First I have to say the grandpa at this restaurant is super cute and funny! 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! read more

New Seoul Korean Charcoal BBQ - Korean Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

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They don't make'em like this much more. With charcoals, I mean. 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! read more

Lately, I've been moving away from the ayce kbbq and trying the ones that are a la carte. This one uses oak wood charcoal vs gas-powered/electric grill that most of the Illinois Korean restaurants use. The verdict is that the meat comes out really tasty. When you come in, you might have to reserve a table especially on the weekend. We didn't reserve, but we were lucky to get a table for 3 on a Saturday night at 7 pm. The restaurant is small so seating can be limited. Parking is sufficient since it's a shared lot. The service was very attentive and friendly. This is a family owned and run establishment. We ordered the combination platter (bulgogi, kalbi fingers, and pork belly), mo dum jun (combination platter for appetizers, ggo ri gom tang (oxtail soup). This was more than enough food for 3 people. Banchan is refillable. I would say this is one of the best kbbq restaurants in the Chicagoland area and I wouldn't mind coming back. -combination platter 5 - this is good for 2-3 people as long as you have other dishes. Meat cooked fast. -mo dum jun 5 - fried squash, shrimp, oysters, and stuffed peppers. The stuffed peppers were my personal favorite. Make sure you dip them in the sauce provided. -oxtail soup 5 - light broth not too robust. Oxtail meat was tender, not chewy. It's big and shareable. read more

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We know Korean BBQ is becoming popular in our area. We love New Seoul BBQ because it feels like traditional Korean culture when you eat the food. We've done the barbecue here before but we came here for their Tangs (stews) this time around. The oxtail stew was amazing! We were fortunate enough to have this in Korea where this stew is known for, and tasting this brought us right back to that location. You always love talking with the servers here. The family is so kind and welcoming. We were happy to see it so lively in the restaurant during the middle of the week. What grade healthy options! read more

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When I get a taste for Korean BBQ this is where I gone. Nice family owned place with family members working there. Reasonably priced. Cortez is a nice guy and a good waiter. read more

Absolutely phenomenal! The moment you walk in, you can smell the oak charcoal burning -- and that aroma sets the tone. The flavor it gives the meats is next level. The quality is top-tier, beautifully marbled and super fresh. You can tell they take pride in authenticity here. Easily one of the best Korean BBQ spots in Des Plaines! read more

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Best Korean BBQ in the area! The Charcoal fire and quality of marinaded meats make all the difference. Highly recommend!!

So off the bat the service was great. And the food was delicious. We had a meat platter and a mandu soup, Korean pancake, and kimchi fried rice. The meal came with side dishes of kimchi, fish cake, potatoes, and bean sprouts. Along with a bowl of white rice. The food was great. There's nothing more I can say. Everything from the pancake, the sides, soup, fried rice, were all super flavorful and delicious. Everything combined very well and I loved every bite I took. The ambiance is a very mom and pop shop type of vide which I love with my whole heart. Again everything from the staff, food and ambiance was amazing and I'll definitely be making my way back to New Seoul again. read more

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We found this gem of a Korean BBQ restaurant and really were quite surprised. The owners were very warm and gracious. We've been to lots of Korean BBQ restaurants and never had one with wood burning grills. It was such an authentic experience and the food was delicious! They gave us a large selection of Banchan; all that were delicious. We can't say enough about this place; we have to come back on our next trip to Chicago. read more

New Seoul Korean Charcoal BBQ - Korean Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

