The 6 Best Korean Restaurants in Chicago
When you think of Korean food, what’s the first thing you think of? Is it kimchi? The fragrant smell of Korean BBQ grills? How about the crispy exterior of a kimchi pancake? There are no wrong answers here because they’re all equally delicious.
Chicago is packed with an abundance of excellent Korean restaurants, so we wanted to help you narrow down the best of the best. From Korean BBQ to spicy tteokbokki, we picked the 6 best restaurants near you serving authentic and high-quality Korean food.
Bonchon
If you’re a Chicago native, there’s a high chance you already recognize Bonchon. They’re known for their perfectly golden Korean fried chicken, which was recognized by Business Insider in 2019 as“the gold standard for fried chicken”. Their chicken is double fried for double the flavor and comes in various flavors, including soy garlic, spicy, or half and half. Not in the mood for chicken? No worries- their menu is packed with classic Korean dishes like bibimbap, tteokbokki, and japchae. Is your stomach growling yet? Check out their full menu on Chowbus and let the feast begin.
Ahjoomah’s Apron
Located in Chinatown, Ahjoomah’s Apron prides itself on authentic and high-quality Korean cuisine. Some of their specialties include bibimbap, kalbi & bulgogi soup, and stir-fries. If you’ve never had their Kalbi Tang, you’re missing out. It’s a clear Korean soup made with beef short ribs and vegetables that warms up your stomach in a heartbeat. The meat is so tender that it falls off the bone, plus the broth is rich and decadent. Thank us later when you try this out.
Daebak Korean BBQ
We don’t know what KPOP soundtrack Daebak Korean BBQ plays in their restaurant, but we do know that they serve high-quality Korean BBQ and dishes. They have all the dishes you’d see in a Korean restaurant: seafood pancakes, rice cakes, kimchi pork belly, etc. We can’t bring the grill to you at home, but we can sure bring the restaurant-quality meals you love right to your doorstep. Choose from a range of meats, including bulgogi, marinated pork, and kalbi. There’s nothing that can beat the smell of perfectly grilled Korean BBQ. The meat may be the star here, but don’t skip out on their other winning dishes like their Spicy Seafood Tofu Soup and Seafood Pancake.
Kimchi Pop by Chef Son
Stop, POP, and roll into Kimchi Pop by Chef Son, a local favorite for classic and simple Korean dishes. Some favorite dishes include kimbap, kimchi stew, and army stew. For those of you scratching your head and wondering “what’s army stew?”, it’s a Korean fusion stew that originated after the Korean War. Food was scarce for soldiers, so they resorted to the abundance of American processed foods on military bases. This soup combines Korean ingredients, like rice cakes and kimchi, with American processed ingredients, like hot dogs and spam. Yes - the stuff in a can. It sounds strange, but trust us when we say it’s delicious and comforting. All the different textures and flavors mix beautifully together for the perfect bite. Customers love the Army Stew here and rave about its spicy broth and savory ingredients.
Do Eat
Located in Bridgeport, Do Eat is known for its mouth-watering Korean BBQ and modern twist on classic Korean dishes. They pride themselves on their selection of marinated meats, high-quality kimchi, and fresh bibimbap. Just listen to how good these sound: Charcoal broiled beef short ribs, pork belly, and tender beef marinated in-house specialty sauce. This is the spot for meat lovers everywhere. On top of their meat selection, they also serve Korean classics like Mandu, Soondubu, and Tteokbokki. If you’ve never heard of tteokbokki, they’re spicy rice cakes you can find at almost any Korean restaurant. They’re popular street food and people love their chewy texture. It’s the ultimate comfort food.
Seoul Taco
We’re throwing a curveball at you with our next recommendation: Seoul Taco. They’re a Mexican and Korean fusion restaurant specializing in street food. You might be a bit skeptical but the combination of Korean flavors in a taco is mindblowing. Their menu includes burritos, stuffed with kimchi rice and your choice of meat, waffle fries topped with bulgogi steak, and tacos. Each bite is a burst of flavor and spice! Don’t just take our word for it, Seoul Taco has been praised on The Food Network, The Cooking Channel, and Sauce Magazine.
Interested in trying out any of these Korean restaurants in Chicago?
Whether you’re a loyal Korean BBQ fan or prefer classic bibimbap, we hope these restaurant recommendations fuel your foodie adventures. Lucky for you, you don’t need to go far. You don’t even need to leave the comfort of your own home thanks to Chowbus.
With Chowbus, you get to order from incredible Korean restaurants and enjoy high-quality dishes at home. What are you waiting for? Open the Chowbus app to start exploring all these delicious restaurants!
