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    Go Goo Ma Korean

    4.4 (129 reviews)
    InexpensiveKorean
    Closed 11:50 am - 9:30 pm

    Go Goo Ma Korean Photos

    GO GOO MA KOREAN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Buckwheat tea
    Michelle F.

    Go Goo Ma Korean Restaurant is a real hidden gem of a place. The place has easy parking right in front. The dining room is spotless and offers comfortable seating. Even if you're not familiar with Korean food, they have pictures of all the entrees coinciding with a number and spelled out in English so it's very easy. We ordered the Beef Stew with glass noodles #10 & Sweet & Sour Sizzling Chicken #6. They both came with a couple delicious bon chon (side dishes) as well as a nice dish of rice and my chicken even had a little bowl of soup! The service was very friendly and the food was made to order and it's fresh. They also provide free buckwheat tea which is really nice in cold months and iced tea in summer. Both entrees were very good and served steaming hot. The stew was in a bowl that kept it hot while eating. The sizzling chicken came out on a heated platter with the sauce on the side to drizzle. Portions are plentiful, authentic and delicious. This is a very nice place to relax and enjoy a meal as it's pretty quiet inside.

    The food is super fresh and comes out at a reasonable time. I got 1B, hot stone rice beef and veggies. It included a wonderful portion of sliced beef, peppers, onions, lettuce, and bean sprouts. It came with a side of shredded cabbage and a tasty sauce on top. It also came with red pepper fermented radish. Love this side. Finally a small bowl of soup. Very refreshing and savory. Simple simple soup. All side complemented the dish well. It came with a bottle of table sauce. Really added and helped with the flavor. Awesome food. I've been here before and it never disappoints. The owner works and cooks the food himself, English limited, but super nice and communicates just fine. The inside has a lot of tables and is spacious. I love coming here for some authentic Korean dishes.

    Bibim-naengmyeon
    Christine H.

    The korean food here is delicious. It's in a plaza and there's plenty of parking. You order upfront and you get to choose where you want to sit. It's spacious and there's plenty of seating. At your table, a bell will ring when your order is ready and you pick it up at the window. When you finish, you drop off your tray at the window. They have hot tea or ice tea for free, but if you want water or other drinks then you will have to purchase it. I wanted mul-naengmyun but they didn't have it yet since it's not in season. I had the bibim-naengmyeon and it was yummy and spicy. The buckwheat noodles were nice and chewy. You also get kkakdugi, soup, and salad with your dish. They provided scissors to cut the noodles and vinegar if you wanted to add it the dish. It was very filling and it tasted like it was made from my mom's kitchen. The other dishes look good also and I would love to try them if I'm in the area again. Highly recommend this place for Korean food!

    Irene Kitty L.

    It was a very hot day and I really wanted some cold Korean noodle and this place did not disappoint. It's a one man band so I guess the owner takes the order and cook it himself. It's a self serve so you get a number and your table will buzz when the food is ready. The 4 stars is strictly for the food. Don't expect great service or great ambiance. However, the food is the highlight which is why we went there for. The cold noodles was exceptional and the bibimbop was sizzling and hot and delicious. Can't beat these 2 combinations when you're craving some yummy Korean food. It was so good I went back again just for the cold noodles. You do get free tea which is also good. For a one man band, I appreciate the hard work of the owner.

    XiaoYan A.

    Yummy food! Place is really quiet and self service. Price is on higher end for this type of vibe. But good food selection if you crave for Korean in the area.

    Inside
    Bob R.

    It has been five years since I last reviewed Go Goo Ma. Since I was there last, they have updated their decor and greatly expanded the menu. After scanning through it, I opted for two items: Dukbokgi for my son and I had Bulgogi. We took it out and ate it at home. We live only a short distance away, so it was still very hot when we arrived. As I remember from before, the food was excellent. A funny story - I learned some Korean words over the years, but my vocabulary is very limited. I greeted him, ordered the food, thanked him, and said good-by in Korean, with a pretty good accent. As I turned to leave, the owner was yelling something at me, and assumed he was speaking Korean. But he was speaking in English - I didn't hear him. When I use a language I don't really know, I try to make sure my pronunciation is right and am nervous about it. As I turned to leave and said goodbye, he called me back since I forgot to pay. At least he had a good sense of humor, and we laughed about the experience. I do like Go Goo Ma for good, fast Korean food at a reasonable price.

    Shih C.

