Planning
- Accepts reservations
oChef » Seoul Mates – Seattle
Seoul Mates - Seattle
Photo from Seoul Mates
Seoul Mates at a glance
Seattle First Hill
- 🍜 Asian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 21 of the guests
#98 out of 858 places to eat in Seattle
#5 Asian Restaurant out of 20 in Seattle
Excellent
8.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
233
Reviews
89.3%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious food
- Great service
- Modern ambiance
Frequently criticized
- Soup inconsistency
- Service mishap
- Parking difficulty
The restaurant Seoul Mates is an inviting Asian Restaurant nestled in Seattle’s vibrant First Hill neighborhood. You’ll discover a casual atmosphere perfect for a relaxed dinner or a convenient takeout meal.
This spot offers a delightful culinary journey, providing both dine-in and delivery options to suit your plans. Whether you’re planning a special evening or need catering for an event, Seoul Mates is ready to serve you.
You can also enjoy a selection of wine, cocktails, and other alcoholic beverages with your meal.
Overview: Introducting Seoul Mates
Seoul Mates offers a vibrant setting with a focus on well-prepared Korean dishes. Many appreciate the authentic flavors and the variety of Korean comfort food, alongside a generally positive vibe.
The attentive service also stands out, contributing to a pleasant dining experience. However, some experiences have been less ideal, particularly concerning certain food items like an inauthentic yukgaejang or an off-tasting kimchi.
There have also been isolated issues with service recovery and tricky parking, which can sometimes detract from the overall visit.
Excellent
8.6
out of 10
233
Reviews
89.3%
Satisfaction
19
negative
6
neutral
208
positive
Overall, Seoul Mates earns a strong 8.6, indicating a generally good experience for most patrons. This is further supported by a high customer satisfaction rate of 89.3%.
With 233 customer remarks, including 208 positive and only 19 negative, it’s clear that the restaurant consistently delivers on many fronts, making it a reliable choice for many. Diving into specifics, the Service (9) is excellent, often highlighted as a standout.
The Food (8.7) also receives high marks for its quality and variety. The Ambience (8.4) contributes positively to the dining experience, creating a comfortable setting.
However, Value (5.4) is perceived as average, suggesting some find the pricing a bit high for what’s offered.
What people like
- Delicious Korean dishes
- Excellent attentive service
- Modern, comfortable ambiance
What people don't like
- Inconsistent soup quality
- Spilled soup incident
- Tricky parking situation
With a strong recommendation score of 8.7, Seoul Mates generally leaves a positive impression. It’s a place that excels in creating a pleasant dining experience through its atmosphere and dedicated staff, making it a solid choice for many.
If you’re seeking a spot with good Korean comfort food and a lively setting, it’s worth considering. However, be mindful of potential inconsistencies with certain dishes and the parking situation, which might require a bit of planning.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Seoul Mates
Food (8.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
When it comes to the food, diners are overwhelmingly impressed! With an excellent score of 8.7 and a fantastic customer satisfaction rate of 91%, it's clear the kitchen is doing something right. Based on 121 positive remarks out of 133 total, guests rave about delicious dishes, tender shortribs, crispy Korean fried chicken, and fresh ingredients.
However, a few diners, 9 to be exact, did encounter some bumps. Concerns included an off-taste kimchi, inauthentic yukgaejang, and a sour or spoiled beef bone soup. There were also mentions of a plate of bossam being overly fatty.
While these instances are rare, they are worth noting.
Food
133
Reviews
91%
Satisfaction
9
negative
3
neutral
121
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious, quality food
- Tender shortribs
- Crispy fried chicken
What people don't like
- Sour/spoiled soup
- Fatty bossam
- Off-taste kimchi
Often praised
- foodThe place has a nice, modern vibe, but the prices were surprisingly reasonable. The food was honestly great, and everything I tried was good enough that I’d recommend any of the dishes without hesitation. They also have a bunch of different cocktails, so it’s easy to find something that fits your taste.
- drinksdrinks are all on par and exceeded my expectations!
- Korean foodI'm quite particular about Korean food, but the Bossam and Donkatsu were delicious. If you want to eat truly delicious Korean food in Seattle, you should come here. The vibe is also great!
