Mad Seoul

Korean restaurant · Gourmet Ghetto

Mad Seoul

Korean restaurant · Gourmet Ghetto

1

1801 Shattuck Ave. C, Berkeley, CA 94709, USA

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Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null
Mad Seoul by null

Highlights

Build-your-own Korean bowls with fresh ingredients  

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1801 Shattuck Ave. C, Berkeley, CA 94709, USA Get directions

madseoul.co
@mad.seoul

$10–20 · Menu

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1801 Shattuck Ave. C, Berkeley, CA 94709, USA Get directions

+1 510 705 1547
madseoul.co
@mad.seoul

$10–20 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 16, 2025

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San Francisco Bay Area Restaurant and Bar Closures to Know in March 2025 - Eater SF

"A Korean restaurant in Berkeley, closed with a disconnected line." - Paolo Bicchieri

https://sf.eater.com/2025/3/4/24377821/restaurant-closures-san-francisco-bay-area-march-2025
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Nat awee

Google
Loved this concept. I always thought Korean food was more healthier choice but this whole Chipotle style is to my liking as well. Quick, easy, and filling. Loved their protein selections. Tried their spicy chicken and it wasn’t the best but wasn’t terrible. Their tofu was a bit plain, couldn’t absorb much flavoring to it but it kept the healthy concept. Sizing was perfect. Bathroom was a bit untidy. Soap machine looked like it only had a few drops left with trash can inside the toilet felt like it’s been awhile since it got empty. Place was overall still a 8/10 rating to me.

Emily Tagaris

Google
Built my own bowl! Very good, the spicy gochujang sauce was also really yummy. I loved that there were a lot of topping options. I would definitely recommend this place if you’re craving some Korean food and need something quick and easy :)

Yushan Li

Google
Cheap fast healthy Good if u want balanced meal, heavier than sweet greens, lighter than chipotle build your own bowl type style mostly

Miss G

Google
Great for what it is. If you are craving Korean food and want it fast and easy, great place. The spicy pork was juicy but not very spicy and the veggies were very fresh and crisp. It’s healthy and filling, like chipotle for Korean food.

Yuan L.

Google
It taste like…stronger flavor poke (?) or maybe it’s bc the signature classic bowl is with beef 🤔🥩? I’ve tried classic Korean bibimbap before, and this doesn’t taste like it. The traditional bibimbap would serve and cook with hot stone bowl. But it’s still a good food option since the portion is good and you have balance nutrients (protein, carbs, and veggies)😌 *The staff are nice, but the smell of detergent in the restaurant is kinda strong. Maybe it’s because of the pandemic so they use more cleaner (?) # The Classic (beef)

Jaecheol Lee

Google
Very decent Korean place. Especially, the amount - price ratio is very satisfactory. Even the taste is quite legit. I always feel hesitant to give five stars to a restaurant, which is the reason there is only one place I gave the top score. I think this place deserves my second place to record five stars!! Few tips: 1) Seoul Heat + Spicy Gochujang combination would be too hot for people with an ordinary immunity to spiciness. This is even hot for Koreans like me, who are eating those hot dishes every day. If you wanna try it, request more rice and less sauce. 2) I have tried Classic, Seoul Heat, and Spicy Pork so far. I recommend Classic if I should choose one. Spicy pork would be my second choice. 3) The amount is quite large. If two people who are not that hungry visit this place, even one menu would be good. You may feel like you want to bring your plate to go, even if you decided to have it in the restaurant at the beginning. Then you can ask about a lid, then they will give you one.

Meg H

Google
Korean flavor is good, but rice is hard and couldn’t tell if the bowl was supposed to be hot or cold (settled on lukewarm). Ended up as a soggy mess and couldn’t really finish. We did make-your-own so maybe that was the issue.

Mohak :]

Google
Aesthetic build-your-own bowls with large portions and decent price. Food itself is tasty and well-spiced. I'm a fan!
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Christy C.

Yelp
The place is like a Korean version of chipotle. I got the beef bowl which was a reasonable portion for the price. They give you plenty of meat but I would have appreciated a bit more vegetables instead of meat tbh. There was a lot of juice left over from the meat, so the whole bowl ate "wet". Service was nice and decent amount of seating indoors.
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Lucy P.

