PictureSeoulmate LBC
Korean cuisine is close to my heart, partly because I'm Korean, but mostly because it is just good food. It's because I love it so much that I judge it more harshly, like a Korean mother with her favorite child (and there's always a favorite).

I'm generally wary of Korean fusion joints; when done well, it can be spectacular, but it's so seldom done well. So when I saw that Seoulmate had burritos on their menu, I kinda gave it the side eye. But curiosity always wins when I'm considering food, so I rolled down to Seventh and Park last night to give it a try.

The service was very good; friendly and casual. I could tell immediately that this place would soon be overrun with hipsters. Cool vibe, pretentiously unpretentious decor, Asian fusion street food -- it's a hipster's paradise.

PictureBibimbap, Kalbi Plate, Spicy Pork Burrito.
But the food IS good. I ordered the Spicy Pork Burrito, the medium Kalbi Plate, and the Bibimbap. The burrito was too loosely wrapped; I'd asked them to cut it in half so I could share and, when I picked it up, half the filling fell out. But, HOMG, SO DELICIOUS. A little greasy, but you want that in a good burrito. 

The kalbi, while a little too charred, was solidly seasoned. Gets a stamp of authenticity from me. 

The bibimbap could have used a lot more chojang, but the egg was perfectly cooked, and the fixins were impeccable.

They throw in a free cookie with every order. The cookie, while chewy and delicious, felt out of place. I almost didn't know what to do with it. It's not really a Korean treat.

All things considered, I will definitely be coming back to Seoulmate. It's not K-Town authentic, but it doesn't claim to be. It has a unique feel and flavor, and it does a good job executing its vision. It's a solid way to keep a Korean craving at bay.

Seoulmate
4712 E 7th St
Long Beach, CA 90804
(562) 433-1158
www.seoulmatelbc.com