Sang Kim is opening a pair of new restaurants on Baldwin: Yakitori Bar and Seoul Food
Close watchers of Baldwin Village have no doubt noticed the butcher paper in the windows at 1 Baldwin Street. Coming soon to the former Baldwin Palace Restaurant space are not one but two restaurants from restaurateur Sang Kim: Yakitori Bar and Seoul Food. (Kim, who previously helped launch Koko Share Bar, Ki and Blowfish, has adorned the door with a giant question mark, and is savvily building up hype for his December 1 launch with a behind-the-scenes blog.) Kim told us that although the two restaurants technically share one space, there’s a partition between them, and each will have a distinct feel and atmosphere.
The izakaya-style Yakitori Bar will be the rowdier of the two, hosting a series of competitions between guest chefs like Agave y Aguacate’s Francisco Alejandri and SupiCucu’s Rossy Earle. Each night, the yakitori (charcoal-grilled chicken) recipes of these chefs will be pitted against one another, with a winner chosen after three months. On the other side of the partition, Seoul Food will feature a walk-up counter where patrons can choose proteins, marinated vegetables and sauces that a cook will prepare. The counter is rounded out by grab-and-go kimbap (Korean-style sushi rolls) that’ll likely be a favourite of nearby OCAD and U of T students. The two restaurants will share a few things, though, including North Americanized Korean dishes like bulgogi burgers, kalbi beef sandwiches and kimchi fries, and a value-driven shochu, sake and wine list.
Yakitori Bar and Seoul Food, 1 Baldwin St., howtoopenarestaurantin30days.com
 Kim told us that although the two restaurants technically share one space, there’s a partition between them, and each will have a distinct feel and atmosphere.
The izakaya-style Yakitori Bar will be the rowdier of the two, hosting a series of competitions between guest chefs like Agave y Aguacate’s Francisco Alejandri and SupiCucu’s Rossy Earle. Each night, the yakitori (charcoal-grilled chicken) recipes of these chefs will be pitted against one another, with a winner chosen after three months. On the other side of the partition, Seoul Food will feature a walk-up counter where patrons can choose proteins, marinated vegetables and sauces that a cook will prepare. The counter is rounded out by grab-and-go kimbap (Korean-style sushi rolls) that’ll likely be a favourite of nearby OCAD and U of T students. The two restaurants will share a few things, though, including North Americanized Korean dishes like bulgogi burgers, kalbi beef sandwiches and kimchi fries, and a value-driven shochu, sake and wine list.
Yakitori Bar and Seoul Food, 1 Baldwin St., howtoopenarestaurantin30days.com){kind=link}
I thought that was going to be another Wild Wing… glad to see that project failed. Wish the new restaurateurs much success in making this cute street chain-free charming :)
absolutely DON’T agree—we have enough ethnic restaurants on that street-including a Japanese noodle place, two sushi places (one next door to this place), Italian, Indian, Mexican etc. etc. What’s wrong with a Wild Wing??? I wanted something fast, inexpensive and tasty—this area doesn’t need a Korean place—hopefully it won’t last (and based on how empty it was in the first week it won’t do well)-would like to know why Wild Wing failed–something about the patio alcohol license? why the problem getting it??