Restaurants Cafés
A beginner's resource guide to the Korean-American lifestyle in Chicago.
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Chicago Seoul A beginner's resource guide to the Korean-American lifestyle in Chicago. |
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Restaurants:
Did you know: Boon Shiks [boon sheek] are restaurants that are quick & cheap. It means "home style cooking". The patrons don't come for the atmosphere nor the décor of the restaurant but rather the fast service and inexpensive pricetag. Similar to an Italian Trattoria, you can usually order all the basics. |
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| Ban Po Jung 3450 W. Foster Ave, Chicago 773-583-5209 11am-11pm daily |
Good for any dish, the sides are fresh and plentiful. Simple food to satisfy all your Korean cravings. If you like Korean style seafood stews, try the Haemul Jeongol. It's supposed to be for 2 people but actually feeds 4! My cousin, Connie's, favorite place to stop. (Back to the Top) | ||||
| Bowl House 1918 S. Arlington Heights Rd, Arlington Heights 847-398-7878 |
Japanese restaurant that serves Sushi as well as good noodle dishes such as Udon. Like many Chinese or Japanese restaurants, the owners are Korean. Thus, the menu includes many Korean dishes such as Odang which is a radish & fishcake broth soup. |
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3441 W. Lawrence Ave, Chicago 773-588-0101 Chang Choong Dong (Niles) |
 2 locations by the same name which are well known for old world authentic specialties such as Soon-Dae (blood sausage) and Jok-Bal. That's what everyone orders when they dine here. Not for the timid, for sure. So if you're thinking about introducing your friends to Korean fare, this isn't the place to start them off---it's the place to scare them off. |
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| Chicago Kalbi 3752 W. Lawrence Ave, Chicago 773-604-8183 |
Most people come for the always popular Kalbi (marinated BBQ short ribs) which is their specialty, but it has a good selection & covers all the basics. It's a mixture of sit down tables w/ chairs and traditional elevated rooms w/ short tables where you must remove your shoes & dine on the floor. It's a bit of a dive, but good food. The owner doesn't speak perfect Korean b/c she grew up in Japan. Interesting! |
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| Cho Dang Tofu 1719 W. Algonquin Rd, Mount Prospect 847-956-8638 |
This specialty Soon Too-Boo (tofu) place has been around since the mid to late 90's. It's a good place if you're in the mood for the various Korean tofu dishes & soups. The majority of them are going to be salty & spicy as with most Korean dishes. A lot of young people come here w/ their friends. It's not the most popular place to go for a family meal. Very simple food, it's tofu. |
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| Cho Sun Oak 4200 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago 773-549-5555 |
This tiny Lincoln Square dive is very crowded on weekends. Lots of young people gathering for a good authentic meal. The owner is an old Ah Jah Shi who doesn't speak any English. He may look & sound annoyed, but he's really friendly & accomodating in a Korean way. Simply good 'ole authentic Korean fare. |
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| Hae Woon Dae Kalbi 6240 N. California, Chicago 773-764-8018 Open 24/7 |
Kalbi house (BBQ marinated short ribs) that also serves many types of soup specialties. A popular one is Yoo Kae Jang which is a spicy hot broth soup w/ shredded beef, green onions & vegetables. There are plenty of spicy fish soups to help clear your sinuses. |
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| Han Baht Sul Lung Tang 2723 W. Lawrence Ave, Chicago 773-271-8640 |
 This place is a dive that specializes in Sul Lung Tang which is a thick bone marrow broth soup made from Cow Bones, sliced meat & served w/ chopped scallions. Definitely an acquired taste & one of my favorites growing up. |
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| Jang Mo Nim 6320 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago 773-509-0211 10:30am-6am M-Sat Closed Sun |
Clean, bright, lots of tables & booths, but the service was lacking. There's an English menu w/ all the usuals, but nothing special. They cooked our Kalbi for us instead of firing up the table grill. Not nice.  Plus, we had to ask for lettuce & red soybean sauce which should come w/ the meal. The chop chae was greasy & dull while the Dol-Sot was good. We seemed to have been there on an off night. This place could be a lot better, so I'm going to recommend it anyway. |
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| Jin Ju 5203 N. Clark, Chicago 773-334-6377 |
This Andersonville restaurant is a place to see & be seen. The stylish décor and impressive martini list attracts a certain type of crowd. The menu is very westernized. Good for cocktails & conversation. |
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| Korean Express 330 S. Wells, Chicago 312-986-8009 10am-4:30pm Mon-Fri Closed Sat-Sun |
 The only Korean place in the Loop area. It's a fast food place that shares a spot w/ Lai Lai Oriental Express (Chinese). Caters to the lunch time work week crowd. Stop in for a quick order of Bulgogi, Kalbi or Bi Bim Bop. A much needed respite from the typical fast food franchises all over the greater Loop area. |
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| Korean Restaurant 2649 W. Lawrence Ave, Chicago 773-878-2095 Open 24/7 |
Clean, bright but slow service & mediocre food. Can't go wrong w/ favorites such as Bul-gogi (marinated beef prepared in a skillet) or Bi Bim Bop (steamed rice w/ meat & veggies). However, if looking for quality cooking, go elsewhere. Popular among non-Koreans due to the simple atmosphere & open 24/7. |
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| Koreana 1123 N. Salem Dr, Schaumburg 847-882-3690 |
