Having eaten at Brightwok for over a year, I can say without a doubt, this is one of my favorite places to grab lunch in Chicago.  Although my preference is the Thai Basil Build Your Own Stir fry, every Brightwok dish that I have tried has been phenomenal. They make everything in front of you using a myriad of fresh ingredients and unforgettable flavors that bring energy and life to any mundane day. The prices are more than fair, and the portions are plentiful.  Every time I have ordered from Brightwok, the warm and personable staff has always made me feel valued as a customer and as a human being.   I do not say this lightly.  There is a growing trend in the downtown Chicago dining scene where the customer goes to a kiosk, swipes their card, and picks up their food with minimal human interaction.  While this process may be convenient, to some extent it is also dehumanizing.  Brightwok offers an option to pre-order your food and simply pick it up, which I have taken advantage of from time to time, but it is just an option for the customer's convenience.   I never really thought about humanity and lunch until I saw it slipping away, which is probably why I am writing this long overdue review praising Brightwoks recognition of amazing food and the human experience. If you haven't tried Brightwok, you are missing out. read more

Delicious, fresh, filling, amazing. Oh how I wish we had one of these in Boston. So many healthy options with lots of flavor and generous portions. We got the Steak with Creamy Cashew sauce and Chicken with Chili Coconut Curry. I've also had the Jalapeño Green Curry here and they're all good. Besides the sauce and protein, you choose your "base" (rice, noodle, or greens) and your veggies, so you can really customize to whatever you want: low-carb, vegan, gluten-free, etc. Plus add ons! Fried egg, mushrooms, and roasted pineapple - ALWAYS get the pineapple, unless you're allergic. And the banana chips - addictive. I see some haters on here saying "this isn't authentic" - correction, it is authentically TASTY. Seriously though, I wish this place all the best and hope they continue to grow. read more

Brightwok Kitchen - Steak w/ cashew sauce and egg, chicken w/ chili curry, roasted pineapple on both, coconut water, chai, banana chips - Asian Fusion Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Decent Asian Fusion I had when I was working around here last year the last summer and fall of 2017. It kind of reminds me of an upscale Asian Chipotle only this is NOT a franchise since they are independent restaurant, I had the "Earth, Curry and Fire" with an extra of "Local Mushrooms" since I was in the mood for something Spicy that day. It was wonderfully spicy hot and delicious. I do recommend it for people who like or can either tolerate or handle spicy foods. I had a local Beet Juice Beverage and that was refreshing too. It is very local Beet Juice company from Chicago, IL. All in all, If I pass by this area I would dine here again. It can be a little pricey but it is worth the treat. read more

Good food, awesome concept service is good but it can definitely step it up one notch for a 5 Star experience. I walked up for a refill on a drink and an employee literally sat there having a full on conversation while I waited till I walked away when he noticed that was probably not the right thing to do. read more

Brightwok Kitchen - Asian Fusion Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Visiting Chicago from out of state. Wanted to try someplace close to my hotel that was quick and diet friendly. This place did not disappoint. I am very satisfied. Fresh ingredients, friendly staff, clean dining area. I had a bowl with wild greens Tai basal sauce, chicken, carrots, broccoli, onions and butternut squash then added a crispy egg. It tasted great! Hot, fresh, flavorful. You feel like you are getting a good meal even though it's quick service. Very happy. Highly recommend. read more

Brightwok Kitchen - Bowl with Tai basal sauce, greens, carrots, broccoli, onions and butternut squash and added a crispy egg. Plus a side of spicy hummus. - Asian Fusion Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I came to an after hours event here recently where they allowed us to order food ahead of time and it was really great. I did a rice noodle bowl and picked all my ingredients and sauces ahead of time. I was thoroughly impressed for a fast casual spot, I'll definitely be back! read more

Looking on Yelp for something healthy but filling and saw this place. My Co worker and I ate here while visiting for a conference nearby and both of us loved it. It's a cafeteria style service model where you choose your base (rices, noodles, greens), sauce and customize with protein choice, veggies and meats. Everything was fresh, done to perfection. Ingredients (including beverages) are carefully sourced. The place was not busy when we walked in around early dinner time frame on a Tuesday evening but we were in and out promptly. I Highly recommended getting the Thai Basil sauce MAGNIFICENT !!!!!! read more

See all

Quick, tasty, lots of options and veggie! :-) Try the fried egg addition, was yummy. Drinks are not great. Place is neat clean and hip. read more

Brightwok kitchen is one of my go-to spots in the Chicago Loop. Whether you are here for business or a tourist, definitely consider stopping by. All of their sauces are vegan and their bases are too (rice, lettuce, rice noodles). The only non-vegan items are if you add in an animal-protein like chicken or egg. I have tried almost all of their sauces and I like all of them. They are also incredibly fast if you happen to be a hurry. The restaurant can get very crowded during weekday lunch hour so come early if you want to dine-in. But, if you are just grabbing pick-up, the line moves very quick. read more

