Let me tell you about the food at Woo Chon... it's so tasty and authentic! I love going to KBBQ spots, but I've never been to one where there's an actual open flame charcoal grill. You get a ton of bonchon when you order, and they were decent; the kimchi was a little too sour and fermented for my liking. However, we ordered the brisket and pork belly, and they were extremely yummy. You could really taste the charcoal and authenticity behind it. Just be careful to not let it get too burnt since it cooks fast! We also got the kimchi jigae and the cold noodles as sides; the cold noodles were so refreshing and delicious, but I wasn't a huge fan of the kimchi jigae because of how fermented the kimchi felt. But I wouldn't let that stop you from ordering it since that's my personal preference! The service was a 5/5 since we were greeted immediately and helped throughout the meal. The waitress there would help you grill the meat and even check in on you to make sure you were good or needed anything else. The ambiance gives such a homey vibe that you feel like you're at someone's house. I also enjoyed that we got seated in our own secluded booth. My only flaw would be that it is a little pricey, and you are required to order at least two meats. I would definitely come back again though! read more

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Best Korean bbq in the city in my opinion. Price isn't too bad and the flavors are so good. The short rib is the best meat as well. The other ones don't have much flavor because they aren't marinated. read more

Woo Chon Restaurant - Short rib - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great charcoal Korean bbq up north in Chicago! The galbi was marinated so deliciously and quite tender as well and we also got an assortment of beef and pork. The prices for the meat were a bit high, around $35 per order and soju was $15. Overall a bit expensive but it's hard to find good Korean bbq in Chicago! read more

Woo Chon Restaurant - Kbbq - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Never had charcoal kbbq before since we don't have any in CA. To note, not AYCE, this is a la carte. Great service and great food. I had the brisket, pork belly, unmarinated beef rib and kimchi jjigae. read more

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If you're craving authentic Korean BBQ in Chicago, Woo Chon is a must-visit. The experience is just as fun as it is delicious -- from sizzling meats on the grill to the occasional burst of fire that makes the meal feel like dinner and a show. The meat quality is fantastic -- tender, flavorful, and perfectly marbled. The beef practically melts in your mouth, while the pork belly crisps up beautifully on the grill. The side dishes round out the meal with that signature Korean balance of spice, tang, and crunch. The atmosphere is cozy but lively, making it a great spot for a casual night out with friends or family. Be ready to get a little smoky (and maybe even caught in a fire flare-up like we did ), but that's part of the charm of real Korean BBQ. read more

Woo Chon Restaurant - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Feels homey, the charcoal grills are simply better than the gas grills at other places... the cuts of meat here are high-quality, combined with great service. read more

Woo Chon Restaurant - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I love this place. I've eaten at Michelin star restaurants, James beard award winners, the whole 9 yards and this is by far my favorite. If my wife would let me, I'd eat here every night. In my many years frequenting this place, I've never had a bad meal. If anything, it's one of the most complete meals you can have (flavors/textures). Owner and staff are super attentive, excellent quality charcoal and meat. 10/10. For first timers, try the galbi, pancake, rice and soup (with the sides of course). Always feel like a million dollars after I've eaten this. read more

First time having Korean bbq and wow! I've seen it on tv but never have experienced until now. Came with my friend and this was something. We had the pork belly and beef that we cooked on the grill over the bucket of coals that they bring out to your table. They brought out sides like kimchi, salad, broccoli, and other little dishes to accompany your meat. It was all delish! The waitress came over and started the grill for us and then it started filling up with more people coming, so we came at a good time. The restaurant itself had booths along the wall and tables by the windows that have the opening for the coals. Nice place! read more

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The space is dated and dingy. there is a small parking lot out back. Not a lot of customers though so plenty of space. The server was attentive, checking in periodically and taking care of the meat whenever she came by. Pricing was steep for the meats, but you get what you pay for and both the quantity and quality of the meat was very good. The soups and noodles were reasonably priced and tasted great. A great alternative, and in my opinion better choice than the competition nearby. read more

