A cross between a food market and a restaurant, this awesome Korean place has become a huge hit in the San Antonio community. While it’s definitely not the traditional restaurant experience, it’s totally authentic and delicious. If you’re craving some great Korean food, you have to go here to eat up, and support a small business!

Seoul Oriental: The Restaurant How-To

If you’ve never been here before, you might be a little bit confused about how getting food served to you works. First off all, you should know that everything is self-service, you’ll you’ll be in charge of paying at the register, ordering at the counter, getting your utensils and drink (actually, they only serve water), etc. Second of all, you have to pay before you eat. When you walk into the market, there’s a counter at the back with a large menu. Choose what you want from the menu, and place your order with the lady at the counter. Then, she’ll give you a receipt, and you have to walk back up to the front of the store to pay. After that, grab your utensils and wait–they’ll call you when it’s ready. Then, indulge! After eating, you’re responsible for cleaning up your own area, so don’t forget. If you weren’t able to finish your meal, they have to-go boxes at the back, and you are welcome to box your own meal to take home.

Why People Love it Here

Despite the service (or lack thereof), people love Seoul Oriental Food Market for a variety of reasons. First, the food is completely authentic, and tastes exactly as it would if you were eating it in South Korea. Second, the prices are super affordable, and you won’t have to pay a fortune for a great food experience. Third, some of the dishes are just so good, there’s no reason to go anywhere else for them. And fourth, the market section is equally as awesome, and makes for a fun browsing experience while you wait for your food or after you’re done.

The Things You Have to Order

The kimchi fried rice and the kimchi soup are both to die for, and go highly recommended here. The spicy rice cake and noodles, Dwenjang soup, the bugolgi, and the ramen are all amazing. Actually, everything on the menu is good, but if you’re unsure of what to order, go for one of those top favorites.

Spend Time in the Market

The market here is actually really amazing, and if you loved your meal and are now set on Korean food, you can find some great Korean products. The market has things like rice vinegar, rice cakes, Korean ice cream, ramen, noodles, meats, veggies, fish, cooking materials, cookies, snacks, and more. There are tons of options, and a person could spend quite a bit of time (and money) here.