I walked into Perilla fully intending to grab a few happy hour bites, call it a day, and maybe come…read moreback another time for the "real" experience. Then I saw the KBBQ menu and all bets were off. I immediately pivoted and ordered the chef's tasting set, the Diweji, featuring pork jowl, pork collar, and pork belly, complete with an assortment of banchan. Zero regrets. And here's the part that should tell you everything you need to know: I am a certified radish hater. I avoid it whenever possible. Yet somehow, I found myself repeatedly reaching for the radish banchan and asking for more. Even the soup - which also featured radish - was absolutely delicious. If Perilla can convert someone who actively dislikes radish into a fan for one meal, that's saying something. The soju was exactly what I wanted with Korean barbecue: crisp, clean, and refreshing. I appreciate that it was neutral rather than overly sweet. The flavored, sweeter versions aren't really my thing unless the food is setting my mouth on fire. Speaking of spice, the wings were good: juicy, well-executed, and satisfying but I kept wishing they packed a little more heat. They weren't spicy at all, and a bigger kick would have taken them from very good to unforgettable. As for the meats, the pork jowl was gloriously rich and fatty, exactly what you'd expect from that cut. The pork collar ended up being my favorite: flavorful, tender, and with just the right balance of meat and fat. The pork belly was comforting and familiar - the classic KBBQ staple done well, with beautifully rendered edges and that indulgent quality that makes it a crowd-pleaser for a reason. The set also came with potatoes that were unexpectedly delicious. My only complaint? It was far too much food for one person. The service deserves its own mention. Everyone was warm, attentive, and genuinely kind. The entire meal was delivered with efficiency and a smile, making a solo diner feel completely comfortable lingering and enjoying the experience. What I thought would be a quick happy hour stop turned into one of my favorite meals.

We came to perilla as a group and we really enjoyed it! The meats were all high quality and…read moredelicious! Staff were super friendly, engaging, and helpful. Restaurant was clean, well designed, and you could tell management was actively engaged. Worth a visit if you're craving Korean BBQ!

I am so surprised by the consistently high reviews here. My friend and I came to grab a weeknight…read moredinner and we were so excited to get Korean food. We ordered a seafood soup, seafood pancake, and a salmon crunch roll. We quickly realized that this was an atypical Korean restaurant experience as we did not receive banchan and there were not many traditional options on the menu. I think that should've been our cue to go, but we stayed and were very disappointed. The service was extremely slow. We had to ask multiple times when it was coming, and when the food finally came out, it was underseasoned and the texture was very off. The seafood pancake tasted deep fried and had chunks of imitation crab. It had the texture of an unrisen focaccia. The soup was tasteless, and the salmon roll was drenched in mayo and eel sauce. They also gave us a "special" hot sauce that tasted like just a mix of sriracha and Tabasco. Small highlights: the ambiance was nice; it seemed clean. Waiter was nice enough. I hate giving bad reviews, but this was quite a shocking meal.

I celebrated my birthday at Kim's last night and cannot recommend it enough. The service was…read moreoutstanding and the food was exceptional. We tried the Pajeon as an appetizer and were delighted by the crunch and savory seafood inside. I had the veggie bibimbap in a stone bowl as well and finished every last grain of rice. Our server was helpful with educating us on the best way to eat the dishes we ordered which also enhanced the experience. We had been meaning to try Kim's for months and I'm so glad we did!

I planned a karaoke night during my sister's bachelorette party at Tak Korean Bistro, and it was…read moresuch a hit! The group had a blast. I had reached out to the restaurant a couple of months in advanced to inquire about rooms. We were a group of 13, and we were recommended to get their largest private room called CheongDam. The room size was worth it. So spacious! It also had great ventilation and an indoor fan to keep the room temperature comfortable. The sound system was great, and I was highly impressed by how sound proof the room was. The main restaurant was super busy, but I really couldn't hear the girls singing from the top of their lungs when I stepped out to use the bathroom. We ordered soju, of course, and a few Korean snacks. The seafood pancake, cheese corn, soy garlic popcorn chicken were excellent. Lastly, customer service was excellent - from planning the event to the service day of. There's a button in the room that you can push for service, and our server was highly attentive. Highly recommend Tak Bistro!