Yelp
Mad Seoul offers great Korean-fusion-esque food with lots of healthy options. Interior is very clean and modern. Service is overall very friendly -- I've never had any problems! I've been going to Mad Seoul for years now and they've been able to consistently maintain the quality and freshness of their food, which is impressive. I love their salad bowls and bibimbap! My usual order is their spicy chicken salad bowl with gochujang sauce and all of their toppings (e.g. carrots, kimchi, mushrooms, zucchini, turnip, etc.). Their meat is always so juicy and full of flavor -- a little salty, but nonetheless, very fresh and satisfying. I only wish they offered more salad in their salad bowls; because the meat tends to be so juicy and salty, I feel like more greens would be great in balancing out the saltiness. Their ordering process is very easy for both dine in and to-go. Since I'm always scarfing meals between lab and my classes, I primarily order online and do pick-up. The online ordering platform is seamless and I love that I get to customize my food just the way I want.
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Ray B.

Yelp
The flavors are there, but the food was served lukewarm which is always disturbing especially when eating chicken. It's great for the Cal student cramming for an exam, but if Chipotle can consistently serve hot food, I'm sure MS can too. It will remain on my list for now. BB
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Miriam W.

Yelp
Mad Seoul has mad flavor. I built my own bowl with: Bulgogi (+ $1.50) Brown Rice Kimchi Mushrooms Broccoli Green Onions Cabbage Carrots Cucumber Romaine Lettuce I added sesame ginger sauce to my bowl and it was a filling, flavorsome lunch! I also ordered a spicy chicken taco for good measure and it delivered too. I'd happily get lunch from Mad Seoul again soon.
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Selena L.

Yelp
This place is pretty underwhelming. First of all, I ordered a bowl with a salad base, and got white rice instead. I didn't mind this too much, but the bowl was fairly small for what I paid for. Additionally, the broccoli was just large pieces of raw broccoli that had little flavor, and the chicken was so much sauce but very little meat.

Riley M.

Yelp
Not too much of a fan. My bread was really soggy, and the sandwich's taste profile was just alright. Good portion for the price and lots of meat! But, clean space and kind staff. I don't plan on coming back, but it's good if you need something quick and filling.
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Anand P.

Yelp
My fave Korean joint in the east bay! Do you love Korean food? Do you love options? Do you love your meal getting assembled in front of you? Then yeah this is your spot! Fresh food, and super delicious!! Go with the spicy pork bowl, you will not be disappointed!!! Most people get take out so there are plenty of open seats!! Super friendly staff!
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Annie Z.

Yelp
Food was alright, bulging I was a little soggy and had too much sauce. Might not come back again. Food seems relatively healthy tho
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Rachel S.

Yelp
Yummy, unique options that were all seemingly affordable. Flavor will leave you craving more.
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May K.

Yelp
I'm doing some late night work and don't have time to cook tonight so I Door Dashed from this Korean place and got Spicy Pork and added a Soft Boiled Egg as an extra add on. The portions were generous and I got all of this for a little more than $25. It had plenty of veggie toppings and meat portions which were pretty tasty! I would've given this place 5 stars but it took a little longer than most places to prepare the food and get it to me and the food could've been a little warmer but overall a great go to place for a yummy Korean BBQ Bowl!

Great Val U.

Yelp
Concept is good, Korean/Mexican fusion, but food was not to my taste. I understand that many Koreans prefer their proteins on the sweeter side, however, I don't. I prefer a more savory. Sweet meat is not for me. 3-stars for concept and service, but I can't honestly remember it took more than few days to eat a burrito, and this one took me more 2-3x longer than a traditional burrito would've taken me. In fact I had to get a traditional burrito a couple days after this one, from a Mexican restaurant, just to satisfy my burrito craving. Sadly, I finished the Mexican burrito many days before I finally finished the fusion one. If they just used a more savory marinade on the meat it would've been much better in my book.
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Sabrina M.

Yelp
Had 2 other friends order a sandwich and a burrito. I got a burrito. We were all disappointed. The food was bland, dry and overall just not worth it. Our burritos were mostly rice!!!
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Omayra O.

Yelp
The menu looked interesting, and i knew that this was a faster food option, so if be able to get to my next appointment quickly, but when I walked into this business the smell was so awful that I turned around and went someplace else. Could have been an off day, I've only been there once.
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Emmeline W.

