SeoulSpice Korean Kitchen Expands Chicago Presence With New Wicker Park Location
SeoulSpice Korean Kitchen, the Washington, D.C.–based fast-casual restaurant brand celebrated for its bold Korean flavors and scratch-made dishes, is continuing its Midwest expansion with the opening of its third Chicago location. The newest restaurant will open at 1480 North Milwaukee Avenue in Wicker Park, one of the city’s most dynamic neighborhoods known for its vibrant culinary scene, creative energy, and cultural heritage.
The Grand Opening Celebration is scheduled for Tuesday, February 3, and promises to deliver a full day of food, fun, and exclusive perks for guests. As part of the celebration, SeoulSpice will offer $5 bowls all day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., making it an accessible and exciting opportunity for both longtime fans and first-time visitors to experience the brand’s signature flavors. The first 100 customers in line will receive exclusive limited-edition SeoulSpice merchandise, while guests throughout the day can enjoy free samples, prize giveaways, and special surprises designed to mark the milestone.
Founded by Eric Shin, SeoulSpice has built a reputation for bringing authentic Korean cuisine into a modern fast-casual format, combining traditional flavors with a streamlined, customizable dining experience. Shin expressed enthusiasm about bringing the brand deeper into Chicago’s diverse food ecosystem.
“The opening in Wicker Park, our third location in Chicago, brings us to a neighborhood that has the best of everything we love about the city,” said Shin, SeoulSpice’s founder and CEO. “It offers a vibrant food and nightlife scene, family-friendly residential streets, and a deep respect for architecture, creativity, and the artist-driven history that defines Chicago.”
The Wicker Park restaurant represents a significant step forward in SeoulSpice’s growth strategy. Spanning just over 3,000 square feet, it will be the largest SeoulSpice location to date, featuring seating for up to 39 guests at one time. The larger footprint allows for a more comfortable dine-in experience while maintaining the speed and efficiency that fast-casual customers expect.
In keeping with the neighborhood’s artistic roots, the restaurant will showcase a custom-designed mural inspired by Wicker Park’s early days as an artist enclave. Located just a short walk from the historic Flatiron Arts Building, the space pays homage to Chicago’s creative community while blending seamlessly with SeoulSpice’s modern, minimalist design aesthetic. The interior will combine warm materials, contemporary finishes, and vibrant visual elements to create an inviting environment that reflects both Korean cultural influences and the neighborhood’s artistic identity.
With the addition of the Wicker Park restaurant, SeoulSpice will now operate 11 total locations nationwide, including eight in the Washington, D.C.–metro area and three in Chicago. The company’s Chicago presence includes restaurants at 20 North Michigan Avenue (across from Millennium Park’s iconic Bean), 619 North State Street in River North, and now 1480 North Milwaukee Avenue in Wicker Park. Each location is strategically positioned in high-traffic areas, reinforcing the brand’s goal of reaching urban diners seeking flavorful, quick, and high-quality meals.
SeoulSpice has steadily built momentum over the years by focusing on fresh ingredients, bold seasonings, and customizable menu options that cater to a wide range of dietary preferences. Guests can build their own Korean-inspired bowls with bases such as rice or greens, then layer on marinated proteins like bulgogi beef, spicy pork, chicken, tofu, or other rotating specials. The bowls are finished with house-made sauces, crisp vegetables, and signature toppings, creating a balance of heat, sweetness, umami, and texture.
Beyond bowls, SeoulSpice also offers a lineup of Korean-inspired sides, snacks, and beverages, providing a complete dining experience that captures the essence of Korean comfort food while remaining approachable to American audiences. The brand’s commitment to scratch-made cooking sets it apart in the fast-casual segment, emphasizing quality, freshness, and flavor depth.
The Wicker Park location will operate daily from 10:45 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., serving lunch, dinner, and late-evening guests. In addition to dine-in service, customers will have access to takeout, online ordering, pickup, and delivery through seoulspice.com and major delivery platforms. The restaurant will also offer catering services, making it a convenient option for corporate meetings, family gatherings, social events, and community functions.
As SeoulSpice continues to scale, the company is positioning itself as a potential category-defining leader in Asian fast-casual dining. Later this year, the brand plans to open a highly anticipated new location at Chicago’s iconic Willis Tower, further solidifying its presence in one of the nation’s most competitive restaurant markets. The Willis Tower opening will mark another major milestone in SeoulSpice’s expansion journey and highlight its growing national footprint.
Approaching its 10th year in business, SeoulSpice is focused on building a strong identity as a modern Korean food brand that bridges authenticity and convenience. The company’s long-term vision includes expanding into new markets across the United States while continuing to innovate on menu offerings, store design, and customer experience.
The Wicker Park opening not only reflects SeoulSpice’s growth but also underscores the neighborhood’s reputation as a destination for emerging food concepts and culinary experimentation. Known for its mix of independent boutiques, nightlife venues, music history, and trendsetting restaurants, Wicker Park provides an ideal setting for a brand rooted in creativity, flavor exploration, and cultural storytelling.
For Chicago diners, the new SeoulSpice location offers more than just a place to eat—it delivers a culinary experience that celebrates Korean culture, modern design, and community engagement. From the striking custom mural to the interactive grand opening festivities, the restaurant aims to become a neighborhood staple where locals and visitors alike can gather for flavorful meals and a welcoming atmosphere.
With affordable promotional pricing on opening day, exclusive merchandise for early guests, and a commitment to high-quality, scratch-made Korean cuisine, SeoulSpice’s Wicker Park debut is poised to make a strong impression on Chicago’s fast-casual dining scene.
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