Went out in single-digit weather with my wife for some charcoal BBQ -- something that's honestly rare to find in Chicagoland or almost anywhere in the U.S. these days. We ordered the marinated kalbi and spicy naengmyeon. First, they brought out warm rice and bean paste soup, which absolutely hit the spot on such a cold day. Then the piping hot charcoal was set on the table, keeping us warm even before the kalbi arrived, along with all the side dishes. As always, the food was excellent. You've probably already read plenty of great reviews about this place, so I'll share something a little different. As we were finishing our meal, a homeless man came into the restaurant, bundled up against the freezing weather. He asked the owner if he could use the restroom, and without hesitation, the owner said, "Of course." Afterward, he asked if he could have some white rice. Instead, the owner kindly offered him beef fried rice. The man looked surprised and gratefully said yes. I just want to say thank you to the owner for showing such genuine kindness and not looking down on someone in need who walked in on such a bitterly cold day. Looking back, I wish I had offered to pay for a hot meal myself -- but I'm truly grateful the owner stepped up to take care of him. Because of that, I'll continue to support this restaurant. read more

I was very excited to try another Korean BBQ in the Chicago suburb, we came early as we were able to pick any table to sit. I was hoping this place is like others Korean BBQ where there is many side dishes with our 3 protein dishes to grill. The menu was vast and ordered all the popular proteins like marinated kalbi ($38), cubed steak ($36) and fatty pork (36). Side dishes came and was not as many as I expected compared to other's but they have hefty scoops. The proteins came and I was not expecting the amount of meat received for the cost. The food was tasty but left us hungry for a table for 4. The service was great and prompt. Value for the money I would say it is lacking but great BBQ taste. read more

New Seoul Korean Charcoal BBQ - Waiting to bbq - Korean Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

Authentic Korean food. So good. Staff are attentive and so fast in attending to our needs. Very nice place. Cozy and warm. read more

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This is my second time here and every time I come the food and service are amazing. The location is small but perfect for a couple to come. I took my bf here to try Korean bbq and he loved it! read more

I loved it here, the prices were fair and the service was very helpful and fun! The food was delicious, and the restaurant was clean and well lit inside. read more

New Seoul Korean Charcoal BBQ - Grill on the table - Korean Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

We went here for soup and got the yook ke jang (spicy beef soup) and neng myun (cold buckwheat noodle soup). I really like spicy soup, but man was it spicy. I had to eat the cold soup just to cool my mouth. They need to bring it down a notch, or else ask you for your preferred spice level. The cold soup came with a bottle of traditional mustard sauce like Koreans eat the dish. The banchans were fine and refills were free. Service was good and the inside was small and we sat in a private secluded table. read more

New Seoul Korean Charcoal BBQ - neng myun - Korean Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

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Saved me!! Came in a dire time of need after a cancelled international trip. Close to a bunch of airport hotels too, and open late. Aside from the convenience, I would come here casually too. You know it's a legitimate mom and pop Asian place with fair prices when they have the soju posters, and the family crowd. Super prompt service, and friendly and accommodating owners- The food hit the spot. Yuk gae jang is the most authentic I've had since coming to chicago (from a southern Californians POV) and the seafood pajeon was so fluffy and crispy and perfect for take home. Ps: they take airline food vouchers!! read more

New Seoul Korean Charcoal BBQ - Yuk Gae Jang!! - Korean Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

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02/03/24 - Dam if this place doesn't have the best dam vittles. We had dinner @ New Seoul Korean Barbecue w/my wife's family for her belated birthday. This is the 3rd time we came here and the food is excellent everytime. To start we ordered 2 platters that came with/2 types of beef & pork belly. As usual the meat is marbled w/the right amount of fat to bring out the flavor when we grilled it @ our table. We ended up ordering a third platter. The banchan that comes w/the meat is of outstanding quality & the service is awesome. Thanks to Joe (owner) & Cortez we had an excellent meal. read more

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More than anything, we enjoyed the food but also the service. They were very accommodating and explained the process to us given that we are still Kbbq newbies. Everything was delicious. Loved all their sides, their combination meat platter, their fresh prawns and their tkkeboki/rice cakes. We loved the intimacy and vibe of the location. It's very small but it's efficient in their grills and their exhaust fans above each table. We knew we made the right decision! read more

New Seoul Korean Charcoal BBQ - Korean Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

Came in around 5 pm. Not a lot of people. So we got into seating quickly. They have plenty of food options. I personally like their beef kalbi and cold noodles the most. It's a good combo. Side dishes are good but I thought they have more collections before. Overall experience is good. read more