Yelp
Chic, modernized Korean fare. My sister and I enjoyed a peaceful workday lunch here. We'd never seen bibimbap served Chipotle-style-- and honestly, after coming to Mad Seoul, it needs to be a bigger thing! So yum, healthy, & very customizable. (as of March 2022) For COVID safety purposes, indoor seating has been removed, masks are required, and hand sanitizer is provided. Shop is very clean, if a little vacant. I opted for one of their signature bowls while my sis chose her own fillings. The staff were kind and attentive. SEOUL HEAT: Korean-style spicy chicken! Not too much heat, just enough to keep your mouth watering. Veg were fresh & a good complement to the spice. Huge portions given the price. Sad to see Brazil Cafe Bistro go, but Mad Seoul definitely injects this pocket on Shattuck with much-needed energy! Will have to come back to check out their newly-added tacos & burritos.
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Sarah T.

Yelp
We got a tofu bowl and a beef bowl. The tofu bowl needed more sauce. The beef was not fatty but it was really salty. Still, it offered more sauce to help the whole experience Clean and bright space. Nice service.
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Sung L.

Yelp
Just ordered something and eating it now. Definitely a bit disappointed... Mainly because the rice, which is the base for the dish is very overcooked and very mushy. What a shame. Also, the sauce is so light and lightly put on that it does nothing for the dish. For someone that enjoys bibimbap on a regular, unfortunately I can't say this is the best place. Maybe I'll try again in the future, but it's hard when you're spending so much money for their menu items... I guess I expect a lot more for the price point. The ambiance and environment is very well appreciated though. And also the customer service. Update: I tried to eat through it since I'm hungry and need to eat food but now I'm just upset about it lol. Going further into the dish, some parts are very inconsistent such as the meat being salty in certain bites, just not satisfied at all. I'll have to bring this down to 1 star because I don't think I'll be coming back unfortunately. For a place that looks like such quality, I think they need to work a little harder on maintaining standards consistently. I'm reading reviews here that are very up and down.
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Natalie L.

Yelp
One of my favorite spots in Berkeley! The protein choices are healthy-ish and flavorful (yes, even the tofu), and the fact that you can choose from so many vegetables for their bowls or salads makes you feel like you're being EXTRA healthy. It's a surprise whenever I like a tofu option just as much as meats, but the chicken options are also both good and so saucy that it coats the rice when you get a rice bowl (yum). I also love the variety in veggies you can get, but my go-to with this place is the thinly-sliced pickled cucumber. I just wish they would add more cucumbers, but that might just be because I'm a pickle fiend. Service is fast because it's literally like Korean food Chipotle-style, so you can get in and out fairly quickly. Nothing to say about the tacos because I've never tried them before, but I definitely will one day!
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Sydney J.

Yelp
This is a review specifically for the Zen bowl, which I recently got to try. The bowl contains a lot of brown rice, fried tofu, and vegetables such as zucchini, broccoli, cabbage, and shredded carrots and I added a small amount of two sauces, one being gochujang and wasn't totally sure about the other orange sauce. I was unfortunately underwhelmed by the bowl, all the vegetables tasted rather plain and I don't even like gochujang but I felt like it was necessary just to add a bit of flavor beyond the taste of the vegetables. I guess if you want to feel healthy, I doubt they added much salt, sugar, or other things to the ingredients so it's probably pretty "natural" overall, but otherwise would not recommend this item.
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Jessica Z.

Yelp
I love Mad Seoul! All the customization you want with KOREAN cuisine, my friends and I compare it to the Korean chipotle. For reference, we love chipotle. The different sauces are delicious and the proteins as well! The custom bowls are also all balanced and delicious. The service workers are also always so sweet and welcoming and the ambiance is so pretty. It's one of my favorites in North Berkeley!
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Maliha H.

Yelp
I had high hopes for this place. The concept is wonderful. The food is just unfortunate. Hard rice, too many hot and cold ingredients in one plate. Not the freshest topping options.
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James K.

Yelp
You can build your own bibimbap (not stone) and bowl dishes here with "healthier" options like having a bed of greens instead of rice. The ingredients tasted fresh and it's a good sized portion. I think it's a good go to for a quick take out.
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Celena C.

