and one playing music. Yes, the interior is that tacky, and the service is slow, and the costs are high, but the food really is that good.
(4)Yvette A.
Well, it's smokey when you walk in and smokey when you leave...oh, and you'll probably smell like this place long after you've gone. This is not one of those fancy joints, but I enjoy the food here and the prices are decent, especially the lunch boxes. If you want something and you aren't quite sure how of to ask for it, they'll actually give you a menu and ask you to point out a picture of what it may look like...hey, works for me. I've never seen more than two people working here and one is usually doing the cooking, but the service is still pretty good. Gotta love these lil ole Korean ladies...especially when they tell you to eat your veggies.
(4)Leanne F.
My better half loves Korean food. Being a military man, he has spent a lot of time in South Korea, and although I've tried to replicate some of his favorite dishes at home, they haven't quite hit the mark. Since we were childless tonight, and already in Lacey for a movie, we decided to try Seoul because of the great Yelp reviews we've read. Walking in, we had a good vibe-although the place was busy, it was not overwhelmingly so. And the smells were amazing! We were seated immediately, and had high hopes when the family next to us began receiving their dishes-they all looked incredible, and we had a hard time deciding what to order. But decide we did, and then we waited...and waited...and waited. Several other parties were seated while we still sat without even water, and without any acknowledgment whatsoever. After 35 minutes, we had glimpsed the server bustling around (I think they have only one) seating patrons, serving dishes to others, and cashing out people's checks; however, we had yet to even order beverages. I attempted to make eye contact with her, and I think I did, so when she began to deliver water and take orders at tables that were seated a good 20 minutes after we initially arrived, we got up to leave. She definitely noticed our leave taking, but didn't say a word about it. That just sucks. I REALLY wanted to eat at Seoul tonight, but if they can't staff their restaurant to adequately take care of customers, I doubt we will ever try them again. How disappointing to know that great Korean food is just down the road, yet the proprietors of Seoul don't really care if you get to eat it.
(1)Doris C.
The worst korean restaurant I've been to. The waitress was yelling and rude. She also took the wrong order and when I told her to give me the right dish, she wanted me to order as an EXTRA ORDER. It is so bad. Worst waitress I've met and also one of the worst restaurant I've been. The place is dirty. And even though many people think 10 small dishes is a great offer, there are only 5 real korean dishes and others are crappy dish like coleslaw. Oh god what can I say? She is so not friendly. I will not visit this place ever again.
(1)Casey D.
Very impressive. I have been here twice and each time kicked myself for not going sooner. The servings are huge - enough for two people or two meals for one person in my opinion - and the side dishes are plentiful (we got 9 for the two of us). Yes, the decor can be a little off-putting. It is a bit worn for sure. But come here when your focus is food, and when you are hungry. If you haven't yet, just look at the 20+ yelper photos on here. They do a great job of showing you what the food is like. Parking is best off to either side of the place.
(4)Jas P.
Great service and great ban chan/ side dishes
(5)Lois B.
We're from CA, tired of chain restaurants, and had never tried Korean food. We ordered their $40 dinner special for two - and received WAY more food than we could possibly eat. Enjoyed all of it. The sea food soup was a bit more 'fishy' than I prefer. Absolutely loved all the side dishes! Unassuming ambiance. The small restaurant was almost empty when we arrived, and just about full as we left.
(4)Luwi M.
I love their mackerel and seafood soup from the lunch menu. Friendly owner. No complaints whatsoever!
(5)Barbara O.
Split the bibimbap and soondubu w/ the bf. Kinda bummed the bibimbap didn't come out in a sizzling stone bowl like the soup. Banchan was yummy and plentiful. Overall pretty good. Service was excellent. Like that tea was served w/ the meal since it waa chilly!
(3)Adrian S.
This is a great little restaurant. I had a bowl of steaming hot rice topped with beef and fried vegetables. It was cooked perfectly, and the rice on the bottom had a tasty, crunchy crust. I loved all of the little plates that accompanied the meal. The only suggestion I would make is to serve the sake ice cold -- not room temperature. I will definitely be back.
(4)Bianca G.
Best Korean food in Lacey. The staff is always so nice. Huge portions. The banchan is always so yummy. It is always my go-to for my soon du bu, bi bim bap, and Kalbi cravings.
(5)Samantha G.
When I visit my parents down in Olympia, this is one of the few places we dine at. I personally think this is the best Korean restaurant in Olympia. My parents and I usually order jap chae, kalbi and bulgogi. I also like their bibimbop as well. However what my favorite part of dining here is their banchan (side dishes). Although I enjoy all the banchan they serve, my favorites have to be the sweet soy sauce potatoes and the "angel noodles" which are seaweed jelly noodles with a sweet mayonnaise sauce. Also, this is the ONLY korean restaurant I've found so far in WA that serves the angel noodle banchan.
(5)Yuri S.
When we got here I was STARVING and ordered rice immediately. No rice after 15min. And at a table with SIX people we only got three side dishes (after 15 min) that were pretty boring. A table that sat AFTER us (with two korean ladies and one other person) got tons of side dishes immediately and their food super quickly. Not pleased. I got up and went to another restaurant nearby.
(1)James G.
Seoul is a place you must try if you love Korean food. From the outside, I think rustic is a fair description. The interior pretty much matches but don't let that sway your opinion. The service is always warm ind inviting. There's plenty to choose from on the diverse but still easy to comprehend menu. What ever you choose, it's bound to be filled with home style goodness.
(4)Meagan C.
