Seoul 4 Soul, a Korean fusion bistro, is opening today in downtown Springfield. Chefs Kimsimone Manning and Emily Tylman have teamed up to open a restaurant 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,” Manning previously told SBJ, “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.” Both women have worked extensively in the Springfield-area food scene.
Seoul 4 Soul is
offering a limited menu for the first week. Options include
sweet and spicy Korean barbecue wings, Korean Cherry Dr. Pepper wings, hummus (chickpea, herbed black bean or black-eyed pea), vegetable mandu, bulgogis
(beef, chicken, mushroom or tofu),
bibimbap bowls, Korean
street tacos and basil salad. A variety of vegetarian and vegan options are available. “I’ve been in the food industry for 22 years and see a
niche for more vegan and vegetarian food,” Tylman said.
With the opening of the restaurant, dogs will no longer
be allowed upstairs, although Buzz Bomb will continue to host events in the
second-floor space. Diners with mobility issues have the option of eating on the main level, and Tylman said people will also be able to dine on the outside patio, weather permitting.
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.