    What can I say about this little gem other than just go? I stopped in on a whim and boy, was I glad I did. The restaurant sits in the middle of a strip mall. It's easy to miss if you're not local. Black and white photos hung on the interior walls in a modest space with booths and tables. Orders are made at the counter where you can see the open kitchen (always a plus). If you can't decide or are not familiar with Korean dishes, there are photo displays. A little call box at the table will let you know when your order is ready for pick up. There is no wait service and the owner requests dishes be brought to the counter when you complete your meal. Carryout boxes are available upon request for any leftovers. Now, on to my order. After flipping a coin in my head 3 times, I decided on DoleSote Bibimbop which is bibimbop in a hot stone bowl. The bowl was filled with rice and topped with vegetables, beef, and fried egg. I could hear the rice sizzled against the hot bowl midway through my meal. The layer of crisped rice gave the dish a delightful texture. A small plate of radish kimchee, slaw, and a cup of soup are all part of the order, not to mention a bottle of gochujang. Mr. Kim, the owner/operator, was very soft-spoken and friendly. It's a shame I don't live nearby. I would definitely come back if I'm in the neighborhood and recommend it to my friends and family.

    Dukbokgi in their mild sauce.
    Elvin C.

    Piling on with a 5 star here. Nice dressed up booths and wooden table tops for a counter service Korean. The food is even better - they anticipated my going mild on the dukbokgi, solid mul naengmyeon, but the dulsot impressed me. I was patient, I let it sit crisping at the table and was the last of the three dishes I dug into, but as a result, got solid quarter of inch crisped rice to mix in and separating easily from the bowl. Bowl remained hot at the end of the meal (safe to touch, while keeping food warm without further cooking it). Cold boricha self-serve. Styrofoam cups there is the only drawback there, but no other disposable-ware other than chopsticks which would be expected. Excellent no-fuss midday family stop, after our visit to the Crabtree Nature Center.

    a table full of food
    Mike L.

    First off, this restaurant is self service, meaning you order at the front, pick up your own food when ready and return all dishes and trays when done. Overall ambiance is fine and good for families. Service I would say is 3/5 as the older gentleman who was cooking was much friendlier (otherwise service is 1/5) as the woman taking orders didn't seem happy at all and when I went up to ask for water, she said they only sell bottled water. The "ice tea" pot is Korean barley water and when I asked if I could have some of that she said sure and gave me one cup, and when asked for multiple cups she seemed irked by it even though we bought 5 x cans of $5 coconut water. Now to the food. As a born and raised native Korean, this place gets a 2/5. TTuk-bokki was probably the only decent dish with good flavor. For the price I felt portion and quality of the meat in the bulgogi was a C+. The den-jang-jjigae it was lacking veggies and needs more tofu and very bland. Udon is small but O-deng was decent. Figure that, tue cheapest item we ordered was the largest portion. Well, needless to say we happen to be in the area and it was the closest Korean restaurant nearby, but I wouldn't go out of my way to come here.

    Spicy squid
    Jennifer T.

    Simple Korean food at its finest! Good flavors that you will crave for! It is like home cooking, no fancy service, worth the 30 minute drive! The gentleman does it all himself orders, cooks, and you drop off your dish when your done and he takes care of it, it's not super fast service but so worth it!

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    30 days ago

    My favorite restaurant! Great food. I always get number 4 spicy and it's delicious every time!

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    5 months ago

    Authentic Korean street food. I Highly recommend this place if you are looking for bunsik.

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    3 years ago

    Still a solid Korean restaurant! Not many authentic places in the area so this is nice.

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    3 years ago

    Excellent Korean food freshly made by a friendly and wonderful chef! Reasonable prices and fantastic portions as well

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    SGD Dubu So Gong Dong Tofu & BBQ

    SGD Dubu So Gong Dong Tofu & BBQ

    4.4
    (324 reviews)
    4.1 mi
    $$

    Great authentic Korean food and dishes come out fast and piping hot. Amusingly we were warned when…read morewe arrived (8pm Friday night) that "kitchen closes 9 o'clock" We said - sure no problem Then at 8.45 sharp both our waiters come to the table and basically said the same thing which made us laugh with the straightforward honesty...." You go home now. Kitchen closed." Pretty much we were told to hurry up and finish and get the heck out and everyone was waiting for us to leave at 9pm sharp. It was so shocking that we just had to laugh - (what if I didn't WANT to go home ??) Anyway, besides that, we'd definitely return- we had the hot stone bibim bap and I had the silky tofu seafood hot pot which would have been better if it had "seafood" besides two tasty shrimp - I did ask and was told that there are mussels as well but maybe that's not in the Friday night hot pot. No mind. It was delicious- we shall return - at an earlier hour so we don't get kicked out to the kerb at closing

