Jin Soo in Chicago’s North Suburbs

On the way to dropping a friend off at O’Hare, we stumbled upon this gem — the only Korean spot open at 3 PM on weekends. First hooked by their stews and soups, I’ve been back three times in a month, and on the third visit I finally tried their life-changing Korean BBQ! Feels like every Korean family in Chicago gathers here (just kidding… maybe 😝). 🌟 Must-Try Highlights Their Korean stews and soups are excellent — the Short Rib Soup has a clear, sweet broth with dates adding a subtle sweetness. The Beef Soybean Paste Stew is seriously satisfying over rice. Even the small kimchi stew served with BBQ changed my mind about kimchi jjigae — the kimchi tastes fresher, perfectly tangy (not too strong), soft but not mushy, and never too spicy on the throat. 💫 Korean BBQ They specialize in Korean BBQ and offer set menus (for 3+ people), but we ordered à la carte: • Plain Ribeye • Marinated Beef Short Rib • Marinated Pork Ribs Every cut was juicy, tender, and incredibly fresh — truly looked like it was just sliced at the market, not frozen stiff. Their meat is aged and smoked in-house — clean, pure flavors. The plain ribeye with a little sea salt rivals high-end steakhouse quality! Honestly, in terms of meat quality, texture, and seasoning, this is the most impressive Korean BBQ I’ve had in the U.S. A friend who used to live in California even said it’s on par with the best KBBQ spots in LA 😍 The beef isn’t cheap per plate, but portions are generous — great for sharing. Each order also comes with a small soup or Korean steamed egg (choose from kimchi stew, soybean paste stew, or steamed egg), which pairs perfectly with the meat. 🥟 Seafood Pancake — So good we wanted to order a second one right away! Minimal batter, loaded with seafood and chives, crispy and fragrant. ✅ Other Reasons to Love Jin Soo: Clean and pleasant environment (impressive for a BBQ spot), minimal grease smell afterward, and friendly service. A true mood-lifter in chilly “Chiberia” ❄️🔥 💰 Price: ~$45 per person after tax & tip 📍 Address & Parking: Plenty of parking available (see P8 for details) 🅿️ #ChicagoKoreanBBQ #EvanstonEats #ChicagoValueEats #WinterAndBBQ