Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Shin.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My mom and dad immigrated from Seoul to Atlanta in the 70s and built their life around their Korean restaurant. That kitchen was my classroom. I spent years watching them work, learning the flavors, the techniques, the care that went into every dish. I learned what it meant to feed people well and the power food has to bring people together. Strangers walked in and something shifted – they left feeling the warmth of Korean culture.
I went on to study at Juilliard and eventually became the principal percussionist with the National Symphony Orchestra (my dream job!). The longer I played, the more I saw what music and food have in common. Both have rhythm. Both have culture running through them. Both speak a language everyone understands.
The kitchen has always had its own rhythm. The knife on the board, the sizzle of the pan, the timing of a perfectly built bowl. I hear it every time I walk into a SeoulSpice. It’s the same feeling as being on stage.
In 2016, I started SeoulSpice because I believed that food, like music, is a gateway to other cultures. I wanted to share the bold, vibrant flavors I grew up with and the warmth that always came with them. The real thing – authentic family recipes, made from Scratch with Love, the way it was always meant to be made.
That’s still what we’re doing. Every bowl, every day.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There are many challenging moments that shaped the journey, but two defining obstacles that stand out…
When I started SeoulSpice, I had no outside money. I bootstrapped everything and spent a lot of time walking the streets of DC, knocking on doors, pitching anyone who would listen, trying to land my first small business loan. Some people believed in it right away. A lot of them didn’t. You learn quickly who you are in those moments and whether you’re willing to keep going. I chose to keep going. From there I built the brand to 7 locations without a dollar of outside funding. We now have 10 locations across the DMV and Chicago, and we are about to open our 11th at the iconic Willis Tower.
Another pivotal time was during the pandemic. COVID hit, and that was a different kind of test. We couldn’t just wait it out. We converted our restaurants into socially distanced dining spaces and started stocking everyday essentials, paper towels, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, so our neighbors had somewhere to turn when shelves everywhere else were empty. We also made a decision early on that there would be no layoffs. We gave raises instead. Our Vision has always been to better the lives of our employees and our communities, and I am proud to say we lived that out through COVID. It remains our North Star through every challenge and obstacle we face.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
SeoulSpice serves fresh Korean food made from Scratch with Love. Our menu is based on traditional family recipes prepared and cooked by hand using house-marinated meats, fresh produce, bold sauces, and toppings.
Our entire menu is 100% gluten free and tree-nut (peanut free). Not by trend or design, but by tradition – vibrant, healthy food, free of common allergens is a byproduct of using traditional recipes and making Korean food the right way. Our food is uncommonly bold and delicious, and completely customizable to any lifestyle or diet.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Know your why before anything else. Not your business plan, not your funding strategy. Your why. Because there will be days when nothing is working and the only thing that gets you through is knowing exactly why you started. Mine was clear from the beginning. I wanted to share Korean food and culture with as many people as possible and build something that genuinely made people’s lives better. That purpose carried me through a lot of hard days.
For young entrepreneurs, especially those from immigrant or first-generation backgrounds, I’d say see it as an opportunity to share your culture with the world and lead the story. That perspective is a gift. Use it.
Everything it takes to be successful feels uncomfortable at first. It’s always going to be different. It’s all about pushing through adversity, and it’s that passion that gets you started.
And then learn the business. Really learn it. Understand your P&L, know your labor percentages, learn how to negotiate a lease. The passion gets you started but the fundamentals keep you standing.
Take care of your people. When COVID hit, we chose not to lay anyone off. We gave raises. Those people are still with us, and they are the reason SeoulSpice is what it is today.
And find your people. Not just customers, but other founders too. Find other founders at your level and grow together. Trade contacts, share tips, celebrate everyone’s openings. Solidarity will take you further than competition ever will.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.seoulspice.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seoulspice/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seoulspice/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seoulspice
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/seoulspice-arlington