We ordered Pork belly wrap platter, Cheese tteokbokki, Spicy seafood hot pot and kimchi pancake…read more I like the pork belly wrap platter, and it comes with sliced pork belly with lettuce, cucumber, carrot, garlic, and ssamjang for wrapping. The pork belly are juicy and crispy and the vegetables wrap and sauce help with balance between the meat. Cheese tteokbokki is classic, I enjoyed the rice cake and the cheese on top. It's a spicy but also sweet, and it came in hot as well! The restaurant showed the FIFA World Cup matches on the big TV screen, and we are able to watch Brazil team during Dinner. I enjoyed the atmosphere, and I will come back for karaoke next time!

The food at Han Bat just screams comforting and homemade. It's definitely a hole in the wall spot,…read moreand you definitely need to give it a visit! We both got the soup, but you need to add salt and pepper to the soup to make it to your liking. This gives it that authentic feel to a Korean dish, and I love how they give housemade kimchi and radish on the side as well. The soups were warm, delicious, and soothing with the tender meat and delicate clear noodles. The service was great; it's run by an older Korean lady that seems so sweet when she comes to take your order and makes sure you enjoyed everything. She asked how everything was and even offered more side dishes since we finished it all. The ambiance is very simple there; you're seated and read off a menu on the wall. It's also cash only, so I'd make sure to bring cash! (There is an atm there just in case though). Additionally, there's a small parking lot if you're lucky to get a spot. I'd definitely give this place a try if you're trying to get something comforting and not too heavy!

My boyfriend brought me to this Korean restaurant, and we both enjoyed our meals here! He ordered…read morethe combination soup, and I ordered the ox tail soup. Both were very good. There was a decent amount of meat in both soups. I especially loved the larger ox tail pieces because they had even more flavor. Our soups also came with two kinds of kimchi--radish and napa cabbage. The kimchi had a strong, bold flavor, while the soups themselves were much milder and comforting. After we finished eating, we paid in cash since the restaurant is cash only. Also, according to my boyfriend, they don't offer to-go boxes, so we tried to finish as much of our food as we could.

Super cute Korean BBQ spot. Well AC'd and ventilated. The table bendy-vents gave me happy memories…read moreof restaurants in Korea. Yummy variety of banchan, I'm a sucker for pickled radish! Never had BBQ where they had an outer ring. They put cheese & corn, scrambled egg, and lastly onion. Eat the egg and cheesy corn once it's done or it gets weird and stuck/burnt. - The dumplings were hot, crispy, and flavorful - The servers grill your food. Our waitress was so nice and accommodating - the meat was good, my favorite was the spicy pork - you get to keep the plastic bottle for your soda Street parking available only

I went to Daebok Korean BBQ on Milwaukee Ave for my sister's birthday yesterday, and if I could…read moregive it negative or zero stars, I would. Strike 1: We had an 8:00PM reservation for six, checked in at 7:50, and weren't seated until 8:20--despite plenty of open tables. Then we waited another 15 minutes before anyone even acknowledged us. Strike 2: We understood service might be slower with a large party nearby, but nonexistent is more accurate. Our server was taking shots with that table while we waited 20+ minutes for water. At the end of the meal, the same server had the nerve to ask us for a positive review in exchange for free meat. Suddenly, the good reviews for this place make a lot more sense. Strike 3: Management was somehow even worse. I asked to speak with a manager and had two different people come over claiming to be one. One was the second server taking shots with the large party--and was visibly intoxicated and slurring his words while handling a table with scissors and open flames. When I called it out, his response was, "I only did one shot." That's not an excuse; it's a liability. The "real" manager was at least pleasant, but ultimately could only remove the automatic gratuity. Do yourself a favor and skip this place. Between the ridiculous wait times, nonexistent service, employees drinking on the job, and complete lack of accountability from management, this was one of the worst restaurant experiences I've had. And for a birthday dinner, it was especially unacceptable.