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We finally tried Bimbibap!! This Korean rice dish is served in a hot stone bowl! The term "bibim" means mixing various ingredients, while the "bap" noun refers to rice. Bibimbap is served as a bowl of warm white rice with assorted vegetables, spicy gochujang, and an egg and/meat or seafood! It's one of the most well-known Korean dishes, and once you try it, you'll see why. Each component contributes something essential to the bowl - think richness, heat, or crisp texture. Pictured: Seafood Bimbibap, Beef Bimbibap, both bowls, free soups and appetizers (unlimited), and the New Seoul Korean Restaurant in Des Plains, IL The service was so sweet I loved everyone that worked here and the ambiance is casual :) read more

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What a great multigenerational family run restaurant. They take pride in their offerings and they should! The variety and abundance of the items and the collaborating on the grilling and passing all the items around made for such a fun experience- more than just a dinner out. We will be back. read more

Food tasted better when cooked in charcoal grill. The son's owner was so accommodating and cooked the bbq for us bec we have to catch up our skydeck reservation. My daughter enjoyed the grilled marshmallow for dessert as well. read more

I have tried other Korean BBQs but New Seoul is my favorite so far in Chicago. It's easy to find parking, welcoming staff and cozy environment. The menu has a wide selection of food. I normally get their signature marinated Kalbi and cold noodles. Complimentary side dishes and soups are pretty delicious as well. The charcoal grilled kalbi is pretty special as not a lot places offer charcoal. Usually it's $50/per person on average but it also depends on what you order. Do I think it's worth the price? Definitely! read more

New Seoul Korean Charcoal BBQ - Korean Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

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This was a fantastic experience. The owner guided us through the menu and we had pork belly, beef bulgogi, beef short ribs and all the fixings. Very fun and interactive being able to grill at the table and make our own wraps. ALL the sides were great, with a pleasant heat or sweetened to just the right amount to complement each other. All I can say about the service was that is was the best I have had in almost any restaurant. I'll gladly make the 45 minute drive here any time read more

I love this spot. Great family run restaurant. Good size portions and great taste. Love the lump charcoal grills . This is a solid 5 for me . read more

My mom and I randomly stumbled upon this place and the food did not disappoint. We got the pork belly and the beef. The beef was amazing I definitely recommend getting them if you come here. The sides are great as well and they refill upon request. You can definitely taste the authenticity of the food here. read more

New Seoul Korean Charcoal BBQ - Bibimbap - Korean Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

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It is a bit out from the center of Chicago, but definitely worth the trip. I came by during a trip to Fashion Outlet and killed 2 birds with 1 stone. It is on a strip mall so plenty of parking on a weekday. It has the feel of a small family owned restaurant. They serve water or a hot corn drink right away. Instead of grilling on a gas, they bring oak wood to grill on which is a first time for me. They are very prompt on bringing a new grilling plate when the other gets dirty. The menu included all the traditional dishes. The portions are big especially when I tried all 8-10 side dishes. They offered us a boiled vegetable that the owner's wife grew. It was a slightly bitter taste, but very refreshing. I ordered a cold buckwheat noodle, which was cooling on a hot day after grilling meat. read more

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It was my first time visit New Seoul Korean BBQ. The first thing welcomed us was their warm & welcoming smile. The staff quickly got us seated and handed us menu. We ordered the chef recommendations and some soups. The meat came in pretty fast as well. The charcoal grilled meat, the scent enriched the room, and I felt watery mouth instantly. After I took my first bite, wow! My eyes wide open and I felt truly enjoyed the meat quality and favor. It was SO good. We ended up ordered more meat and left with feeling super satisfied. This is definitely one of my top recommendations if you like charcoals Korean BBQ. And you won't regret. read more

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We really enjoyed our visit to this restaurant the food was totally delicious and the service was fantastic we highly recommend it to everyone read more

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Got seated pretty quickly it was about 3pm. Great food and great service! Went over everything and recommended great choices. Definitely a gem. read more

