Seoul Garden — Restaurant in Mishawaka

Seoul Garden in South Bend, Indiana area is a true hidden gem and the only Korean restaurant I could find in the area. Stepping inside feels like traveling back in time — the décor is quirky and eccentric in a very traditional 1970s way, filled with old-fashioned Korean items that might go unnoticed by most non-Koreans, but for me, they brought back powerful memories of my grandmother. I almost teared up.

The restaurant seemed to be run by three older Korean women, who cook, serve, and treat customers like family. They were warm, social, and attentive, checking in often. At one point, I struggled to pack my takeout, and one of them smiled and helped without me even asking — such genuine kindness. Although it pains me to see them working instead of enjoying retirement, it’s also a reflection of that generation’s mentality — to work hard and take pride in serving others. I hope customers can admire and appreciate that dedication as much as I did.

If you’re looking for an authentic, old-school Korean dining experience, this is the place. Don’t be put off by the unusual items outside or the eclectic mix inside — post-Korean War, many in that generation collected and repurposed items, and it’s fascinating to take a moment and study the details around the restaurant.

The food was delicious, with a generous assortment of banchan (small side dishes served before and during the meal). If you visit in the summer, I highly recommend trying naengmyeon, a classic cold noodle dish. The bibim naengmyeon here is on the spicier side, so it’s perfect for those who love some extra heat.

Overall: Seoul Garden is cozy, nostalgic, and homey. Come here if you want genuine hospitality, traditional flavors, and a glimpse of Korean culture you rarely see in modern restaurants. As I was leaving, I spotted the three women sitting together enjoying their own dinner like a family — such a sweet and heartwarming scene to end my visit. I’d definitely return when I’m...

Every time I come here it's like I've taken off and landed back in Korea, the homely feel of the restaurant is just like it would be back in Korea, the ambiance of the restaurant is inviting and homely. The 800 sqft restaurant backs a punch from the food to the decor you would find at mom and pop restaurants back in Korea. The restaurant owner is an amazing and sweet lady, she lives and breathes Seoul Garden, with her day starting at 630 to look for the freshest ingredient (without any msg added might I add), to well after the restaurant closed to make sure everything is ready for the next day. Working Monday to Sunday every week before open to well after close. Every time I am in South Bend I make my way to Seoul Garden just so I can experience how amazing Korean culture is and how caring the owner and staff are. She makes her kimchi fresh everyday and it is amazing, it comes with ever dish because it is a traditional part of side dishes for meals, nowhere is even comparable to the fresh kimchi that she makes. If I could buy an entire jar of her kimchi I would. If you are looking for an authentic Korean & Japanese restaurant to either engross yourself in the countries culture for the first time, or to simply relive moments you've experienced prior. Seoul Garden is the place to...

I've always passed by the Seoul Garden while passing through and didn't hear much about it. But after craving some Korean BBQ to celebrate my birthday, I made arrangements between my friends and we went. The place gives off a very homely vibes and has a lot of Korean charm.

Our waitress/server was very attentive and got our drinks ordered right away. She got us posted up pretty quick for our Korean BBQ and before we knew it we had our sides and meats. She was also just as attentive when it came to the other tables.

Our Korean BBQ was awesome, we had the Short Ribs course and it was well worth. These ribs were marinated in teriyaki marinade and these ribs were mad flavorful! We had a pretty sizeable amount of ribs to grill so we were full afterwards. The sides were just as flavorful! The kimchi and the peanut sauce they gave us to dip the meat in were the highlights 👌.

Overall, this is a nice whole in wall place in town people should give a try. They have much more than the Korean BBQ to offer. The Korean BBQ is a little expensive, which makes sense, but an experience worth having on a special occasion. Never judge a book by its cover, is what I would have to say about Seoul Garden. I will be back...