Perilla Korean Steakhouse -- Chicago…read more We had a very successful brunch at Perilla. The Kimchi Bloody Mary was definitely one of the highlights. Being from New Orleans, I personally like my Bloody Mary a little spicier and with a little more of that NOLA kick, but this was still a really good option and a fun Korean twist on a classic brunch drink. The food was excellent and gave us plenty of variety. The Korean tray was a great choice, along with the bibimbap and avocado toast. Everything came together really well, and there was enough variety that everyone could find something they enjoyed. Overall, it was a great brunch experience with good food, interesting drinks, and a nice atmosphere. Definitely worth checking out if you're looking for something a little different from the typical Chicago brunch. We were looking forward to the Korean donuts unfortunately they sell out early sometimes so if that's something you're getting for For, you might want to get there earlier in the day. We had reservations at 12:30 pm and they were sold out. The service was good.

The Korean Fried Chicken (6.5/10) was fine with a sweet and savory gochujang-soy glaze, but nothing…read morestandout. The Tteokbokki (8/10) was one of my favorites. The rice cakes were super chewy with a creamy, cheesy texture, and the gochujang sauce had a nice kick. The Wagyu skewer paired really well with it too. The Steamed Egg (6/10) was much denser than what I'm used to and wasn't really my thing. The Banchan (6/10) were solid with amazing kimchi. The Wagyu Strip (8/10) was incredibly tender and practically melted in my mouth. The Prime Short Rib and Marinated Prime Short Rib (7/10) were both tender and well cooked, but didn't stand out as much. Service was okay. Other staff checked in often, but our server wasn't around as much and drink refills took a while. 6/10. The vibes were elegant, modern, and intimate. Each grill station is sectioned into its own area, making it feel much more upscale and private. 8/10. Overall, a fun modern Korean American steakhouse experience with great tableside grilling, but definitely on the pricey side.

What a gem to hide an authentic Korean restaurant in the heart of pilsen. Thank you for bringing…read morediverse culture to a culture filled community! Love this. Visiting bobijoa was such a good pick - I ordered the Gogi burger and a bottle of rice wine. The burger darn near melted in your mouth. The textures from the slaw and sauce were perfection on its own. The fries were home cut and not store bought so I loved that. I do wish they'd put sea salt or a homemade seasoning on the fry to up it a bit. Otherwise no complaints. The prices are affordable and the atmosphere is calm and chill. You can go with a friend or bring a book to read. Either way you're in for a treat.

I LOVE BOBI JOA!!! Been coming for years. I love all their food. Service is kind. Ambiance is…read morepeaceful. It's self service (bussing and getting utensils) you pay at the counter. They have pictures on their menu which I also enjoy. I've had the chicken wings (sweet n spicy), their kimchi fries, their bibimbop, bulgogi bap (favorite!!!), burger, kimchi fried rice (fav), japchae noodles, Soondooboo (another big fav), and Yukejang (favorite soup in the winter time, the beef is so soft) their Seafood Pajeon is also delicious- recommend eating there though cause its crispy, along with the fries and chicken wings. And lastly the Hotteoks are a nice sweet n savory dessert. Favorite place in the neighborhood.

From the outside, this is a very non-assuming restaurant located in a small plaza with a strip of…read moreother establishments. I was looking for a restaurant near Ikea, and this place came up in my searches. It did not dissapoint. I think the bi bim bap and the naengmyeon are 2 of the most worth dishes to order here. The food portions are very large and you get a real bang for your buck. The meal came with a good variety of korean side dishes: kimchi, tofu, beansprouts, cucumbers. The seafood pancake is delicious. I'd love to order it again. However, for $18, it's a bit expensive for me conpared to other seafood pancakes I've had. Service is great too. Our servers were very attentive. It was a good dining experience. The only thing is the decor is very strange. It's clean and tidy but some of the decor adds a strange ambiance. Makes it memorable.

