Singaporean Food in Seoul: Dining at Spice Seoul (Formerly Sambal Choi Dining)
If you enjoy discovering restaurants in Seoul that feel a little different from the usual Korean dining scene, Spice Seoul is one place worth visiting. Previously known as Sambal Choi Dining and also recognized by many as Satay Club, this modern Asian dining restaurant brings together strong Singaporean, Malaysian, and Southeast Asian flavors in a way that feels both familiar and refreshing.
I recently visited Spice Seoul for lunch, and honestly, it felt like stepping out of Seoul for a moment. From the red branding outside the restaurant to the satay grill aroma and the sambal-heavy menu, everything was designed to transport you somewhere warmer, louder, and full of spice.
Located near City Hall and Deoksugung area, Spice Seoul is becoming one of those places people quietly recommend when they want something beyond the usual pasta, brunch café, or Korean BBQ routine.
This is my honest personal experience dining there, what we ordered, what was worth trying, and whether I would go back again.
First Impressions – Modern but Warm
The first thing I noticed was the exterior.
The bright red “Spice Seoul” signage immediately stands out, and right below it, the old “Satay Club” sign still remains, which gives the place a bit of character. It almost feels like the restaurant is holding onto its original identity while moving into a newer concept.
Inside, the space feels clean, modern, and minimal, but not cold. The white walls, marble tables, and colorful Southeast Asian-style plates make the whole place feel casual yet curated. It is clearly designed for both comfortable dining and good food photography.
Even before ordering, I could already tell this was a place that understands visual dining.
They also serve complimentary prawn crackers in a small basket at the table, which immediately made the experience feel more authentic. It is a small detail, but details like that matter.
A Restaurant Backed by Celebrity Chef Justin Quek
One reason Spice Seoul stands out is its connection to Justin Quek, one of Singapore’s most well-known celebrity chefs and one of Asia’s most recognized culinary names.
Before the restaurant became Spice Seoul, it was known as Sambal Choi Satay Club, and it was introduced as a concept by Chef Justin Quek focused on artisan sambal, satay, authentic laksa, and bold Southeast Asian flavors. The restaurant carries strong Singaporean influence throughout the menu, especially in dishes like nasi goreng, prawn noodle soup, charcoal grill satay, and sambal-based specialties.
What We Ordered at Spice Seoul
We decided to try a mix of their signature dishes so we could get a full experience of the menu.
We ordered:
Sambal Morning Glory
Nasi Goreng with Sambal
Prawn Noodle Soup
Charcoal Grill Satay
Hong Kong Sweet Sour Pork
This gave us a good balance of rice, noodles, grilled dishes, vegetables, and something fried.
Honestly, it was the right move because each dish had a very different flavor profile.
Sambal Morning Glory – Simple but Addictive
This was probably one of the most underrated dishes of the meal.
Sambal Morning Glory is stir-fried water spinach cooked with garlic, chili, sambal, and strong wok flavor. It sounds simple, but it was one of the dishes we kept going back to.
The texture was perfect—crisp without being raw, soft without becoming soggy. The garlic flavor came through strongly, and the sliced red chili added both spice and freshness.
It balanced the heavier dishes really well, especially the fried rice and satay.
A lot of restaurants treat vegetables like side dishes that don’t matter much, but here it felt intentional.
If you order rich dishes like nasi goreng or satay, I would definitely recommend adding this.
Nasi Goreng with Sambal – Comfort Food Done Right
This was the dish I was most excited for.
Nasi Goreng is one of those dishes that sounds simple—fried rice—but when done properly, it becomes something much better than ordinary fried rice.
At Spice Seoul, the nasi goreng came topped with a crispy fried egg, sambal on the side, cucumber slices, and pickled vegetables.
The rice itself had strong wok flavor, slightly smoky and savory, with enough seasoning to stand on its own even without the sambal.
But the sambal is what adds heat, sweetness, and depth all at once. Mixing the egg yolk into the rice with the sambal completely changes the dish and makes it richer.
This was probably the most satisfying “main dish” of the lunch for me.
It is filling, flavorful, and feels like true comfort food.
If you are visiting for the first time, I would say this is one of the safest and strongest choices.
Prawn Noodle Soup – Richer Than Expected
The prawn noodle soup surprised me.
