Korean fusion food is coming to downtown Springfield. Chefs Kimsimone Manning and Emily Tylman are teaming up to open Seoul 4 Soul in the upper level of Buzz Bomb Brewing Company at 406 E. Adams St.
“Seoul 4 Soul has been my baby since I started culinary school back in 2014,” said Manning, “so much so that I tattooed it on my arm.”
In 2021, Manning opened a grab-and-go
restaurant under the name Seoul 4 Soul, operating out of
The Barn’s space at 1501 Wabash Ave. “It
seemed like it was pretty well-received, but (owner) Kevin (Sullivan) moved on to other
things, and we decided to part ways,” she
said.
Tylman had also been using space at The Barn for VeggOut, a food stand that she previously operated at the Old Capitol Farmers Market, and Manning said after a
mutual friend introduced them, the two “clicked immediately.”
“We decided to merge; Seoul 4 Soul has all Kimsimone’s fabulous recipes and we’ll be doing a heavy vegetarian aspect to bring more people
to the table,” said Tylman.
“I’ve been in the food industry for 22 years and see a niche for more vegan and vegetarian food.”
Both ladies have worked extensively in the Springfield-area food scene. Tylman most recently worked
for the Springfield Motor Boat Club and now does events for Cured Catering.
“I worked at The
Garden with chef Justin Richardson, and prior
to that I was with Augie (Mrozowski),” Manning said. “I also worked at the Motor Boat
Club with Jimmy Oh – although not at the same time as
Emily – and now I’m an adjunct instructor at LLCC. I teach some of the culinary community education programs and help put on the dinners.”
Tylman described
the new restaurant as “a small bistro where you can choose from amazing recipes. We’re both foodies; we keep finding
so many new things we want to try. There will definitely be an eclectic bent to it.”
She also said
having the business located inside an existing
business will be a significant advantage. “We’re collaborating with Buzz Bomb in so many ways. We’ll be
able to serve food on the main level and outside when
the weather is nice. And for us starting out, it’s
wonderful, because the foot
traffic is already there,” Tylman said.
A New Year’s Eve event is planned in conjunction with Buzz Bomb, and
Seoul 4 Soul will open to the public on Jan. 3. Hours
of operation will be Wednesday and Thursday from 11
a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-8 p.m., Friday 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-10 p.m., Saturday
11 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