I expected a lot more from this place-- there are so many of these build your own/assembly line type stir fry places that you would think places like these would strive for higher quality and better taste. I got the Thai basil extra spicy with rice noodles, and the sauce tasted like a generic, Americanized attempt at Asian fusion. But perhaps that was my fault because I chose the wrong sauce. What I was more disappointed by was the fact that some of the vegetables and meat was charred because they had left the food on the wok for too long without stirring it around. While the decor of the restaurant was bright and clean, there's not much else about this place that would draw me back-- portion size was not great, taste wasn't there, and the cooking of the food definitely wasn't there. read more

Great job. Celiac folks rejoice! Gluten free and dairy free done right has landed. Service was on point. Price was in line with great food we ate. read more

I almost walked a few blocks in the name of Ramen but this place caught my eye. Wow is it delicious. I ordered their "eat right" stir fry combo with a crispy egg and a side of spicy miso. It's all ridiculously delicious read more

Brightwok Kitchen - Eat Right combo with a crispy egg and Spicy Miso - Asian Fusion Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Found out from a colleague and really enjoy it. Their rice noodles are the best. I usually get it with teriyaki sauce.

Brightwork Kitchen reminds me of mongolian stir fry. I decided to stop here when I heard that the Shophouse location in the loop was closed. The concept seems to be the same--pick your base, meat and veggies. The difference between this place and Shophouse is that the food then goes through the wok process. The food is cooked to order which I really like. I prefer my food steaming hot right off the oven. I ordered chicken as my meat and I was happy they offered anti-biotic free chicken. For $10 this was a nice, quick and healthy way to eat. Its a little pricey but you are paying for quality. My noodles tasted great and they were not greasy at all. I'll definitely be back! read more

This place is like chipotle for stir fry food. Except it is fresh, tasty and awesome. Great place for veggie folks. I love the iced tea as well, it is unsweetened and great. Try the hibiscus one, it takes some getting used to, but it is unlike anything I have tasted before. The staff is super friendly and courteous too. They patiently explain what to get if you are new. read more

Brightwok Kitchen - Foooood - Asian Fusion Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Good food that's reliably gluten free and safe for those with celiac.

Amazing bowls with lots of options for dairy free and gluten free noshing. Super generous portions!

I really love the vibe at Brightwok. The decor is super cute. The music is just my style. The staff is so friendly and helpful--special shout out to Takina who made some fabulous recommendations today on what to order. I have some food restrictions and she helped me navigate it. The end result was so much better than expected. I had the steak with Creamy Cashew sauce on veggie and it was sooo on point. Definitely hit the spot. Takina also asked me how I liked my meal after. definitely appreciate that type of care at these casual spots, which is rare. The meat is all grass fed/hormone free, everything is gluten free, and there are so many veggie and healthy options. This is the perfect place to have lunch if you work downtown or just visiting and looking for something that's both tasty and healthy! Will keep coming back. read more

Amazing spot in the loop - which says a lot!! Reasonably priced and delish. Staff is awesome! Plus it's BYOB!

This place is fantastic I would highly recommend eating here. Definitely get the fried egg on whatever you order. Pete was really funny and made the entire experience fantastic. You definitely gotta eat the steak and the other yummy treats read more

While staying at the Palmer House hotel, we searched Yelp for a place to get some inexpensive dinner. This place exceeded our expectations! It was busy for a Friday night (to be expected), but we got our food very quickly. There were tons of options and extras! I got jalapeño green curry with brown rice, tofu, onions, peppers, carrots, kale, and a crispy egg. The sauce was spicy, but not over the top. Tofu was crispy and the egg was a nice addition. Bowl was more than enough food and only cost around $10. The inside was bright, clean, and inviting. We were pleasantly surprised to learn that everything was peanut, dairy, and gluten allergy friendly too. Please expand to Cincinnati, OH! read more

I've visited twice and both times were great! I've had the thai basil sauce as well as the golden miso. Both were super good. If you are looking for a quick lunch in the Loop that won't totally destroy your diet, this is a solid spot! read more

Nice quick build-your-own noodles/rice bowl place. The staff were friendly and the food was tasty and customizable. The space wasn't the best (a little stark and could use better decoration) but otherwise a good experience! Would return. read more

Brightwok Kitchen - Asian Fusion Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is our favorite lunch spot! It's healthy and delicious. I've tried almost everything on the menu and have never been disappointed! I would highly recommend! It's also great for those with dietary concerns! Gluten and dairy free! read more

Very tasty and very healthy food option. I tend to stick with the creamy cashew sauce option but you really cannot go wrong. Love this place! read more

This is my second time here and I love it. I'm always trying to find healthy food options that aren't overpriced and this place is it! The only thing that would make it better was if they offered a broth option to create soups instead of just bowls. Other than that I love a place that lets you add a few mix-ins without charging you and arm and a leg. They also have good quality food and not your average drink choices, you won't find coke or sprite here. Definitely recommend to anyone trying to eat healthy or vegetarians and vegans. read more