Woo Chon Restaurant - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Tastes good but a bit pricey, though everything is shareable portions! If you order kbbq, it's cooked on a charcoal grill, which gives it more of a smoky flavor. The kalbi was great but I wouldn't order the pork belly again. I preferred this meal with rice and eating the meats with the kimchi that's included in the bonchon (small side dishes). Fast service and lots of standard bonchon dishes as well as salads. There are private booth areas which is nice. A typical family-owned Korean restaurant--authentic. read more

Woo Chon Restaurant - Pork belly - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Another KBBQ spot in Chicago marked off my list, and I am greatly surprised by the fantastic service, warm & welcoming staff, and the quality of the meat. It's definitely on the pricy end and it does seem like they've recently raised their prices, but who hasn't? Inflation is costing us all a lot to dine out now. I see this place as the kind I would come to maybe on a bi-monthly basis because for two people, with three orders of meat (tongue, ribs, and brisket) and two Soju bottles, it came out to $150 not including the tip. Totally worth it though if you're ready to spend that kind of money. The tongue here is DELICIOUS. Great quality, and it's hard to even find tongue at a KBBQ spot in the greater Chicago metropolitan area, so kudos to this restaurant for offering it. Also, you can NEVER go wrong with a charcoal fire to cook your KBBQ. It's the best way too cook this tasty meat. Just keep in mind that you will have to cook it quick and eat it kind of quick because you don't want the grill just chillin' with fire and getting burned quicker. The server who assisted us for most of our experience was extremely friendly, and we actually forgot a credit card in the bill, and she ran outside and knocked on our car door window across the street to return it to us. So sweet! If you're looking for great service and excellent meat quality, make your way to Woo Chon BBQ in Budlong Woods! Just expect to pay a pretty penny. read more

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The Banchan's were OK. The Galbi was exceptional. I'm used to grill at your table, and in this case the server also did the grilling the right doneness. Some of the most flavorful meat I have ever tasted. Note there was a $10 charge added as I was only one. But the Galbi was soooo good I left satisfied. read more

We really wanted to like this place, but unfortunately it fell flat. It's a hole-in-the-wall place, which my partner has taught me can have the best service and food. We hoped it would! We found ample parking with a dedicated lot but also spots out front on California. We were greeted and seated efficiently and with smiles. The cold weather followed us in, making us a little uncomfortable until the charcoal for the BBQ arrived. No big deal. We ordered a mix of BBQ & dishes to accommodate everyone as well as drinks. There are some soju, sake and beer options, but wine comes up a little short. No hard liquor is available. Everything came out quickly. Smooth sailing so far, right? Here's where things fell down a bit. The banchan (small appetizers for those who don't know) was lacking. No fish cakes (my favorite), daikon or daikon kimchi, actually no other types of kimchi except the standard cabbage, etc. The two Koreans at the table exchanged looks. Then the squid dish wasn't the quantity you'd hope for at 21.99, though the flavor was good. The pork belly BBQ looked okay to me but I've been eating pescetarian for over a decade so what do I know about meat? I was told later it was too thin and lean, lacking sufficient flavor. The server did help cook it, starting duties with a person in the party. Despite only two people working front of house, the service was attentive. We had recently been to San Soo Gab San, which is a few minutes away, and could not help comparing these spots. The ventilation fans are Woo Chan are pleasantly quiet and allow you to see everyone in your party unobstructed. That's where the advantages ended, though. Again, we went in hoping to fall in love with this restaurant, but drove home disappointed. read more

Excellent Korean BBQ. The quality of meat and seasoning was all on point. I wish they had more banchan and wish the banchan was unlimited. The veggie pancake was crispy and had good flavor. I wish they had the seafood pancake available. The service was a bit rushed but it was nice the ladies there helped cook the meat. read more

Woo Chon Restaurant - Veggie pancake - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My family and I came in on a busy Sunday night. I saw a lot of great reviews for this place and it looked like one of the most authentic Korean restaurants in the area, so we decided to come in. There were plenty of free street parking available across the street. We were greeted promptly and got sat. As soon as we sat down, we noticed a family next to our table that were grilling their meats already. Then we noticed all the smoke wasn't getting sucked in their vacuum system above their grill. My mom couldn't breathe and asked about the smoke situation to the (I believe) owner. She said that because of the AC that was blowing towards us, the smoke ends up not getting sucked up into the vacuum system. That went on for the entire 2-3 hours we were there. The meats were pretty decent. They were definitely expensive. We had a group of 5 and spent almost $400. Keep in mind that they had an automatic gratuity of 18% of the total price if you have a group of 5 or more. read more