I love this restaurant. My mom and I weren't sure if we wanted to make the drive up to try it but we did and were pleasantly surprised. I appreciate the attentiveness of the staff and the charcoal grill. It was amazing. The food is delicious, albeit expensive. It was definitely worth it. Im dreaming of the next time Im in the area and can try something new! read more

food was soo good !! We're new to town so she gave us the top sellers ! Reasonable price and fast service. Very friendly and home like! Would try again, and def recommend ! Even got some marshmallows to roast on the fire !! read more

Super authentic. Phenomenal friendly atmosphere and family owned. Would go back again. Food was delicious!!

The restaurant is small and homey. I ordered the pan fried shrimp, brisket and pork belly with all the sides and everything was so delicious. Definitely coming back! Also very sweet of the owner to hand us some marshmallows to snack on as the fire was going out. read more

Free parking lot out front. Went on a Saturday night. Did not seem like you needed a reservation. Lots of families at this establishment. Food (7/10): Everything is authentic, but this place has hits and misses without great consistency across the menu, hence the 7/10. - The ban chan is all homemade and most notable out of everything I tried imo. - The pajeon is very thick and doughy which is not what you'd expect from the more thin and crispy texture in Korea. Dipping sauce is a bit heavy on the vinegar. - The meats are standard quality and lack of marinade flavor. I tried the galbi and pork belly. - The spicy naengmyun is good with actual pear slices. - The charcoal grill is an appealing part of this place Service/ambience (9/10): As soon as you walk in you'll see the servers are smiling as if they just had kbbq for the first time and are eager to share it with the world. My first impression stepping in was "why are they so happy?" This is a family run business. The establishment itself is a mom and pop restaurant with og Korean vibes and grandpa's marathon awards everywhere. The harebeoji grandpa is such a character. Acts just like a grandpa without regards for conventional service. He looked at me and my food and said in korean to me "you better finish all this don't let it go to waste... does this taste bad why aren't you eating it". It's funny because he wasn't even trolling. Value (6/10): Pricing of all the entrees was ~$16 which is not expensive but any higher would make me uncomfortable. The meat was expensive. $37 for a single order of kalbi and +/- $2 for any meat you order. I held my breathe because maybe this was going to be exceptional, but it was pretty standard. 2 orders of meat with 2 entrees will cost you just over $60 per person. No matter how you order it will be $50 per person with tax and tip. read more

A cozy place to hangout with friends and family. Food are so yummy, the owner is very friendly and funny. We had a great time enjoy the food here. Abe $45/person for what we ordered. read more

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THE BEST KBBQ EVERRRR. Everyone is so nice! The food is amazing I love the bulgogi! Super cozy restaurant and the portions are amazing. read more

New Seoul Korean Charcoal BBQ - good - Korean Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

If you like Korean BBQ, New Seoul is definitely worth checking out. The charcoal grill adds a unique and delicious flavor to the meat that really sets it apart from other KBBQ places I've been to. On top of that, the side dishes are fire and the quality and flavor of the meat is definitely better than most places. While the food is undeniably delicious, it is on the more expensive side, and I do wish they gave more meat for the price. When I visited with a friend, our bill came out to a little over $130 for the both of us. However, the quality of the food makes it worth it if you're willing to spend a little extra. Overall, if you're looking for a high-quality Korean BBQ experience, New Seoul is a great option. Just be prepared to spend a bit more than you might at other KBBQ places. read more

New Seoul Korean Charcoal BBQ - Charcoal grill - Korean Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

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The vibe. It's the old school Korean BBQ. Legit. Excellent service and the beef was superb. This is the right place to go for legit Korean BBQ. read more

This family owned BBQ place was the friendliest! The staff were so attentive and helpful. Food was really good. I'm vegetarian and sometimes have a hard time communicating that at Korean BBQ restaurants. There are veg options on the menu and they were very accommodating. read more

New Seoul Korean Charcoal BBQ - Charcoal grill, lots of vegetables - Korean Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois