Chicago’s Top Korean Restaurant? Even Koreans Are Lining Up! 🏆

Cho Sun Ok — recommended by many Koreans — finally tried it, and it was also my first time dining in at a Korean restaurant in Chicago. Honestly, I’ve never had high hopes for Asian food in Chicago, but this changed my mind. 📍 4200 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60618 I walked in after work feeling totally drained — this week wiped me out 😵. But this Korean meal really hit the spot, especially with two lovely friends — it brought me back to life a little ✨. No reservations here, but it’s great for groups of 3–4. When I arrived, I had a sudden déjà vu — felt like I’d been here on a rainy night before but left due to the long line. This time, we got lucky: arrived around 5:30 PM, seated right away. By 7 PM when we left, a long queue had formed. Moral: eat early — avoids crowds and maybe even keeps you lean 😉. 🍽 Appetizer HaeMul Pajeon (Seafood Scallion Pancake) Haven’t had a pancake this big in ages — larger than my face! Crispy outside, soft inside, packed with seafood flavor. 🍜 Mul NaengMyeon (Cold Noodles) Buckwheat noodles in icy beef broth — clean and refreshing. Next time, I’ll try the spicy version! 🥩 Samgyeopsal (Pork Belly) Heard their beef is better, but my friend wanted pork. The ajumma brought thick slabs of meat — so aromatic when grilled, but honestly too thick 😂. The table was small, the grill was hot, and oil splattered everywhere — I kept leaning back! ✨ Word is their ChaDol-Gui (Thinly Sliced Beef) is amazing — trying that next time! BTW, wear loose, comfy, and inexpensive clothes here — you will leave smelling like BBQ. 🥢 Galbi-Gui (Beef Short Ribs) Sweet soy-marinated, very flavorful. By the end, I was tearing into it with my hands — so satisfying! 🍚 Fried Rice After grilling, the ajummas take leftover banchan and rice, stir-fry it in the leftover meat juices on the grill, and let it crisp into golden nurungji (scorched rice). Savory, crunchy, and utterly indulgent — my friend called it “the essence of oil and fat” 😅. Guilty but couldn’t stop eating! Many online reviews mention poor service, but our experience was fine. The ajummas were quiet (I even thought I heard Chinese once 😂) — probably not strong in English — but they kept busy grilling and cooking without pause. The bill came handwritten in Korean. Got home, collapsed on the couch 🛋️… Korean food really has a way of making you happily powerless. #Chicago #ChicagoLife #ChicagoEats #KoreanFood #HiddenGems #KoreanBBQ #Korea #LifeInUS