I never would have thought to find authentic Korean food in Olympia Washington. I have been to korea town in LA and have had my fair share of kalbi and bibimbap. Seoul Restaurant has AMAZING food. We order a dinner for two with kalbi. This included egg rolls, rice, all the small side dishes, a tofu pot, and a huge plate of stir fry noodles with veggies and meat. On the side we order a bibimbap and a seafood pancake. This was for a table of four. We took so much food home, two large boxes of food. The actual restaurant is a little out dated and could use a little TLC but the food was so good, that the decor can be over looked. The older waitress was working so hard, she managed all the tables, clean all the tables, cashed all the checks, too top it all off on my way to the restroom I even caught her washing the dishes. She deserved every single bit of that tip.
(5)Z Z.
Disappointing. Found the perfect place for authentic Korean just down the street from this one.
(1)Markly M.
Everybody in town that I talk to says this is THE Korean place to eat at. I think it's kind of gross, actually. It was all too gooey, unusual temperature, and whoah! So pricey!! I like that other place down the street better, the one with the weird LED marquee in the window. They were pretty tasty! Sorry Seoul. Last time my friends wanted to eat here I went to Norma's burgers by myself. You people probably think I'm crazy but I cringe every time I pass this place. Great mints on the way out!
(2)Joel S.
Ok I'm from SoCal visiting Olympia. It's cold and I thought soon du bu was the perfect thing to warm me up! I guess Martin Way is the "Koreatown" of Olympia. With like 5 Korean restaurants haha! Anyway, this place is really worn but the food was just as good as as if I had it back home. I'd go here again -- I just wish they didn't put the egg in the soup themselves. It became hard boiled and I would've preferred to cracked it myself on the soup.
(4)Jennifer S.
Love the food and the service is great. The ambiance is, um, authentic? We will deffinatly be back.
(4)LT K.
Was in town visiting a friend. I did not expect anything from this area, especially Asian food. I was wrong. I have had better, but this restaurant is quite good. I would return. I had my usual favorite of bibimbap and soon seafood. They both were tasting and filling.
(4)Dean S.
Another lunch with my beautiful wife at this establishment ended up with another great afternoon. The staff, one waitress and cook, is outstanding despite how popular they have become again. The tables almost empty when we entered but soon became full, and almost overfilling, by the time we received our food. However, the staff was able to keep up with the demand. The food was excellent as remembered in the past. Definitely one of my favorite places for lunch...note: I can't take my five and six year olds there since there is no children's menu...thus no five stars. Thus, Seoul Restaurant will always be my wife's and my lunch spot when the kids are in school or daycare. As a former regular, I am so HAPPY this place is back !
(4)Rena C.
This place was my first real experience with Korean food and they definitely didn't disappoint. The dinner prices can be a little high, but it's more than worth it. The banchan are all really good, and the kimchi especially is delicious. I've eaten here now a bunch of times, even after trying a place over in Tacoma, and I will happily continue nomming on the kalbi on a regular basis. It's a little divey seeming but the food is worth it. I keep dragging friends here just so I have an excuse to go more often! I love Seoul!
(4)Camille N.
Why go to Tacoma for some Korean food if we can just drive 8 mins lol (yes we go here a lot) to get fresh authentic mouth-watering good Korean food. This was the first restaurant we tried after moving to Olympia. See it all started when I was lining up to pay for some yummy Asian snacks at Arirang Oriental Market. I asked the cashier if there are any good Korean Restaurants around here. She smiles and points to the man lining up right behind me. So he smiles back and says, " Oh I own that Korean restaurant a few blocks down, why don't you come and try it out tonight, I promise you the food is great!" "Oh yeah, ok I will definitely try it later," was my quick reply. His kindness caught me off guard so I was pressured to say YES haha. So that night I kinda felt bad and told my husband we MUST try this place out. I guess it was that pride of ownership and sincere invite that made me feel that tinge in my heart. So we get to the place, open the door, and we are greeted by the same guy with the biggest most welcoming smile. He seemed truly happy to see us there. He showed us to our table and gladly suggested some dishes off their menu. We decided on kalbi, jap chae, bibimbap and seafood soon doo bu. We patiently anticipated our meal and it did take a good 15 mins. But boy when it came, it smelled, looked, and tasted amazing! Everything was authentic and fresh, no shortcuts here. The portions were huge, lots of leftovers to be enjoyed the next day. There was also a wide array of banchan. The chef who happens to be the owner's wife came out to talk to us because her husband had mentioned how he met me at the store. She was sincerely happy and thankful we gave their place a try. Till this day, they are still always happy to see us. We get complimentary mandu from time to time. The chef still comes out to make sure everything was good. This place always reminds us why we go out of our way to try small family owned restaurants. 5 STARS. . . MOST DEFINITELY
(5)chuan k.
Stopped in for some dinner in the way back to Seattle. The place is definitely run down with very little decor to speak off. The banchan was good as other reviewer mentioned. We ordered the BBQ beef and stir fried squid. The waitress was very nice but took the wrong order ( I ordered a combo meal and she brought just one of the two items as a main dish). When I asked her about it she was very apologetic but refused to correct order at first after asking repeatedly she finally completely the order reluctantly and after dinner she made sure we knew how much it would have cost to add the correct item to our bill which I thought was unnecessary. The food Was good but not great. The bulgolgi is a little salty and the squid came with cold spaghetti noodles which I have never seen before. The squid dish was heavy on the red pepper and lacked depth in flavor. The soon tofu had a really weird taste which I havve never experienced and I LOVE soon tofu. It was almost metallic and just indescribable. So everything is just so so. The bulgolgi was $15 and squid $20 so the prices are not particularly cheap either. I guess it was too much to hope for something amazing in the middle of no where.
(2)