If you're in the mood for Korean barbecue, make your way to Woo Chon. This is definitely a hidden gem. The food is amazing and better than other Korean barbecue that I've had nearby, and the prices are even better! My friends and I have been trying different Korean barbecues around Chicago and this is our (newly discovered) favorite! I've come here probably five times in the last two months with my friends and we've always tried something new each time. A favorite is the Goon Man Doo (dumplings). They've been flavorful each time and a great appetizer to start with before the meat, grill, and side dishes arrive at the table. My favorite meats to get on the grill are Galbi and the spicy pork belly. You can't go wrong with either! The side dishes were also delicious. Some of my favorite are their homemade salad, cucumbers with kimchi, and noodles. Also, always ask for sesame oil and salt to dip your meat in! Getting Korean barbecue is definitely an experience and Woo Chon is a very clean and friendly establishment. The servers were friendly and very attentive to our table, constantly making sure we were taken care of and happy with our meal. I am already looking forward to my next visit! read more

Woo Chon Restaurant - Galbi with assorted side dishes - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

여기 음식이 너무 맛있어서, 여기에 있는 동안 실제로 한국어 읽고 쓰는 법을 배웠어요. 제 나이가 43살인데도 이전에는 읽고 쓰는 법을 배운 적이 없었습니다. (제 친구가 이 영어 버전을 쓰고 있어요.) 그러니 여기 음식이 얼마나 좋은지 말해주는 것 같죠, 음식이 좋아서 언어까지 배우게 되었어요. Translation: the food here was so good I actually learned how to read and write Korean while I was here and even though I am 43 I had never learned to read and write before (my friend is writing the English version of this) so that should tell you how good the food is here you learn the language and I now have the ability to read and write in at least one language now yay! read more

Charcoal grill is the best grill! Meat was tasty, side dishes tasty. Restaurant feels very homey. Is a bit on the pricey side ~ also no soup at the end. Overall good read more

We are always on the search for good Korean barbeque when we are in Chicago and randomly found Woo Chon. The restaurant is nothing fancy, but if you ask me, that's how you know it's going to be good! And it did not disappoint! We ordered two different types of beef. Both were delicious! I really liked the marinated beef. Side dishes were great as well and we enjoyed a couple Korean beers. Our server was very friendly and helpful. In a slower neighborhood so parking wasn't an issue. There is a parking lot in the back. Highly suggest for no-fuss Korean barbeque! read more

On a winter's day when you need to warm up, Korean food is a great option to replenish yourself. We found this place on Yelp and went on over. From the outside, it is easy to miss and had a weathered sign way up high. When you walk in it has a series of booths and upfront an open area. We started with the Hae Mool Pa Jeon, or scallion pancakes. Then it was onto Soon Tofu Soup, with Dol Sot Bibim Bap. They also brought a series of pickled vegetables. And then there is corn tea. Overall the food was good. The service was respectful and attentive. My daughter who lived in Korea said that this place is the real deal. read more

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We love coming here. We had the Galbi BBQ and vege pancake. It came with many wonderful side dishes, rice and salad. For the BBQ, we had to get two orders minimum. While it was pricey for one order, the food was very good. It is so enjoyable to be able to BBQ the marinaded beef on the table side and enjoy good food with friends. While it's a little divey, we love coming here as it's clean and the ladies that work here are friendly, attentive and explains to us on how to BBQ the food. They have a list of alcoholic Korean beverages. They also have other non-BBQ dishes. The table next to us had the hot bowl rice dish and I'm going to get that there next time as well. read more

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The food here is fantastic and very authentic! This is a small, family-run place with staff that works really hard to keep everything moving. It was crowded on a Friday night, so arrive early if you don't want to wait, or try going during the week. We took our 20-year-old son here for his birthday and he loved it. It would be a great place for a date night. read more

Food OK Service terrible, bordering on rude. Ambiance- ventilation systems not working right excessively smoky. (Compared to other Korean BBQ) Would not go back. read more

