SeoulSpice — Restaurant in Arlington

Delicious food, friendly and efficient service, cute vibes, and super convenient location...what more could you ask for in a fast-casual restaurant? I've been hearing rave reviews for SeoulSpice's other locations for a solid year now, so I was overjoyed to hear that they were opening up a new store in Rosslyn!! I came here with a couple of friends after work on a Monday evening, and...wow...it definitely lived up to the hype! Of course, I'm a little biased since Korean food is my favorite cuisine, but even my friends who aren't as obsessed with kimchi fell in love with SeoulSpice's upbeat energy, cute decor, and diversity of delicious options. One of my friends tried out their japchae noodles with spicy pork, and the other tested out their white rice bowl with bulgogi...both had rave reviews for their meet and both bases, and their sriracha was wonderfully creamy and flavorful. Personally, I ordered their salad bowl with tofu and added literally every single vegetable topping they had. Their tofu was delicious and incredibly flavorful, especially with their super refreshing and tangy ginger-carrot dressing. Each of their toppings were wonderfully crisp and fresh, although I do wish that their kimchi was a bit more pungent. My one major complaint was with the base of the salad; it's described as a kale and iceberg lettuce mix, but it was honestly about 90% lettuce with a sprinkling of kale. I find iceberg lettuce a bit watery, and it wilts easily under the warm tofu and the dressing, so it really doesn't hold up well. I also don't think that the flavor of iceberg lettuce goes particularly well with their other toppings, so I would've preferred a fully kale base. I did appreciate that they had purple rice, though, so I might come back sometime for a rice bowl!

Overall, SeoulSpice was a wonderful way to satisfy my cravings for Korean comfort food, with all of the familiar flavors easily accessible and at my fingertips. I don't think that it'll be my first choice for a weekday meal...it was about the same price as Chipotle or Cava, with each bowl costing you $12-$17, but I'm not sure if the flavors or concept were quite impressive enough to warrant a weekly/monthly visit...even so, I'll definitely be filing SeoulSpice away into my rotation of fast-casual spots in Rosslyn and I'll be back the next time I'm craving...

FOUND HUGE HAIR IN FOOD! I rarely write reviews, especially bad ones, but I had to in this case especially given the circumstances. It was my first time at this place and I ordered a bowl. I did not have much trouble while ordering and even tipped them at the end. Upon eating my food I pulled out a LONG HAIR out of my mouth amid all the food I was chewing. it was just disgusting. I went back to inform them of this and I got a dismal, "sorry about that". I asked for a refund and was ushered out with another dismal "sorry for that". I have worked in customer service for over four years before and that is simply not how you attentively respond to a customer than was about to swallow hair from your food. There seemed to be no care about retaining me as a customer. McDonald's would have done better. The food is also very subpar and lack luster. Will never go again and DO...

I stopped in for the first time and I felt a sudden dopamine and serotonin rush. I loved the concept. I loved the options. I loved the staff. Kristine(sp) & Nicholas were very kind and helpful...even gladly giving me that third scoop of garlic crisp.

As I checked out, I mentioned the excitement with it being my first time....and they said the bowl was on the house. T H I S...is how you do business. That sentiment alone will bring me back. I've been in the industry for 20 years and I'm acutely aware of everything. Y'all (the owners) are doing it right. Cheers!

The only negative thing I could say about my experience is that I've been driving past this place for years!

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