In a small plaza near a Korean grocery store, beauty salon & video store all in a row; it's a convenient spot to stop for authentic food. For the most part, it's frequented by families. The menu is huge and almost anything you order is good here. Ask what's fresh when ordering specialties such as cow feet. (Back to the Top) | ||||
| Koryo 2936 N. Broadway, Chicago 773-477-8510 |
Hip Korean dining fits the trendy neighborhood. Located on the busy Broadway strip in Lincoln Park near Rice Box. Good place to impress your co-workers for a more comfortable Korean experience. The food is for the most part authentic.(Back to the Top) | ||||
| Lincoln Noodle House 5862 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago 773-275-8847 |
In Korean, this place is called Lincoln Boon Shik. It's cheap & quick. Frequented by a lot of teens being located in front of Lane Tech High School. |
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| Mitsuwa 100 E. Arlington Hts Rd, Arlington Heights 847-956-6699 9am-8pm Mon-Sat |
Japanese mega department store. This place is huge & expensive. Food court, electronics, appliances, clothes & accessories, beauty supplies...you name it. Good noodle vendors. Great place to p/u ready-made sushi or sashimi to take home. www.mitsuwachicago.net/ (Back to the Top) | ||||
| New Seoul Restaurant 638 W. Algonquin Rd, Des Plaines 847-439-3720 11am-11pm Mon-Fri 12pm-11pm Sat, 1pm-10:30pm Sun |
Oak Wood Charcoal is used to BBQ at the tables. Their Kalbi is fantastic, but priced accordingly. You can get away w/ 2 people sharing a serving at most restaurants. They have other specialties such as BBQ Hyuh (Cow Tongue) and Kope Jang (Cow Intestines). Popular place to enjoy meals w/ your family. |
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| Pine Tree Leaf 243 W. Golf Rd, Schaumburg 847-519-1717 |
 Within the same plaza as Coffee Haus, it has neon lights & modern tables set in an airy space. However, it's not the décor that attracts patrons of all ages from high schoolers to young families along w/ their grandparents. The tasty food, reliable service & casual atmosphere makes this place a favorite. |
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| San Soo Gap San 5247 N. Western Ave, Chicago 773-334-1589 Open 24/7 |
Definition of a Dive. One piece of advice, don't park in the parking lot. Plenty of street parking. This tops almost everyone's list as the place to go to enjoy good food & conversation among the private cubicle-like dining areas w/out the unreasonable pricetag. Very popular among young professionals, students & groups of men w/ their drinking buddies. There's always a good crowd especially latenight. |
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| Rice Box 2940 N. Broadway, Chicago 773-404-1700 |
Next to Koryo, on busy Broadway. Family owned Korean Doh Shi Rak place. Fast food Korean & Japanese style. Clean, bright & popular w/ in the neighborhood. (Back to the Top) | ||||
| Soju 1745 W. North Ave, Chicago 773-782-9000 Mon-Thurs 6-10pm; Fri-Sat 6-11pm |
 Named after a type of Korean liquor similar to Japanese sake & located in trendy Wicker Park, it was opened in the late 90's by a group of young Korean friends. The décor is sleek & urban. The food is slightly westernized, but the essence remains. Good hang out for Soju cocktails. |
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| Sol Ga 5828 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago 773-728-0802 |
Good for table grilling goodies as well as Nang Myun which is chewy noodles w/ freshly sliced asian pears, meat & vegetables served in a clear broth soup. It's an absolute favorite during warm weather. |
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| Woo Rae Oak 3201 Algonquin Rd, Rolling Meadows 847-870-9910 11am-10:30pm daily |
Large upscale restaurant that serves authentic food. Only a bit more pricey than other Korean places. People come for the ambience which is different than the usual dive, but the food isn't compromised. It's still plain 'ole boon shik in a regal setting. Service is sluggish. |
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| Cafés: | |||||
| Art Zone & Café 3238 W. Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago 773-267-9199 |
 Also known by the name Gallery 7000 & Café. Its name is self-explanatory. Combines art & coffee. Located on the happening (as happening as it gets in K-town Chicago) Bryn Mawr strip, you'll see the same crowd in all the cafés. Young, ranging from high schoolers & undergrads to 20's hipster professionals. |
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| Coffee Haus 209 W. Golf Rd, Schaumburg 847-755-1233 |
Relaxing place to hang out. Enjoy some Bubble Tea, snacks or coffee while lounging on their comfortable couches & chairs. There are also sit down tables, a large wide-screen TV w/ DVD's to enjoy & a few computers w/ Internet Access; free for 15 min or less. Mostly teens & young professionals. They sell rip-off designer handbags as well. |
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| Outdoor Café 3257 W. Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago 773-539-6078  |
 A few doors down from Time Coffee on Bryn Mawr. Good place to hang out w/ friends & enjoy Bubble Tea, coffee & snacks. Many come for Pat Bin Su (Red Bean ice dessert) a favorite for all ages. Especially appetizing during the summer. Young crowd, teens to early 30's. The décor simulates an out-of-doors experience. It feels like you're surrounded by stage sets & props mimicking elements of nature. |
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| Time Coffee 3247 W. Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago 773-463-3937 |
 The offerings here are very similar to Outdoor Café in addition to semi-meals such as Udon. They offer sweet Lemon tea just like they do in Seoul cafés. The décor consists of ultra-modern glass tables & chairs along w/ sleek leather sofas as well as cozy cloth couches. The green tinted ceiling has a subtle glowing effect. If you're in the mood to chill & catch up on pop culture, you can sit back & listen to Korean music while flipping thru the latest fashion zines such as Céci. |
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