Seoul Taco

Seoul Taco
IndustryRestaurant chain
Founded2011; 14 years ago (2011)
FounderDavid Choi
HeadquartersSt. Louis, Missouri, United States
Number of locations
9 (2024)
Area served
Missouri, Chicago metropolitan area
ProductsKorean-Mexican fusion, Korean tacos
Websitewww.seoultaco.com

Seoul Taco is a Korean-Mexican fusion fast-casual restaurant chain originally from St. Louis, Missouri, United States. As of April 2024, the chain had nine locations in the Missouri and Chicago metropolitan areas.[1]

History

The chain was founded in 2011 as a food truck.[2][3] It was founded by Korean American entrepreneur David Choi in St. Louis. Choi had no formal culinary training, and instead learned cooking from his family and from the industry.[2][3] He had experience in pizza, sandwich, and Chinese restaurants. Choi sold his car and purchased a food truck that was listed for $40,000 at $18,000. He also convinced his friends and family to invest another $22,000 in his business. He began making Korean tacos, which proved so popular that he was able to recoup his investment within several months.[1] By 2012, he opened his first permanent location.[2]

When the chain began expanding, Choi adopted a strategy of recruiting local artists to decorate new locations.[1] In June 2016, the chain opened its first location in Chicago in River North.[4] Its second Chicago location was Hyde Park in December 2018.[4] By April 2023, the chain had nine locations in the Missouri and Chicago areas.[1] In 2021, the chain announced that it hired Michelin-starred, James Beard Award–winning chef Brian Fisher as its culinary director.[5]

In 2021, it celebrated its 10th anniversary with a block party that was headlined by Busta Rhymes.[6][7] Admission was free of charge and open to the public.[6]

Description

The chain offers a variety of Korean-Mexican fusion dishes. This includes gogi (meat) bowls (bibimbap with Mexican elements), as well as nachos, burritos, and quesadillas with Korean flavors.[8][9] Dishes often include kimchi and kimchi fried rice.[10] The chain introduced a "Munchwrap Seoulpreme", inspired by the Crunchwrap Supreme dish from Taco Bell.[11] Alcohol is served at some locations, with both beer and liquor, particularly Korean-inspired drinks, offered.[9] The menu has been described as fairly small by intent; this is to ensure that each of the dishes are well-executed.[5]

Decorations in the chain often feature taekwondo fighters wearing luchador masks.[2] Elements of Japanese culture and hip hop are also present in the design.[12]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Mancini, Jeannine (April 29, 2023). "From Selling Tacos Out Of A Food Truck To Owning A Multimillion-Dollar Business". Yahoo Finance. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d Selvam, Ashok (May 24, 2016). "Tour Seoul Taco, Where Korea & Mexico Converge in River North". Eater Chicago. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Kindelsperger, Nick (March 29, 2016). "Seoul Taco, a St. Louis favorite, bringing Korean tacos to Chicago". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Gerzina, Daniel (December 3, 2018). "Popular Korean-Mexican Mashup Seoul Taco Opens in Hyde Park". Eater Chicago. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Fann, Holly (August 25, 2021). "Seoul Taco hires Michelin-starred, James Beard Award-nominated chef to serve as culinary director". www.stlmag.com. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Froeb, Ian (June 17, 2021). "Seoul Taco's anniversary party changes headline act to Busta Rhymes". STLtoday.com. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  7. ^ "iParty • Busta Rhymes performs at Seoul Taco's block party". STLtoday.com. June 20, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  8. ^ Myers, Quinn (September 9, 2022). "Seoul Taco Expands To Wicker Park, Bringing Korean-Mexican Street Food To Milwaukee Avenue". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Hernandez, Joseph (May 31, 2016). "Seoul Taco opens today in River North". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  10. ^ Hegarty, Erin (December 10, 2019). "Seoul Taco to open in downtown Naperville; Burrito Parrilla now serving customers on Ogden Avenue". Naperville Sun. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  11. ^ Nagarajan, Meera; Wolfson, Liz (January 24, 2022). "3 St. Louis restaurants innovating the Crunchwrap". Sauce Magazine. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  12. ^ Wilson, Marie (December 20, 2019). "Seoul Taco fuses Korean flavors, Mexican styles in Naperville restaurant". Daily Herald. Retrieved January 12, 2024.