From the menu photo, I expected something lighter, but the broth was actually rich, deep, and layered with seafood flavor.
It came with prawns, fish balls, greens, egg, tofu, and noodles in a reddish broth that looked spicy but was more flavorful than aggressively hot.
The broth had that slow-cooked taste that makes you keep drinking spoon after spoon.
It did not taste like a rushed soup.
The prawns were fresh, and the fish balls added that classic Southeast Asian street food feeling.
This dish felt especially comforting and would probably be even better on a rainy day or during colder months.
It is the kind of dish that quietly becomes your favorite.
Charcoal Grill Satay – The Signature Dish
You cannot really go to a place with “Satay Club” history and skip the satay.
This was clearly one of the highlights.
The charcoal grill satay came stacked generously with a thick peanut sauce on the side. The aroma arrived before the plate did.
That smoky grilled smell is impossible to fake.
The chicken was juicy, slightly charred, and coated with seasoning that had sweetness, spice, and strong Southeast Asian marinade flavors.
But the real star was the peanut sauce.
It was thick, nutty, slightly sweet, and rich enough that you could honestly eat it with almost anything on the table.
This dish felt like the strongest representation of the restaurant’s identity.
It is probably what I would tell people to order first if they asked what Spice Seoul is known for.
Hong Kong Sweet Sour Pork – Unexpected Favorite
This was the wildcard order.
Sweet and sour pork can be very average depending on where you order it, but this version was surprisingly good.
The pork stayed crispy even with the sauce, which already puts it above many places.
Instead of being overly sugary, the sauce had balance—sweet, sour, slightly spicy, and bright from the vegetables and pineapple.
The red peppers, celery, onions, and pineapple gave the whole dish freshness, and it did not feel too heavy despite being fried.
It was one of those dishes where everyone keeps saying, “just one more piece.”
Sometimes the less expected dishes end up becoming favorites, and this was definitely one of them.
Service and Dining Experience
Service was smooth and relaxed.
The staff were polite, the food timing was good, and nothing felt rushed.
This matters because some trendy restaurants in Seoul focus too much on aesthetics and forget actual hospitality.
That was not the case here.
The meal felt paced properly, and the overall experience felt like somewhere you could stay and enjoy rather than quickly eat and leave.
It also works well for group dining because the menu is designed for sharing.
This is not really a solo quick lunch kind of place.
It works better as a proper lunch outing, date spot, or dinner with friends.
Is Spice Seoul Worth Visiting?
Yes—especially if you are tired of eating the same kinds of restaurants in Seoul.
There are plenty of Korean BBQ places, pasta cafés, and trendy bakeries, but fewer places that execute Southeast Asian flavors this well while still keeping the dining experience stylish and approachable.
Spice Seoul feels intentional.
It knows what it is trying to be.
It is not pretending to be “authentic street food,” and it is not trying too hard to be luxury fine dining either.
It sits somewhere in the middle, and that works.
For me, the standout dishes were:
Charcoal Grill Satay
Sambal Morning Glory
Prawn Noodle Soup
But honestly, the full table worked because everything complemented each other.
That is usually the sign of a good restaurant.
Final Thoughts
Spice Seoul is one of those places that makes you want to come back and try the rest of the menu. There were still dishes like laksa, curry fish, sambal clams, and black pepper beef that looked worth returning for.
If you are looking for a good modern Asian dining experience in Seoul, especially near City Hall or Deoksugung, Spice Seoul deserves a visit, and yes—I would absolutely go back, probably for the satay first and definitely extra sambal!
FAQ
Where is Spice Seoul located?
Spice Seoul is located near Seoul City Hall and Deoksugung in Jung-gu, making it convenient for lunch after sightseeing or meetings in central Seoul.
What was Spice Seoul called before?
It was previously known as Sambal Choi Dining and also associated with Satay Club before rebranding to Spice Seoul.
What should I order first at Spice Seoul?
The best first-time orders are usually the Charcoal Grill Satay, Nasi Goreng with Sambal, and Prawn Noodle Soup.
Is Spice Seoul good for group dining?
Yes, the menu works very well for sharing, making it ideal for lunch with friends, dates, or small group dinners.
Is Spice Seoul spicy?
Some dishes include sambal and chili, but most dishes are balanced rather than overwhelmingly spicy. Even non-spicy eaters can enjoy most of the menu.