Yelp
Came back here after 2 years, and I was happy to find that they still give the same large portions and have the same quality ingredients. I've always gotten a bowl with Miso Chicken, and it tastes as good as I remember. The only thing I was disappointed in seeing was that they were using plastic bowls and plastic utensils instead of paper/compostable ones that they had years ago. I don't know if the plastic supplies are only temporary because I see sime photos from a few months ago that have the compostable bowls in them. Nonetheless, I remember coming here a lot as a student because of its good food and sustainable packaging. Hopefully they bring back the compostable bowls and utensils.
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Stephanie Y.

Yelp
It's pretty inexpensive for the amount of food that includes delicious fresh veggies, but the critique would be it is very rice heavy and it's a wee bit bland. Most recently, I went with their bowl which I've had before. I was excited to see Korean tacos and burritos on the menu (something I actually told the owner I wanted to see months back!), and the taco was solid! The spicy pork bowl is a bright and densely packed bowl topped with well cooked and spiced pork. It's not lacking, but there's not a ton of meat. The veggies aren't marinated and it's not very saucy, minus the pork, making for a very healthy, albeit more bland bowl. Gotta rock some sriracha on that bad boy. I'll be back for the burrito which my friend enjoyed although also looks very rice forward? Maybe some slaw or kimchi would add a lil' something something? Well regardless, it felt healthy it was large portions and easy on the wallet! Again prices are so reasonable, and everything tasted super fresh, I'd recommend for a simple, quick and inexpensive meal!
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Lexy A.

Yelp
100% would recommend - my partner and I LOVED it here. We both got the Build Your Own Bowl (spicy chicken) and added majority of the veggies. First, the worker put so much chicken i was shook (like1/3 the bowl). Second, there were so many veggies options and all included in the price. Third, $11?!? Like what?! The chicken was juicy and soft (likely thigh, not breast). The veggies all complemented one another. The kimchi tasted very good and authentic too. There were two tables with two chairs each outside for seating. A fairly healthy meal for a very cheap price!
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Christopher P.

Yelp
Pretty good! I got the miso chicken bowl and ended up being $14. Not bad considering it's Korean food which tends to be on the pricier side. Portions are decent, but was a little hungry afterward. There is street parking out front but you have to pay ~$0.55/18 min, which is kind of annoying.
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Julie R.

Yelp
When I walked into the place, there was no other customers, but I was quite impressed with the quality and quantity of food. It was very delicious.
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Austin H.

Yelp
Rating: 3.5 As someone else mentioned, this is pretty much Chipotle but for Korean food. I accidentally stumbled across this place on my way for apartment hunting and was intrigued. While this place allows for customization, I went with one of their preset bowls in order to see how everything tasted. I ended up getting the Classic Bowl as it had everything that reminded me of staple Korean food. Came with some bulgogi, mushrooms, pickled cucumbers, mung bean sprouts, , zucchini, pickled turnip, broccoli and cabbage. The bulgogi is fine, although nothing outstanding compared to other places in Berkeley. The ingredients seemed to be their own flavors and didn't really mesh well together. Don't get me wrong, they were good by themselves but just didn't fit well in each bite. I was also a little disappointed with the portion size for that price point. I know they use high quality ingredients but if I'm dishing out $15 ... I would hope that I would at least be pretty full. I ended up having to pick up another snack on the way home just to feel satisfied. Overall, decent place with average food. Would be nice if they increased the portion size just a tiny bit and that would've pushed it to a 4. Hoping that things will be different the next time around.
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Katherine G.

Yelp
I came by again for the second time, and it was just as good as I remembered! This time I tried the miso chicken bowl, which was delicious. The chicken was perfectly flavored, and the vegetables were all super fresh as well. Portions are still very generous for the price! I'd definitely frequent this place more if it wasn't so far from campus :').
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Jay C.

Yelp
By far my favorite lunch spot in Berkeley! My first five times here I tried all day options for the bowls. On my sixth time I decided to try burrito. OMG best decision ever the burritos are so bomb so big wrapped tight and absolutely delicious! I can't get enough of this place $11 for a pound burrito of deliciousness! You can't go wrong, this place is fire! Oh and the RED sauce!!! WOW!

Daniel S.

