Simulated moving bed (SMB) chromatography has been investigated in order to separate chiral compounds for pharmaceutical use. SMB utilizes the principle of true moving bed (TMB) chromatography, and has the advantages of low solvent usage, flexible configuration of columns and hardwares, and high productivity of the chiral compounds over the TMB. Large scale separation of xylene isomers and saccharides has been conducted since 1960s. However, the application of SMB in the fine chemical industries is still in the infant stage. The study of SMB for the chiral compounds production was initiated in the mid 1990s and further researches are actively undergoing. This review summarizes the principle of SMB as well as the chemistry of chiral stationary phase and chiral compounds.