(Image: Google Maps)

The experienced food and drink owner of a Capitol Hill sushi bar says he was ready to give up on a neighborhood location before deciding to jump back in with a menu closer to his heart.

Sam Park was part of the ownership behind Gokan Sushi when the restaurant opened at 10th and Union as part of the Musashi’s food and drink family in 2015.’

In the decade since, the backside of Pike/Pine along Union still hasn’t fully taken off and Park and his partners including Musashi’s owner Jun Park were looking for an exit. When no buyer for the space emerged, Sam Park says he decided to give 10th and Union another try — but this time with a recipe reflecting his Korean heritage.

Seoul Mates has now been open for a couple weeks in the old Gokan spot — inspired by the idea of finding a “soul mate” and connecting through food and drink, Park says.

The “extensive Korean menu” includes signature dishes like Galbijjim braised short ribs, Seolleongtang ox bone soup, Galbitang, Yukgaejang, Soondubu, Kimchi Jjim, Bulgogi, Jeyuk Bokkeum, and more.

“It is traditional. I wanted to do my own menu,” Park said. “I was thinking about closing but it is a great area. I decided to renovate the place.”

Without a buyer, the gamble on reopening might have been the smartest bet. But Park could have also chosen to walk away.

This stretch of E Union is also home to Bateau, the 2015-era big concept Capitol Hill steak house from Renee Erickson that remains shuttered and awaiting a reboot just a block away from Seoul Mates.

It is also just down Union from the building where King County is planning to open the Broadway Crisis Care Center. Property and nearby business owners spoke out on concerns about the impact to the surrounding neighborhood streets as the King County Council approved the $56 million plan earlier this month. The center likely won’t open until 2027.

Park is more concerned with the next few months as Seoul Mates settles in. The new Korean joint is maximizing its business hours with late night service including cocktails, Korean spirits, and small plates until 2 AM.

As for the growth of Korean food and drink on Capitol Hill over the last decade since he and others like Jun Park started opening projects here, Sam Park says the community of owners know each other and stay in touch but he mostly shrugs when it comes to explaining the popularity.

“Maybe K-pop?”

Seoul Mates – Restaurant & Bar is located at 954 E Union. Learn more at seoulmates.us.

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