Yelp
How does this place have 4.5 stars on Yelp?! This has to be the biggest gap between expectations and reality that I've experienced in my decade plus on Yelp. I got the classic bowl. A healthy portion of meat, but everything else was disappointing -- the rice was gummy, the vegetables were tasteless and lacking variety, and the overall portion was small. I was expecting something approximating a bibimbap, and this was nothing like it. Hard pass.
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Jade W.

Yelp
as a college student, it can definitely be tough to eat healthy. cooking is a chore, and if you're going out to eat, chances are you're going for something quick and most likely very greasy because it's cheap and tastes good (probably a lot better tasting than whatever you'd try cooking lol). enter: mad seoul. it's a korean restaurant that allows you to order chipotle-style style bibimbap bowls, where you choose a base, protein, and toppings. best part about it is that most of those toppings are vegetables, meaning you're eating really healthy while still enjoying your food! of course, mad seoul isn't quite as tasty as some of the higher end sit-down korean restaurants, as it is still ultimately more of a fast food place, but the ingredients they use are very high quality and taste fresh, making it perfect for a quick weeknight bite. definitely recommend giving it a try if you're into korean food or just want to start eating healthier without the hassle of cooking yourself!
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Jillian P.

Yelp
Huge portions, great flavors! Came here after work because I was starving and in no mood to go grocery shopping... such a smart decision! Quick service and generous portions (see photo). In less than 5 minutes I was happily seated and stuffing my face with the spicy chicken (extra kimchi please)! Feels like the Korean version of Chipotle. Great spot if you're in need of a quick fix with some good, classic flavors.
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Jackeem S.

Yelp
False advertisement. Staff there lied and didn't follow their own menu prices. I got the special double protein which was advertised to be $13.50. I got the Miso chicken bowl and the staff charged me $14.50 which was for a regular bowl and protein. Normal bowl is listed for $12.50 and the extra protein is $2.00. On the menu the miso chicken plate is listed for $11.00. I have screen shots attached in this review. The girl continued to lie and say the difference was between them was a bowl and plate which was not advertised anywhere on the menu but she charged me for a regular bowl. She also wouldn't answer what the price was just so she could continue with her lie. Terrible customer service, dishonest business practices, and false advertisement. The bowl and the plate wasn't listed on the menu either. Update: These were the price instore. I know the owner tried to pull a fast one and say online but it was the menu instore I just used their online menu as reference.
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Geminyna J.

Yelp
Parking Karma depends on the time and day you pop in. Usually ample metered street parking within a couple blocks walking distance. Friendly staff on hand to explain the Chipotle-esque ordering process. Start with a base (brown/white rice or spring mix), add fresh/pickled veggies, pick a protein (or pick 2 proteins with half portions at the recommendation of Aaron, the accommodating owner), and select a sauce on the side. The Classic: a traditional Korean bibimbap with bulgogi, white rice, sautéed shrooms, mung bean sprouts, broccoli, zucchini, pickled cucumbers, turnip & red cabbage. Savory thinly sliced bulgogi was tasty and tender, not dried out nor sinewy. I opted to mix all 3 house sauces for a bold flavor profile: tangy sesame ginger, sweet soy to balance the umami, and gochujang for a kick. The Miso Chicken Kid's Bowl with white rice and pickled cucumbers is a generous portion for $7 which my picky lil eater DEVOURED! That speaks volumes, as she hardly ever polishes off her plate (or in this case, compostable bowl). Eco-friendly disposable bowls and biodegradable utensils along with corresponding recycle and compost bins available onsite. We'll be back soon to try the spicy chicken and tofu bowls!
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Amy Z.

Yelp
Pretty good place! Can see this as a chipotle-style Korean place. Would go again for if I had a craving for Korean bibimbaps or the like. The bowls give decent portions of food. Had two meals for myself for one bowl. Takeout was easy to handle! Everything was well packaged. Orders: - Spicy Pork: good sides, slightly spicy/sweet - Spicy Chicken: got this because they had kimchi as a small side in the bowl. Kimchi was okay, but overall the dish was pretty good I would say overall, this place is satisfactory, nothing toooo amazing. Both dishes tasted essentially the same (just with different meats). However, I did enjoy the meal and would come back again!

Philip W.

Yelp
Killer Korean-Cali fusion at a great price! Their bowls are ample and satisfying, the ingredients fresh and delicious, and I'm now experiencing their miso chicken burritos and bulgogi burritos, outstanding! Healthy, nourishing, great folks there with Aaron and the rest of the crew, very fair pricing. One of my favorite go-to spots for a quick, delicious meal!
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Lawrence C.

