From classic Korean BBQ in Albany Park to decorated fine dining destinations to fry crybaby joints with legions of fans , the measure and calibre of Korean food for thought in Chicago has grown to a point that someone might have to compose a song called " Seoul Man " . Sorry , that put-on was terrible . fortuitously , these establishments are quite the opposite .
Crisp
We ’ve already severalize you that Crisp makes the expert wing in Chicago , and that rubric is all thanks to that like an expert double - fry peel and the Seoul Sassy ’s ginger soy garlic sauce .
Dak
dhak serve up enormous ( seriously : they ’re Brobdingnagian . ) drumstick with extra - fragile , super crisp cutis , the hallmark of Korean - trend wings . While the soy - ail is also pleasant-tasting , get yours thrash in the spicy - BBQ option .
Chicago Kalbi
This table - top Korean BBQ spot with Tokyo flavor is a hotspot for visit Japanese baseball players – there ’s even a living - size cut - out of Ichiro . Come in to string up out the hit B. B. King , and bask the beef tartare , marinated boeuf liver , and meridian ribeye wrapped in pelf and spicy soybean spread .
San Soo Gab San
eventually , something you enjoy skim over the coalsmore than Ventra : tasty short ribs . Everything ’s cooked over a charcoal grill , which seals the pith with caramelized char that ’s unattainable on schematic , electric , tabletop grills . The Kalbi is top - notch ; partner off it with an teemingness of banchans until as late as 3 am .
Gosu
Chef Bang bangs out traditional Japanese and Korean fare at this upbeat vicinity spot . Bring your favorite bottleful of booze , and locate in for heedful service , stone - roll bibimbap with marinated beef , cross - gelded short rib , and drunken fried wings with Gosu fervor sauce .
Susie’s Noon Hour Grill
This place is no enigma amongst Loyola students and its Rogers Park neighbor , but it ’s time the rest of the metropolis get familiar . Susie ’s is your spot for a Korean pep up breakfast like that which your grandma would make . Not only do you get to indulge in fantastic bi bim bop and omelettes mix American cheese with foetid kimchi but you also get service with a smile .
Dancen
It ’s no longer a secret but any lean without the best Korean bar food in the city just is n’t legit . All you need to know is one affair , two words . Fire Chicken . They manage to make the meat both well charred and juicy and bring the heat with each bite which is just o.k. because there ’s plenty of alcohol to sedate it all down .
Joong Boo Market
There ’s a nice little Korean cafeteria located inside this popular Korean grocer but you do n’t even have to mistreat inside to get one of the undecomposed food deals in the metropolis . Located at the entrance is the all-powerful dumpling stand specializing in Mandoo which are big Korean dumpling stuff with center and veggie . Just $ 2 for your choice of fill and you get yourself a nice brightness tiffin . We ’re partial to the pork offer .
Cafe 33 Orient
Hidden in a strip mall on Kedzie are some of the expert Korean wings in the city . Crispy is an understatement with these things , not to mention the flavor each wing multitude . It does n’t stop there : you could also enjoy many other kin dearie all made by the sweet-scented mom and pop squad that own the place .
Song Do
For $ 20 , you ’ll get alllllllll the buffet - stylus flapcake , kimchi , and galbi . bombastic grills baby-sit on the tabletops , so buffet car can cook the nitty-gritty to their liking , and there ’s no corkage fee for those who embrace the BYOB policy .
Cho Sun Ok Restaurant
You ca n’t go unseasonable with the large circumstances and sane prices at this BYOB anchor that ’s equipped with hot plates at every table . Nosh on the chadolbaegi and bulgogi , and do n’t miss the seafood hot cake . Pro tip : the billet is systematically pack and they do n’t take reservations , so try boom during off - hour , or be prepared to wait .
Parachute
Korean food saw it ’s uprise into the epicurean nationally recognized category this past year with this James beard award - win restaurant . The squad takes Korean favorites and ever so slightly more or less reinvents them into pretty plate that try every chip as good as they attend .
Rice’N Bread
When the current owners bought the old business , which was also a restaurant , they made certain to keep the local anaesthetic favourite while adding their own Korean family formula to the menu . raw material like Bulgogi , Kalbi , teriyaki , and twigim ( deep fried ) make out the menu alongside American diner classics and the aforesaid long time client favorites such as akutagawa .
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Titus Ruscittiis a contributor at Thrillist and longtime Chicago food explorer . He is the man behind " Smokin ' Chokin ' and Chowing ' , " " What ’s Your Beef , " and " The Chicago Taco Tour . " you’re able to peek in on all his risky venture on Instagram:@chibbqking .
Kailley Lindman/Thrillist
Jim Vondruska/Thrillist
Titus Ruscitti/Thrillist
Titus Ruscitti/Thrillist
Jim Vondruska/Thrillist
Parachute Restaurant