- Korean fried chickenI had a great time at Seoul Mates! They offer a good variety of Korean food options, including kalbi jim and Korean fried chicken. I'm eager to try the bossam next time.
- Bossamand the Bossam. Every single dish was so good.
- Korean comfort foodMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It offers a perfect blend of modern lounge energy and real Korean comfort food. The Kal bi tang (Short rib soup) was rich, deep, and incredibly soothing.
- bossambossam and it was the most tender
- cocktailsThe cocktails also looks really good
- flavorsflavors are delicious
- fried chickenThe fried chicken was a standout — perfectly crispy, juicy, and packed with flavor.
Frequently criticized
- beef bone soupbeef bone soup, but it had a very strong sour and spoiled taste
- bossambossam that was 80% all fat
- crispy shellI tried their creative dishes and was impressed: 🌟 Passion Fruit Shrimp Balls: These fried shrimp, coated in passion fruit salad dressing, were presented like works of art! The shrimp were plump, though the crispy shell was a bit hard. The seasoning was perfect.
- enjoyable mealI ultimately accepted the $350 to resolve the matter quickly. Overall, this experience made what should have been an enjoyable meal unexpectedly stressful.
- kimchithe kimchi had a weird off taste
- matcha tiramisumatcha tiramisu was a bit of a damp bread texture with not much flavor
- plate of bossamplate of bossam that was 80% all fat
- soupWe ordered the beef bone soup, but it had a very strong sour and spoiled taste. The server was polite and offered to replace it, but even after trying again, they couldn’t bring out a proper bowl of soup. Although the staff kept apologizing and were very nice about it, we were still charged for the soup on the final bill — which was quite unbelievable.
- yukgaejangThe yukgaejang was inauthentic and tasted very off
If you're looking for a place with generally delicious and high-quality Korean food, this spot is definitely worth a try. While there are a few isolated reports of dishes missing the mark, the vast majority of experiences point to a satisfying culinary adventure.
Service (9 out of 10)
mentioned by 73% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot truly shines! With an excellent score of 9 and a fantastic 93% customer satisfaction, its clear guests are loving the experience. Based on 40 positive remarks out of 43 total, you can expect friendly service, attentive staff, and welcoming owners who bring great energy to the place.
Many praise the helpful and kind employees, ensuring an excellent time. However, its not entirely without its hiccups. A few of the 43 comments mentioned issues like slow service or inattentive moments.
There was also an unfortunate incident involving a hot soup spill. While these instances are rare, they highlight areas where consistency could be improved, ensuring every guest has a smooth experience.
Service
43
Reviews
93%
Satisfaction
3
negative
0
neutral
40
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Welcoming owners
- Great staff energy
What people don't like
- Slow, inattentive service
- Accidental spills
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was truly deserving of a five-star rating! It's definitely one of the best Korean bars and restaurants in Seattle, offering great service and a wonderful atmosphere. I highly recommend it if you're searching for a new Korean spot in the area; you'll never be disappointed!
- staffThe server was polite and offered to replace it, but even after trying again, they couldn’t bring out a proper bowl of soup. Although the staff kept apologizing and were very nice about it, we were still charged for the soup on the final bill — which was quite unbelievable. The service was polite, but the food quality was a major issue.
- customer serviceHe never missed a beat! Customer service like that is the reason we will be returning to Seoul Mates!
- serverWe ordered the beef bone soup, but it had a very strong sour and spoiled taste. The server was polite and offered to replace it, but even after trying again, they couldn’t bring out a proper bowl of soup. Although the staff kept apologizing and were very nice about it, we were still charged for the soup on the final bill — which was quite unbelievable.
- wait timewait time was up to 10 minutes
- Adam behind the barAdam behind the bar made it even better
- ServiceService:4
- attentionte atienden muy bien
- bartender AdamI had an amazing experience at Seoul Mates. The food and service were great, especially the bartender Adam. It was really fun for my first time there.
- bartender, ChrisThe bartender, Chris, was so nice, polite and fun
Frequently criticized
- hot soupI was really looking forward to trying Seoul Mate, but my experience turned out to be frustrating and disappointing. During my visit, one of the restaurant’s staff members accidentally spilled hot soup while serving, which splashed onto my phone. Before this, my phone was working perfectly, but afterward it became stuck in a reboot loop and couldn’t be turned on.