Yelp
I came here for a quick dinner, and when I came here the store was completely empty. The servers were pretty nice, and I was able to just order at the front and get my food instantly. The interior is clean and bright, with a few tables for people to sit at. Although they have pre-set bowls that you can order, I decided to build my own bowl since the pre-set bowls had items that I wasn't a big fan of. For the food I got the spicy pork with white rice, along with some kimchi and mushrooms. The portions sizes here are pretty big for the price, and they should be good for one person to get full off of. I like the gochujang sauce that they used, as it added a sweet and tangy taste to the dish that enhanced the flavor. The spicy pork was also good, and they gave a decent amount of meat to the bowl. I definitely recommend this place for people looking for a quick place to get a meal, as there usually isn't much of a crowd at the restaurant and the portion sizes are big. I would recommend checking out a menu before you come to see what options they have since they have a decent variety.
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John A.

Yelp
After 5 visits I'll write a review! The consistency of the bowls are spot on!!! HOLE IN A WALL but clean and delish. You literally need to stumble on this place parking isn't the best but it's so good. If you like bibimbap definitely try it out. It's more of a warm bowl than a hot bowl. Still very tasty they don't have the traditional stone hot bowl but who cares it's quick, fun and delicious!
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Iona C.

Yelp
I attempted a very, VERY short keto run out of solidarity with a coworker I regularly dragged out on boba runs two to three times a week. As we eased out of that and back into a more varied, but still healthy diet, we realized how few choices there seemed to be for fresh, tasty and reasonably priced food that would leave you satisfied and not hungry a couple of hours after lunch. There are only so many times you can eat Chipotle and, after an almost $20 salad at the Mixt, we decided to expand our range to include Berkeley. I'm a huge fan of Korean food, but was a little wary of this fusion-y, Chipotle-like take on it. Turns out there was nothing to be worried about because Mad Seoul makes some mean bowls. My coworkers picked up two of the classic bibimbap bowls and when she handed me mine, the first thing I thought about was how heavy it seemed. I don't care how creative you get with your Chipotle combos, you never end up with a container with considerable heft. Yes, the base layer of the classic bowl is perfectly cooked short-grain rice, but the majority of the bowl was filled with vegetables (cooked and raw) and thoroughly marinated bulgogi. Truly classic bibimbap, or at least the versions I've tried at Korean restaurants, always taste pretty plain since you have the option of adding gochujang sauce for flavor. What I really appreciated about Mad Seoul was that since many of the ingredients were prepared separately, each one seemed to have a unique flavor and texture. While too many flavors can lead to poor results, the ingredients in the classic bowl blended together so well and created a really memorable meal. I haven't had a chance to stop in for a proper sit down meal here, but I do hope to check-in again soon.
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Cari A.

Yelp
Metered street parking in front of this location. Thankfully it's summer and I found parking with ease. Once inside, you see the cashier. I mistakingly started ordering there first, but you actually head to the right and start placing your order there. It seems a little counterintuitive since the glass screen between you and the food are so high, but I appreciate that it makes things more sanitary. You order your base, your protein, toppings, and then your sauce. I loved eating here because I rarely eat fresh veggies but this place makes it so easy to have something super tasty with no problem! Pros: -friendly staff -customizable options -good food -fast service -casual environment -this is the type of place you can eat alone or with others due to their floor plan -indoor and outdoor seating -their bowls and cups are compostable! Cons: -I think my meal was about $15 so this is probably not an every day type of meal but I'm glad I tried it!
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Ed U.

