Belgian chicken chain Seoul South Station already sets its sights on international growth

With just five locations in Belgium, Seoul South Station—the specialist in Korean fried chicken dishes—is already eyeing the potential of travel retail locations abroad: the first international openings are expected starting in late 2027 or in 2028.

Acceleration

Entrepreneur Filip Kuzminski developed the Seoul South Station concept at age 23, not with the intention of opening a traditional restaurant, but to build a brand capable of rapid growth. After opening its first kiosk in Leuven, the chain expanded to Ghent and Brussels Central Station. At the same time, the brand’s food trucks made their way to Belgium’s largest festivals. This summer, the chain experienced a slight acceleration with the opening of a fourth restaurant in Brussels (Ixelles) and a fifth location in Bruges last week.

Thanks to a streamlined concept, the food service brand is easy to scale up. The menu has been deliberately kept compact: Korean fried chicken, a few sauces, and two side dishes. This makes it clear for the customer and easier to manage for the company. Since its launch, Seoul South Station has sold nearly one million meals. The bestseller is the Busan Bowl, featuring Korean fried chicken, rice, and honey garlic sauce, with approximately 400,000 servings sold.

Stations and airports

The next step lies primarily in travel retail: Seoul South Station aims to expand its presence in train stations, airports, subway stations, and large shopping centers. The first international openings are expected starting in late 2027 or in 2028, including through partnerships with international players specializing in concessions at stations and airports. “Belgium is our playground. This is where we test, refine, and finalize the concept. But the world is our final destination,” said Kuzminski.

Seoul South Station and its sister chain, Banh Mi Express—which has six locations specializing in Vietnamese street food—generated a combined revenue of 8 million euros in 2025, spread across restaurants, festivals, and events.