This story is part of a feature that first appeared in print in Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine’s February 2023 issue. Read the entire e-edition here:
New restaurants in Revelstoke garner a lot of attention. When a restaurant like the Grizzly Sports bar closes its doors forever, everyone wants to know what’s up and what’s next.
I got used to walking by the empty pub, and I certainly didn’t expect to see the place lit up with neon signs one December evening. The building’s massive windows leave nothing to the imagination — something new is coming to Revelstoke.
Iris, Eunice, and Emily Kim are three sisters working to bring their dad’s dream of opening a Korean pub in Revelstoke to life. They didn’t want to be known as the pub on First Street or the old Grizzly Sports Bar, so they did something different and made it stand out. A giant neon sign that shines pink and purple, illuminating the restaurant with a colourful glow, spells it out for visitors: Seoul Street.
The story of Seoul Street
Before Seoul Street’s grand opening, there were whispers of Revelstoke’s Frisby Ridge Sushi opening a second or maybe moving locations, among many other vague rumours. Those were partially true; Iris, Eunice and Emily’s parents, Janet and El, own and operate Frisby Ridge. Seoul Street is their second location, completely separate and different from the sushi restaurant, and run by their daughters.
Iris is the oldest and the manager at Seoul Street Pub. Eunice is the middle sister, and Emily is the youngest. They’re no strangers to the restaurant scene, having cameoed as servers at Frisby Ridge during summer stints between schooling in Vancouver for years.
The girls’ goals for the restaurant were ambitious. They removed the carpeted floor, painted the entire place from top to bottom, installed handmade bench booths around the restaurant’s perimeter, decked the place with neon signage, and hired staff that radiate good energy. Their vision for Seoul Street is clear — it’s a pub, not a restaurant, where large groups come to have fun, and the girls’ culture can create a community.
such as Pajeon (pictured here) — a pan-fried savory
Korean pancake filled with green onions, white onions,
carrots and corn, with a side of sesame-soy vinaigrette. Photo: Nora Hughes
“My dad’s been wanting to do a pub in town. I think it’s really special that all three of us can be here together and do that for him,” says Emily. “We really like Revelstoke, and we just want to be able to offer new food and a different environment for locals and tourists to come and hang out at so they feel comfortable and eat good food and have good drinks.”
The girls say their dad’s dream is to have a place where people can try something new, have fun, laugh and meet new people.
Culture and community
Seoul Street is inspired by Korean pubs where people go to share food and drinks and enjoy a lively atmosphere. The bar’s TV flickers with a Korean channel, and a neon sign with an iconic green Soju bottle hangs symbolically on the wall.
The sisters teach their tables Korean drinking games with Korean liquor like “Titanic,” a game where a soju shot floats in a pint of beer. Patrons go around the table, adding a splash of soju to the floating shot until one person sinks it and has to drink the whole thing — a Soju bomb.
Since the pub’s opening, the place has been packed. Iris emphasizes how special it is that the community has welcomed Seoul Street in a way that celebrates Korean tradition. For example, she recalls telling a table that in Korean culture, it’s bad luck to pour yourself a drink, so you always have someone pour it for you, starting with the youngest. She remarks how fun it was to see customers embrace and enjoy the tradition.
“People will come in, play Korean games and drink Korean liquor. It’s amazing to see that response from people because some of them have never tried it before, but they’re so willing to, and they’ll try it and love it so much,” says Emily. “And it’s cool to see how our culture is being immersed into Revelstoke because there’s not a whole bunch of Asian people in town; there is a community, but it’s not as big as the Caucasian community. So seeing people come and try it out. It’s pretty cool.”
The sisters have even created their own twist on Revelstoke’s culture with a Soju Shaft Shot.
What’s next
“We’re trying to create a different vibe from what you would find at other places in Revelstoke,” says Eunice.
Over the next few months, Revelstokians can expect to see Seoul Street roll out new specialty cocktails, menu items and entertainment. You can see what they’re up to on their Instagram, @seoulstreetrevelstoke.
Update: Previously, Seoul Street was a 19+ pub. Recently, Seoul Street opened it’s doors to families.
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