Korean-Mexican concept Nuevo Seoul is opening this week in downtown Detroit

Call it a Korean restaurant with a Mexican twist, or vice versa; either way, Nuevo Seoul is hoping to bring something new to the downtown Detroit dining scene this week.

Opening Thursday at 220 W. Congress, the bar and restaurant is a project from brothers Chris and Peter Han, who also own high-end Hanah Steakhouse in the same area. Nuevo Seoul is a more casual concept, however, with only walk-in service, no reservations needed.

"Downtown has opened so many upper-end restaurants, and we wanted to kind of target more in the middle," said Peter Han, adding that they'll have DJs and televisions for sports-watching. The Hans hope Nuevo Seoul is more of a spur-of-the-moment type of place, a lunch destination and an after-work gathering spot.

The new restaurant is not only opening in time for the NFL Draft crowds that are expected downtown, but also the warmer weather.

Nuevo Seoul will have garage-style doors leading to an alley-facing outdoor patio, plus a line of refreshing drinks including Mexican agua fresca with or without alcohol and boozy frozen drinks. The food menu will be accessible, fun bar food like tacos, sandwiches and fried chicken, as well as some Korean-influenced entrees.

"Our Korean-fried chicken, we have four different glazes," said Peter Han when asked what menu item will likely be the most popular. "We also offer Korean-fried chicken sandwiches, Korean barbecue tacos and our birria tacos. It's all Korean short rib beef slow-cooked birria."

"I think it's going to fill a void that is missing downtown," added Chris, pointing out that while there are Korean restaurants throughout the suburbs, there's not much kimchi in the city itself.

After its Thursday debut, Nuevo Seoul will be open at noon daily. Operating hours for the dining room are noon-9 p.m. Tues.-Thurs., noon-midnight Fri.-Sat. and noon-6 p.m. Sun., plus carryout and delivery service noon-6 p.m. Mon. The restaurant is at 220 W Congress, Suite B in downtown Detroit. Call (313) 502-5171. For now, follow the Nuevo Seoul on Instagram at instagram.com/nuevoseouldetroit, and later, the website eatatnuevoseoul.com.

mbaetens@detroitnews.com