- phone repairBefore this, my phone was working perfectly, but afterward it became stuck in a reboot loop and couldn’t be turned on. Mistakes happen, and I tried to handle the situation reasonably; I simply wanted my phone repaired or fair compensation for the damage. I took it to an Apple-certified repair store and was quoted $750 for the repair due to liquid damage, with a $38 diagnostic fee.
- serviceThe service was slow and inattentive
Overall, if youre looking for a place with genuinely friendly and attentive staff, this restaurant is definitely worth a visit. The overwhelmingly positive feedback suggests youll likely have a great experience. Just be aware that, like anywhere, minor service blips can occasionally occur, but they seem to be the exception rather than the rule.
Ambience (8.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 73% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot really shines! With a strong score of 8.4 and customer satisfaction at a fantastic 89.8%, its clear guests love the vibe. Out of 49 opinions, 44 rave about the "atmosphere, " "modern lounge energy, " and "hip Seoul vibe, " often mentioning the "mood lighting" and "stylish and cozy" feel.
Its definitely a place designed for a great time! However, a few minor hiccups were noted among the 3 negative comments. Some guests found the parking to be a bit tricky, and there was a specific mention of bathrooms being partially flooded.
While these are small points, they're worth keeping in mind for your visit.
Ambience
49
Reviews
89%
Satisfaction
3
negative
2
neutral
44
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great atmosphere
- Modern lounge energy
- Stylish and cozy
What people don't like
- Tricky parking
- Flooded bathrooms
Often praised
- atmospherethe atmosphere of the restaurant was amazing
- vibeIt’s my first time visiting this Korean bar in downtown, and it was a good experience to hang out here. I enjoyed the good service, delicious food, and the overall great vibe. I will definitely be coming back here.
- placeThe place is clean and new with a modern vibe
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- ambianceEs muy lindo para pasar momentos geniales
- ambienceThe food, service, and ambience is great!
- chill atmospherea chill atmosphere perfect for hanging out
- chill place to drinklooking for a chill place to drink
- cleanThe other dishes we tried were just as tasty, featuring fresh ingredients and great seasoning. The interior is clean and modern, creating a comfortable place to enjoy a meal. The friendly service and great food make this spot an easy recommendation!
- comfortable placeThe other dishes we tried were just as tasty, featuring fresh ingredients and great seasoning. The interior is clean and modern, creating a comfortable place to enjoy a meal. The friendly service and great food make this spot an easy recommendation!
Frequently criticized
- Parking spaceDifficult to find parking
- bathroomsThe bathrooms and walk to them were partially flooded
- parkingparking can be a bit tricky.
If you're looking for a place with a fantastic atmosphere and a great vibe for a night out, this restaurant is definitely worth checking out. Just be prepared for potentially tricky parking and maybe check the bathroom situation upon arrival.
Value (5.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 16% of the guests
Looking at the value, some diners were pleasantly surprised, finding the price and prices to be quite reasonable prices for what they received, especially for the amount of food. However, the overall customer satisfaction for value sits at a rather low 37.5%, indicating a mixed bag despite these positive comments. However, not everyone felt they got a fair shake.
Concerns arose around being charged for the soup and disputes over compensation or replacement cost for unexpected issues. These experiences contribute to an average score of 5.4, suggesting that while some find the pricing fair, others feel theyre not getting their moneys worth, based on 8 total opinions.
Value
8
Reviews
37%
Satisfaction
4
negative
1
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable food prices
What people don't like
- Poor quality for price
- Unexpected charges
- Compensation disputes
Often praised
- pricereasonably priced for the amount of food
- pricesI visited Seoul Mate recently and it ended up being way better than I expected. The place has a nice, modern vibe, but the prices were surprisingly reasonable. The food was honestly great, and everything I tried was good enough that I’d recommend any of the dishes without hesitation.
- reasonable prices합리적인 가격
Frequently criticized
- $45My experience at this restaurant was disappointing due to the food quality. I paid $45 for a plate of bossam that was unfortunately 80% all fat. This is classic Seattle for you.