Excellent spot in an area of the city with several great Korean BBQ options. The BBQ options are all pretty standard, although I didn't see any seafood or pork on the menu when we were there. I liked that the chicken was whole thighs with the skin still on, it was great on the BBQ. I saw other weren't happy with the side dishes but I feel that is one area that really sets them apart from other options in the area. I really liked that there were several greens as options and kimchi and seaweed options were great. I would have liked another root vegetable option but no big deal. The soup that comes with the BBQ was great. Decent alcohol selection with friendly and attentive service. We'll definitely be back, often. read more

Overall good experience, tasty bbq and sides, great service. - Galbi (marinated) extremely tasty and flavorful, bones on the side also tasty - Pork Belly thick un-marinated but good quality pork - Beef tongue tender and tasty - Brisket relatively generous portion and very lean - Tofu soup (seafood) was surprisingly tasty (I generally don't like these soups) - Vegetable pancake very good, in particular not very doughy/soggy in the middle which sometimes happens, wish they had a seafood version Generally speaking, good experience would go back, only issue is with regards to how worth it. I generally expected the portions to be bigger at $30-40 per plate of meat, particularly paying $30 for 6 slices of pork belly seems to be a bit not worth it. Would go back, but only order a few of the meats and sides. read more

A little pricy for the metas but the charcoal grill made the flavors of the meat so delicious! Wish there were more sides!! Extra cost with you want 3 or more refills on sides! read more

Woo Chon Restaurant - KOREAN BBQ WITH BANCHAN - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We stumbled across Woo Chan after arriving to our normal KBBQ to learn they were remodeling & not offering the grill at the table. Glad we were forced to try a different place. The meat selection was great. We love the variety of sides they bring out. The japchae noodle was really good. Pricing was reasonable. read more

Woo Chon Restaurant - KBBQ + variety of sides - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

After dining in for lunch here twice, I'm underwhelmed. For starters, and as noted in other reviews, this place is pricey for what you get. I think if the food was off the chart and the ban chan was amazing, I'd pony up every once in while. As it is, I'm going to pass, even with the dearth of great Korean bbq in Chicago. The food here is just ok. I think the people are really nice, and service has been good during both our visits, but it's not enough for me to want to return. read more

For the flavor? 5 stars. No doubt. Don't get the pork because real charcoal flames will leave soot when the pork fat drips down. Just get the galbi and naengmyun. It's exquisite. Expensive. Not worth the price imo. But its good. Food 4/5: I loved the galbi. It was seasoned well. Not too salty, not too sweet, and they'll grill up the bones for you if you want that too. That being said, its really pricey for what it is. 5/5 The naengmyun was really flavorful and I'd get it again to go with the galbi. 4/5 Pork: Don't get it. The real charcoal flares up and leaves too much soot on it. 3/5 Service 4/5: It's typical korean service. They don't come to you. You ask for them. But they're very attentive and will give you anything you ask for! Atmosphere 4/5: It's your typical korean restaurant. Nothing much happening here. It is a bit small so make reservations and call ahead if you can. read more

Unfortunately this restaurant has changed for the worst over the years. I used to be a regular here, a decade ago. Prices are out of sight for what you get, in the primary reason we come to a Korean barbecue like this is for the abundant side dishes - However the side dishes are no longer abundant although the prices are. Service is great, people are polite. Perhaps with inflation and other factors the days of the past where food is abundant are no longer..... read more

If you're expecting an authentic Korean food, this place isn't for you. Foods are on the pricy side and taste like crap. It wasn't worth it. The kimchi stew was too spicy. The banchan (side dish) were so little. If you charge this much then at least put more on the banchan. My usual go to place is Cho sun ok. It's much better there. read more

Let's hear a Woo Hoo for Woo Chon! This small family-run kimchi powered restaurant keeps a low neighborhood profile but is an authentic traditional Korean barbecue complete with tubs of glowing coal embers brought table side so you can grill all kinds of Korean beef. Yes, you'll smell like hot dogs from the smoke for a while, but it's worth it. We had the vegetable pancake, the chop jae and stone bowl bibimbop. Plus 8 bonchon (little appetizer sized tasting dishes). We came for lunch and were the only non-Koreans in there. Best Seoul Food I've had in Chicago. read more

