Joong Boo Market — Attraction in Jefferson Township

Joong boo is not 1 star. The Korean lady that runs the food counter in the back is one star. I’ve been going to this market for 20 years. Off and on in frequency. For some reason the Korean lady in the back has always been a bit cold to me but I would ignore it and thank her in honorifics in Korean and have always been super respectful and polite, regardless.

In the last year, I ordered bibimbap to go which I did a number of times previously in addition to eating other dishes there other times. I ordered an extra rice and I guess the Korean lady thought I was splitting the order for two portions of rice, when in fact, I have purchased rice a number of times from there to keep in my freezer for when I want rice. So what does she do? She gave me the smallest portion of bibimbap add ins I’ve ever gotten. Without any exaggeration this was way less than half of the banchan portion that typically comes with the order. Out of spite? Which is psychotic and outrageous. This is just flat out wrong and frankly I knew I couldn’t do anything about it at the time, I was just going to have to stop ordering it when she was there.

Today I go to the counter to order just rice to go, there’s no line and she had just cashed out someone who ordered. She sees me and turns back to the station in the kitchen and starts filling trays with banchan. There are no entrees ready to go, she just stacks them. Then she grabs a bowl for stews and goes and ladles something in and then puts it on the counter as if she was just trying to make me wait/snub me.

TO BE CLEAR It gets very busy there, I’ve had to wait many times, and it’s totally reasonable but this wasn’t the case this time. Then she finally turns at me and staring me down blankly, in silence, I then say hello in Korean. And she seems annoyed to have to interact with me and then reluctantly asks what I want, I was fed up, so in as neutral of tone with no warmth, I said, give me one rice please. She then rang me out and put it in a bag, and on the counter without saying anything like I was a dog. I took it and didn’t say thank you and left.

I have no idea what this woman’s issue is, but between that time she cheated me out of a proper portion for which I paid for like any other customer, and today. I’m writing a review, she may be an owner, I don’t know I don’t care. But you don’t treat people like that, let alone customers who have always been warm and polite. Shame on you.

Separately, I’ve always had great interactions with the rest of the staff, Korean, Latino, non Korean, etc. the Korean man who runs the kitchen department has always been so kind despite my Korean not being the greatest. But, that woman, she’s just miserable.

I will continue to go to Joong Boo and love pretty much everything...

Terrible experience with store policy. We have been loyal patrons for 10+ years before they got popular and not a lot of people inside. Recently found have Glenview location when we were in the area for a doctor’s visit. Purchased item and item was too small once checked home. The reveipt states you only have 3 days to return (crazy), and no where does it say it needs to be returned at exact same store. I found this out when we went to the local branch in chicago and they had a small sign that said returns have to be in the same store purchased.

So they basically entrap you to make returns impossible. Glenview is 1 hour away and wouldn’t make sense to travel that to return a $6 unused item. And since it’s too small then it’s wasted. Who’s able to travel 1 hour away that’s not for work, withon 3 days to return a $6 item when they never knew in the first place of this policy since it’s not stated on receipt.

They are all Joong Boo branches, why can’t they work seamlessly together. They also sell the same item at this location so why can’t they work with customer.

All recent reviews of high stars seem to be new people or people who aren’t part of the culture who may be easily impressed. Those of us though who are withon the culture, and/or have been a patron for 10+ years know the quality of everything...

This is the Korean market to go to in the city of Chicago. There is even a restaurant inside that many Koreans eat at so you know it's good, reasonably priced, or both. I'm had the Bibimbap and it was good. The vinegar smell can be kind of overwhelming and it really hits you right when you enter the store, and especially around the restaurant. Expect terse but courteous service. Tried sashimi once and the fish was still frozen so maybe be careful with that.

The produce is pretty good but not as good or with as much variety as other stores, yet they sometimes have the elusive dragon fruit. There are rice cakes and other treats from a bakery on West Lawrence so that's nice to have. There is a lot of frozen food, a fresh bar to buy salads and what not, and there is a section of the store to buy small appliances (e g. Rice cooker), and many other non grocery items. There is also a large selection of seaweed snacks. Many prepackaged foods have msg and preservatives so if that's an issue, be alert. There is a large selection of bag tea and even an area with expensive loose tea.

Be very careful driving and parking in the lot, as some drivers are not so courteous or safe. It needed to be said.

This is a great store to explore if you need or want Korean...