I was really excited to give this place a try. Located near the theater and the parking garage it seemed perfect - especially since it was pouring outside. Unfortunately we were all sorely disappointed. Nothing had any flavor and I mean no flavor what so ever. One would think that with all these great fresh ingredients the dishes would be bursting with flavor - not at all. You choose a sauce, a base, a protein and veggies. Then there are extra toppings you can add. There were three in our group and we each tried a different sauce. None of the three sauces tasted like much of anything. Super disappointing. They have some hot sauces out that you can sprinkle on your bowl but that just added heat and not flavor. They need to go back to the drawing board on those sauces and add some flavor and maybe make them thicker so they cling to the base, proteins and veggies better. read more

This has become one of our favorite lunch places in Chicago. The bowls are very healthy and extremely tasty. The custom made bowel lets you pick your favorite ingredients and the sweet potato fritter is delicious. The main thing that sets this place apart from other bowel places is they wok the ingredients so you have a hot meal. The service is also quick and efficient. Strongly recommended. read more

Rather than eat the sad looking options at the Art Institute, we walked over here. SO glad we did. We received excellent customer service from some key staff who were there to ensure we got our questions answered and had a good experience, and the food prep staff was quick and efficient with respect. Tables were wiped off promptly at prime lunch hour and the place was nice and comfortable for lunch even though it was super busy. We really liked the concept and the options. I believe we both got the Thai Basil sauce, with rice and veggie options. We both enjoyed it. The tea here was REALLY good as well, and I'm not a huge tea person. Brightwok is welcome to franchise to Minneapolis! Great affordable lunch option. read more

The portion is very small. We are small size people and we are still hungry after eating a regular bowl. For such portion and the fast casual format, the price is too expensive, especially if you choose the steak. Two stars for the food is pretty good and my toddler likes the rice noodle option, plus the place is clean and spacious. read more

One word: DELICIOUS! I had sweet umami mushroom noodles and absolutely loved it. What's in the sauce? How is it so good?! Their hot teas are great too. read more

Loved the stir fry concept and all of their sauces were so great and flavorful - would come back here for lunch many more times

Great food! I really like that they will accommodate those with dietary restrictions, but that doesn't mean that you lose any flavor. All the sauces are vegan and they're delicious. All the veggies were so fresh. Will definitely be back. read more

So the service here was pretty solid. I have a lot of food intolerances and the people working here helped me navigate the menu to avoid trigger foods for my IBS. I ended up ordering rice noodles with chicken, the golden miso sauce, bean sprouts and bell pepper. I was really excited for it but it ended up being bland, like it was missing some key ingredient. I thought at first it needed salt, but the food made me quite thirsty, so it probably had enough salt. Not sure what it was that was missing but it was something crucial. While I was very happy with the service, I can't give this place more than two stars since the food was just so bland. I hope they figure out how to fix it because this place has great promise (nice atmosphere, cool idea for cuisine, good service). read more

Very friendly staff and patient walking customers through the options. I got the creamy cashew with noodles and it was actually really good! It was a little hard to find due to some construction going on but other than that would definitely recommend this place if your looking for a healthy quick bite. Portions are a good size. read more

Brightwok Kitchen - Creamy cashew, Rice Noodles, chicken, egg, mushrooms, edamame, and carrots. - Asian Fusion Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What is there not to love about this place? Friendly staff, awesome owner and delicious food. I ordered the creamy cashew with chicken, carrots, kale, and bok coy. The food was cooked to perfection and portion size was plentiful. Overall, it's a great spot for a quick lunch that'll keep you full! Can't wait to come back! read more

Brightwok Kitchen - Asian Fusion Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

this place is a bit of a lunch obsession spot for me, in the loop on average your going to spend $12-$15 on lunch (unless you go to McDonald's or BK or Subway) and some are worth it and some are just ridiculously over priced, this place is worth it. Order online and pick-up, the line here is practically out the door during the lunch hour. read more

Brightwok Kitchen - Tahini ginger stir fry with steak and fried egg - Asian Fusion Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is THE place for high-quality, fast, delicious stir-fry. And it's ALL gluten-free!!! So many choices. I love the chopsticks wall art. The food is tasty and enough to fill me up. They have a nice beverage selection of artisan teas and sodas. You cannot beat the price or convenience in this area. The restrooms are clean. The folks working here are cheerful and enthusiastic about the food they sell. I've been here three times, and it will continue to be my destination in this area. (Besides, there's no money left after that "Hamilton" purchase for a fancy dinner!) read more

Let me start this by saying, I want one of these to come to Michigan! We were in town for a family wedding and my cousin recommended we try Brightwok since it was close to the hotel and one of his favorites. I can 100% agree with him, this place is unlike any other I've been to and is absolutely delicious. All of the fresh ingredients mixed with the amazing flavorful sauces was amazing. In my opinion, if you happen to find yourself near one of these restaurants you should definitely try it! read more

We tried to find a healthy place to eat in Chicago. The place is super clean, friendly and very good!