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This place gets 5 stars all day long. I do not typically give 5 stars, but the service was spectacular. The Food was so scrumptious. My son ate everything. Our gastronomical propensities are properly saroncified. Yes to the service. Yes to the atmosphere. Yes to the food. read more

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OVERPRICED, TERRIBLE SERVICE, HIDDEN 25% SERVICE CHARGE. Do yourself a favor and avoid this place if you can. I'll summarize my main points: 1. This place is overpriced. $37 for a few tiny pieces of short rib meat and $30 for 5 tiny slices of pork belly? This would have been ok if the meat quality was awesome, but no, the meat was mediocre. I've had better meat at half the price. 2. Server was rushing us to finish throughout our meal. Although they tried to look "polite", it was obvious that they were trying to get us to finish up quickly. 3. Server asked the four of us to share 2 plates of dipping sesame oil. During a pandemic, is this supposed to be some kind of a joke? Are we supposed to lick each other's faces too? 4. We got charged a hidden 25% service fee and the server claimed that this was because we had a large party. I don't think 4 people counts as a large party. Also if you want to charge a service charge, you NEED to mention it somewhere. The service was also terrible so the service charge made us laugh. 5. Server refused to seat us in a booth claiming that there was a reservation, but the restaurant was completely empty throughout our meal. I highly recommend anyone who is interested in this place to do yourself a favor and choose someplace else. There are so many better places with fairer prices and better service. This is basically the worst I've ever seen. read more

I had a grand time here, and ate some delicious Korean BBQ. Went in and we were super taken of- May be because we were seen as beginners, but the ladies were helpful and giving us a crash course on how to cook Korean BBQ the right way. I felt like I was in my grandmothers kitchen- if were close to burning something she would take over. I was in awe of her skills. The food was great and the side dishes were phenomenal, we tried the spicy marinated chicken and the beef with bone on the side. It really hit the spot on a cold winters night after taking a walk. I had a great time and can't wait to come back and get better at it! read more

A great authentic Korean restaurant! They also have regular menu entrees besides the all you can eat barbeque. I got the soon tofu with seafood. Food is homemade and authentic. Service is very polite and attentive. Ambiance is very cozy and homey. read more

Woo Chon Restaurant - Soon tofu - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

It's hard to find good quality Korean BBQ, but we are so happy we ventured to a new place to us this evening. While the kalbi is on the expensive side, it was perfectly marbled and tender with a delicious marinade. Importantly, we loved the real smoldering charcoal brought to our table for the grill. The staff was friendly and was happy to replace pan chan as we ate it. We will be back soon! read more

Woo Chon Restaurant - Beautifully marbled and tasty marinated kalbi - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I had an awesome meal and wonderful service today at Woo Chon. We showed up around 2pm for a table of 3. We happened to be the only table at this quaint and very clean restaurant during our entire meal. We ordered the sliced beef brisket, 2 marinaded beef cuts and spicy chicken to grill at our table. The qualify of the proteins we chose were fresh and of high quality. It was unique to see that they actually use charcoal rather than propane. It gave our meal a more athletic vibe and the meats had a nice smoky aroma. The assortment of sides were super tasty and complimented the meat very nicely. My favorite were the fish cakes and scallion salad. One of my friends really liked the pickled daikon. We also ordered the chilled buckwheat noodles which I've never had before but I really really enjoyed the texture and flavor. It's a huge serving and served in a cold broth with ice cubes...tasty and interesting. We had a side of boiled wontons as well which I really liked. What made the meal over the top great was the level of service we received from the lady who served us. She was super polite and went extremely above and beyond to help us with grilling the meats and explaining the best cooking times. I've been to a few Korean BBQ restaurants and the typical demeanor is very intimidating and off-putting. This place was the total opposite and I'd like to really give a huge kudos and thanks for making our drive from the Westside of Aurora well worth the trip! read more

This has to be one of the most authentic Korean BBQ restaurants in Chicago. The vibes here are great and the service is never lacking. Always positive vibes when I go here! read more

Open flame BBQ!!! This is the place to goo!!!!! One of the very kbbq in town!! The kalbi was not too sweet and just right !