So Hospitality Group opens Kimchi Guys in Edwardsville, with Drunken Fish to follow

The third location of Korean fried chicken restaurant Kimchi Guys opened today, Friday, July 14, at 6151 Trace Parkway Drive, Suite B, in Edwardsville. Kimchi Guys owner Munsok So’s So Hospitality Group will also open a new location of Drunken Fish on Friday, Aug. 3, in the same building, at 6151 Trace Parkway Drive, Suite A.  

Kimchi Guys’ Edwardsville location measures around 2,000 square feet, and seats around 40 guests. The Korean fusion fast-casual restaurant will offer its Korean twice-fried chicken, rice bowls, chicken sandwiches, Korean BBQ tacos, a variety of kimchi and more.  

The new Drunken Fish location is larger still, at around 4,000 square feet, with space for approximately 200 diners to enjoy sushi rolls, sashimi, tempura and other favorite Japanese dishes. Drunken Fish customers can also enjoy al fresco dining on the restaurant’s patio. Both restaurants will offer pickup and delivery services, with dedicated pickup stations in each restaurant for delivery drivers.

It’s the first time either restaurant has opened on the east side of the Mississippi, but for So himself, it’s a kind of homecoming. “I started my business in Collinsville, Illinois, back when I was 21 years old,” So said. “It’s kind of like getting back where I started.” So said he “fell in love with the community” in Edwardsville when he was making regular visits there a few years ago, and that started a process that led to the opportunity to bring his restaurants across the river.

So said Kimchi Guys and Drunken Fish are coming along at the right time for Edwardsville. “Just being around Edwardsville and that entire Illinois area, there was a void of Asian options, and I thought bringing in a Korean concept and a Japanese concept would enhance the dining experience overall,” he said.

Drunken Fish will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Wednesday and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday to Sunday. Kimchi Guys will be open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.