- charged for the soupstill charged for the soup on the final bill
- compensationI took it to an Apple-certified repair store and was quoted $750 for the repair due to liquid damage, with a $38 diagnostic fee. When I asked the restaurant to cover the repair cost, they offered $350, which they said was the cost of a replacement. My phone model is no longer manufactured, so only refurbished versions are available.
- replacement costI took it to an Apple-certified repair store and was quoted $750 for the repair due to liquid damage, with a $38 diagnostic fee. When I asked the restaurant to cover the repair cost, they offered $350, which they said was the cost of a replacement. My phone model is no longer manufactured, so only refurbished versions are available.
Value here is a bit of a mixed bag; some find the prices reasonable for the portions, while others have faced frustrating charges and quality issues. If you're seeking a straightforward, budget-friendly meal, you might be satisfied, but be mindful of potential hidden costs or quality concerns that could disappoint.
How are the prices at Seoul Mates?
You’re looking at roughly 36 per person – reported by 21 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For an Asian Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average sits at 36, the majority of diners spend between 21 – 50 $, indicating a solid mid-range offering with a few higher-end options.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 21 reviews.
A look at how this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in Seattle.
We think the pricing here feels quite fair for an Asian Restaurant in Seattle, offering good value for a comfortable mid-range experience.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Seoul Mates
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Great Food, Late Hours!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's a great new addition to the neighborhood, and I was particularly pleased that it stays open late. The food was excellent, earning a perfect 5/5 rating.
Service and atmosphere were also strong, both rated at 4/5. While parking was difficult to find, the overall dining experience was very positive.
- food10
- new addition8
- open late8
- Parking space3
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Excellent Korean Spot in Seattle
My experience at this restaurant was truly deserving of a five-star rating! It's definitely one of the best Korean bars and restaurants in Seattle, offering great service and a wonderful atmosphere. I highly recommend it if you're searching for a new Korean spot in the area; you'll never be disappointed!
😉
- service10
- atmosphere10
- Korean bars and restaurants10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Tender Bossam and Great Atmosphere
My experience at the restaurant was excellent. I ordered the bossam and found it to be the most tender I’ve had in this area. The atmosphere was nice, and I would definitely come back.
We took a photo after we already started eating because it was so good!
- bossam10
- atmosphere9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Fantastic Food, Unique Drinks, Great Atmosphere!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic. The food was incredible, and I highly recommend trying the snow dumplings. The drinks were also unique and excellent.
Combined with the great atmosphere, it made for an excellent time. I have consistently had a wonderful experience here.
- food10
- snow dumplings10
- drinks9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Seoul Mates: A Delicious and Chill Experience
I visited Seoul Mates for the second time with friends over the weekend, and it did not disappoint! We tried more of their menu, including their shrimp dish, chasu bowl, and their signature drinks. My favorite was their Seoul Mate signature drink – you have to give it a try!
If you are looking for a chill place to drink and eat some good food, then Seoul Mates is the place to be!
- shrimp dish8
- chasu bowl8
- signature drinks8
What Seoul Mates offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Popular for
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Wine
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Catering
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
Can you make reservations at Seoul Mates?
Yes, you can! Seoul Mates accepts reservations, making it easy for you to plan your visit and secure your spot for a delightful dinner experience. This is especially convenient if you’re organizing a group outing or a special occasion in First Hill.
What service options and parking are available at Seoul Mates?
Seoul Mates offers flexible service options including dine-in, takeout, and delivery, catering to your preferences. For those driving, paid street parking is available nearby, ensuring you can easily access this popular Seattle Asian restaurant.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Seoul Mates?
Seoul Mates has a strong overall score of 8.6 and a customer satisfaction of 89.3%. Customers particularly praise the Service (9), Food (8.7), and Ambience (8.4), though Value (5.4) is considered average.
What kind of food can I expect at Seoul Mates?
You can expect a variety of delicious Korean comfort food, including well-prepared dishes like Bossam, Kal bi tang, and Korean fried chicken, known for their rich flavors.
Are there any common issues to be aware of before visiting?
Some customers have noted occasional inconsistencies with certain soup dishes, and finding parking can sometimes be a bit tricky.