Is This Chicago’s Itaewon-Style Korean Pub?!

Most good Korean spots in Chicago are way up north, but Dancen is one of the few close to downtown that’s actually solid! The place has big screens and retro TVs looping K-pop MVs, moody lighting, and a vibe straight out of a Korean drama pub — feels like teleporting to Itaewon ✨ Food-wise, highly recommend their Cheese Spicy Chicken 🧀🔥 — looks indulgent, but once you take a bite, it’s so satisfying you won’t want to stop. The Pork Cartilage Rice Ball is DIY — you shape it yourself (fun, but careful, the rice is hot!). It’s mildly spicy for those with low heat tolerance. Grilled Chicken Gizzards are great with drinks 🍻, and their Tofu Soup is cozy for chilly days. They also have Budae Jjigae (army stew) that looks perfect for winter — trying that next time! 📍 Dancen 5114 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625 The restaurant is close to Andersonville, an area full of cute little shops — perfect to explore before or after your meal. Some cool spots nearby: 📚☕️ The Understudy Coffee and Books – cute bookstore + Instagram-worthy café 🍵🍶 Five Elements Home – Japanese tableware, matcha & home fragrance 🎨 Andersonville Galleria – local artists’ handmade crafts 🎮 AlleyCat Comics – heaven for anime/manga fans And don’t forget to grab a croissant from Lost Larson 🥐 #StudentLife #Foodie #Chicago #ChicagoEats #HiddenGem #KoreanFood #ChicagoWeekend