By CELINE NGUYEN
Staff Writer

Urban Seoul 2.0, recently opened in Irvine Spectrum, is a new fusion restaurant with a simple and tastefully refined concept: traditional Korean food with an urban twist. The dishes served there are contemporarily appealing and still retain ties to the restaurant’s older roots.
Our waitress recommended some of the restaurant’s specialties. The Urban 3b is an unconventional take on the traditional Korean dish of bibimbap, which is usually served in a hot pot; Urban Seoul instead prepares the dish in a large salad bowl. The Loco Moco Skillet is a hamburg steak served hot and sizzling on a bed of mushrooms and gravy.
The food was delicious, and the ingredients were fresh and well prepared. While I found myself pleasantly surprised at the creative liberties taken with each dish, the food’s resemblance to traditional Korean cuisine was clear. The Urban 3b with gogi was a personal favorite, and I greatly enjoyed the blend of crisp vegetables and savory meat. The mushroom gravy in the Loco Moco Skillet accompanied the hamburg steak perfectly. Prices are a little high, ranging from $7 to $11, but the cuisine is well worth the bill at such a restaurant.
Urban Seoul has only been open for a few months, but it has already attracted a large customer base. Urban Seoul’s reach has also expanded to University High School (UHS). Sharvee Joshi (Jr.) said, “I really like the food there, and the staff is always super friendly and helpful. It’s a great place to bring your friends!”
Urban Seoul’s first location opened in Diamond Jamboree earlier this year, and the second restaurant in the chain offers an almost identical menu to its predecessor.
Overall, my meal at Urban Seoul was a success, and I highly recommend the restaurant to anyone looking for a break from the norm. The food is great, the staff is friendly and the environment is fun and relaxing. .
 
81 Fortune Dr.
155, Irvine, CA 92618
Mon.-Thurs: 11:30am-2pm, 5pm-9:30pm
Fri.-Sat: 11:30am-11pm
Sun: 11:30am-9pm