Yelp
Truth be told, I didn't expect that much on first blush. After all, what's the big deal about a Korean-style Chipotle operation, especially so close to campus where Cal students with indiscriminate tastes would probably rule the flavor palate here? Since Jamie W. and I stroll on Shattuck quite often, we saw this new identity take over the former Brazil Cafe Bistro, and I thought we should give it the old college try. Owner Aaron Kim was standing behind the register being very conscientious about our presence and looked to the young staff to help us from behind the counter. I knew I wanted the $11 Salad base and then I chose the $1.50 Miso Chicken as my protein. What came in between was a cornucopia of sautéed vegetables, bean sprouts, pickled cucumbers and turnips, shredded carrots and cabbage, and upon request, kimchee. All of it was drizzled by a creamier-than-expected orange sesame-ginger sauce (photo: http://bit.ly/2vqODXU). It was like someone decided to throw all the banchan in a single bowl, and it magically worked together. Jamie had the same thing, and we liked it so much that we came back a week later and ordered almost the same bowls but this time with the Spicy Chicken (photo: http://bit.ly/2PySLyy). We thought the spicy chicken was a bit greasier but hey, we know that now. Yeah, we be mad about Mad Seoul. FOOD - 5 stars...Korean-style bowls that rock as much as they roll AMBIANCE - 4 stars...clean & well kept but I'm betting most people get the food to go SERVICE - 4.5 stars...Aaron keeps a solid, tight ship TOTAL - 5 stars...hoping they continue to thrive (they looked blessedly busier on our second visit) RELATED - Buzzing around Berkeley? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2CbVh8u
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Benjamin B.

Yelp
I work next door and my coworker talks about this place so much i was tempted and I was not disappointed! I tried the spicy chicken burrito and Beef taco....WOW Both had excellent flavor and the portion size was perfect. Bowls are next... Def recommend!
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Serena J.

Yelp
It's like Chipotle, but it's bibimbap and it doesn't make you want to die afterwards! You choose a base, a protein, and add as many vegetables as you'd like. The bowls are surprisingly deep, so you get your money's worth, although it is a bit heavy with the rice. Satisfying, but healthy. I got the miso chicken, which was suitably tender. The gochujang sauce added some nice flavor. Unfortunately, there aren't fried eggs, but there are soft boiled eggs if you're into that.
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Edwin F.

Yelp
It really is a korean version of chipotle with bibimbap ingredients... and it's great!!! I came in not sure of what I wanted and the owner offered to let me sample the different proteins and that greatly affected my choice. He was very kind, attentive, and helpful. With a friendly conversation, we started building my bowl and I found the portions to be generous. He told me that it was possible to do half and half of two different proteins which allowed me to diversify my bowl. I got the miso and spicy chicken and both are tasty. I did get to try the bulgogi and spicy pork and they were delish but alas, have to watch my diet. I paid $12 for my bowl and it's pretty sizable. The store is still young and I think it will be a big hit! Come try it out for yourself to taste :)
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Sarah L.

Yelp
This place is great if you are looking for something healthy and filling! Came here for dinner on a Wednesday night after a yoga session. It was around 7:15pm and only two tables were occupied and there wasn't a line. The interior design looks really nice, simple and clean with wooden tables. They also have outdoor sittings as well. Ordering food here is very similar to Chipotle or any other poke places; you order what you want in the order of base, protein, sides, etc and you pay at the end once you get all the ingredients you want. I built my own bowl with miso chicken and salad with all the toppings and my sister built hers with bulgogi and brown rice. Even though the bulgogi is $1.50 extra, I highly recommend it! The proteins and all the side toppings are very well seasoned. I think the proteins would be even better if they are a little bit warmer in temperature. The portion is perfect but if you are a small eater, you can probably split this into two meals or share between two people. My sister and I were really hungry so we were able to finish the whole thing XD Overall this is a good place to go to if you are craving Korean food in downtown berkeley! The service is fast and the price is decent with good portion!
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Megana V.

Yelp
Pre covid review: Went here when it had just opened it it was so good! Despite being on the pricier side, the portion sizes are huge and it definitely serves as 2 meals (even when I was really hungry I had trouble finishing it in one sitting). All the proteins are really flavorful and taste authentically korean and the whole meal is really light and healthy! Definitely recommend for take out now!
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Hui C.

Yelp
I tried the Zen. It is disappointing and boring. If you boil some veggie, add some brown rice and a bit spicy sauce, there you can make your own Zen.
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Adelina W.

Yelp
One of the only places near campus that has tasty food, large portions, decent amount of protein + vegetables + rice, fast service, and reasonable prices! This is literally the only place I've been to new campus that offers a warm rice bowl with a healthy serving of vegetables and meat. Each vegetable and meat has different and wonderful flavors and overall the food is tasty and healthy.
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Kelly M.

Yelp
Pork bowl was delicious. Good quality, well spiced, healthy. Only thing is would love some more rice options brown rice for example. Will definitely go back.