    I've been coming here for years and have easily been here 10+ times. The food is consistently…read moreamazing and some of the most authentic Korean food I've had in the area. This is always one of my first choices when I'm craving Korean food, especially their soups--they're flavorful, comforting, and hit the spot every time. The portions are huge, the service is genuinely friendly, and the overall experience is always great. Highly recommend!

    Photos
    SGD Dubu So Gong Dong Tofu & BBQ
    Pork bulgogi
    Pork bulgogi
    Pork culet

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    Pork culet
    Chungkiwa Restaurant

    Chungkiwa Restaurant

    4.7
    (530 reviews)
    9.0 mi
    $$

    I came here for the first time one Sunday afternoon in January. It was fairly busy as it was lunch…read moretime, but I was seated right away. I ordered the LA Kalbi. Like another reviewer mentioned, this was cooked and prepared (Mongolian style) in the kitchen. It came out on a sizzling skillet. It tasted delicious. The meat was really tender and juicy, but there were a couple of pieces with bone-in which I didn't really care for. I thought the side-dishes were really good. I completely finished the kimchi and pickled cucumbers. So good. I almost forgot about the miso soup. It was pretty standard (which is good) and hit the spot on a wintery day. Unexpectedly, for dessert, the server brought out a Haagan Daas ice-cream bar lol. I wasn't sure if this was normal or if it was just because I'm handsome? (found out later they do this for everyone... lol). I didn't really have room b/c I was full from the main dish and sides but ate it anyways (why not?). Overall I had a delicious meal. I can't remember the pricing off the top of my head, but I would say that it's reasonably priced. Oh, they also serve alcohol here too so if your looking for a spot for a group of people, that is an option. I personally had a large Cass to wash down my meal. Daebak!

    All the meat and accompaniments were amazing and fresh! Grill was the perfect temperature for us to…read morecook our food to our liking, marinated beef was amazing! An amazing spot for a get together for great food! Only complaint is that it was a little warm inside with no air and the grills going but otherwise an amazing time!

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    Chungkiwa Restaurant
    Ice cream
    Ice cream
    Chungkiwa Restaurant

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    Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai - Hoffman Estates

    Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai - Hoffman Estates

    4.5
    (931 reviews)
    3.6 mi
    $$

    Very nice and bouncy noodles made to order. The soup is light and refreshing, couple that with the…read moredelicious chashu and you got a very savory bowl of noodle soup. Vibe was chill, mostly a quick eats restaurant so it's great for a casual meal.

    Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai is a ramen shop that focuses on traditional Japanese-style bowls with a…read morestrong emphasis on carefully developed broths and chewy noodles. We walked into a casual, cozy space with a smaller dining area that can feel busy during peak hours, but the atmosphere stays simple and focused on the food rather than a polished dining experience. The setup works well for a place centered around a warm bowl of noodles, where the attention stays on what is in the bowl rather than what is on the walls. The ramen is the main reason to visit, especially the signature Kitakata-style noodles. The noodles have a thicker, springy texture that gives each bowl a satisfying bite, and the broths are where the restaurant stands out. We tried the Spicy Miso Ramen, which brought a deeper, richer flavor with a noticeable kick, and the Green Chili Shio Ramen, which offered a lighter but still flavorful option with a cleaner broth profile. The balance between the noodles, broth, and toppings made the bowls feel thoughtfully put together rather than just another standard ramen option. The toppings were generous and the eggs were cooked well, adding a creamy richness that tied the bowl together. Beyond ramen, the sides are worth adding to the meal. We ordered the pan-fried gyoza, which came out with a crisp exterior and a juicy filling, making it one of the stronger starters to share. The karaage also added variety if you want something beyond noodles, with a crispy coating that held up without being greasy. The menu has enough options for different preferences, including vegetarian ramen choices that do not feel like an afterthought. Because of its popularity, waits can happen, especially during dinner hours and weekends. Joining the waitlist ahead of time is a good idea if you are planning around a specific schedule. The restaurant moves with a steady pace once seated, and the service generally matches the casual style of the space. The staff handle the flow efficiently, and even when the dining room is full, the pace of the meal stays comfortable without feeling rushed. Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai is a strong ramen destination for anyone looking for flavorful broths, well-textured noodles, and comforting Japanese dishes. The spicy ramen options and pan-fried gyoza are highlights, making it a place worth visiting when you want a satisfying bowl rather than just a quick noodle stop. The quality of the broth and the texture of the noodles make it a step above the average ramen spot, delivering a meal that feels complete and well considered.