This is a great spot for lunch. Authentic korean cuisine. Lunch specials. Friendly staff. Tasty…read moredishes. What else can you ask for?

INCREDIBLE! The food, vibes, and service were 10/10…read more This place has immaculate energy. When we went, the DJ was playing such great music and the whole atmosphere was so fun. The food was delicious; my standouts were definitely the handrolls and the burger, but truly everything we tried was so tasty. Such a great spot for tasty food, music, and a fun night out. Would absolutely recommend!

Big fan of Chef Beverly, so had to check out Parachute Hi Fi when I was in town! Such an awesome,…read moreunique vibe for weeknight dinner! Some street parking available nearby. The space has such a fun, modern interior with records and other music decor lining the small space! Perfect spot for a date or small group. A live DJ was spinning various records during our visit, which I thought would be too loud, but was the perfect backdrop for our great dinner conversation. Staff were friendly, and didn't hang around too much, which was nice! The cocktails and food were the real deal! I had the Pineapple Upside Down Cake cocktail, which I thought would be SUPER sweet, but it was balanced and refined in the best way. Lovely take on a tropical cocktail. We shared the Korean Chicken Sandwich, the Burger, and the Bing Bread. Every single bite was delicious: fun take on a pizza with the Bing Bread, a fresh and light take on a Korean Chicken sandwich, and a deliciously savory burger with all my favorite toppings! The servings were perfect to share, so I'd grab a close friend, order up some drinks and plates, and just take in the chill vibe! So glad we stopped!

Del Seoul - Chicago Sometimes the best food finds happen…read morewhen you're simply walking by and your nose says, "Wait a minute... what's cooking in there?" That's exactly how we ended up at Del Seoul! We were walking by, saw the food, smelled all that goodness, and knew we had to stop. Even one of the diners told us the food was good and that we would enjoy it. That was all the confirmation we needed! Del Seoul is a quaint little spot with a dining area that isn't very large, along with additional seating on the side. When you enter, you place your order at the counter. One thing to know if you're dining with a group: everyone in your party must be present when ordering. We had a group of four, and they prepared a table for us. Ordering was easy, and Reilly was very friendly and helpful, which made our first visit even better. We started with the Kimchi Fries for the table. I didn't really taste much of the kimchi flavor, but the fries were still good. We also grabbed a bottle of Mango Soju to share. It wasn't overly sweet, and we decided shots were the way to go. Cheers! For my meal, I ordered the Bulgogi Bento Box, which came with grilled, thinly sliced flatiron steak with sautéed onions, an egg and scallion omelette, mixed greens with ginger vinaigrette, and steamed rice. The bulgogi was the star for me. The steak was tender, flavorful, and very tasty, and everything in the bento box worked well together. Definitely a satisfying meal! What started as a simple walk-by turned into a delicious Chicago food stop. If you're a Chicago native or visiting the city like I am, give Del Seoul a try. Sometimes you just have to follow the aroma! Five stars from me!

This is a casual counter-service spot where you order first, grab a seat, and they bring the food…read moreto your table. The vibes were laid back and perfect for a quick meal. 7/10. Service was great. They explained where everything was. 8/10. The tacos were good, but nothing really stood out. 7/10. They were a little too heavy on the slaw and mayo for my taste. The Sesame-Chili Shrimp Taco was my favorite. The shrimp stayed crispy and had the best flavor. The Sambal Fish Taco was a little soggy, while the Kalbi, BBQ Pork, and BBQ Chicken were all on the drier side. I honestly still prefer traditional Mexican tacos over these. The K-Town Chicken Wings (7.5/10) were my favorite item. They weren't breaded, but the sweet soy, chili, and garlic glaze was delicious. The skin had a nice firm bite, which I really liked.