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    Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai - Hoffman Estates
    Tonkotsu Ramen with added egg and Bamboo Shoot
    Tonkotsu Ramen with added egg and Bamboo Shoot
    Ban nai curry

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    Ban nai curry
    New Seoul Korean Charcoal BBQ

    New Seoul Korean Charcoal BBQ

    4.1
    (304 reviews)
    10.3 mi
    $$

    First I have to say the grandpa at this restaurant is super cute and funny!…read more The food was delicious. We started off with some non-marinated meat. We had Sang Gai Bi and the Heuk Sam Gyup Sal which was the pork belly. We loved them both. I personally like the beef over the pork but I would get both again. We also ordered a Yook Ke Jang, which was a spicy seasoned soup with shredded beef. It was not too salty or anything. It was just right! Lastly we ordered a marinated pork (forgot the name of it) and it was good, but I think we all preferred the non marinated meat better. Not sure if it's because we were already getting full at that time. Definitely recommend coming to this place. Charcoal bbq tastes so much better, although it can be a little harder to cook imo. ALL the small dishes were amazing...there isn't a small dish I didn't like. This is my new favorite kbbq spot!! This place is also super clean. The women's restroom was clean when I went as well and had everything you need...including spray for your clothes after bbq is done, which is a plus!

    They don't make'em like this much more. With charcoals, I mean…read more There's got to be extra steps to get permission for indoor charcoal cooking, so I get it. But meat just tastes better bbq'd on charcoal, y'na mean? It honestly had been a decade and a half since I went to a proper charcoal KBBQ, so this was super exciting for me. The place had an old facade that was reminiscent of the "old days" for me. Not to say it was run down or anything, but everything from the floorplan to the old tables with charcoal pit installed tables reminded me of the KBBQ era of the 90's and beyond. Loved it! My family went inside way past lunch hour, so the place had cleared out and owners seemed to have been having lunch. The two gentlemen eho greeted us gave out father and son energy, but I couldn't be sure. There was a life sized photo of the oldtimer in a marathon getup hanging on one side of the shop entrance, which he explained was taken a decade ago. I could tell he would have been around my father's age, but seemed super healthy. A pleasant man for sure! It may not necesaarily be a good thing for owners, but I love it when there aren't too many patrons around, because it means that I'll get all the attention I need from them, when I need. It was certainly the case here. They were super attentive when we needed something. To be fair, we knew exactly what we wanted, so it wasn't like we needed to call them every 5 minutes, but it certainly was easy to get their attention when I needed another bottle of beer. :-D My family of three order two servings of marinated galbi, contemplating on whether or not to order my wife's favorite pork belly. In the end, we were too full and were glad we stopped with only two servings. We'll just have to come back to try other meat later. This is ALWAYS a dilemma for my family. All three of us each have our favorites, but none of us can eat a whole serving. We usually end up going with my daughter's favorite every time, unless my wife and I are out by ourselves, which these days is not as often as I'd like. We'll just have to wait a couple more years for her to graduate.. Galbi (short ribs) was GREAT! Not much else to say about it, other than the fact that any meat will taste better when grilled on charcoal. With so many other KBBQs around town with more "hip" and "modern" atmosphere, I don't know how well New Seoul is doing these days, but I certainly hope they do enough business to continue to be around. More and more Korean restaurants are moving away from their traditional way of doing things in order to cater to American audiences. They may not be huge changes, but these subtle changes make people like me and my wife a bit sad because it eats away a little bit of our nostalgia each time we experience some. I hate to sound like an old man about it, but I guess it falls to people like myself to continue to support more of the traditional places like these over the young ones. Anyway, based on just the marinated galbi my family had, I must give them 5 stars!

    Photos
    New Seoul Korean Charcoal BBQ
    Banchan
    Banchan
    Ice cold beer mug

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    Ice cold beer mug

    Go Goo Ma Korean - korean - Updated July 2026

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